WELCOME TO THE WEEKLY MEETING
FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2016
In
this meeting:
- Rotary Minute
- ABCs of Rotary
- An Update on Polio
- Paul Harris Recognition
- International Women's Day
- Unique Fundraiser
- What happened Wednesday
- A little humour
- Foundation Corner
- A short good news story
- Rotary pins for 2016-17
- Update on Smart Boards grant with Rotary Club of Gandevi
- Rotary Anthem
- Four-Way Test to close
- Final bell
NOTE: Where links are provided in the meeting, click the link to view the video. To return to the meeting, click either your browser's BACK button or click the previous window or TAB.
OUR GREETER THIS WEEK IS PRESIDENT-ELECT PAUL AMOURY
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
President Camille Seaton
January 2016 is celebrated as Vocational service month. Paul Harris set out to organize a club of business men, each from a different profession who would gather for friendship and mutual cooperation in finding new business and hence established as the first business-oriented organization of its kind in the United States.
It
is said that when professionals join a Rotary club, they do so as a
representative of their classification – their particular business or
profession. Rotarians have the dual responsibility of representing
their vocation within the club and exemplifying the ideals of Rotary
within the workplace.
One of the central goals of Vocational Service is to promote and advance Rotary’s high ethical standards.
ROTARY MINUTE
QUOTATIONS REGARDING ROTARY
by
Rotary International Presidents
“We are all Rotarians. There is only one family of us. Kipling said, "East is East and West is West, and ne’er the twain shall meet." We do not recognize that in Rotary. We realize that Kipling spoke the truth when at the end of that poem he said: "For there is neither East nor West, Border, nor breed, nor birth, when two strong men stand face to face, Though they come from the ends of the earth."
— Address to 1931 Rotary Convention, Vienna, Austria
1932-33 Clinton P. Anderson (insurance – casualty), Rotary Club of Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. Rotary vision: Helping to create a world without barriers to cooperation and understanding.
“Science has broken down the barriers between people, but that merely accentuates our problems, particularly those which arise out of misunderstandings, unless there is also a spiritual growth. For every shortening of the distance between peoples there must be a broadening of human sympathies.”
— New Year — New Thinking, THE ROTARIAN, January 1933
ABCs OF ROTARY
 |
| RI President (1992-93) Cliff Dochterman |
Paul Harris - First but Not First
Was Paul Harris the first president of a Rotary club?
No.
Was Paul Harris the first president of Rotary
International? Yes.
There is an easy explanation to this apparent
contradiction. Although Paul Harris was the founder and organizer of the first
Rotary club in Chicago in 1905, the man selected to be the first president as one of the other founding members,
Silvester Schiele.
By the year 1910 there were 16 Rotary clubs, which
linked up as an organization called the National Association of Rotary Clubs.
Two years later the name was changed to the International Association of Rotary
Clubs, as Rotary was organized in Winnipeg, Canada, and then in England,
Ireland and Scotland. In 1922 the name was shortened to Rotary International.
When the first organization of Rotary clubs was
created in 1910, Paul Harris was selected as the first
president. He served in this position for two years,
from 1910 until 1912. Thus, the founder of the Rotary idea, who declined to be
president of the first club, became the first president of the worldwide
organization, Rotary International.
First Names or Nicknames
From the earliest days of Rotary, members have
referred to each other on a first-name basis. Since personal acquaintanceship
and friendship are cornerstones of Rotary, it was natural that many clubs adopted the practice of setting aside formal
titles in conversations among members. Individuals who normally would be addressed as Doctor,
Professor, Mister, the Honorable or Sir are regularly called Joe, Bill, Mary,
Karen or Charley by other Rotarians. The characteristic Rotary club name badge
fosters the first-name custom.
In a few areas, such as Europe, club members use a
more formal style in addressing fellow members. In other parts of the world,
mainly in Asian countries, the practice is to assign each new Rotarian a humorous nickname which relates to some
personal characteristic or which is descriptive of the member's business or profession.
A member nicknamed "Oxygen" is the
manufacturer of chemical gas products.
"Trees" is the nickname for the Rotarian in the lumber business,
"Building" is the contractor, "Paper" is the stationery or office
supply retailer. Other members might carry nicknames like "Muscles,"
"Foghorn" or "Smiles" as commentaries on their physical
features.
The nicknames are frequently a source of good-natured
fun and fellowship. But whether a Rotarian is addressed by a given first name
or a nickname, the spirit of personal friendship is the initial step that opens
doors to all other opportunities for service.
AN UPDATE ON POLIO
<Source = http://www.wsj.com/articles/gates-foundation-sees-possible-end-to-polio-soon-1453487699>
“It’s possible that the last case will be in 2016,” Mr. Gates said. “We need some good execution and a little bit of luck.”
The co-chairs of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation laid out their agenda for the year ahead in an interview with The Wall Street Journal on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Polio-eradication leaders have made tremendous progress in the past few years, the couple noted.
