Rotary Meeting March 28, 2023

Former Rotary Youth Exchange student from France Jeanne Gachon was in town to visit and share with the club her latest work with Rotary.

Laura called the Zoom only meeting to order at 7:00 AM with the pledge of allegiance.

Mary introduced our guest, Jeanne Gachon, a former Youth Exchange student, who will be our guest speaker today.

Laura thanked Randy (and Deb) for hosting the wonderful barbeque last Sunday attended by Youth Exchange students.   Wildflowers were abundant along the drive up to Picture Rocks.  Laura commented on the amazing chocolate-peanut butter cupcakes prepared by Mary.

Randy thanked all who came to the BBQ and noted he will be asking for volunteers for the Human Trafficking Forum later in today’s meeting.

Bob said he feeling great, a “happy camper” and noted he thoroughly enjoyed the BBQ

John was happy but he was in the throes of repairing a kitchen faucet, finding himself with all of the wrong tools and being too big and too old to fit in a kitchen sink cabinet.

Andy was just happy to have three weeks of chaotic business dealings behind him and noted that he finally has the time zones figured out.   He was on the meeting call last week an hour early wondering why he couldn’t get on the Zoom call

Dan recalled a skiing trip with Jeanne some years back in the White Mountains where he crashed into a tree and Jeanne was laughing while he waited for help to get out

Peter was sorry he missed the BBQ, noting that the last email he could find from Randy was last November.   He expressed dismay at the latest shooting in America

Carol recently returned from a trip and immediately became ill, but was happy to be well enough to have played Pickleball the other day.

Andrea was happy that last weekend she completed the last of the most complicated wedding plans for her upcoming wedding in two weeks in Puerto Vallarta

Beckie couldn’t attend the BBQ having hosted her granddaughter’s first birthday last weekend.  She was looking forward to a Zoom family reunion with six siblings plus kids where they plan to explore memories of her deceased father.

Harold was happy to have resolved most of the numbers from the Tour de Cookie and looking forward to lunch tomorrow with a friend of 50 years

Cindy was happy for T-Mobile Tuesday which allows her stream the start of the baseball games

Cathy was glad to be back home and awake for today’s meeting

Don echoed Peter’s dismay surrounding recent shooting news.  Don said he is so proud of Jeanne’s accomplishments and also thanked Randy for the BBQ

Laura and her sister, Julia, a teacher from Phoenix, discovered an old photo of her great-great aunt umpiring a baseball game in Iowa.  They had fun perusing old photos.

Laura turned the meeting over to Jeanne and Mary.  Mary expressed how, when she gushed over the amazing wildflowers this year, that Jeanne laughed, asking “what flowers?!”   Things are much different in France!

Jeanne described some of her work and supported projects since she left the Rotary Youth Exchange and graduated from the University of Montreal with degrees in Political Science.  Jeanne’s work and focus epitomize the powerful impact of the Youth Exchange Program and the Club is extremely proud of her accomplishments.  Her story spotlights the importance of the work that Cindy Dooling does in overseeing the Youth Exchange program this year. 

Jeanne described her work with an NGO providing safe drinking water in Cambodia and surrounding countries.   Most recently, Jeanne is deeply involved in the Rotaract Club de Montpellier, France, focusing on service projects located in Tunisia, Morocco, Benin and France.  The projects involved impaired and mostly abandoned children due to disabilities.  Jeanne described several innovative initiatives such as providing kitchens and bunkbeds to house children being cared for by a single woman and sensory integration equipment providing therapy tools for impaired kids.  The support provided by the Rotaract Club is diverse, well thought out and delivered with a great deal of dedication by members.

Jeanne described one especially ingenious project in Montpelier, France where under-privileged, inner city kids have been given a unique opportunity.  The kids are provided environmentally focused curriculums, followed by beach clean up work and, lastly, scuba diving experiences to show the rewards of what they are trying to save; the ocean fauna and flora.  Jeanne described how the connections made resonated with these kids, inspiring them to clean up neighborhoods.  Jeanne’s goal is to raise funding for three years on this program; however, the French government needs more proof before supporting.  At the Board meeting immediately following our regular meeting, the idea was discussed and a motion was approved to donate $1,000 from our foundation towards this worthy cause.  The matter will be put before the club members at its next meeting for full approval.

Jeanne’s presentation was very powerful and many thanks to Mary for everything she’s done to make Jeanne available this morning.

Laura, Harold, and Dan had a very productive meeting last Sunday to go over the Tour de Cookie finances and revisit what was learned from this year’s event.  Harold was confident that, pending a few sponsorship checks and expenses to be paid, we would net over $14,000 for the Foundation.  The event is becoming very well established and recognized.  It is felt that between 400 and 500 riders can comfortably be expected every year.

Randy reviewed volunteer needs for the Human Trafficking Forum.  He would like to see as many volunteers as possible, beginning with assisting with registration at 8AM on April 15.

Don J. mentioned that Governor Anita will soon ne sending an email describing some new awards being created for clubs and individual members to be presented the new Governor’s induction on June 25.   There are some very cool categories so stay tuned.

Laura adjourned the regular meeting with the Four Way Test and asked Board members to remain for a Board meeting.