collection basket on Sunday morning. the PTA. The only relief column these who engaged in altruistic activities were They did not tithe, but they tried. people are ever going to see is if every secretly deriving some economic reward one of us voluntarily joins the cavalry. from doing so. This theory never made They did so by using envelopes It’s as simple as that. That’s why we sense to me. sent by the church listing their name, might need public bulletin boards address, and the amount donated listing all the good works done by local But now it does. Well, sort of. Helping each Sunday. Every month the church volunteers, with vast, blank spaces your fellow man makes you feel better would publish a list of parishioner next to the names of those who have about yourself. It really does. And this contributions. It was embarrassing done nothing. Confrontational? Yes. helps cut down on expenses. In a society when your name appeared next to a Judgmental? Yes. But as the old where all those Pilates classes, all those paltry $5. But it was better than not saying goes: If you can’t beat ’em, continuing education courses, all those appearing at all. browbeat ’em. self-help books and videos and boot camps are basically expensive, time-consuming, I think society needs to try some- My daughter once dated a very invariably unsuccessful ways to make thing like this. For years, I have watched smart young man whose specialty was you feel better about yourself, altruism is the same do-gooders get older and economics. An implacable defender of the obvious solution to your problem. No older, waiting for the cavalry to arrive. the “rational actor” theory, he insisted matter what the economists say, you can’t And as they wait, the same people work that every human activity had some put a price on happiness. There aren’t any at the polling stations, the same people economic underpinning, that people numbers that go that high. visit the sick, and the same people staff DECEMBER 2020 ROTARY 49
WE’RE BUILDING THE FUTURE OF ROTARY A bold plan, for and by People of Action Rotary is charting a new course to a stronger, more effective and vibrant future. At the center of the effort is our Action Plan: a multi-year strategic roadmap that will help us become the Rotary we want to be—and the Rotary the world needs us to be. The Action Plan builds on the remarkable capabilities we’ve developed in our own professional lives and careers, and it plays to our strengths as leaders, as clubs, and as a global community of people of action. To create our plan, we looked at data, membership projections, and emerging social trends. And we listened to Rotarians, Rotaractors, and others who shared their hopes for the future of Rotary and told us we needed to: Be more nimble and open to new ideas and faces, so we can evolve along with demographic and social changes Gather and use data more rigorously to improve programs and make a lasting impact on humanitarian needs Capitalize on new technologies and provide more enriching, engaging, and accessible experiences, so more emerging leaders will connect through Rotary We assessed what it would take to move from where we are now to where we want to be. Our Action Plan is ambitious—and achievable.
The Action Plan’s Four Priorities PRIORITY 1. PRIORITY 2. INCREASE EXPAND OUR OUR REACH IMPACT PRIORITY 3. PRIORITY 4. ENHANCE INCREASE PARTICIPANT OUR ABILITY ENGAGEMENT TO ADAPT Want to know more? Take action with us to help create Rotary’s future. Visit rotary.org/actionplan to get started.
