As an agent for the U.S. Diplomatic Security Service, Justin Peele applies the education he received in conflict resolution as a Rotary Peace Fellow to a job that puts him in some dicey situations – including one in 2013 in which his actions won him State Department recognition for his courage and decisiveness.
Peele is one of 2,000 DS agents who protect U.S. diplomats and embassies around the world. The Diplomatic Security Service, the law enforcement and security arm of the U.S. State Department, is the most extensive global security agency in the government, operating in more than 160...
Nigeria is closer than ever to eradicating polio, riding a successful effort to reach children in seven northern states at highest risk for the disease.
"Rotarians have [gone] into remote areas of the country by car, canoe, motorbike, and even on foot to ensure every child gets the vaccine," says Rotary's Nigeria PolioPlus Committee Chair Tunji Funsho.
In Katsina state, members of the Nigeria PolioPlus Committee (NPPC) recently met with leaders of two communities notoriously opposed to immunization, mainly on religious grounds and in protest of the lack of basic health care. They persuaded...
In a municipal hospital in Cubatão, Brazil, a new mammography machine funded by a Rotary global grant provides breast cancer screening to women who previously had to wait for weeks before they could get in for a checkup with a doctor.
A Rotary global grant also funded training for medical staff and cancer awareness education for people in the community. Isis Mejias Carpio of Houston, studying at the University of São Paulo on a Rotary scholarship, played an instrumental role in bringing together Rotary clubs in two countries to make the grant possible.
Members of the Rotary Club of Cubatão,...
Humanitarian Rick Burns, a retired civil affairs officer in the U.S. Army, has been helping people in the war-torn countries of Afghanistan and Iraq since 2003. He's seen a lot of good, but he's also seen what happens when good intentions go awry.
Take the fertile grounds of Arghandab River Valley in Afghanistan, for example. Burns recalls an initiative to help fruit exporters become profitable again after the war. Cold storage facilities were built, but because no one considered the country's spotty electricity, the facilities ended up being too expensive to maintain.
"We really want to make...
Keith Harris is pedaling for a purpose.
At the tender age of 50, he's set out on an eight-week, 4,400-mile bike ride across the U.S. to raise $25,000 for The Rotary Foundation. He's also hoping to raise an additional $2,500 for Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport, Massachusetts, where a few years ago he was treated for a life-threatening heart condition.
"The trip is sort of my midlife crisis," he admits but it's not the first time he's pedaled across the country. He made the trek about 20 years ago, before he married his wife, Christina.
Harris has been a Rotary member for 18 years. He's...
Bulletin Editor
Joseph Trexler
(If you have any comments or questions, please contact the editor)
Today's guests were District Governor, Ellen Young; Assistant Governor Jim Wales; our 2002 first Decker Scholarship recipient Greg Haman, and Danny Nick, 2014 Decker Scholarship recipient.
Last night, a pleasant evening was shared at 1776 Restaurant in Crystal Lake with District Governor, Ellen Young, Assistant Governor, Jim Wales and Board Members of the Rotary Club of Cary-Grove. Those in attendance spent a relaxed evening enjoying the delicious entrees and exchanging ideas that are in the best interests of Rotary International and our club.
Ellen and Jim were both in attendance at our Thursday-morning meeting, and Ellen's program just reaffirmed our understanding of why we are involved in Rotary and what a huge impact each Rotarian and Rotary club makes within the organization. Looking toward the future, Rotary clubs can be even more effective by combining their resources as suggested with this year's theme "Light Up Rotary". Details on this endeavor will be shared at future meetings. We are very appreciative to Ellen and Jim for taking the time to visit with us and for creating an atmosphere that led to an open and relaxing exchange of ideas.
What a nice surprise to hear from our very first Decker scholarship recipient, Greg Haman. Greg updated the membership on his past and current activities. Aside from having been in the Peace Corps in Tanzania, he is currently enrolled in his final year of Medical School at Harvard. He is hoping to be able to serve his residency here in the Chicago area. Fortunately for him, our District Governor, Ellen Young, was also in attendance. Ellen is quite familiar with this process as her own daughter has recently gone through the same thing. An exchange of a few contacts at the end of the meeting will hopefully lead to his being able to come back to the area. "Rotary At Work!"
Two young engineers applied for a single position at a computer company. They both had the same qualifications. In order to determine which individual to hire, the applicants were asked to take a test by the department manager.
Upon completion of the test, both men had each missed only one of the questions. The manager went to the first applicant and said, ‘‘thank you for your interest, but we've decided to give the job to the other applicant.'' "And why would you be doing that? We both got nine questions correct," asked the rejected applicant.
"We have based our decision not on the correct answers, but on the question you missed," said the department manager. "And just how would one incorrect answer be better than the other?" the rejected applicants inquired. ''Simple,'' said the department manager, ''Your fellow applicant put down on question..5, 'I don't know.' You put down, 'Neither do I.'''
On September 7, 2014 from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. friends, colleagues, members of the community, students and alumni of Cary-Grove High School Band program will convene at D'Andrea's in Crystal Lake for an afternoon and evening of music to help raise funds for the Magnini family. The proceeds from the evening will be used to help pay for the medical needs of Julie Magnini.
Seven years ago Julie Magnini had gastric bypass surgery and something went horribly wrong. After years of pain and suffering, The Cleveland Clinic has recommended that for her survival, she receive a complete stomach, intestine and pancreas transplant. Julie and Marty Magnini are examples of those among us who have dedicated their lives to helping others and creating a community that cares for all. Julie works in the Emergency room at Good Shephard Hospital and Marty is a widely respected band director at Cary-Grove High School.
Chicagoan Ina Pinkney is a chef, author, and restaurateur — and she’s a polio survivor. Pinkney recalls the good, the bad, and the breakfasts. Read the whole story in The Rotarian Magazine.
As Rotarians, we end each of our weekly meetings by reciting The Four-Way Test. Building on the principles outlined in that document, we should also pay attention to the phrases outlined in the Rotary Code of Conduct:
As a Rotarian, I will
Exemplify the core value of integrity in all behaviors and activities
Use my vocational experience and talents to serve in Rotary
Conduct all of my personal, business, and professional affairs ethically, encouraging and fostering high ethical standards as an example to others
Be fair in all dealings with others and threat them with the respect due to them as fellow human beings
Promote recognition and respect for all occupations which are useful to society
Offer my vocational talents: to provide opportunities for young people, to work for the relief of the special needs of others, and to improve the qualify of life in my community
Honor the trust that Rotary and fellow Rotarians provide and not do anything that will bring disfavor or reflect adversely on Rotary or fellow Rotarians
Not seek from a fellow Rotarian a privilege or advantage not normally accorded others in a business or professional relationship
The Home of the Sparrow has identified some volunteer opportunities at their facilities located throughout McHenry County. Learn more by visiting their site at http://www.hosparrow.org/opportunities/.
Home of the Sparrow's mission is "to provide Hope, Opportunity and Support that empowers women and children, as they journey from homelessness to self-sufficiency". You can help them accomplish this by offering your time at one of the volunteer needs listed above.
