My Rotary, Our Vocational Service Awards & the Rotary Foundation prepares for its Centenary.

Last Week 

Jane Sims & Joan Sainsbury

Our usual Business Meeting.

It was enlivened by the presence of Joan Sainsbury and Jane Sims as well as Gregory and Susan Howes, our President's son and daughter-in-law!

Jane is one of our "Rotary Artists" and she is standing next to one of her paintings.  The idea that the artists who exhibit at our Art Festival should visit the club is a very good one and it they seem to appreciate it.....we certainly do!  Thanks to Joan Sainsbury and Mark Franklin for this initiative.

My Rotary
Les Short raised the issue at the Business Meeting that less than 50% of the club had registered with My Rotary on the RI website.  Here's the LINK.  Now click on the My Rotary tab at top right and you will then be able to register.  I automatically go through to my page but I think you have to register with your RI number and automatically the club details come up.  You can then fill in your own profile.

This Week
It's an important meeting, the presentation of our annual Vocational Service Awards.
The recipients are:
Dr Pierre Vercueil for his pro bono paediatric ophthalmological surgery on young patients.
Dr Brooke Puttergill for her dedication to young amputees and their families.
Mrs Jean Warburton for her volunteer vocational guidance and assistance to underprivileged children and their families.
Mrs Penny Metcalf, a Speech & Hearing therapist, for her volunteer work.
Mrs Chibby Clacey, for her volunteer service as a teacher in setting up a pre-school for disadvantaged families.
There will be more about them next week as a short sentence doesn't provide an adequate summary of their worthiness for these awards.

Don't forget to let Les Short know if you are bringing anyone extra for lunch.

DISTRICT LEADERS SET TO CELEBRATE FOUNDATION’S CENTENNIAL

The Rotary Foundation has been improving lives since 1917. Learn about our work and help us celebrate 100 years of doing good in the world.

Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair Ray Klinginsmith asked district governors in training at the International Assembly to lead the celebration of the Foundation's centennial year, 2016-17.

"You are the primary contacts between the Foundation and our 34,000 Rotary clubs in the world. The success of the centennial celebration is largely in your hands," said Klinginsmith at a 19 January general session. "Catch the spirit and spread the word about the importance of celebrating our success."

Since the Foundation was established in 1917, it has spent more than $3 billion on programs and projects to improve the lives of millions worldwide, said Klinginsmith.

The centennial celebration officially kicks off in May at the Rotary Convention in Korea and culminates at the 2017 convention in Atlanta.

DISTRICT PLANS FOR THE CENTENNIAL

Governor-elect Tom James Markos of District 5100 in Oregon, USA, says he is proud to be serving during such a historic year. He plans to promote the centennial not only to his district's members, but also through local media.

"We need the public to be aware of what we've accomplished," says Markos, who has set a district goal of raising $1 million for the Foundation during the centennial year.

Bill Proctor, incoming governor of District 7080 in Ontario, Canada, believes the centennial year is an opportunity to "refocus and reeducate" members on the importance the Foundation's work.

"We have so many accomplishments to celebrate," said Proctor. "We need to use the momentum of the celebration to strengthen the Foundation's future."

Share your centennial photos and stories on social media using #TRF100.

• Centennial logo and guidelines
• Centennial promotion kit
• Rotary grants
• History of The Rotary Foundation

Welcome Hugh, Literacy, Food, and Even More!

Welcome Hugh
Hugh Rix was inducted as a member of our club last week.  The camera carrying man forgot to photograph the event and thought that a hot air balloon or three was appropriate instead.

Welcome, Hugh.  It's a great pleasure having you as a member of the club and we are delighted that you have agreed to take on the Public Relations portfolio.


Last Week

Megan Maynard spoke to us about The Link Literacy Programme.  The programme is heavily dependent on volunteers and was really enlightening that a number of Rosebank Rotary Anns are volunteers for The Link.  I think that's wonderful and it shows how little we as club know about some of their projects...unless you are married to one, of course.
I was particularly interested in the mental arithmetic programme because every day I experience young people's inability to add up quite apart from anything slightly more complicated.  It is so important not to be dependent on a calculator...applause!

