Foundation honors Pennsylvania couple

By Ryan Hyland
Rotary International News -- 7 April 2009

Karen and Fred Teichman, of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, USA. Rotary Images/Monika Lozinska-Lee

By participating in projects in Latin America and India, Rotarians Karen and Fred Teichman, of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, USA, say they gained a better appreciation for what The Rotary Foundation can accomplish through continued financial support.

Their commitment was recognized on 10 March, when they were inducted into the Arch C. Klumph Society, which honors people who give at least $250,000 to the Foundation. The ceremony took place at RI headquarters in Evanston, Illinois, where their portrait now hangs in the Arch C. Klumph Gallery.

Karen, past governor of District 7370, is a second-generation Rotarian, following in the footsteps of her father, Paul. A Rotarian since 1993, she helped charter her club, the Rotary Club of Lewisburg Sunset, in 2007.

She has led humanitarian missions in Mexico and Nicaragua, and recently traveled to India, where she staffed a National Immunization Day.

"Getting involved with some of the projects took us over the edge to become contributors to the Foundation," says Karen, the owner of a medical billing and consulting firm. "It reminded us about the importance of giving."

Fred, a physician, joined Rotary in 1993 and is a member of the Rotary Club of Lewisburg (Sunrise). In 2007-08, he chaired District 7370's Youth Exchange Committee, which he has served on since 1998. He recently traveled to Ecuador, where his district helped implement several Matching Grant efforts.

"Participating in projects makes being a part of Rotary very personal," he says. "Rotary gives us a chance to do some of the things for our community and communities worldwide on a broader scale."

Both say they are honored to be inducted into the Arch C. Klumph Society and will continue to support the Foundation.

"We believe in what the Foundation is doing now and what it can do in the future. So much more can be done," says Fred. "Contributing to the Foundation gives people a chance to make a real difference."

"I'm in awe when I look up at the portraits of all the wonderful Rotarians who are members of the Klumph society," says Karen. "When you contribute to the Foundation, you join tens of thousands of Rotarians. And together we can get big jobs done."

19 Comments:

At 9:57AM on 28 April 2009, Bill and Yvette Palmer wrote: Congratulations Karen and Fred. It's always a pleasure to read about a friend who truly believes in Our Foundation. Most sincerely,

At 9:08AM on 15 April 2009, PDG S. K. SEN, Dist 3190 wrote: Here is a rare case where two souls have a single thought and two hearts that beat as one. Congratulation - Karen and Fred.

At 8:56AM on 14 April 2009, Sue Klock wrote: Congratulations Karen & Fred. Great to meet you at the recent Membership Conference in Greenbelt, MD. Peter and I agree that being involved internationally, as well as locally, heightens awareness of both the need that exists and the effectiveness of our Foundation.

At 9:28AM on 13 April 2009, Mir Mohammad QAzi wrote: Congratulations Fred and Karen! You have done a great job you are inspirations for all rotarians! God Bless you! By.rtn,Mir Mohammad Qazi.Sindh-dadu RID 3270

At 9:24AM on 13 April 2009, Abraham I. Gordon wrote: Karen's enthusiasm in fulfilling the promise of Rotary is apparent to all who meet her. While I know Karen better, it has been a joy to be in the company of both of them Whatever they do or say - and expecially their smiles - will continue to be an inspiration to everyone.

At 9:23AM on 13 April 2009, Ernesto E. Ibarra wrote: Thanks a lot! It is great to know than persons like Karen & Fred Teichman of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. USA:, are doing well at the world. Thank you! very much and congratulations! Rotary Club of Mexico City, District 4170. R.I.

At 9:23AM on 13 April 2009, Ms. Shawkat Hossain wrote: Congratulations Fred and Karen! We are very proud for you. Inspiration and a role model for the Rotarians. Thank you.

At 9:23AM on 13 April 2009, Rtn Ramesh Agrawal Distt 3050 wrote: Really it is motivating for others to contribute towards foundation. the TRF is the most suitable place to give to help to Worldwide. we dont know whether our help may give food to the needy person in such a country where we cant think to go but our money reaches there with the help of rotary

At 11:11AM on 10 April 2009, Angela Fasold wrote: Remarkable in so many ways, that is our PDG Karen! Fred and Karen you are inspirations to us all in D7370, Pennsylvania, USA.

At 8:50AM on 9 April 2009, Ken Wright wrote: On behalf of the Mifflinburg Rotary Club, one of the many clubs Karen got off the ground, Congratulations! Karen and Fred are inspirations to those of us who are fortunate enough to see them on a regular basis.

At 8:51AM on 9 April 2009, DG Jim & Darcie Gruber, D-7370 wrote: Congratulations Fred and Karen! We are very proud to have you members of District 7370! Thank you for all you do for our Rotary District family!

At 4:18PM on 8 April 2009, Paulo Studart Filho BRASIL District 4490 wrote: I had the great opportunitty to be a IGE Team Leader and we visited 7370 District last Abr 2008 when Karen and Fred hosted our team.They are fantastic and showed us how they are dedicated Rotarians and a good ambassador of Rotary to the world.They and the 7370 members deserve this recognition.I am very proud to call them as my USA friends.Paulo Studart Fiho President Fortaleza West Club/4490

At 9:35AM on 8 April 2009, frank Devlyn wrote: We need more Rotarians like Karen and Fred Teichman, of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, USA, Good to see that they have seen how Our Rotary Foundation helps Make Dreams Real. Their example will encourage others to also give more to Our Rotary Foundation. Frank Devlyn Past President of R.I:

At 9:39AM on 8 April 2009, Michael Nailor, PDG wrote: All of us in 7370 are so proud of Fred and Karen and their contributions to Rotary and to the Rotary Foundation. We are happy to share them with the entire Rotary world.

At 9:42AM on 8 April 2009, Greg Jones wrote: I had the pleasure of being on the India NID team with Karen last year. She is a dedicated Rotarian and a good ambassador of Rotary to the world.

At 4:01PM on 7 April 2009, PDG Claudia Mertl, 6900, Georgia, USA wrote: Regardless of how long you have known Karen, you feel as if it has been forever. She is an inspiration and a role model for Rotarians everywhere. I am proud of Karen and Fred for their generous contribution and am very proud to call Karen a friend.

At 3:01PM on 7 April 2009, Eric E. Adamson wrote: I have known Karen only 10 days, having sat with her on a panel at the Presidential Membership Conference in Maryland on March 25..She was a great panelist and I was so surprised to read this article also happy for her and her husband for this honor and contribution...She is also terrific at club extension, being called the "Mom" of her new clubs...Eric Adamson, Director, RI, 2008-10

At 1:34PM on 7 April 2009, Raymond Raedy wrote: I have known Karen and Fred for about 6 years. Their commitment to Rotary and the Foundation is no surprise. Karen was a super Governor and continues to build Rotary in Central PA.

At 12:06PM on 7 April 2009, RTN. SYED AZMATULLAH RC: CHENNAI PHOENIX RD: 3230 wrote: Congrats to Rotarians Karen and Fred Teichman of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, USA for being inducted into the Arch C. Klumph Society on 10th March 2009. Greatly motivating and encouraging are Karen’s talking “Getting involved with some of the projects took us over the edge to become contributors to the Foundation. It reminded us about the importance of giving" and Fred’s speaking "Participating in projects makes being a part of Rotary very personal. Rotary gives us a chance to do some of the things for ... communities worldwide on a broader scale”. Certainly “together we can get big jobs done”.

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