rotary’s brand december events food drive tips polio-free africa OURCLUBS Club members spend countless hours VIRTUAL VISIT preparing every year, and it’s always a Vital statistics huge success. North stars Chartered: 1988 “At that time of year, there’s hardly Rotary Club of Barrow anything going on in town,” says member Membership: 18 (Nuvuk), Alaska Jeff Seifert, who moved to Utqiagvik sev- en years ago and works as general man- Latitude: 71° 17′ 52.4″ N The seasons are different at the edge ager of the local radio station. “There are of the Arctic Ocean. Utqiagvik, a town of no movie theaters, no bowling alleys. So Welcome to Utqiagvik about 4,500 people that sits atop Alaska’s it’s a pretty captive audience. We charge North Slope, has a season of cold and ice $5 to get in and $1 per game. The car- In 2016, the town of Barrow voted to that takes up most of the year, and a brief nival runs from 5 to 9 p.m., and it’s so change its name to Utqiagvik — or, more season of warmth and reprieve when popular that in that four hours, we bring precisely, back to Utqiagvik, which is temperatures climb above freezing. And in about $20,000.” the traditional Inupiaq name for the for half the year, it has a season of light; settlement. The name means “a place for the other half, a season of darkness. When the Rotary Club of Barrow for gathering wild roots.” (Nuvuk) was founded in 1988, it was the But the highlight of any season for northernmost club in the world. Nuvuk is About 60 percent of the population of many residents of Utqiagvik — formerly an Inupiaq word that means tip or point, Utqiagvik is Alaska Native. known as Barrow — is the Fall Carnival, a reference to the fact that Utqiagvik is organized by the Rotary Club of Barrow only a few miles from the northernmost The word Inupiaq means “real or (Nuvuk). “The carnival was my intro- point in the United States. genuine person.” duction to Rotary,” says Bob Mercier, a search and rescue pilot. “I didn’t even “We checked it out,” recalls charter In addition to Inupiaq, Alaska’s 20 know what Rotary was. I just knew the member Mike Jeffery, a retired state dis- official Indigenous languages include carnival. As a dad, for half the year I’d be trict judge. “We checked out Greenland, Haida, Tlingit, and Siberian Yupik. asked when the carnival is going to be.” and we were farther north than any of their clubs. We checked out northern Can- The average high temperature in Going strong for some three de- ada, and we were farther north than any Utqiagvik is below freezing 245 days cades, the Fall Carnival is typically held of their clubs. So we proudly had World’s a year. around Halloween in the elementary Farthest North as our original slogan.” school’s multipurpose room, one of the Whaling is a central part of Inupiaq few spaces in town that are big enough But then a visiting Rotarian asked, culture; the whale harvest celebration for such an event. There is a cakewalk “What about Svalbard?” is known as Nalukataq. and a bouncy castle, dart throwing and a fish pond. There are concessions. Sure enough, a club had been chartered This year, the Fall Carnival was post- on the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard poned until spring, but the club hasn’t in the Arctic Ocean; the Rotary Club of stopped working on projects like its Svalbard was active from 2000 to 2014 Personal Achievement Scholarship pro- (the more recently chartered Rotary Club gram for local high school students and a of Longyearbyen on Svalbard is still ac- multiclub Peanut Butter Challenge to re- tive). “Svalbard is about 8 degrees latitude plenish local food pantry shelves. “The farther north than we are,” Jeffery says. “So no arguing with them! We changed our slogan to Farthest North in America.” 52 ROTARY DECEMBER 2020
Cindy Shults carnival is pretty much the community doing things,” says Tracy Mulvenon, asked what to do about donations that get-together,” says Dave Roghair, whose club president, who moved from Arkan- had been ordered months before but had father was also a longtime member of sas two years ago and works as the as- not yet arrived. “If you send me a receipt,” the Rotary club. “But we’ve got our foot- sistant principal of Eben Hopson Middle Mulvenon said, “that will count.” prints, and fingerprints, all over Barrow.” School. “But we do have to plan ahead to account for shipping time.” When But there are perks to living in such a One of those footprints is right in the COVID-19 became a concern, she says, dramatically remote spot, too. The club middle of town. only one of the town’s schools had a meets at a restaurant called Niggivikput working medical thermometer. “So the — which means “our place to eat” — From the time it