We were also joined by our ADG Brian Humphries and his wife, Hilary.


Food!

It was the second week of the new lunch system with ordering from Chariots.  The burden very much falls upon Les Short who juggles attendance and food orders plus collecting the money.  He was helped by Merle Langenegger last week but it is an arduous task even for two people, especially when we have such a large number of people attending our meeting as well as the England/SA ODI filling up the bar!

This week we will assist Les when the food arrives by a couple of us serving it to the tables as this will be less disruptive and if there is a speaker it will mean that the food can be served straight away.

 This Week as President Neville pointed out is a Business Meeting.

Rotary's 111th Birthday
Last week's Ramble gave the details of the event on Tuesday 23rd.  Several of us will be going so please book directly and join us at the Rosebank Table!

Blanket Drive
You will all have received a preliminary notice for the Blanket Drive as mentioned by President Neville.  We are fortunate that David Bradshaw is on the committee so let's hope that we get a better shopping centre this year!

Rotary Peace Scholars
The Board is exploring the possibility of proposing one so the article below is particularly apposite.

PRESIDENTIAL CONFERENCE EXPLORES ROUTES TO PEACE

Actress and humanitarian Sharon Stone gives the peace sign after speaking at the Rotary World Peace Conference on 15 January in Ontario, California, USA.

Photo Credit: Rotary International/Ryan Hyland

On 2 December, a terrorist attack killed 14 people and wounded more than 20 others in San Bernardino, California.

Less than two months later, an event nearby focused on peace: the Rotary World Peace Conference. The two-day meeting on 15-16 January brought together experts from around the world to explore ideas and solutions to violence and conflict.

The conference was the first of five Rotary presidential conferences planned for this year.

San Bernardino County official Janice Rutherford, a member of the Rotary Club of Fontana, California, told attendees at the opening general session that the conference couldn’t be timelier.

“Now more than ever, we need to come together and create peace and reduce human suffering,” said Rutherford, who declared 15 January 2016 Rotary World Peace Day and a Day of Peace for San Bernardino County. “We appreciate your commitment to exploring these options and taking them back to your community and the rest of the world.”

More than 150 leaders in the fields of peace, education, business, law, and health care led over 100 breakout sessions and workshops. Topics ranged from how to achieve peace through education to combating human trafficking to the role the media has in eliminating conflict.

Hosted by Rotary districts in California and attended by more than 1,500 people, the conference is an example of how Rotary members are taking peace into their own hands, said RI President K.R. Ravindran.

“We can’t wait for governments to build peace, or the United Nations. We can’t expect peace to be handed to us on a platter,” said Ravindran. “We have to build peace from the bottom, from the foundation of our society. The valuable information you leave with at the end of this conference will aid you in managing conflict in your personal lives, local communities, and potentially around the world.”

Actress and humanitarian Sharon Stone urged conference attendees to find tolerance within themselves as a way to develop compassion and understanding for others. Noting that today’s technology makes it easy to learn about diverse cultures and beliefs, Stone encouraged Rotary members to embrace differences while learning about others’ work.

“The more we understand the darkness of our enemies, the better we know what to do, how to respond and behave,” said Stone.

Rotary is inching the world closer to meaningful change, said the Rev. Greg Boyle, executive director of Homeboy Industries, a Los Angeles-based gang intervention and reentry program.

“Rotary decided to dismantle the barriers that exclude people,” said Boyle, a bestselling author and Catholic priest. “You [Rotary members] know that we must stand outside the margins so that the margins can be erased. You stand with the poor, the powerless, and those whose dignity has been denied.”

Rotary’s most formidable weapon against war, violence, and intolerance is its Rotary Peace Centers program. Through study and field work, peace fellows at the centers become catalysts for peace and conflict resolution in their communities and around the globe.

Dozens of Rotary peace fellows attended the conference to promote the program, learn about other peace initiatives, and help Rotary clubs understand the role they can play.

Peace Fellow Christopher Zambakari, who recently graduated from the University of Queensland in Australia, said the conference is a chance to increase awareness of what others are doing to achieve peace.

