Speaker Recap for September 26, 2011

We were honored to hear our District 5180 Governor Jack Taylor address our club this week.  Jack represents the 40 clubs in our district with great distinction and is a wonderful role model to all Rotarians.  Jack and his lovely wife of 35 years, Diane, are attempting to visit all 40 clubs during his year as governor, and he reported that his recent visits to several other clubs demonstrated to him that our District is thriving.  He noted that our club represents about 20% of our District’s total membership, and that he was encouraged by our club’s efforts to add new members and continue with our many successful service projects. 

Jack gave special recognition to our own Mr. Hal Shipley, for his dedication to service over several decades, and his mentoring of leaders and future leaders.  He also recognized our RI President, Mr. Kalyan Banarjee for his strong and humble leadership.

Jack recalled how as a young Rotarian in 1987 he was asked by his club to chair a brand new program that showed great promise – it was called Polio Plus.  Little did Jack know back then how important that program would become over the next 24 years, as our organization raised funds and provided volunteers to help immunize billions of children from that dreaded disease.  Jack reported that with the help of the Gates Foundation, the WHO, and the CDC, we are optimistic about our chances of completely eradicating polio within the near future (just as others did with regards to small pox).  He noted that so far this year only approximately 400 new cases of polio were reported worldwide, and that it survives in the populations of only 4 countries – Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, and Nigeria. 

Jack and his wife recounted how they have long been passionate about supporting the Youth Exchange Program, and that they have hosted 17 foreign students in their home over the years.  They now enjoy keeping contact with their “adopted” Rotary kids (and grandkids) throughout the globe!  They encourage each of us to find something within Rotary to get passionate about, and then to act on that passion as best we can. 

There is no time like now to get more involved!

We thank Jack and his wife for their dedicated service and wish them well throughout Jack’s term as our distinguished leader.