was chartered, the club bought all the schools infrared inside the Top of the World Hotel. “We club set aside money every year. As its thermometers and pulse oximeters. But have one of the best views in town,” says 25th anniversary, in 2013, approached, they took a couple of months to get here Dave Roghair. “We can see the Arctic members decided to use the funds to on the ships.” Ocean from our meeting room.” make a significant gift to the commu- nity. When they learned that the city The shipping issue came up again at —frank bures planned to build an outdoor basketball a recent online meeting. “This is the last court, they knew they had their big proj- week of collecting peanut butter for the From left: Club members Jeff Seifert, ect. “Because we’re stuck indoors most Peanut Butter Challenge,” Mulvenon said. Tracy Mulvenon, Rina Hermon, Michael of the year, basketball has become the “If you email me, I’ll pick up anything that Jeffery, and Nick Roghair under Utqiagvik’s heart of the community,” says Seifert. you have.” Nick Roghair (Dave’s brother) iconic Whale Bone Arch, also known as “It’s standing room only at high school the “Gateway to the Arctic.” games.” The city wanted to build an out- door court with the aim of getting kids outside when the weather is nice, but because the town sits on permafrost, it wasn’t possible to install a paved court. “So we had to build an above-ground, wood-decked court,” Seifert says. The club gave all the money it had set aside — $25,000 — to the city to help build the waterproof court. “I walk by it every day, and it makes my heart proud to see kids using it all summer long,” says Roghair, a magistrate judge in Alas- ka’s Second Judicial District. “The sun doesn’t go down for three months, so that’s a lot of basketball!” And the kids don’t quit when sum- mer’s over. “They use it all year round,” says Seifert. “They’re tough!” Living in a place like Utqiagvik poses challenges not just for kids who want to play basketball, but also for Rotar- ians who want to do projects. There are no permanent roads connecting the town to the rest of Alaska, so all supplies have to be brought in by boat or plane. “The weather doesn’t stop you from “We have one of the best views in town. We can see the Arctic Ocean from our meeting room.” DECEMBER 2020 ROTARY 53
OUR CLUBS create and strengthen interest in Rotary. It’s all connected. FOUR QUESTIONS 3 How can Rotary members use branding most effectively? Brand aid Every Rotary member is a brand ambassador — from our Rotary pin to Promoting Rotary calls for consistent messaging, our Rotary apparel to the bumper stick- says Tommie Buscemi, and it starts with the art ers on our vehicles. I encourage clubs to visit the Rotary Brand Center online: That should be your first stop. It’s an incredibly useful resource, with free, professionally designed and customiz- able materials to help any Rotary club tell their story to their community. You can download photos, banners, videos, PowerPoint templates, backgrounds for virtual meetings, and broadcast-quality public service announcements. We have a responsibility to maintain the integrity of our brand, and that begins with properly using the Rotary logo on all printed materials, websites, and social media platforms. I love the fact that the logos for Interact, Rotaract, Rotary Youth Exchange, and RYLA include the Rotary wheel. It helps Rotarians cross-brand and connect to these young leaders. The Rotary brand, with its trademark with our local and global partners. They 4 What branding mistakes have wheel and Service Above Self motto, was want to be associated with Rotary be- you seen? identifiable to many people long before cause of our brand. The heritage Rotary logo was retired the term “branding” became widely used. in 2013 and replaced with the new mas- Today, technology presents opportunities 2 What should Rotary members as well as challenges for organizations to know about the value of the ter brand. It’s important to mention that establish and maintain their identity, so it Rotary brand? is more important than ever that Rotary Rotary’s brand is our most valuable asset, some Rotarians were upset about that and clubs throughout the world work to pro- because it represents our reputation. To mote and protect the Rotary brand with maintain our brand, we need to use the thought the Board of Directors was im- consistent messaging. correct Rotary logo consistently. All Rotary clubs benefit from what other clubs are posing the change. But clubs were asked Tommie Buscemi and her husband, doing, because the good work is done Charlie, co-chair the public image com- under one unified Rotary brand. The to give their input, and that’s how we came mittee