NewGen Peacebuilders is a youth peace education program designed for high school and university students (14 to 25). It draws on principles of peace education familiar to Rotary Peace Fellows as well as best practices in peace and global education for youth. The program was designed by Rotary Peace Fellow Patricia Shafer (US) with collaboration and input from Rotary Peace Fellows Phill Gittins (UK), Carla Lineback (US) and Pranisa Ekachote (Thailand). One of the key elements/outcomes of this youth peace education program is a team peace education project that youth complete. These projects have spanned education inequality, poverty, domestic violence, international/cultural bridgebuilding and peace conference planning and management. The program content is global/universal in nature, but also adapted/adaptable to local language, issues and cultural circumstances.
During the business section of this week's program we will have a Tribute to the Second Anniversary of the Oct. 8-9, 2017 Fires. Those fires left an indelible impression on all of us and showed the resiliency of Rotary and especially those of our Club members who were severely impacted .
Those severely impacted by the fires will be asked to say a few words and those Rotarians who were involved in the Rotary Fire Relief to speak as well. Jose Guillen, who is one of our speakers this week, was head of Rotary Fire Relief and will say a few words as well.
Our speaker for October 3rd was James Allen, a Life Mastery Consultant. James’ talk was about how we can unlock ourselves to accomplish the things we truly want to accomplish. The most important tool James uses in advising clients is teaching how to feel more worthy. He believes that all of us, at some time or another, do not feel worthy and that those feelings can hinder our goals. James believes that we should be in complete control of our lives. We can start by noticing ourselves and figuring out exactly how we want to live our lives and what we want to do. Successful people are self-aware! Think about something you want; write it down, analyze it, and figure out how to accomplish it. Get in touch with what you want! Part of finding out what you want to be is acknowledging what you love to do; listen to yourself! Ask better questions of yourself – what do you love to do? Practice ‘worthiness.’ Use this practice tool: Ask yourself “Why am I a badass?” Praise yourself, believe in yourself and be your own partner.
Thank you, James, for this lesson in self-awareness! You were enlightening and entertaining at the same time. Well done!
On a regular basis, our resident photo pro Warren Smith, submits pictures of what is going on at the weekly meetings. You can always find the most recent pictures at the websites photo journal called "Meeting Sighting" Please note that all the meeting photos for the entire Rotary year are at this location with the most recent on the last page.
Thanks for all the great pictures Warren!Link to Meeting Sightings. The most recent are on the last page!
The Roots of this style of entertainment is based upon many elements; classical, gospel, Jazz, Country, Rhythm & Blues, to name the primary sources that ultimately became known as Rock ‘n’ Roll.
The term “rocking and rolling” was originally used to describe the nautical movements of a ship on the high seas. It also came to define the fervor of gospel gatherings, and ultimately an analogy for sexual encounters.
One can hear and appreciate these rudimentary elements in recordings from the 1920’s Blues, and Country tunes. In 1934, the song “Rock and Roll” sung by the Boswell Sisters, was featured in the film “Transatlantic Merry-Go-Round”. 1942 saw the termed used in the trade magazine, Billboard, to describe the newly emerging style of upbeat music, by such artists as Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s recording of “Rock Me”.
Musical venues were springing up throughout the country featuring this new music.
Continuing through the decades until it was ultimately named by Disc Jockey Alan Freed in 1951 from a radio studio located in Cleveland, Ohio. The style of music so named, had been heard for many years, primarily on records and radio stations that catered to African American listeners.
At this era in American history, segregation was prevalent.
After the return of soldiers from overseas duty, many changes were the order of the day. Not the least of which was an elevated elation of life and the “can do” attitude prevalent throughout the U.S.A. This era was marked with many possibilities, including the opportunity of listening and dancing to the “new” Rock & Roll Music both live and through radio and the emerging medium of television. Many movies were also touting the rebellious youth and their music. Rebel Without A Cause, Jailhouse Rock, Blackboard Jungle, The Girl Can’t Help It, to mention just a few.
In the earlier styles, the saxophone and the piano was the lead instrument, replaced by the guitar in the mid ‘50’s the trend that continues to this day. The “beat” of R&R is primarily a backbeat, provided by a snare drum, designed for dancing.
More than just a musical style, Rock music spawned many changes in America, and across the globe. Not the least of which was the civil rights movement, fashion, lifestyle, attitudes and language.
Rain is a reality ~ and usually an image of inconvenience ~ drought not withstanding! Here in Honfleur, Normandy France it provided a mixed message.
