Roughly one in one thousnd babies are born with Clubfoot in every country in the world. RAG4Clubfoot is a Rotary Action Group dedicated to eliminating clubfoot disability worldwide by promoting the Ponseti Method. "Clubfoot Soldiers" are Members of the Clubfoot Club who were born with Clubfoot and support the Rotary Action Group in the goal of eliminating the disability for children born with Clubfoot. A donation of $50 can provide the materials (casting and Braces) to provide effective Ponseti Treatment to prevent the lifelong disability for a child born with Clubfoot.

My Clubfoot Journey: Pursuing my Passion with the Rotary District 7545 EClub

_{By John Lichter, Membership Chair, District 7545 ECLub}

E-CLUB PROGRAM

PRESIDING TODAY IS: John Lichter, Membership Chair

Ding! We’re now in session.

Welcome all – visitors, fellow Rotarians and guests alike to this E-Club program!

Remember the Four-Way Test!

At the beginning of each meeting we remind ourselves of the The Four-Way Test. Therefore, please remember to ask yourself always . . .

Of the things we think, say or do:

Is it the TRUTH?
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Reflective Moments

Reflecing on Lifes Journey... . Have I been Lucky, Fortunate ... or Blessed.

Leadership Quotes

Paul Harris once said “If Rotary is to realize its proper destiny, it must be evolutionary at all times, revolutionary on occasion.

Wed. April 22, 2026 – Ascend-WV Morgantown and local Rotary Clubs,

First of a series of Open house mixers introducing Rotarians to Ascend Offices in West Virginia.

Admission: In recognition of Earth Day, Must bring a recyclable piece of litter from within the Monongahela River Watershed.

Contact John Lichter for more information and event location and time

May 12, 2026 – Coffee and Conversation 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM

May 29-30 – 2026 District 7545 Conference
Camp Dawson, Kingwood, WV. See the District website for more info.

June 3, 2026 World Clubfoot Day

I have been extremely fortunate.

On April 22, 1958, I was born with Clubfoot, a congenital birth defect.

The fortunate part may have been the fact that I happened to be born in the United States where someone knew exactly what to do.

A young doctor in Harrisburg, PA had recently been trained by Ignacio Ponseti to learn a new controversial method of treating infants born with clubfoot using a non-surgical method rather than the typical surgical treatment. My parents chose to give the Ponseti Method a try.

As a result, I have:

Enjoyed an active life with few limitations,
Avoided the pain from scar tissue that accompanies surgery on infants and often leads to additional surgeries.
Served for several years on the Board of Directors for the RAG4CF. Joining the RAG4CF @ RICON 2022 in Houston, I was given a book written by Rotarian: Tom Cook. Soon after joining the club, I was asked to serve on the Board of Directors.
Represented the RAG4CF at Hall of Friendship @ RICON in Singapore. 2024
Initiated the "Clufoot Club" within the Rotary Action Group for people born with Clubfoot. 2025

RAG4Clubfoot grew out of the vision of PDG Herb Wilson (District 6000). Because of Rotary’s success with polio eradication and improving health worldwide, Herb felt that clubfoot treatment and spreading of the Ponseti Method would be a good fit for Rotarians. We consider Iowa the RAG4Clubfoot “headquarters,” because the Ponseti Method was created by Dr. Ponseti, who studied and perfected his revolutionary treatment at The University of Iowa.

In addition, we also:

Recruit fellow Rotarians to join RAG4Clubfoot.
Work to reduce the stigma and raise awareness about clubfoot.
Assist to educate the general public, health professionals at all levels, and government officials about Ponseti Method.
Encourage Rotary districts to create global grants to support Ponseti Method training of local health professionals.

World Clubfoot Day is celebrated annually on June 3rd to commemorate Dr. Ignacio Ponseti’s birthday and raise global awareness for clubfoot treatment. In 2026, this day will be marked by the 2026 International Clubfoot Symposium at the University of Iowa from June 3–5, focusing on treatment advancements and advocacy.

World Clubfoot Day highlights the effectiveness of the Ponseti method—a low-cost, non-surgical approach (manipulation and casting) that changes the lives of children worldwide. The Ponseti International Association works to ensure this treatment is available to all children.

Continuing on my Clubfoot Journey.

2025 I founded the "Clufoot Club" within the Rotary Action Group for people born with Clubfoot.
June 3, 2026 Clubfoot day. Scheduled to attend the Clubfoot Day Gala in Iowa City.
2027 June , Staff the RAG4CF Booth at the Hall of Friendship @ RICON Dubai, The United Arab Emirates. To promote the Clubfoot Clubfoot Club and recruit members.
2028 June, Gathering of members of the Clubfoot Club @ RICON Minneapolis to demonstrate the prevalence of Clubfoot in every nation on earth.

Similar to Rotary’s efforts to eradicate Polio, Rotary International has unique capabilities to work all over the world to achieve what was once considered impossible.

RAG4CF partners with many organizations throughout the world who share the goal to eradicate the disability of Clubfoot. Unlike the eradication of the Polio virus. The Goal in dealing with Clubfoot is expected to be an ongoing effort to create awareness, provide access to training and to assure the casting material and braces are available and affordable everywhere in the world.

Top partners in Rotary’s effort to eradicate Clubfoot disability.

Global Clubfoot Initiative