for District 5890 (Texas). A char- brand drives membership, membership ter member of the Rotary Club of King- drives donations to The Rotary Founda- up with the current logo. Some clubs are wood, Tommie Buscemi found success tion, the Foundation funds projects that close to home with her promotion of Ro- still hanging on to the old logo, mistak- tary: Daughter Jenna started in Interact, “The brand of Rotary graduated to Rotaract, and now serves as is the message of enly thinking they’re preserving Rotary’s president of the Rotary Club of Houston what we stand for Energy Corridor. — our knowledge, identity. Other clubs have adorned the 1 What is branding? our commitment to logo with artwork, adding fish, palm trees, A brand communicates instantly who the community, our you are as an organization. It begins expertise in solving sunsets. I know that they’re trying to be with the logo but goes beyond that. The brand of Rotary is the message of what social issues.” creative and that they believe it adds to we stand for — our knowledge, our com- mitment to the community, our expertise their club’s identity. But it confuses the in solving social issues. It identifies us to the local community and connects us public. They can keep the artwork, but they should place it some distance from the logo, which shouldn’t be altered in any way. We’ve had the new logo for seven years — more than enough time for each club and district to be compliant with the brand guidelines. Using the correct logo unites all Rotary clubs and districts across the globe. — paul engleman Visit the Rotary Brand Center at rotary.org/brandcenter. 54 ROTARY DECEMBER 2020 Illustration by Viktor Miller Gausa
TRIBUTE necessary support to augment Rotarians’ community work even if they themselves A modest man are not Rotary members. Today, there are over 10,000 RCCs in more than 100 coun- Remembering 1986-87 RI President tries and geographic areas. Mateo A.T. Caparas Throughout his career as a Rotarian, By Rafael “Paing” G. Hechanova M.A.T. taught the Rotary world that a per- son should not seek a position; rather, it is I first met M.A.T. Caparas more than 50 the Rotary International Convention in Bir- the position that seeks the person. I share years ago as a result of a business matter mingham, England, his fellow past directors this philosophy, and I always bring it up with Firestone, the U.S. tire manufacturer. talked of his potential as a Rotary president. during our national meetings here in the This was before we ever interacted as Ro- Philippines. tarians. As a lawyer, he never pushed his He more than fulfilled that potential. views on others, but he always quoted logic As Rotary president in 1986-87, he gave In deciding on his presidential theme, in his opinions. That was Mateo Armando impetus to the nascent PolioPlus project; M.A.T. — Rotary’s only president from the Tengco Caparas: humble, but with a keen this worldwide program had its start in Philippines — had six of us as advisers. He and razor-sharp sense of what is correct the Philippines in 1979-80, when RI would always remind us that we are Asians, and right. President James L. Bomar administered and so his theme, Rotary Brings Hope, was the oral vaccine to a Filipino child. Since born in the spirit of India’s Nitish Laharry, In the early 1980s, M.A.T., who served then, more than 2 billion children of the who served in 1962-63 as the first Rotary on the RI Board of Directors in 1979-81, world have been vaccinated against polio. president from an Asian country and whose caught the Rotary world’s attention when Another significant legacy of his presidency theme was Kindle the Spark Within. the Board asked him to be a resource per- is M.A.T.’s advocacy for the purchase of son in a debate among RI officials. He did One Rotary Center, an 18-story office As a person, M.A.T. was modest and such an outstanding job that by 1984, at building in Evanston, Illinois, that still never bragged about his accomplishments without referring to God. In fact, many mis- houses Rotary head- interpreted M.A.T.’s low-key involvement in Rotary International quarters, based on the Rotary politics as a past RI president, but belief that income from that is who he was. He served Rotary well. the building’s other tenants would give Although we lived in different countries, Rotary the financial we continued to communicate, mostly capacity to pay interest through email, for 25 years. He remained and the amortizations. active in his twilight years and met regularly with a group of Filipino Rotarians in Cali- M.A.T. supported the fornia. Part of his family lives in Vancouver, admission of women as British Columbia. His wife of many years, members of Rotary long