Rain can't dampen the warmth of Rotarian Fellowship and fine French food! Here Ann Marie Pelosky greets me at Honfleur Rotary's after meeting dinner. Their 53 member club met earlier at a nearby hotel and walked to the nearby harbor for dinner at 8:30, leisurely lasting until 10:30.
This was Thursday evening. Friday Betsy, Brett and I departed for Caen, and further west to Bayeux to visit D Day memorials and sites.
With both barbed wire remnants and cliff safety cables, Pont du Hoc, Omaha Beach's western edge marks the area U.S. Army Rangers ascended the vertical cliff to secure a strategically held position from the German forces.
Pont du Hoc is a Norman -Norse term for beak of the bird. The term belies the surrounding landscape destruction and human bravery and sacrifice displayed June 6, 1944.
The North Coast Resource Conservation and Development Council (NCRC&DC) is holding it's 8th annual BBQ fundraiser on October 19th from 2:00 - 6:00 at the 180 Studios in Santa Rosa. They are going to have a special fund-a-need for the Living Room project to help fund new composting bins and garden beds.....It would be great if Sunrisers could attend.
Come and enjoy wine/beer & appetizers, followed by an afternoon barbecue dinner prepared by A Guy and His Grill of Sebastopol. This October 19th fundraising event will be a fun-filled afternoon held at the 180 Studios, 150 Todd Road, Santa Rosa. Come "Have a Ball" and celebrate pollinator habitat and the harvest season, while enjoying music & entertainment, fine wines and good food, the silent auction, raffle, and a small live auction.
Former Supervisor Ernie Carpenter will be the special guest and Master of Ceremonies for this lively afternoon benefitting youth environmental education and action programs. His humor and exuberance will make this a fun afternoon you won't want to miss. There will also be a Girl Scout troop presenting about their work planting for bees out in Geyserville at a local farm.
Other event details can be found on the website- Click Here
You can purchase tickets today through Brown Paper Tickets - Click Here.
Del Raby, Warren Smith, Ralph Harryman, Penny Millar, Paul O'Rear, Harry Coffee and Matthew Crooks assisted with refreshments at the Cazadero rest stop.
Rotary's long-term, sustained battle against polio has defined our organization for decades. We have a right to be proud of all that we have accomplished through the years.
Our progress is real and noteworthy. In 1988, polio was endemic in 125 countries, with more than 350,000 new cases a year worldwide. Since then, Rotary and our Global Polio Eradication Initiative partners have reduced the incidence of polio by more than 99.9 percent, vaccinated more than 2.5 billion children against the virus, and prevented 18 million cases of paralysis. Over the years, Rotary has helped country after country move into the polio-free column. This includes India, which some considered impossible not long ago. Of the three types of poliovirus, type 2 has been eradicated and type 3 could soon be certified as eradicated. Nigeria has not reported a case of wild poliovirus in nearly three years. If this trend holds, we will be down to just one type of wild poliovirus in only one section of the world, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
There are major challenges in that region. But it is crucial that we remain optimistic. Look at all that we have accomplished so far. This is no time to get discouraged or to think that the task is impossible. We will end polio forever, but only if we remain steadfast and vigilant. World Polio Day is a time for Rotarians from all over the globe to come together, recognize the progress we have made in our fight against polio, and plan the action we must take to end polio forever. The key word is action, because we still have important work to do.
This year, we want to see as many Rotary clubs as possible holding World Polio Day events around the world. Need some ideas? How about organizing a viewing party for friends and club members to watch Rotary's Online Global Update? You could also dedicate a club meeting to World Polio Day or create a fundraising event. Remember, every dollar raised is matched 2-to-1 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Mark your calendar to tune in to Rotary's World Polio Day Online Global Update on 24 October. This year we will stream our program on Facebook in multiple time zones around the world. Visit the Rotary International Facebook page to RSVP to your region's program. And do not forget to follow the event on social media and share it with your network.
When we reach our goal, polio will become only the second human disease eradicated on the planet, and Rotary will receive international acclaim. But what matters most is the children who will never again have to face this terrible, disabling virus. Rotary must continue to connect the world in the effort toward polio eradication. It is up to us. Let us finish the job.
Friends, World Polio Day is this month and we are facing a major challenge. The news out of Afghanistan and Pakistan tells us that we have more work to do. It tells us that polio will not die out quickly or easily.