“Some people have only a local view toward peace,” said Zambakari, whose consulting firm in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, provides advisory services to organizations in Africa and the Middle East. “An event like this, with so many diverse perspectives, can open up connections and different possibilities to how we all can work towards a more peaceful world." 

Other speakers included Carrie Hessler-Radelet, director of the U.S. Peace Corps; Judge Daniel Nsereko, special tribunal for Lebanon; Gillian Sorensen, senior adviser at the United Nations Foundation; Steve Killelea, founder and executive chair of the Institute for Economics and Peace; Dan Lungren, former U.S. representative; and Mary Ann Peters, chief executive officer of The Carter Center and former U.S. ambassador to Bangladesh.

Attend one of four remaining presidential conferences

Support the Rotary Peace Centers

Learn more about Rotary Peace Fellowships 

By Ryan Hyland

Rotary News

Civil Service in Denmark, the Link Literacy Programme, Rotary's 111th Birthday and Next Year's Rotary Theme.

Last Week

Edward James-Smith spoke to us about the role of the Civil Service in Denmark. He also talked about the common questions people ask him about living there, the high rate of income tax, VAT at 25% on everything, all the advantages and disadvantages of living in Denmark.  As he has lived there for nearly 20 years it was interesting from all points of view.  What was particularly interesting was the contrast between his friends' experience of child rearing in South Africa and the Scandinavian experience....much more male involvement on an equal level with female involvement!  Quite a surprise.

This Week
Megan Maynard will be talking to us about The Link Literacy Programme. The Link is a Non Profit Organisation which supports the development of literacy and numeracy for second-language English learners. The link to their website is http://www.thelinkliteracyproject.co.za/ 

Literacy is one of the main foci of Rotary International that clubs are specifically asked to show an interest in.


Discon
By now you will all have received forms or the Rotary Conference at Misty Hills, Muldersdrift in June....the dates are in the Future Events column.  We will be discussing Discon at the Board Meeting.  It is important that we get our bookings in as soon as possible so that we can all stay in Misty Hills and be together as it makes attendance so much simpler.  Please do make an effort  to attend.

Rotary Careers Day
The number of featured careers continues to grow and I will be having another meeting with Holy Family College soon to finalise arrangements.

Special Event
Lyn Collocott has circularised everyone about this.  No doubt it will come up at the Board Meeting.

 DGR  S F Margo Region 2

Join us on TUESDAY 23^RD  FEBRUARY AT 18H30 FOR 19H00

At the        BRYANSTON COUNTRY CLUB

                   To Celebrate

 Rotary’s  111^th  Birthday and

To meet Past President of R I and chairman of Foundation

       Mr Ray Klinginsmith who will give a short talk on Foundation, also to

Meet Mahindra’s CEO who has donated R400,000,00 worth of solar lights

and then to join us in the presentation of a Paul Harris Fellowship

To avoid having cash on the property please deposit your fee into the 

Rotary Awareness Account / ABSA Bank , Oakdene

Acc no :  38036930290                     Branch no :  632005

And e-mail proof of payment to both :

Peter Soester : peter@mbservices.co.za and Paul Westcott : pwestcott99@gmail.com.

Reference :  your name, your clubs name and  B111

Cost :  R190,00 PER HEAD (All-inclusive gratuity and vat) plus a cash bar

Dress : Formal –Black Tie or dark suit

GERM REVEALS ‘ROTARY SERVING HUMANITY’ AS 2016-17 PRESIDENTIAL THEME

Rotary International President-elect John F. Germ announces his presidential theme 'Rotary Serving Humanity.'

Rotary’s founder, Paul Harris, believed that serving humanity is “the most worthwhile thing a person can do,” RI President-elect John F. Germ said, and that being a part of Rotary is a “great opportunity” to make that happen.

Germ unveiled the 2016-17 presidential theme, Rotary Serving Humanity, to incoming district governors on 18 January at the International Assembly in San Diego, California, USA.

“I believe everyone recognizes the opportunity to serve Rotary for what it truly is: not a small opportunity, but a great one; an opportunity of a lifetime to change the world for the better, forever through Rotary’s service to humanity,” said Germ.

