Our club is doing a Past Presidents Day tomorrow with all the Past presidents running the Club. PP Carla has been asked to run the meeting as we are recognizing Women in Rotary and she was the first Women President. I have to make a presentation on the same as the speaker.
My great opportunity is to bring in a new Rotarian. One that I have sponsored. I guess Carla will pin me.
This is a great note from Michael who recently attended one of the Peace Forums. He truly puts a perspective on the role Rotary plays in the world. Pictured with RID Barry Rassin.
Here is his synopsis
"As part of his presidential year, RI President Wilf Wilkinson, has convened three Peace Forums to promote the 4th Object of Rotary: “The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service”.
It was my privilege to be a delegate at the 2nd Forum held in Istanbul, Turkey on 1 September 2007, titled “How can Rotary contribute to Peace in the Middle East?” The first Forum was held two days earlier in Sofia, Bulgaria to address the problems in the Balkans, while the 3rd Forum was scheduled for 20 September in Nairobi, Kenya to address ways of getting aid to Africa in a more timely way. I felt proud that when the delegates were welcomed, the first two countries mentioned were Bahamas and the Cayman Islands – both from District 7020! RI Director Barry Rassin, a Past District Governor of 7020 was one of the Speakers.
The day started with a very powerful video presentation: “Middle East throughout History”. After the Welcome, Moment of Silence and National Anthems, surprisingly for Rotary, the proceedings took a political slant, when we were addressed by the Former President of Turkey; then the Former Prime Minister of Jordan followed by the Former Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey. Unfortunately, the Former President of Israel had to withdraw at the last moment because of security concerns.
Afternoon Plenary Sessions were addressed by RI Senior Leaders (past and present Directors); Rotary Peace Fellows; the President of the European School of Economics and then PDG’s from Turkey, Israel, Greece, Jordan and Egypt. It was incredible to see Rotarians from this very conflicted area, many of whom might have faced each other on battlefields; break bread together, enjoy Fellowship and mix like old friends – the essence of Rotary!
The most moving and defining moment of the day was when the last speaker, PDG Mohamed Delawar of Egypt ended his talk by saying: “Let us stop talking and rather say ‘Salaam Shalom’ and get on with it”. Amid cheers, tears and a standing ovation, DGE Yael Lazarus of Israel responded by offering to bring a delegation from Israel, to meet with delegations from Egypt and Jordan; anywhere, anytime – this meeting will happen within the next 6 months in either Turkey, Italy or the UK! Furthermore, plans are underway to start 1 month High School camps, in one of the 3 countries mentioned, for students from Egypt, Israel, Jordan and possibly Palestine to live and learn together."
It was my privilege to be a delegate at the 2nd Forum held in Istanbul, Turkey on 1 September 2007, titled “How can Rotary contribute to Peace in the Middle East?” The first Forum was held two days earlier in Sofia, Bulgaria to address the problems in the Balkans, while the 3rd Forum was scheduled for 20 September in Nairobi, Kenya to address ways of getting aid to Africa in a more timely way. I felt proud that when the delegates were welcomed, the first two countries mentioned were Bahamas and the Cayman Islands – both from District 7020! RI Director Barry Rassin, a Past District Governor of 7020 was one of the Speakers.
The day started with a very powerful video presentation: “Middle East throughout History”. After the Welcome, Moment of Silence and National Anthems, surprisingly for Rotary, the proceedings took a political slant, when we were addressed by the Former President of Turkey; then the Former Prime Minister of Jordan followed by the Former Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey. Unfortunately, the Former President of Israel had to withdraw at the last moment because of security concerns.
Afternoon Plenary Sessions were addressed by RI Senior Leaders (past and present Directors); Rotary Peace Fellows; the President of the European School of Economics and then PDG’s from Turkey, Israel, Greece, Jordan and Egypt. It was incredible to see Rotarians from this very conflicted area, many of whom might have faced each other on battlefields; break bread together, enjoy Fellowship and mix like old friends – the essence of Rotary!
The most moving and defining moment of the day was when the last speaker, PDG Mohamed Delawar of Egypt ended his talk by saying: “Let us stop talking and rather say ‘Salaam Shalom’ and get on with it”. Amid cheers, tears and a standing ovation, DGE Yael Lazarus of Israel responded by offering to bring a delegation from Israel, to meet with delegations from Egypt and Jordan; anywhere, anytime – this meeting will happen within the next 6 months in either Turkey, Italy or the UK! Furthermore, plans are underway to start 1 month High School camps, in one of the 3 countries mentioned, for students from Egypt, Israel, Jordan and possibly Palestine to live and learn together."
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