The World Health Organization said last year that Nigeria had successfully stopped transmission of polio in the country. That has left just two countries—Afghanistan and Pakistan—that still haven’t eliminated transmission of wild poliovirus, the cause of most cases of polio. If there are no more cases after 2016, polio-eradication leaders will meet their pushed-back goal of eradicating the disease in 2019. The WHO considers a disease to be eradicated if there are no cases for three years.
But ridding Pakistan of polio remains a huge challenge. At least 15 people were killed in a suicide attack on a polio-vaccination center in southwestern Pakistan earlier this month. In recent years, polio workers in Pakistan have been targeted by militants who accuse them of working as spies for the U.S. government.
Among their goals for 2016,
Mr. and Mrs. Gates said they would continue to step up their investments in
organizations that reduce poverty and disease. (RED), an AIDS organization
founded by Bono and Bobby Shriver, said Friday at
Davos that the Gates Foundation will match in 2016 every dollar up to $50
million generated for its Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and
Malaria. “It’s been a vehicle to remind people about the fight against HIV
and the progress we’re making,” Mr. Gates said.
Despite economic turmoil
and a historic refugee crisis, Mr. and Mrs. Gates said innovations
in vaccines, seeds and the spread of mobile-banking technologies
are raising more people from poverty and disease than any point in
history. In 2016, they said they intend to focus many of these initiatives on
women.
“We have to specifically look
at women and girls issues, or we are not going to get the GDP rise that we
want—if you don’t start them on the right path of great health,
education and decision-making, and then economic opportunity,” Mrs.
Gates said. Mobile banking, in particular, has empowered women,
she noted.
Mr. and Mrs. Gates touched on
the importance of primary health-care systems, which, they said, were
instrumental in preventing the spread of the Ebola virus in
Nigeria. Investments in these systems, the couple said, are
necessary for averting future epidemics. “There could be an epidemic that could
spread a lot quicker than the Ebola epidemic,” Mr. Gates said.
Mrs. Gates also noted that
countries that invest in infrastructure help keep people at home rather than
joining the tide of migrants fleeing to Europe. “Look at the change in Ethiopia
in the past decade—the second-most-populous country in Africa,” she said. The
country has invested in its health and agricultural sectors, a dam to provide
more electricity, and a manufacturing sector.
When asked about the effect
of plunging oil prices on clean energy investments, Mr. Gates sounded an
optimistic note: “If we can get a really good battery for the car, using
electricity will still be economical even against this very cheap oil.”
Mr. Gates
recently announced a multibillion-dollar initiative to accelerate clean-energy research
and development as part of a global effort to fight climate change.
Click this link to read the entire story and view the videos.
************
PAUL HARRIS RECOGNITION
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
International Women's Day 2016
The 2016 theme for International Women’s Day is “Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality.”The United Nations observance on 8 March will reflect on how to accelerate the 2030 Agenda, building momentum for the effective implementation of the new Sustainable Development Goals.
It will equally focus on new commitments under UN Women’s Step It Up initiative, and other existing commitments on gender equality, women’s empowerment and women’s human rights.
March 8, 2016
About IWD
The United Nations began celebrating International Women’s Day (IWD) on 8 March during International Women’s Year 1975.
Two years later, in December 1977, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by Member States, in accordance with their historical and national traditions.
International Women’s Day first emerged from the activities of labour movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America and across Europe. Since those early years, International Women’s Day has assumed a new global dimension for women in developed and developing countries alike.
The growing international women’s movement, which has been strengthened by four global United Nations women’s conferences, has helped make the commemoration a rallying point to build support for women’s rights and participation in the political and economic arenas.
Increasingly, International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.
SECRETARY-GENERAL'S MESSAGE FOR 2015
 |
| Ban Ki-moon, 2015 |
Twenty years ago, when the world convened a landmark conference on women’s human rights, the devastating conflict in the former Yugoslavia prompted deserved attention to rape and other war crimes there against civilians.
Two decades later, with girls as young as seven not only targeted but used as weapons by violent extremists, it would be easy to lose heart about the value of international gatherings. But while we have a long way to go to achieve full equality – with ending gender-based violence a central goal – progress over the past two decades has proven the enduring value of the 1995 Beijing Conference on Women.
Since the adoption of its Declaration and Platform for Action, more girls have attained more access to more education than ever before. The number of women dying in childbirth has been almost halved. More women are leading businesses, governments and global organizations. I welcome these advances. At the same time, on this International Women’s Day, we must acknowledge that the gains have been too slow and uneven, and that we must do far more to accelerate progress everywhere.
The world must come together in response to the targeting of women and girls by violent extremists. From Nigeria and Somalia to Syria and Iraq, the bodies of women have been transformed into battlegrounds for warriors carrying out specific and systematic strategies, often on the basis of ethnicity or religion. Women have been attacked for trying to exercise their right to education and basic services; they have been raped and turned into sex slaves; they have been given as prizes to fighters, or traded among extremist groups in trafficking networks.
Doctors, nurses and others have been assassinated for trying to operate in their professional capacity. The women human rights defenders brave enough to challenge such atrocities risk – and sometimes lose – their lives for the cause.
We must take a clear global stance against this total assault on women’s human rights. The international community needs to translate its outrage into meaningful action, including humanitarian aid, psycho-social services, support for livelihoods, and efforts to bring perpetrators to justice.