Rotary members around the globe are serving humanity by providing clean water to underdeveloped communities, promoting peace in conflict areas, and strengthening communities through basic education and literacy. But none more important than our work to eradicate polio worldwide, he said.

After a historic year in which transmission of the wild poliovirus was stopped in Nigeria and all of Africa, Germ said we are closer than ever to ending polio.

“We are at a crossroads in Rotary,” he added. “We are looking ahead at a year that may one day be known as the greatest year in Rotary’s history: the year that sees the world’s last case of polio.”

Last year’s milestones leave just two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, where the virus still circulates. Polio would be only the second human disease ever to be eradicated.

When that moment arrives, it’s “tremendously important” that Rotary is ready for it, said Germ. “We need to be sure that we are recognized for that success, and leverage that success into more partnerships, greater growth, and even more ambitious service in the decades to come.”

Germ, a member of the Rotary Club of Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA, encouraged attendees to return to their clubs and communities and spread the word about Rotary’s role in the fight for a polio-free world.

“People who want to do good will see that Rotary is a place where they can change the world. Every Rotary club needs to be ready to give them that opportunity,” Germ said.

Enhancing Rotary’s image isn’t the only way to boost membership. “We need clubs that are flexible, so our service will be more attractive to younger members, recent retirees, and working people.”

He added: “We need more willing hands, more caring hearts, and more bright minds to move our work forward.”

Edward James-Smith, Vocational Service Awards, Rotary Careers Day, Rotary & Gender and RAGE!

Last Week

It was our belated AGM and we got through the business relatively quickly.  I'm not going to dwell on it as you will receive the minutes in due course.

This Week

Our speaker is Edward James-Smith who will talk on The Role of the Civil Service in a Democracy.

Edward was educated at Rondebosch Prep School and St Andrew's School, Bloemfontein.  

He graduated with a BSc in Biochemistry and Microbiology from the University of the Free State and then acquired an MSc, Technology and Socio-Economic Studies at the University of Roskilde, Denmark, graduating in 2005.  He subsequently worked for Ramboll and Ea Energy Analysis specialising in electrical energy policy and planning before moving to the Danish Energy Agency in Copenhagen as an Adviser to the Danish Minister of Energy.  He lives in Espergærde, Frederiksborg, Denmark with Tina Sommer Kristensen who is a Climate-Change Specialist and they have two children.

Rotary Club of Rosebank Johannesburg Vocational Service Awards

This is a very special meeting when our Club recognises people who exemplify the Rotary Motto of Service Above Self by using their vocation as a platform for the service of their community.  The award goes to those who have never been recognised for what they do and Melodene Stonestreet, Chairman of Vocational Service, and her committee will present these special people to us and honour them personally.

Rotary Careers Morning Saturday 27th February

We are really making good progress here with Grade 12 learners from 5 participating schools.  We currently have 19 different Career Bases plus 4 Tertiary Institutions.  many thanks to Club members who have volunteered their services and expertise.

Rotary Anns' 100 Club  

Some of the Rotarians have very kindly already bought tickets to support our fund-raising this year for which we thank you most sincerely.  We still have 8 tickets to sell at R360 for the year and you will be in the draw to win R350 or R150 every month, with big prizes at the end of the year (September) of up to R5000!  If anyone is interested, please would they contact President Shirley.

Rotary & Gender

Rotary’s policy on gender equality is absolutely clear. Yet nearly one-fifth of our clubs today continue to exclude women, usually by claiming that they simply cannot find women who are qualified for membership. 

I would say that any Rotarian who makes this argument, or believes it, lacks the two most basic qualifications for Rotary membership: honesty and good sense. 

Equality for women is not just a nice extra. It is absolutely essential to our service, to our future. If we don’t put it front and centre, we are dead in the water before we even begin. A club that shuts out women shuts out much more than half the talent, half the ability, and half the connections it should have. It closes out the perspectives that are essential to serving families and communities effectively. It damages not only its own service, but our entire organization, by reinforcing the stereotypes that limit us the most. It makes our partners take us less seriously. And it makes all of Rotary less attractive to potential members, especially the younger people who are so crucial to our future. 

Click on here to visit their website RAGE  Rage is Australia based and this is one of  the projects they support.

