People and nations worldwide will observe the International Day of Peace on 21 September, the date designated by the United Nations in 2001 “to be observed as a day of global ceasefire and nonviolence.”
That commitment to peace is directly linked to goals pursued by Rotary members since The Rotary Foundation’s mission to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace was proclaimed in 1917.
To fulfill that mission, Rotary conducts global forums, hosts international peace symposiums, continues its decades-long collaboration with the UN, and promotes initiatives such as the Rotarian Action...
From the October 2015 issue of The Rotarian
Ken Hutt is running toward the edge of a cliff, pounding across the snow in thin freezing air, a full pack of gear strapped to his back. As if attached to an invisible string, he rises a few feet off the ground and drops back down. A few more strides and he is aloft again. Then he flies off the face of the world’s sixth-highest mountain.
Hutt, a member of the Rotary Club of Berry, Australia, has just paraglided off Cho Oyu, 12 miles west of Mount Everest.
The flight was both the fulfillment of his longtime dream to climb an “eight-thousander” – what...
From the October 2015 issue of The Rotarian
Eleven years ago, Jim and Roberta Graham developed a personal connection to Afghanistan after their son Rick, who was stationed there with the Indiana National Guard, learned of an infant in a refugee camp who needed heart surgery. In a story that tugged at the heartstrings of Hoosiers and was recounted in The Rotarian (January 2011), the Grahams worked with Rotary clubs in District 6560 (Indiana) and others to bring the infant, Qudrat, to Indianapolis for surgery. Tragically, Qudrat died shortly after returning to Afghanistan, but in his memory,...
From the October 2015 issue of The Rotarian
When you travel to Seoul for the 2016 Rotary International Convention, 28 May to 1 June, few experiences will bring you closer to the local culture than a visit to a Korean spa, called a jjimjilbang. But don’t expect plush bathrobes and dim rooms filled with candles. This is an entirely different kind of relaxation.
You will be required to undress completely and shower before you enter the gender-segregated baths, where you’ll find a number of pools for taking calming dips. You can get a massage, which here means an intense scrubbing over every inch...
From the October 2015 issue of The Rotarian
Kristine Howell admits there was wine involved the night she decided to hold her wedding at the annual Spring Zing fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Mt. Clemens. But in vino veritas – so she must have meant it when she threw her hands up in frustration during a meeting to pick the fundraiser’s theme and said, “You guys could always throw me a wedding!”
“I was kidding, but they ran with it,” laughs Kristine, who took office as president of the Mt. Clemens club in July. “They knew we’d been trying to get married, so they were thrilled.” Personal...
Visiting Rotarians: Joanne Lemieux from Charlestown, NH
Guests: None
Raffle: Past President Garlan was asked to make the draw. After the first ticket went unclaimed Steve Christy’s number, which he pre-announced, was drawn. Alas, no joy for Steve as the Queen is still hiding somewhere below deck.
Announcements:
PDG Bruce asked if the Club was doing anything for World Polio Day on October 24th. The sense was that the Club would be doing something, but that we will need volunteers. More to come on this
Rich W. - Free seminar about digital marketing trends 9/23/15. After Bill K. called Rich out for promoting his business and suggested a fine of $ zillion, Rich advised that the seminar will no longer be free.
Brags / Fines:
Joanne Lemieux recounted the tragic story of the death of her step-children’s mother two or three weeks ago. She was killed in a motorcycle accident just a week or two shy of her birthday. Joanne reminded us of the fragility of life, how one bad decision can affect so many people, and that we should really make sure that all of our affairs are in order.
Jennifer Grant reminded us of the Chester Rotary Club's upcoming Fall Festival.
Steve Christy fine himself, once for forgetting to return the Club's clock in the Dwinell Room (he removed it to replace the battery), and for not being able to attend the auction because of his number one grandson's first birthday (which was also his brag).
Rotary Minute: Paul Tierney, who realized on his way to the meeting that he was responsible for the Rotary Minute, recovered by speaking about inspiration and asking what inspires us. PDG Bruce related an event at the Middlebury Rotary Club recently that had inspired him. John Y asked Paul if our next therapy session would be at the same time next week. Paul assured John that his insurance would now only cover a colonoscopy which is tentatively scheduled for 10:00 a.m.
Speaker: Club Forum
There were discussions about giving guidelines and visibility and marketing. At our table we talked about curling and received a lesson on same from Jamie Whyte (a first, a second, a skip, a vice, and a house). Actually this discussion also had to do with visibility and marketing since there will be a curling event at the next District Conference. Steve Whitman said this event was a “hook” to get people interested in and talking about the conference. He asked what did we have as “hooks” to get people interested in and attending our events such as the auction?
Next week’s program will be the new Lebanon City Manager Dennis Luttrell. Come learn more about the new manager and why he wanted to come to Lebanon.
Excerpted from Walter Hughes email on completion of this project:
We impacted 28,890 lives with this one project. We have $750,000 worth of projects that were started since your visit to Ghana. The summary of the project is:
We exceeded most of our goals. We completed twelve boreholes and one hand dug well. We repaired thirty-two boreholes instead of fifteen. We bought seventy-nine tablets instead of six desktop computers for four schools instead of just one school. We completed 116 microflush toilets instead of 131 toilets. We funded more computer labs than our plan. The project budget was $111,224.
This photo was possible because you cared enough to transform lives of children with a new borehole and wells. THANK YOU! Our new team leaves on Thursday for Ghana. The original photos showing the work and the signage for your clubs can be viewed at this link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/koyjvm3g48oyakr/AADGhnW0v8OzkZRpK6qDcsmea?dl=0 . You can download the Dropbox software at www.dropbox.com/download. The final report is attached as well as the photograph of the children at the well.
If any of you know of someone whose life would benefit from a call or card from the "Sunshine Girl", please let Marion Steiner know. She can be emailed at msteiner@lakesunbank.com or home at 603-826-0081.
