Rotary Club of Marana
 
                                                                            
 
 
Rotary Club of Marana Meeting; October 13, 2020
 
After morning greetings and pledging our allegiance, President John began with Announcements:
  • Don’t forget to check out our Facebook page.  Like it and share it! 
  • From Deb Haddock;  a 4-Way-Test Speech Contest is scheduled to be held in person April 10, 2021 at Christ Church United Methodist, subject to change secondary to Covid restrictions.  A $25 non-refundable fee for entry.  John will get more specifics.
  • Board Meeting approved doing a peace forum, aimed for April, but dependent on covid status.
  • International peace day Sept 1st worldwide 
  • The Board is offering a Matching Program.  Members who donate to either Polio Plus or the Annual fund will receive matching Paul Harris points up to 500.  This is a generous and wonderful opportunity for those working toward their first or any Paul Harris.
  • Board Meeting this evening at 5:00 at John’s office.  Welcome to all.
 
Happy Bucks
  • Harold breakfasted with John Zwick
  • Randy had another wonderful weekend with son and buddy Bert.  He played on a boat in Lake Mead and attending a socially responsible wedding of Bert’s daughter.  He’s putting petal to the medal  directly following our meeting, in his Prius Muscle Car Wearing his pedal, to make it home in time for the board meeting this evening. 
  • Joyce was wishing for 100 weather as she begins the long winter in Canada.
  • Mary’s been busy getting out the vote.
  • Andy made us jealous with tails of a long hike along a stream amongst fall colors in Utah.  While strolling he identified multiple trout species which are awaiting his return following this meeting. 
  • Laura is thankful for her church book club.  It’s heartening and critical to  her mental health to be responsibly distanced with people sharing thoughtful conversation.  She highly recommended her current read; The Disaster of Chernobyl.  Bob recommended The Great Influenza. 
  • Don has been getting back in shape.  He will be running a ½ marathon on Sunday to raise money for Shelter Box. 
  • Peter is delighted he filled out a ballot for first time!  He’s also excited he’ll be returning to Oklahoma next week for the 1st time in 31 years.  Peter originally came to the states to attend University in Oklahoma.   
  • Becky’s granddaughter June is healthy and her husband tired.  Becky spoke with Denise who is working excessively and eager to get back to the club, hopefully after the new year. Her family members are healthy and happy. 
  • Bob remains in Tucson while his Virginia home has collected 48 inches of rain. 
  • Carl is having fun playing with the market right now.  He’s also grateful his family is all healthy
 
Program:
Randy introduced us Amy Graves, who he knows from Rotary related travels to Yuma.   He describes Amy as a Rotarian who is intelligent, thoughtful, and committed.  Amy is currently the Chair of Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE), which is a 3 year commitment.  She provided us with an overview of the administration of RYE. 
 
After the departure of Cindy Harrison who almost single-handedly ran the program for over a decade, PDG Kirk put a pause on RYE for the District be able to thoughtfully re-organize.  The District has developed a sustainable Committee model for continued success with RYE.  Under Amy are a Systems Administrator, Youth Protection Officer, Outbound Placement Officer, Compliance Officer, and a ROTEX Coordinator.
 
A new website, with all information and forms, and a new data-base system are making participation in RYE much easier for clubs.  All RYE related youth activities are centralized through the district.  Clubs are responsible for finding, vetting, and training host families, providing a counselor for the youth, engaging youth in Rotary activities, and reporting as required.  If a club would like to participate but isn’t able to host a student, it can support another club who is able to host.  The cost is $3000 per student. 
 
Inbound and outbound Rotary Youth spend 10 to 11 months with 3 different families in their host towns.  They attend the local high school for one academic year.  The RYE Committee has a 3-year framework for each student.  Year 1 is the application process.  Year 2 is the exchange experience.  Year 3 is a re-entry process.  In years 1 and 3, the RYE committee engages the youth in meaningful activities, preparing them for being ambassadors and, following, for being leaders in peace and service.
 
We are grateful to Amy for her commitment to the RYE program, a fundamental means through which Rotary promotes peace worldwide. 
 
Submitted by Mary Straus, October 25, 2020