One of the seven areas of focus of Rotary we don’t seem to talk about very much is peacebuilding and conflict prevention (the actual area of focus is named "Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution"), which is the theme for the month of February.
It is often, however, the conflicts that occur throughout the world that are the root causes of poverty, despair, economic hardship and poor health. Take for instance the major deterrent to polio eradication: the difficulty in vaccinating children in war torn countries. Rotary International as an organization understands this relationship and therefore is deeply invested in supporting individuals and programs that will develop leaders who are committed to seeking ways toward peace. The path toward peace begins with understanding and respect for the differences that make us unique.
These are the same types of values that are studied in the peace centers supported by Rotary International in association with several major universities across the globe. The mission of these centers is to “empower, educate, and increase the capacity of peace builders through rigorous academic training, practice, and global networking opportunities.
Through this experience, Rotary Peace Fellows build the skills needed to act as leaders and catalysts for peace and conflict resolution both in their communities and around the globe. These Fellows develop the skills needed to act as “leaders and catalysts for peace and conflict resolution both in their communities and around the globe.” As Rotarians we should all be similarly committed to understanding the conflicts that exist in our own society, to speak out when necessary, and to seek solutions that reflect the values of Rotary.
Through global grant activities, clubs and districts can participate in strategically focused, high-impact activities that align with Rotary goals that address this area of focus including to train leaders including potential youth leaders to prevent and mediate conflict, support peacebuilding in communities and regions affected by conflict, and support studies related to peace and conflict prevention/resolution for career-minded professionals.
Credit: Rotary Club of Georgetown Posted on Feb 01, 2024
BLACK HISTORY MONTH, WHY WE NEED IT AND HOW CELEBRATING IT ALIGNS WITH OUR VISION STATEMENT AND CORE VALUES
Mrs. Gloria Turner, 5th grade teacher said to me, “Jim, there is more to our history than what is written in our history books. Always seek more knowledge through your own study and always read with a critical mind”. As I read more books and wrote more book reports about WWI, WWII, the battles of Midway, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and the settlement of the West, I always wondered if African Americans were a part of our history since all the pictures in the books that I read were of white people. The history landscape has gotten much better on the independent reading trail; however, there is still much work to do to make African American history (and all other historically underrepresented ethnic groups) that is taught in our schools, at all levels, become an integral part of OUR collective history. Until we get there, there will ALWAYS be a need to celebrate and to highlight the contributions of African Americans with a month of emphasis.
The father of Black History Month, George G Woodson, created Negro History Week in Feb 1926 to focus attention on the contributions of African Americans to the US. Woodson’s original intent was that the celebration would continue ONLY until Black history was fully integrated into the American story. In 1976 President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month. He urged Americans to seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Every administration since then has recognized Black History Month and its mission. But it was not until Congress passed National Black History Month into law in 1986 that many in the country began to observe it formally. It was initially a way of teaching students and young people about Black and African Americans contributions. Now it’s seen as a celebration of those who’ve impacted not just the country but the world with their activism and achievements.
Unfortunately, most history books still relegate African American contributions of our shared history to brief discussions of slavery, the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the Civil Rights Movement. By marginalizing Black history, the legislated standards of Learning proved to be an incomplete guide for what is important to teach in our public schools, and yet this has inspired the quest to fully integrate black history into the national narrative. Conventional politicized narratives refute the reality that the contributions of African American people are deeply woven into the fabric of our nation’s history. Instead of Black history being studied all year round, with all children being able to see African American contributions and connections across the entire curriculum, black history is often isolated within the realm of arts, sports, and religion.
WE ALL LOSE BY NOT TEACHING INCLUSIVE HISTORY. For example, most of us have learned about George Washington Carver, the celebrated botanist; however, most of us have probably never heard about other Black inventors who influenced American life, such as: Mary Van Brittan Brown, who co-invented the home security system in 1966; Garrett Morgan, who invented the 3 way traffic light in 1940; Frederick McKinley Jones, who invented the refrigerated truck in 1940; Mark Dean, who co-invented the color IBM PC monitor and gigahertz chip, 1980 and 1999, to name a few.
As Rotarians, supporting Black History Month, and other ethnic/cultural history months, strengthens our core values of fellowship (enjoying the shared histories and experiences of everyone) integrity (following our moral compass to be respectful and grateful for everyone), diversity (forging partnership and relationships across race, ethnicity, age, nation of origin, gender, sexual orientation and physical ability), service (unselfishly helping others across race, color, gender, sexual orientation, age and physical ability)and leadership (leading people and organizations across race, color, gender, sexual orientation and physical ability) and Rotary’s vision statement of “together we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change across the globe in our communities and in ourselves.”
