Welcome to the Foundation For Peace

Building Foundations. Sharing Hope. Working for Peace.

The Foundation for Peace reaches out to thousands of people in a personal way to strengthen communities and
churches and to help individuals through service with our partners in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica and
Kenya. Through these efforts materially-poor families are able to
send their children to school, eat, drink clean water, obtain health care and build a better life for themselves.
You can help strengthen our continuing fight against poverty and our efforts to respond to desperate needs by
joining a mission trip and/or making a donation today.

Wendy Patchin named Associate Director of the FFP

javascript:PopUp('./images/wendy_with_injured_Haiitan_children_recovering_from_the_earthquake.jpg', 720,
540)Wendy has been volunteering with the Foundation for Peace since 2004. She has led numerous mission teams
to the Dominican Republic and Haiti and has co-led trips to Kenya. She has served as Director of Education,
organizing and presenting teacher training in the Dominican Republic and Kenya, and she has provided team
building for FFP staff. Recently she became chair of the FFP Board of Missions. We are grateful that Wendy
continues to volunteer with the FFP, now as the Associate Director.

The Foundation for Peace has moved from a response to the massive earthquake to rebuilding Haiti...to an
even better place than before!

Our recent and upcoming teams of volunteers are working in Fond Parisien, Haiti, to provide assistance to hundreds
of internally displaced people (IDP). Thanks to the generosity of many people, in particular the Woodside
Presbyterian Church (Yardley, PA) and Planet Honda (Union, NJ), we sucessfully raised the $35,000 needed to
complete the new school.
The new school (see photo below and to right) serves 600 children from the surrounding community as well as those
living in the IDP camp.
javascript:PopUp('./images/new_school_fond_parisien.jpg', 720, 540)In order to maximize the quality of education
we need funds for educational materials and to pay the teachers. In total, we need to raise $36,000 (US) per year.
Please generously contribute to this important need today by clicking here to donate on-line or by mailing a check
payable to Foundation for Peace and mail to: Foundation for Peace, P.O. Box 424, Ironia, NJ 07845.

The Foundation for Peace is building foundations, sharing hope and working for peace at home and
abroad....

These foundations not only support schools, water purification facilities, churches and medical clinics, but are also a
key part of the long-term friendships formed between the North American volunteers and the Dominican, Haitian,
Jamaican and Kenyan people. Our working together hand in hand on construction
 projects, providing medical care, clean water, food, clothing and education for and with the local community has
brought hope, community improvements and promoted understanding across cultures.
Our world is in desperate need of peace. While working with government, church, business and non-governmental
entities at home and abroad, we have stood for all people, especially those who have been ignored by society.
Donating resources and time to work hand in hand is bringing attention to the needs and promoting tangible
improvements in marginalized communities. Thank you to all who have contributed to the work of the FFP in
person, via donations and through prayer. Your efforts have been a blessing to thousands! You can read about these
endeavors on this website. We hope that you will consider joining us on a mission trip, not only to provide hope and
improve the lives of those in need, but to grow personally in love, faith and understanding.

  A Brief History of World Flags  

People have used flags for over 4,000 years.  Authentic flag design of ancient peoples includes a metal flag from Iran, ca. 3000 BC, and
reconstructions of vexilloids shown on ancient Greek coins, Egyptian tomb carvings, etc. The first type of flag was called a vexilloid.
Vexillology is the scientific study of flags. This word comes from a Latin word which means "guide". First flags or vexilloids were
metal or wooden poles with carvings on top. About 2,000 years ago, pieces of fabric or material were added to some vexilloids for
decoration. These looked more like the flags we know today.A flag is a piece of colored fabric or material that is used as a symbol, or
for sending a signal. Some flags are used only for decoration. Usually, flags are messages from a person or a group of people.People use
flags to give others information, such as, who they are. Long ago, knights carried flags into battle because it was hard to know who the
knights were when they were dressed up and covered in armor ready for battle! Flags were important because they helped soldiers tell
their friends from their enemies in battle.Today, every country in the world has a flag. As governments change, so do their flags. Every
state in the United States has a flag, too. Flags are used to give information, signals or stand for special symbols or things. Many
organizations or groups like the Girl Scouts or the United Nations have flags. Clubs and organizations have their own flags too. The five
circles of the Olympic flag represent the coming together of people from five continents in friendly competition. Peace is the message of
the olive branches cradling the world in the flag of the United Nations. Some people, like a king or queen, have their very own personal
flag. Sometimes it flies over any building or place where they are staying.Flags include symbols that are used to show ideas which
would otherwise take many words. Flags are used for wars, as well as for the celebration of special events. On sad occasions, flags are
flown at half-mast to honor the dead, and draped over the coffins of national heroes.