Nita, passed away last year, and he missed before the U.S. Supreme her greatly. Court ruling in 1987, during his year as RI M.A.T. loved Rotary. In one of his let- president. Today, more ters to Rotarians here in the Philippines, than a third of Rotary’s he wrote, “Good Rotarians serve with no new members are wom- thought of recompense or award and only en, and women have as- for the satisfaction of doing something sumed high positions really needed and worth doing.” in Rotary, culminating in the first nomination Through my Rotary life, I always had of a woman as RI presi- great respect for M.A.T. as a person with dent, Jennifer E. Jones. high moral and ethical standards. In the He also led the creation last few years of his life, he advocated of the Rotary Village for clubs to open the Rotary year with a Corps, now called Ro- party for children in order to change and tary Community Corps, elevate our culture to one founded on love based on his staunch be- for others. lief that Rotary-minded people can provide the So long, M.A.T.; we will remember you always. We are proud of what you did and shall miss you. We thank you for your service to Rotary and our country. We love and respect you. May the Lord shower you with his blessings. Rafael “Paing” G. Hechanova, a member of the Rotary Club of Makati, Philippines, served as a Rotary International director in 1996-98. DECEMBER 2020 ROTARY 55
From: FTo: uTtuhere You The Rotary Foundation Endowment Invest in Rotary’s vision of For more information: a better world. Once planted ONLINE your tax-deductible gift or bequest to the Endowment rotary.org/legacy provides ongoing funding for freewill.org/TheRotaryFoundation the causes that matter most CALL to you. What you do today secures Rotary’s tomorrow. 847-866-3100 EMAIL [email protected]
CALENDAR December events 5th 12th 13th NO RAIN ON THIS PARADE RUN, RUN, REINDEER! TRIPLE THE FUN Event: Event: Event: DeLand Christmas Parade Flower Mound Reindeer Run 5K and Pineappleman Triathlon Grinch Stroll Hosts: Host: Rotary clubs of DeLand, DeLand Host: Rotary Club of Melbourne Beach, (Breakfast), and Downtown DeLand, Rotary Club of Flower Mound, Texas Florida Florida What it benefits: What it benefits: What it benefits: Scholarships and charities Local charities Local charities benefiting young people What it is: What it is: What it is: Rescheduled from late May because of For more than seven decades, this For this annual 5K run and fun run/stroll COVID-19, this event gives triathletes a parade has been a part of DeLand life. for kids, costumes are encouraged. Hot chance to swim, bike, and run to victory Marching bands, floats, classic cars, and cocoa with all of the fixings, co ee, and from the Indian River Lagoon through even pets are all in festive form. A jolly photos with Santa and the Grinch are at Ryckman Park and into Melbourne old elf is bound to make an appearance the finish line to motivate participants. Beach. Proper social distancing will as well. Those with a competitive streak can aim be observed to keep participants and for an age group medal, and everyone gets volunteers safe. 9th a T-shirt and a participation medal. 19th GLEAM EFFORT Event: SPREADING CHEER Beaconsfield Festival of Lights Event: Wreaths Across America Host: Rotary Club of Beaconsfield, England Host: Rotary Club of Asbury Park, New Jersey What it benefits: Local charities What it benefits: Veterans causes What it is: This festival features live music, rides, What it is: delicious food, stalls hosted by local To remember the fallen military heroes clubs and businesses, and an appear- and honor those who serve, the Rotary ance by Santa Claus himself. A highlight Club of Asbury Park hosts a remem- is the procession of lanterns decorated brance ceremony at the Mount Calvary by local schoolchildren that culminates Cemetery, laying wreaths on the graves in holiday caroling, with all attendees of the 420 veterans buried there. Wreaths invited to participate. can be bought for $15; the club receives $5 from each purchase, earmarked to buy wreaths for next year’s event. Tell us about your event. Write to [email protected] with “calendar” in the subject line. DECEMBER 2020 ROTARY 57