We appreciate any help or support you can provide towards our efforts to helping endangered species by supporting our projects in partnership with Roots & Shoots Kenya, the Chipembere Rhino Foundation in South Africa and the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya. 

SAVE OUR RHINO SOUTH AFRICA.

The project of the Rotary Club of Kenton-on-Sea in South Africa:

 Save Our Rhino Web Site

Rotary Kenton takes up the challenge to save the Rhino. In existence for over 50-million years, rhinos are global symbols of nature’s right to life –  the shocking plight of rhinos led to the  Rotary Club of Kenton on Sea donating Rand 23,250 to Brent Cooke of theChipembere Rhino Foundation for tracking collars. At the handover of the cheque, world renowned veterinarian and expert on rhino conservation, Dr William Fowlds, talked about the fight to save the Kariega rhinos after the brutal poaching attack on them. When asked what the Kenton Rotary Club could do to help, he answered “create awareness across the world.”

Rhino poaching has reached a crisis point, and if the high levels of poaching continue, rhino populations will be seriously affected. In South Africa if the killing continues at this high rate, we could see rhino deaths overtaking births in 2016-2018, meaning rhinos could become extinct in the very near future.

Somewhere in the bush a rhino nudges and nuzzles her newborn calf, blissfully unaware of the frenzy she’s created. In the darkest of times, she unknowingly gave us something so beautiful and tender-hope. Simply by choosing to survive, by going on each day, and by being..well, a rhino. Thank you Thandi. We will not give up.

Dr Fowlds of Kariega Game Reserve and  Wildlife Veterinary Surgeon, comments: “I am sure that the whole rhino caring community will share in the joy of this amazing birth. Thandi’s story has always been an incredible testimony of the will to survive against all odds. She represents so much of what her species faces under the current poaching crisis. Her survival has already given us inspiration but the birth of her calf brings a new dimension of hope to the crisis showing us that a future generation of life is possible if we put our minds and hearts to it.”

South Africa has the largest population of rhinos in the world. However, figures compiled by the South African Department of Environmental Affairs show a dramatic escalation in the number of rhinos being poached. During 2014 a staggering 1116 rhinos were killed. Over the past five years 3569 rhinos have died at the hands of poachers.

Together with the Rotary Club of Kenton-on-Sea South Africa and our Projects Director Jo Wilmot, we are developing Rhino International Survival Kits or RISK Boxes.  These boxes or kits will be available for Rotary and Rotaract Clubs and Districts to support.

These RISK Boxes will contain equipment that will go to various projects engaged in the protection and survival of rhinos in areas of South Africa that are currently under attack by well organised poaching gangs and syndicates.

RAGES is looking at sourcing these RISK Boxes in the area of most need so as to keep the economic benefits in that country.  These RISK Boxes will start at US$500 for the entry level.  There are three other levels that will be available.

*BRONZE RISK BOX LEVEL 1     US$500

*SILVER RISK BOX LEVEL 2   US$1,500

*GOLD RISK BOX LEVEL 3      US$5,000

*A full list of what is contained in each level of the RISK Boxes will be made available on our RAGES web site and via our newsletters.

Don't forget the AGM! Steven's Mindtrap, Art for Art's Sake and the Centenary of the Rotary Foundation in 2017.

This Week
It is a rather belated AGM.  The real reason for the delay was a lack of a quorum prior to the end of December so it is very important that everyone attends.  
Don't forget to forward the nominations for 2017/18 Rotary Year to Lyn Collocott.

Steven Mind-trapping.

Last Week

Steven Anastopoulos treated us to Mind Trap 2.  The puzzles....I hesitate to call them questions...were much easier than last time so we felt quite pleased with ourselves!  
Steven then showed us a number of short videos that appealed to him.....much laughter.

Joan Sainsbury brought a couple of the artists who exhibit and sell at our Annual Rotary Art Festival, Chrysoula Argyros and Paul Botes.  This is the first of monthly visits from artists who exhibit at the Festival, the idea being that we all get to know each other a lot better and there is a more sustainable link between the artists and the club.  It's an excellent idea as we now have good links with the Bag Factory as well and Rotary is not noted for it's interest in the arts, generally.
An important aspect of the visit was the donation by Chrysoula and Paul of two paintings for the annual Rotary Art Festival Draw.  Paul is also telling President Neville about a calendar he produces.  Many thanks, Joan for this initiative.

