Rotary Peace Fellow Jaclyn McAlester’s presentation about her experience and what she learned during the two-year program was inspirational and hopeful.
Marana Rotary Club August 16, 2022 weekly meeting
Laura called the meeting to order after our social time. Cindy led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Announcements
Sulee and her husband moved to Bullhead City where they will be surrounded by family in Bullhead City and in California. Sulee handed off the club’s collection of Rotary banners that we’ve received from visitors across the world. Sulee organized the banners in binders. They are a colorful and fascinating look at everywhere Rotary is and who has visited our club.
Laura reminded us to sign up for the District 5500 conference. Marara Rotary will host the happy hour reception prior to the Saturday dinner. Laura is coordinating with Casino del Sol.
The board met Sunday, talked about projects, and approved going forward with online payments for members (see 8/14 minutes), which will be discussed at the next business meeting.
Happy Bucks
- Cindy mentioned the book of flags. She also explained that Sulee’s son set up their house to accommodate them properly. Laura asked all to keep Sulee and Jim in their thoughts.
- Andy is in Mexico on business
- Denise mentioned El Tour de Tucson’s routes will not be in Marana this year. The Tour will be start from the TCC parking lot. Dove Mountain Rotary wants to collaborate with us on an aid station.
- Cindy mentioned that the youth exchange students have El Tour on their volunteer calendar.
- Mary joined us via remote and said it was great to be back at meetings. Mary will have to leave early for the next few weeks as she continues treatment.
- Peter just got back from Switzerland and headed up to Flagstaff. (Where in the world is Peter is a fun game!)
- Bob is back in Virginia but tested positive for Covid, so he is isolating from wife Linda as she is recovered.
- Randy said he was happy.
- Dan mentioned the new state law for schools requires a moment of silence after the pledge and that is different. He said I magining the kindergarteners sitting still is funny.
- John is “just happy”.
- Cindy said they had a good meeting with the Youth Conference with club constituents and host families.
- Carol said she was happy she has no drama and is enjoying retirement.
- Harold said everything is running smoothly
- Denise is really happy because she sold a customer 4-carat diamond ring!
- Cathy is happy to be present with everyone.
- Beckie is happy to spend time with her grand baby 3 days a week, took her daughter and her 4-year-old to the movies.
- Laura is happy there was a good meeting at Crema Coffee with Carol and Cathy. She mentioned her appreciation for every club member individually. She also wondered why her year as President was when Houston hosted Rotary International, and next year, President-elect Cathy gets to go to the RI Conference in Australia?
Guest Speaker: Jaclyn McAlester, Rotary Peace Fellow
Zooming in from New Mexico, Rotary Peace Fellow Jaclyn McAlester gave an informative presentation about the Rotary Peace Fellow program she completed, and about her travels from Albuquerque to the Philippines, Nicaragua, Ethiopia, and Cambodia.
Jaclyn spoke about peace and how she learned a multifaceted versions of peace which changed her understanding. Negative peace is just the absence of violence, positive peace is an absence of structural violence, and the peace perspectives of Confucius, Gandhi and Kant.
She talked about the selection process and chose Japan for the 22-month program, where she attended the local Rotary District Conference and local Rotary clubs.
She stated that peace must be a lifestyle. She asked Rotarians to recruit Peace Fellow candidates, endorse them, read and score applications, and talk to the Rotary Foundation about funding.
Laura thanked Jaclyn and said it was one of the best presentations we have had, and noted that we went over 2 minutes and will give those back in the next meeting.