OUR CLUBS Drive to serve HANDBOOK Your club might organize a food drive on your own, or perhaps you intend to work with a local partner or food bank. Filling Either way, following these steps can help you plan. the need Step 1 How to organize a successful food drive CHOOSE A GROUP TO SUPPORT Master gardener Alex Portelli If you’re not sure whom to help, contact was having lunch at an ele- your local food bank or pantry for mentary school in Marion, North suggestions. “In some cases, towns are Carolina, where he volunteers, too small to have a local food bank, but when two students, brothers, sat Rotary can connect them with a larger food next to him in the cafeteria. “One bank,” says Billi Black, a Zone 33 assistant brother pulled out his lunch and regional public image coordinator. Then started eating,” recalls Portelli, work with the group to address its needs. president of the Rotary Club of Marion. “I asked the other Step 2 brother where his lunch was, and he said, ‘It’s not my turn to eat MAKE A LOGISTICS PLAN today.’ I thought, ‘Oh, no. Not during my lifetime.’ That’s the Form a committee to determine when, type of personal story that gets where, and how you’ll hold your drive. us involved.” Portelli is now the chair of his county’s local 130% Get your members’ input and tap into food advisory council, and their connections and expertise. he’s active in the Rotary Zones 33-34 Hunger Challenge. increase in food insecurity in households with children under 18 from 2018 to April 2020 Rotary members in many places hold collection drives WORK WITH A LOCAL FOOD BANK VIRTUAL FOOD DRIVES to help people, particularly families with children, get Staffers at your local food bank have the If you’re looking for alternatives to an the food they need. As the experience and expertise to ensure that in-person food drive during a pandemic, coronavirus pandemic continues your food drive is a success. They know organize a virtual one instead. Set up a page to affect jobs and school food who needs what in your community and on your club’s or local food bank’s website programs, that need is growing. have conducted many food drives, so they to collect financial donations, track your According to the Food and know what works and what doesn’t. group’s progress, and share updates with Agriculture Organization of the They can also: your supporters. United Nations, the COVID-19 pandemic could add as many as Help with logistics, including publicity, 132 million people to the total choosing a location, and scheduling. number of undernourished in “We just show up with the money, food, the world this year. and manpower,” says Johnny Moore, an assistant regional public image Want to organize a food coordinator for Zone 33. drive in your community? Here are some ideas and tips to help Make better use of your funds. ensure success. Because of their buying power, your dollar — maureen vaught goes further. 58 ROTARY DECEMBER 2020 Coordinate the distribution of food where it’s needed most. Illustration by James Graham
Step 3 Step 5 SET A GOAL TRACK YOUR SUCCESS And make it measurable: pounds Consider naming a “food champion” in of food collected, number of meals your club or district whose responsibility supplied, or dollar amount raised. Look is to help set goals and to promote and for matching opportunities from other track their progress, and to make sure organizations that could double or members record their volunteer hours triple your impact. and contributions in Rotary Club Central. Step 4 PROMOTE YOUR EVENT The members of the Rotary Club of Prescott-Frontier, Arizona, considered their May food drive a success when they collected an estimated 3,000 pounds of food. But they stepped up their marketing when they held another drive in June. After the club contacted local media outlets and lined up news articles, social media posts, and radio interviews, it collected 38,000 pounds of food. “It was unbelievably successful,” says member Mike Payson. Step 6 THANK YOUR DONORS Even if you can’t thank each contributor individually, show your gratitude by posting 37.2 million photos fromyourevent onyourwebsite and on social media. people in the U.S. who experienced low or very low food security in 2018 WHAT TO DONATE WHAT NOT TO DONATE Here are some items that food banks want: You may have a freezer full of banana bread, but your food bank doesn’t want it. Peanut butter Here’s what else it won’t take: Canned soup or stew Canned fruit Items needing refrigeration Canned vegetables Expired food Canned fish Leftovers Canned beans Baked goods Pasta (most prefer whole grain) Rice (most prefer brown rice) Source: Feeding America DECEMBER 2020 ROTARY 59