We will be establishing a "Page" for aspects of the Art Festival and participating artists in The Ramble in the future.

DISTRICT LEADERS SET TO CELEBRATE FOUNDATION’S CENTENNIAL

The Rotary Foundation has been improving lives since 1917. Learn about our work and help us celebrate 100 years of doing good in the world.

Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair Ray Klinginsmith asked district governors in training at the International Assembly to lead the celebration of the Foundation's centennial year, 2016-17.

"You are the primary contacts between the Foundation and our 34,000 Rotary clubs in the world. The success of the centennial celebration is largely in your hands," said Klinginsmith at a 19 January general session. "Catch the spirit and spread the word about the importance of celebrating our success."

Since the Foundation was established in 1917, it has spent more than $3 billion on programs and projects to improve the lives of millions worldwide, said Klinginsmith.

The centennial celebration officially kicks off in May at the Rotary Convention in Korea and culminates at the 2017 convention in Atlanta.

DISTRICT PLANS FOR THE CENTENNIAL

Governor-elect Tom James Markos of District 5100 in Oregon, USA, says he is proud to be serving during such a historic year. He plans to promote the centennial not only to his district's members, but also through local media.

"We need the public to be aware of what we've accomplished," says Markos, who has set a district goal of raising $1 million for the Foundation during the centennial year.

Bill Proctor, incoming governor of District 7080 in Ontario, Canada, believes the centennial year is an opportunity to "refocus and reeducate" members on the importance the Foundation's work.

"We have so many accomplishments to celebrate," said Proctor. "We need to use the momentum of the celebration to strengthen the Foundation's future."

HISTORY OF THE ROTARY FOUNDATION

At the 1917 convention, outgoing RI President Arch C. Klumph proposed to set up an endowment “for the purpose of doing good in the world.” In 1928, it was renamed The Rotary Foundation, and it became a distinct entity within Rotary International.

GROWTH OF THE FOUNDATION

In 1929, the Foundation made its first gift of $500 to the International Society for Crippled Children. The organization, created by Rotarian Edgar F. “Daddy” Allen, later grew into Easter Seals.

When Rotary founder Paul Harris died in 1947, contributions began pouring in to Rotary International, and the Paul Harris Memorial Fund was created to build the Foundation.

EVOLUTION OF FOUNDATION PROGRAMS

1947: The Foundation established its first program, Fellowships for Advance Study, later known as Ambassadorial Scholarships.

1965-66: Three programs were launched: Group Study Exchange, Awards for Technical Training, and Grants for Activities in Keeping with the Objective of The Rotary Foundation, which was later called Matching Grants.

1978: Rotary introduced the Health, Hunger and Humanity (3-H) Grants. The first 3-H Grant funded a project to immunize 6 million Philippine children against polio.

1985: The PolioPlus program was launched to eradicate polio worldwide.

1987-88: The first peace forums were held, leading to Rotary Peace Fellowships.

2013: New district, global, and packaged grants enable Rotarians around the world to respond to the world’s greatest needs.

Since the first donation of $26.50 in 1917, the Foundation has received contributions totaling more than $1 billion.

The Mind Trap, Discon, Friendship Exchange to Nigeria & Hunger in the USA

Last Week
It was a Business Meeting and President Neville has commented on it in his column.

This Week

Back by POPULAR DEMAND 

                                                  Steven Anastopoulos 

                                                                                    Presents MIND TRAP 2

Steven has the ability to lower the perceived intellectual capacity of the Rotary Club of Rosebank Johannesburg by approximately 90%.  He is a dangerous man.  If you are feeling insecure, subject to bouts of depression, anthophobia, bathmophobia, coulrophobia, ecclesiophobia or even islamophobia it is recommended that you stay away.

Discon, Muldersdrift, 16th - 19th June

Discon is just around the corner both geographically and timewise.  I haven't seen a booking form yet but keep a look out for one coming your way.  It would be great to have a really good turn out from our club.