The colors found in flags have special meanings:

Red - danger, revolution, bloodshed of war, courage, power White - peace,

surrender, truce Orange- courage, sacrifice
Green - safety, land, youth, hope Yellow -
caution, gold Black - mourning, death

Flags come in many different sizes, shapes and colors. They can be used for important events, or to represent something special or give
a special message. Sometimes an interesting decoration at the tip of the flag pole is added. This is called a finial.One flag that almost
everyone knows is the "White Flag of Surrender". Waiving a white flag is the international sign for surrender. Soldiers carrying or
waving the "White Flag" are not fired upon. These "White Flags" are not made up in advance and are usually made out of any materials
available at the time it is to be used. Another well known flag is the "Jolly Roger", used by pirates to frighten people. These flags
usually had a black background which stood for "no quarter" or "no mercy will be shown to those who resist." Another well known flag
is the "Red Flag" which means danger. People who design flags have an important job. They must get their message and information on
the flag without using many words or pictures. The pictures and colors on a flag symbolize something important. Flag designers used to
make sketches with pencils and paints, now they use computers to help them design flags.Many flags have the same basic patterns such
as stripes, both horizontal and vertical, and stars. Many flags are divided into quarters and some are given a border. Colors on a flag are
important.Years ago, flags were made by hand by sewing pieces of fabric together or embroidered with yarn or painted. Today, flags are
usually printed in long rolls of fabric which are run through a machine which prints a pattern over and over again on the fabric. Then the
fabric is washed, dried and then cut into separate flags.
 

Good Flag Design

You may have heard or seen the term, Vexillology before. Vexillology is simply the "study of flags." There are
thousands and thousands of people around the world who are intereseted in vexillology and these people have
formed organizations. In our opinion, one of the most important results from the study of flags is the answer to the
question, "What constitutes good flag design?"
When we look at the state flags, we see a wide variation in flag design. Some flags make little impression on us.
Others are memorable and seem to celebrate the state to which they belong. The North American Vexillological
Association defines five principles of good flag design.

The Five Basic Principles of Flag Design

Keep It Simple The flag should be

so simple that a child can draw it from memory.

Use Meaningful Symbolism The flag’s

images, colors, or patterns should relate to what it symbolizes.

Use 2–3 Basic Colors Limit the number of

colors on the flag to three, which contrast well and come from the standard color set.

No Lettering or Seals Never use writing of any

kind or an organization’s seal.

Be Distinctive or Be Related Avoid duplicating

other flags, but use similarities to show connections.

AMERICAN CITY FLAGS SURVEY RESULTS

 With the publication of its landmark book American City Flags, NAVA polled its
members and friends about their opinions of 150 city flag designs in the United States.

Based on their design qualities, each flag was rated from 0 to 10, where 0 is the worst score
and 10 is the best. Respondents were asked to rate each flag based on his or her personal
opinion about what constitutes a good flag design (see NAVA's  guide to flag design, Good
Flag, Bad Flag)

Coral Gables Rotaract Club 

Happy Hour Fundraiser

CG Rotaract hosted a second GET HAPPY fundraiser on February 3, 2010, benefitting the Rotary Polio
Eradication Campaign and the Miami-Kagoshima Sister City Youth Exchange. The event was held at
Novecento Brickell with about 100 young professionals in attendance. We made our fundraising goal of
over $1000 - thank you for your support and stay tuned for the next event!

 Joining the Global Fight Against Polio

On November 4, District 6990 Polio Plus co-chair Luis Ortega spoke to our group about Rotary's key role
in the global initiative to eradicate Polio across the world. Only four countries remain Polio-endemic
(Nigeria, Pakistan, Afghanistan and India) and our district is again leading the National Immunization Day
(NID) trip to India in February 2010. They have invited anyone in our group to join them and personally
vaccinate hundreds of children on the frontlines of the battle against this disease and more info can be
found on their Yahoo! Group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/polionid/.Another invitation came from
Rotarian Dan Brandt, who was in attendance at the meeting. He challenged our club to to raise $1,000 for
PolioPlus by the time of the NID, that he would then match.

 Restoring Florida's Coastline CG Rotaract

joined forces with Rotary for a coastal cleanup at beautiful Matheson Hammock Park on Saturday,
September 19.Despite record-high tides, we picked up plastics, styrofoam, inhalers and other more
unfortunate finds that had washed ashore.

 Getting Happy

6/18/09 The Coral

Gables Rotaract Club hosted a fundraiser on June 18, inviting local young professionals to Get Happy for a
Good Cause. The Happy hour was held at the recently opened Electric Pickle in Miami's Design District
and offered a chance for networking and making new friends while contributing to our local and
international service initiatives.Attendees contributed $10 to benefit centers for underprivileged youth in
Miami, Florida and Nassau, The Bahamas. Through tutoring and mentoring, CG Rotaract has played a role
in delivering enrichment services that foster hope and promote life‐long learning for inner‐city youth and
citizens. We are committed to empowering today’s youth, beginning here in our community.Our tutoring
program at the Overtown Youth Center will kick-off again for the new year in October.  Stay tuned for
updates on how to get involved!
 Bahamas Trip

5/17/2009 A group of 8
Rotaractors from Coral Gables traveled to Nassau, Bahamas for a weekend of cultural exchange and
service. On Saturday members of Coral Gables Rotaract, East Nassau Rotaract, and East Nassau Rotary
clubs painted the inside of a center for underprivileged youth.Time for friendship and camaraderie sparked
discussions on the challenges and opportunities in the Miami and Nassau communities. Michelle, President
of the East Nassau Rotary Club, asked for our help in getting some things for the youth center in Nassau -
which led us to plan our happy hour fundraiser on Thursday, June 18!