TRUSTEE CHAIR’S MESSAGE SERVICE ABOVE SELF Humankind THE OBJECT OF ROTARY is our business The Object of Rotary is to encourage On a foggy Christmas Eve in Victorian The year-end holidays are upon us. It and foster the ideal of service as a London, the old miser sits at his desk. is a time of giving and sharing, but it is not basis of worthy enterprise and, in limited to our loved ones. It is also for the particular, to encourage and foster: Bitter and disillusioned with the world, people we have never met and will never Ebenezer Scrooge has only one interest: see, for those who are not so fortunate First The development of his bottom line. He declines his nephew’s as we and could use a helping hand. The acquaintance as an opportunity for invitation to Christmas dinner, refuses miracle of giving that Scrooge discovered service; to support the poor and deprived, and on Christmas Eve is exactly what The reluctantly grants his underpaid clerk, Bob Rotary Foundation does 365 days a year. Second High ethical standards Cratchit, time off for Christmas Day. in business and professions, the Our Foundation serves simultaneously recognition of the worthiness After he arrives home, strange things as charity and performer in the field; Rotar- of all useful occupations, and begin to happen. Jacob Marley, his ians are on the ground, volunteering their the dignifying of each Rotarian’s deceased business partner, appears as a skills and business expertise in support of occupation as an opportunity to ghost tethered to a chain, telling Scrooge grants that are funded by you. In this way, serve society; to change his self-centered ways, lest he we carry out some of Rotary’s most im- meet the same fate. portant work, such as protecting mothers Third The application of the ideal of and their babies and helping communities service in each Rotarian’s personal, That is the premise of A Christmas recover from the shocks of COVID-19. business, and community life; Carol, Charles Dickens’ classic tale of a man’s transformation from hardened Please remember The Rotary Foun- Fourth The advancement of recluse to generous humanitarian. To me, dation during this season of generosity. international understanding, it offers valuable lessons for all, regardless Remember that your gifts to the Founda- goodwill, and peace through a of belief or time of year. tion amplify our work in all areas of focus. world fellowship of business and They are perpetuated, not just today but professional persons united in the In one of my favorite passages, a long after we are gone. And the Founda- ideal of service. spirit magically transports Scrooge to the tion will continue to work its miracles in Cratchit household. There, he sees his service to others tomorrow as long as we THE FOUR-WAY TEST clerk from a new vantage point, observing keep supporting it today. On behalf of The a humble but heartfelt holiday gathering. Rotary Foundation Trustees, I thank you Of the things we think, say, or do: Scrooge then understands that gifts like for sending your generous contribution friendship, family, and gratitude can’t be before 31 December. 1. Is it the truth? recorded into any ledger. By the end of 2. Is it fair to all concerned? the story, Scrooge has learned the most K.R. RAVINDRAN 3. Will it build goodwill and better important lesson of all: that as long as we are still alive, it’s not too late to devote Foundation trustee chair friendships? ourselves to serving humankind. 4. Will it be beneficial to all 60 ROTARY DECEMBER 2020 concerned? ROTARIAN CODE OF CONDUCT The following code of conduct has been adopted for the use of Rotarians: As a Rotarian, I will 1. Act with integrity and high ethical standards in my personal and professional life 2. Deal fairly with others and treat them and their occupations with respect 3. Use my professional skills through Rotary to: mentor young people, help those with special needs, and improve people’s quality of life in my community and in the world 4. Avoid behavior that reflects adversely on Rotary or other Rotarians 5. Help maintain a harassment-free environment in Rotary meetings, events, and activities, report any suspected harassment, and help ensure non-retaliation to those individuals that report harassment. Illustration by Luke Wilson
TAIPEI CONVENTION CShhSeuhntutgtetFreesrtnsotgcokCc.khc.iocaonmgm Pay your respects When you’re in Taipei for More than 100 deities are matchmaker god (pictured), built as a tribute to the former the 2021 Rotary International represented in this temple, or the “Old Man Under the president of the Republic of Convention, 12-16 June, take including the goddess of Moon,” as some call him. This China. The hall is part of a time to visit some of the city’s mercy and the god of war. temple is on Dihua Street, complex that includes two per- temples and other monu- Students come to pray to home to trendy boutiques and forming arts buildings, a large ments. The Lungshan Temple, Wenchang, the patron deity cafes alongside traditional plaza, manicured gardens, and one of Taipei’s most popular, of literature, before exams, medicinal and artisan shops. peaceful ponds. You can see is primarily Buddhist, but it and on matters of justice and the changing of the guard also incorporates Taoism and honor, people consult