During this month of celebration, grab a fellow Rotarian and visit one of the following to learn more about our rich and complex shared history: The National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Heritage Center; Black Liberated Arts Council; Chickasha and the Verden Separate School; guided walking tour Tatums OK; Greenwood District, Tulsa; John Hope Franklin Center For Reconciliation; Black Wall Street; Vernon A.M.E Methodist Church; Three Rivers Museum, Muskogee; Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame, Rentieville, OK; Langston U; Boley, OK; Ft Sill National Historic Landmark and Museum (Buffalo Soldiers of the 9 th and 10 th Calvary)….to name a few to get you started.
Marcus Garvey was quoted as saying: “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.” Let us celebrate and remember our shared history so that we can continue to water and nourish the foundational roots of who we are as a people and as a nation.
James "Chili" McQuillar
Midwest City Rotary
Photo Credit: James “Chili” McQuillar (Left) is inducted as the president of the Midwest City Rotary Club for 2020-21, replacing Adam Bush (Right) who served the role for the past year. (Photo by Jeff Harrison)
Join Us for a firsthand look at the State of The Village
February 20th
Village President Kathryn Ciesla will deliver the 2024 Annual State of Village Address on Tuesday, February 20th to our club at the lunch meeting.
This special event will give our club and guests an overview of the progress and success the Village has had over the past year, as well as the scope of challenges, accomplishments, and goals for the coming year. We will get a glimpse of what comes next - stay tuned for some exciting plans!
A Q&A period will be included. We encourage members to invite their friends, other Rotary members and prospective members so we have a full house to celebrate fellow Rotarian Jim Kucienski’s daughter (& our Village President)!
The Village of Northbrook is supportive of our club. Your attendance is a big thank you!
Please be advised that pursuant to the District Manual of Procedure, Immediate Past District Governor Bill Kmiecik has appointed Linda Borton of the Arlington Heights Rotary Club to chair the District Primary Committee for the selection of the Nominating Committee for 2024. The Nominating Committee will recommend the District Governor Nominee Designate who will serve the District as Governor in 2027-28.
Nominating Committee Overview: The District Nominating Committee shall be elected at the annual meeting of the Corporation (the District 6440 Annual Business Meeting), on April 16, 2024, at 7:00pm via Zoom. Registration will be sent out in a few weeks.
The Nominating committee consists of ten members, as follows:
Two (2) Past Presidents of Rotary Clubs.
Two (2) incumbent or Past Secretaries of Rotary Clubs.
Three (3) members-at-large who shall be Rotarians in good standing in clubs within the District, but who are not then either Presidents or Secretaries of such club or officers of Rotary International.
Two (2) Past District Governors or Past Rotary International Officers.
The Immediate Past District Governor.
Four alternates, one for each of the classifications in paragraph (1) through (4) above, shall be proposed by the Primary Committee.
Within the classifications listed above, the Primary Committee shall use its best efforts to select members of the Nominating Committee who represent the diversity of clubs and membership of the District, including but not limited to: club size, geographical location within the District, gender, racial or ethnic background, age, length of service in Rotary.
The Primary Committee shall prepare a Report to the District Governor, not later than April 1, 2024, concerning it's choice for members of the Nominating Committee and alternates. The Governor shall provide notice of the Primary Committee Report to all Rotarians in the District. There will be an opportunity for additional nominations at the annual meeting of the Corporation by any club within the District through its delegates there present.
All Rotarians are asked to recommend and offer candidates for the consideration of said Primary Committee to compose the District Nominating Committee. Please contact Linda Borton with such recommendations, no later than March 15, 2024.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding this process.
Anyone interested in helping out with the scholarship interviews?
Please reach out to Pat Boquist, Barrington Rotary Club.
>>>Applications for the Rotary Club of Northbrook's Vocational Scholarship are currently available.
Scholarship grants in the amount of $1,500 each will be awarded to support Northbrook residents who are preparing to further themselves in a chosen vocation.
Students who are entering career and technical education programs (CTE), at community colleges, technical training institutions, or vocational training programs may apply for financial scholarship awards.
A few weeks back Acorn Grill informed us that the room was not available for us this week as they are doing work on the floors. I discussed this with Jodi, Tim and Irwin and we decided that since there is nothing urgent pending to review and most likely covering upcoming events to cancel this meeting.
With our February service event being Bernie’s Book Bin on February 15th we may also consider a second event later in the month if something opens up and we have people available. Please share thoughts for another service opportunity if you have anything in mind.
At this point our next evening meeting is set for March 14th.
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