GUEST SPEAKER- Jim Rowland

Posted by Richard L. Roberts 
 

      Jim Rowland, a former Deputy Sheriff, Probation Officer, Parole Officer and retired Director of California's Correction Department, spoke to us about how just a few people can make a difference in bettering other people's lives. He said a pastor in London gave up his church job to work with the city's homeless, downtrodden, prostitutes, etc. His congregation asked him to stay but a voice, his wife's it turned out, said, "Tell them no, Bill!" His name was William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army. 

 

      Two other examples: In Fresno, a Private Investigator, developed a children's coloring book, "Play It Safe!" The book, developed by a Kiwanis/Rotary partnership, described how to keep out of harm's way and was effective in helping kids make the right choices. A five-year-old child set up a lemonade stand to collect funds for children with cancer. It took off, became a national project and eight years later raised $12 million.

      Rotarians can do the same with collaboration. He said that fifteen people can get together in the Five Cities and truly make a difference.

      He told the story about his aunt/uncle living in Belize in 1950, at the time, British Honduras. They started a school/mission project and it is still going strong. The country asked Jim to look at their prison system that was in an unusual state of corruption, drugs, violence, and chaos. The local Rotary Club formed a nine-member foundation, Coby Foundation, that essentially took over the operation of the prison. As a result, staff, corruption, crime, was reduced by this handful of Rotarians that took over the management of the prison. People make a difference, one person at a time.

      In California, we have 170,000 prisoners and public safety needs to be discussed. He said, "I believe in punishment, but it is not the total answer. I believe in rehabilitation, but it too is not the total answer. Both have to happen in an integrated approach."

      Peer influence, drug treatment options, education, training, and work are also part of the equation, all leading to the development of self-esteem. "We must convince them they are not worthless. Rotarians can make a difference," he said.     

      Presentation was well received and we look forward to learning more from Jim at future club meetings.