Rotary Friendship Exchange Lagos Nigeria 23rd April - 5th May

Lagos Island

This exchange sounds really fascinating as there are so many interesting things to see and I am sure that the hospitality will be outstanding.  The approximate cost is R14 000 per head all inclusive.

Should you be interested you can contact the tour co-ordinator Koekie Makunyane-Quashie 

e-mail: koekiemq@inkhanyetischool.ac.sz

cell: (+268) 7602 8220

OBITUARY

It is with great sadness that I inform you that we have just heard  that our dear mouth-painter Elsie Fouche passed away last November.

Apparently she died of the illness which had caused her disability. Joan Sainsbury battled to make contact with the artist, and finally reached her sister.

Elsie was a resident of Ry-Ma-In, a home for disabled in Linden, and joined our group of exhibiting artists in 2004, along with Kobie Tait. Rudy Lombard joined the group in 2005.

Elsie exhibited at every exhibition since then, and attended each event regularly in her wheelchair. She was always friendly, smiling and loved to talk about her art, which was much admired and sold modestly well. She thrived, despite her disabilities. She had her own computer and was active on email.

We shall miss her bright face, personality and lovely artworks at our Festivals in future. We shall remember her for all her attributes, and are sure she is blessed in her new home.

Mark Franklin

CLUBS BATTLE HUNGER IN MISSOURI WITH ‘FOOD FIGHT’

Rotary members from Columbia, Missouri, USA, volunteer at a regional food bank.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of District 6080 (Missouri, USA)

Though the media tends to focus on underdeveloped countries when the subject is hunger, food scarcity is also a problem in the United States.

Consider parts of Missouri, where one of every six people goes hungry, according to the Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri.

Rotary member Steve Dulle wanted to change that. For his induction as this year’s governor of District 6080, he eschewed a traditional installation featuring fine food and formal wear. Instead, he asked members throughout the district to collect nonperishable provisions and volunteer at local food banks and pantries on the day that he took office. And he launched a month long “food fight” that pits clubs in the northern part of his district against those in the south to see who could collect the most food.

The north won — as did the area’s hungry residents. Rotary members, Rotoractors, and their families and friends collected more than 10,000 pounds of food and raised nearly $19,000 for Missouri’s food pantries.

“I wanted to start off my year with an example of what it should primarily portray, namely a dedication to service,” says Dulle. “This was the first time we did a service project for our district — it united us.”

The Rotary Club of Jefferson City Breakfast took top honors for the amount of food brought in, collecting more than 2,500 pounds of nonperishable items outside a supermarket on Saturdays in July. The Rotary Club of Columbia-Metro contributed the most labor, volunteering 258 hours at the Food Bank of Central & North East Missouri. And the Columbia South, Fulton and Jefferson City Evening clubs collected the most money for the cause, more than $2,000 each.

Rotary members and guests even repackaged nearly 5,000 pounds of Rice Krispies for local food pantries. Dulle says that a volunteer stood on a ladder and shoveled the cereal from a 15-foot box into a large pan, which was eventually divided by others into serving sizes for innumerable plastic containers ready for delivery.

Local Rotaract members pitched in as well.

“Coordinated projects like these are able to take service projects to another level,” says Jolyn Sattizahn, president of the Rotaract Club of Columbia, who helped with the effort.

Of the 49 clubs in the district, 36 participated in the initiative.

Larry Price, president of the Rotary Club of Mountain View, says he’ll never forget volunteering at an Ozarks Food Harvest pantry.

“Frankly, I had no idea that so many people in Mountain View were being served at this site,” he says. “And the beneficiaries of the program were quick to express their appreciation to the volunteers as they made their way around the tables.”

Dulle’s 28 June installation as district governor, at the Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri, was atypical. There was no banquet, attendees wore shorts, and the governor was sworn in during a lunch break. He wouldn’t have done it any differently.

“It was important that the project be hands-on so we could better feel the service we were doing,” he says. “Because of the project, clubs are continuing to work with their food banks.”

And that promises to make a dent in the district’s hunger problem in the years to come.

By David Sweet

Rotary News