 Shake-a-Leg

4/26/2009 We
joined the Coral Gables Rotary Club at Shake-a-Leg for a day of water sports with kids from the Overtown
Youth Center. There was kayaking, sailing, a bay cruise, music, arts and crafts, and a BBQ. Above:
Rosemary takes the lead on the outrigger.

 East Nassau Rotaract in Miami!

03/29/2009 A group of eight

from the East Nassau Rotaract Club traveled to Miami for a weekend of cultural exchange and service,
hosting a Bahamian festival at the Overtown Youth Center for the kids to learn about the Bahamas. Coral
Gables Rotaract catered lunch for the kids so they could try Bahamian food. The twin clubs also went to a
Miami Heat game together, had Sunday brunch, and spent time socializing and getting to know one
another.The Coral Gables Rotaract Club will travel to Nassau the weekend of May 16 for a weekend of
cultural exchange and to complete an international service project. More details to come!

 Group Study Exchange Team Visited from Philippines

02/26/2009 A group of
six young professionals from the Philippines visited our Rotaract meeting during their month long
exchange in the Miami area. They shared about their jobs and their families, and answered our questions.
Also, as a result of the visit, we are in the process of drafting another twin club agreement. Jonalyn, who is
the Secretary of her Rotaract Club in the Philippines, requested that our clubs become twin clubs. It was a
wonderful experience to meet with these young professionals, and we are grateful to have had the
opportunity for cultural and information exchange.If you are interested in being part of an outbound group
study exchange, read about the program here.

 Overtown Youth Center Tutoring

01/24/2009
We are very excited to have started a partnership with the Overtown Youth Center, where Coral Gables
Rotaract will be volunteering on a regular basis.The tutoring program will meet every other Saturday from
11am to 1:30pm at the OYC. Rotaract Coral Gables has commit to providing a minimum of five tutors each
time.Our first Saturday session was about building trust and relationships with the students. We started off
with a motivational talk by Lyle of the OYC, followed by an activity that allowed us to get to know each
other better, and to help all of us to realize that, while at first glance it may seem that we are very different,
that there are some common threads that bind us all. We look forward to many more Saturdays working
with the students at the OYC!

 Mithai in Uganda
 12/07/2008
Mithai volunteered over the summer at a rural health clinic in Uganda. Mithai made a request for donations
to buy a microscope for the clinic at one of our meetings and collected enough money to get a microscope,
medicine, and some bricks that will be used to build a health clinic. 

 Twin Club Meet-up in Nassau

9/28/2008 While on a
weekend Bahamas cruise Christina and Liz were able to meet up with their counterparts from the East
Nassau Rotaract Club. President Francheska andSecretary Noelle met us at the Nassau Port and took us to
lunch at the Cricket Club - apparently Cricket is a popular sport among the boys in the East Nassau
Rotaract Club, our twin club. We are planning for the East Nassau Club to be in Miami a weekend in
March 2009 and the Coral Gables Club to go to Nassau a weekend in April/May for some joint service
projects and cultural exchange.

 District 6990 Conference Planning

8/17/2008 Rotaractors
from Coral Gables, Freeport, Broward, University of Miami, and Florida International University met over
dinner to begin planning the District 6990 Conference. Coral Gables Rotaract is coordinating two of the
dinners for the conference, homestays, t-shirts, and the conference program booklet.

 Beach BBQ Fundrasier

7/13/2008 Thanks to
everyone who helped make our BBQ a great success! We had a great time eating chicken and ribs at
Crandon Park. Proceeds of the event will go toward our international service project in the Bahamas.

 7020 & 6990 District Conference

5/11/2008 More than 150

Rotaract members from 11 countries in the Caribbean basin participated in the joint District 7020
and 6990 conference in Nassau on May 8-11. Two Rotaract clubs, Coral Gables and Freeport,
represented District 6990. Coral Gables Rotaract sent Liz and Chris to share ideas, network, and
learn from the other 25 Rotaract clubs at the conference.  A group of 200 Rotarians rolled up their
sleeves with Rotaract members for a beach beautification project Saturday afternoon. Above: Liz
with Freeport Rotaract members at the service project.As a result of the conference, Coral Gables
Rotaract Club is forming a twin club relationship with Rotaract East Nassau, which started meeting
in January and has 16 active members, all of whom attended the conference.