Most of all, it tells us that we are needed now more than ever. Success will require us to remain steady and show that there is no time limit to our commitment. We are in this to the end, and we will conquer this terrible disease. We will give life back to children and families, and restore hope to communities.
We are fortunate to have great friends in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative — including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which continues to match every donation 2-to-1. We have already eradicated wild poliovirus type 2, and type 3 could soon be wiped out. India is polio-free. All of Africa may soon be polio-free.
The most important factor in ending polio forever is you. The people of Afghanistan and Pakistan have faced so much hardship in recent years. Polio is just one more challenge. To them, it could all feel overwhelming. But not to Rotarians. We do not feel overwhelmed. We feel challenged, and, as people of action, we rise to challenges.
In the words of Confucius: "If one is virtuous, one will not be left to stand alone. It is certain that associates of like mind will come and join with one." In Rotary, we understand these words very well. When we say "Service Above Self," we take a stand for this virtue. We know that our like-minded brothers and sisters around the world will join us. We have been drawn together by our need to do good in the world.
We can rid the world of a disease forever. And you will be the ones to do it, through your continued commitment and generosity.
Be a part of history! Help us overcome the final hardship, the final challenge. Make your donation at endpolio.org/donate.
Building bonds: In Wiarton, gateway to the bucolic Bruce Peninsula between Georgian Bay and Lake Huron in Ontario, a dedicated Rotary club shoulders an outsize responsibility. With fewer than three dozen members, the Rotary Club of Wiarton has installed playground equipment, benches, and a wooden boardwalk, all while supporting a robust Rotary Youth Exchange program, polio eradication, and projects in Africa and Mexico. It also stages several major annual events. How? By summoning the exponential force of friendship.
Club innovation: To involve more people in club meetings and events, the members came up with a creative solution. Wiarton’s Friends initiative, inaugurated in 2016, appeals to people who share Rotary’s values but cannot commit to full membership, allowing them to attend as many as 10 club meetings a year while helping at fundraisers and other projects. The goal of the program, which has nine participants, is to provide a path toward regular membership.
Club members at a Canada-themed trivia night.
During an event for club presidents-elect at the 2018 Rotary International Convention in Toronto, Mike McMillan, then incoming president of the Wiarton club, stepped up to the microphone to raise the issue of how Rotary could expand its base. “We are in an area of generally blue-collar industries: tourism, retail, a national park,” McMillan recalls saying. “I asked, ‘How do we attract nonprofessionals, or rather professionals of a different sort?’ ” Other presidents-elect from all over the world told him that they faced a similar predicament. McMillan already had one possible solution.
Two years earlier, the Wiarton club had launched the Friends program to engage people in the community with limited time and money. “So many young people, in particular, can’t commit to a full-time membership,” says McMillan. “Particularly in an area like ours, to pay $80 a month for meals is beyond their budgets if they have young kids. It’s important to come up with other ways to keep people involved. Our community is small and not particularly wealthy.”
The club’s Amazing Race competition is a popular fundraiser and community event.
The club members help organize the four-day Village Fair every summer and run a Trivia Night that attracts more than 150 contestants. Maple Magic — held at Regal Point Elk Farm, which is owned by club member Eric Robinson and his wife, Dale — lures thousands of visitors. Events like that, McMillan notes, “require feet on the ground.”
One go-to volunteer, Jimi Avon, a retired musician who spends winters in Mexico, draws energy from the drive of the Rotarians. “I’m ready to be at all these events. For me, it’s a positive thing,” Avon says of his status as a Friend. “At the level I’m at, I’m happy and I don’t have quite the responsibility.” Also among the Friends are a hospice manager, a woman who operates a landscaping business and garden shop with her Rotarian husband, and four retirees.
And for one Friend, the program has been a pathway back to membership. Richard Bouillon had left the club in 1996 because of demands of business and family life. He tested the waters again as a Friend. “I’m not sure if I should be called an ‘old new member’ or a ‘new old member.’ I spent a year as a Friend before rejoining the club in 2018,” Bouillon says. Now he is fully committed, having worked the Village Fair and traveled to Honduras to help build a school through a Rotary-sponsored project. But it might not have happened without a gentle reintroduction. “The Friends program was one of the things that brought me back,” he says.
— BRAD WEBBER
• Are you looking for more ideas on how your club can reinvent itself? Go to rotary.org/flexibility.
.png)
.jpg)
.JPG)
.jpg)
.jpeg)
.jpg)