With women and girls often the first targets of attack, their rights must be at the centre of our strategy to address this staggering and growing challenge. Empowered women and girls are the best hope for sustainable development following conflict. They are the best drivers of growth, the best hope for reconciliation, and the best buffer against radicalization of youth and the repetition of cycles of violence.
Even in societies at peace, too many girls and women are still targets of domestic abuse, female genital mutilation and other forms of violence that traumatize individuals and damage whole societies. Discrimination remains a thick barrier that must be shattered.
We need to expand opportunities in politics, business and beyond. We need to change mind-sets, especially among men, and engage men in becoming active change-agents themselves. And we must back up our resolve with resources based on the sure understanding that investments in gender equality generate economic progress, social and political inclusion and other benefits that, in turn, foster stability and human dignity.
This is a vital year for advancing the cause of women’s human rights. The international community is hard at work on establishing a new sustainable development agenda that will build on the Millennium Development Goals and shape policies and social investments for the next generation.
To be truly transformative, the post-2015 development agenda must prioritize gender equality and women’s empowerment. The world will never realize 100 per cent of its goals if 50 per cent of its people cannot realize their full potential. When we unleash the power of women, we can secure the future for al
See our coverage of International Women’s Day 2015
See our coverage of International Women’s Day 2014
See our coverage of International Women’s Day 2013
See our coverage of International Women’s Day 2012
A UNIQUE FUNDRAISER
and a unique and catchy song...
HAVE YOU EVER HAD POLIO?
WHAT HAPPENED ON WEDNESDAY!
Wednesday’s
program included the topic of food security in the future.
Given the predictions
that climate change will result in increased aridity in much of Africa by 2050,
severely limiting agricultural productivity of this region, Professor Farrant
has proposed that understanding the mechanisms whereby resurrection plants are
able to survive such extreme water loss, will give insight as to what is
required for the production of extremely drought tolerant crops.
Most plants are sensitive to even slight water loss for
short periods of time. Resurrection plants are extremely unusual in that they
can lose 95% of their cellular water, remain viable for prolonged periods and
recover full metabolism on rehydration.
Plan to join us on a Wednesday to continue to learn about Rotary!
A LITTLE HUMOUR!
If you have problems with the video above, click this link.
and SOME MONKEY BUSINESS...
and SOME MONKEY BUSINESS...
FOUNDATION CORNER
WHAT
IS THE ANNUAL FUND
ANNUAL
FUND is the
primary source of funding for all Foundation activities. Our annual
contributions help Rotary Clubs take action to create positive change in
communities at home and around the world. Our gift helps strengthen peace
efforts, provide clean water and sanitation, support education, grow local
economies, save mothers and children and fight disease.
The
EVERY ROTARIAN every year (EREY) inigtative asks every Rotarian to support The
Rotary Foundation every year.
Through
our annual Sustaining Member contributions of $100 or more, the Rotary E-Club
of the Caribbean, 7020 has been a 100% EREY contributor since we
were chartered in 2013. Let us continue to support The Rotary Foundation
(TRF) through our annual donations. We have been and continue to “Be a
gift to the World."
A SHORT GOOD NEWS STORY
ROTARY PINS FOR 2016-17
UPDATE ON GANDEVI SMARTBOARDS
Rotary Greetings from Parimal
Naik, Grants Coordinator, R C Gandevi, India.
We have organized Handing Over
Ceremony of Smart Boards as well as Inauguration of Training Program of
Teachers on 27 January. Our DG Parag
Sheth will grace the occasion and hand over the Smart Boards to schools and
inaugurate the Training Program along with First Lady Poonam Sheth.
We once again thank all of you
for your kind support and cooperation in making our dream true.
The photos are shared below.
Training Programs as well as
Capacity Building Seminar for Teachers, which is the second component of this
GG, will be completed by end of February positively. As soon as it will be
completed, Final report will be sent, preferably before 31 March 2016.
With personal, kind regards,
Parimal Naik
Grants Coordinator
Rotary Club of Gandevi
THE ROTARY ANTHEM
Rotary Anthem from Rotary International on Vimeo.
THE ROTARY FOUR-WAY TEST
To
close the meeting...
ROTARY
FOUR-WAY TEST
of
the things we think, say, or do...
An enthusiastic East Nassau Rotary Club leading the way...
An enthusiastic East Nassau Rotary Club leading the way...
And
the final bell with our own John Fuller...
Thanks for stopping by!
Enjoy your week, and all that you do for Rotary!
Click this link to return to our ClubRunner home page.
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OBITUARY
A Sad Note for those who may have known Brent.
Brent Williams passed away on January 23, 2016.
Brent was actively involved in improving and enhancing the lives of people around
the world through Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation.
Brent served as Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator (2010-2013),
International Assembly Training Leader (2012 and 2013) and Future Vision
Trainer (2011-2013). He served as District 6970 Governor (2006-2007).
The world has lost a wonderful giving and caring man, Rotary Past
District Governor (D6970) Brent Williams. He was well known to, and loved by, many in D7020, and will be missed by so
many.
Gone too soon!
Gone too soon!