Guan The Chiang Kai-shek on the hour between 9 a.m. Chinese folklore. This ornately Yu, a famed warrior of Chi- Memorial Hall is Taipei’s most and 5 p.m. — susie l. ma carved and painted structure nese folklore. The temple is prominent historical structure, was originally constructed in easily accessible via its own 1738 and remains an active stop on the blue line of the Learn more and register at convention.rotary.org. place of worship. The temple MRT, Taipei’s public trans- compound is a calming space portation system. that includes a small waterfall, fountains, and a koi pond. The Xiahai City God Temple is known for its statue of the CROSSWORD ACROSS 53 Three-step musical 25 Lotte of singing 1 Email option (abbr.) interval 27 Court whistlers Remember 4 Czech territory 29 Pricey dresses 1 December 11 Kind of golf shot 57 Spellbound 31 Final notes 14 40-Across partner 59 Leeds lav 32 Moisture-resistant By Victor Fleming 15 Cork locale 61 Not expired Rotary Club of Little Rock, Arkansas 16 “I’ll take that —– 62 What diciembre ends wood 63 Incoming signaler 33 Troublemaker yes” 66 Earthy prefix? 34 Seep or what seeps 67 A point behind 35 Strong circular 17 Start to build, 68 Vague start? literally or 69 Belt-making tool current 70 Tear-jerking tune 37 “—– out!” metaphorically 71 —– Poetica 38 Old number? 41 The other group 19 Leaving —– Vegas DOWN 45 Attack 20 Arcade brand 1 Kiddie lit figure with 47 Took a load off 21 —– Got a Secret 49 Tuesday leader? 22 Variety show unit a trunk 23 Related to part of 2 À la —– ... and word that, 3 Fudge with “a,” may the eye 4 Suit in two parts precede the first 5 Site suffix part of 17-, 41-, 26 Dropping a fly, say 6 Miss pronoun? and 63-Across and 28 Assessed, with “up” 7 The Time Machine 11- and 35-Down 30 Pass, as legislation 51 Option one 33 Rob of Parks and race 52 Fixed a flat? 8 Pale purple 54 Tony of the Twins Recreation 9 Like some circles 55 Bay Area gridder, 10 Drop-—– (early casually 36 Nobel Peace 56 Ragged around Prize-winning semester stretch) the —– 11 Programs 57 Mumbai tune humanitarian org. 58 From the top that feature 60 88 or 98, casually 39 Fawn’s mom participating 63 Firms, for short 40 14-Across partner listeners 64 Seek to attract 41 Auditions 12 Morales of the 65 Wheat bristle 42 Lupino of screen 13 Dawn direction Solution on page 10 directing 18 Begin to develop 22 Family guy 43 Action film staple 24 Cobalt kin 44 Fireside 45 Get really wet 46 Short and to the point 48 Drawn-out battle strategy 50 Genies’ spots DECEMBER 2020 ROTARY 61
OUR CLUBS IN BRIEF Africa kicks out wild polio On 25 August, the World Health Organi- More than 9 billion doses of oral polio September when Funsho was named to Andrew Esiebo / Rotary International zation (WHO) announced that transmis- vaccine have been provided through- Time’s annual list of the 100 most influ- sion of the wild poliovirus has officially out the region, preventing an estimated ential people in the world (see story on been stopped in all 47 countries of its 1.8 million cases of paralysis. opposite page). African region. Rotary and its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative TheWHOAfrican region’s certification With the eradication of wild polio (GPEI) — WHO, the U.S. Centers for Dis- was celebrated during a livestream event. from the African region, five of WHO’s ease Control and Prevention, UNICEF, Speakers included Nigerian President six regions, representing more than the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Muhammadu Buhari, Bill Gates, Rotary 90 percent of the world’s population, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance — proclaimed International President Holger Knaack, are now free of the disease. The GPEI’s the milestone a historic achievement Nigeria PolioPlus Committee Chair Tunji challenge remains to eradicate wild po- in public health and a vital step toward Funsho, and leaders from other GPEI liovirus in the two countries where the global eradication of polio. They offered partners. Knaack spoke about the pub- disease has never been stopped: Afghani- it as proof that strong commitment, co- lic’s need for good news during the on- stan and Pakistan, in WHO’s Eastern ordination, and perseverance can rid the going COVID-19 pandemic. “The chal- Mediterranean region. Additionally, rou- world of the disease. lenges ahead are formidable,” he said. tine immunization in Africa must also be “That’s why we must recognize this great strengthened to keep the wild poliovirus The African region was certified free achievement and commend all the people from returning and to protect children of wild poliovirus after the independent who played important roles in reaching against circulating vaccine-derived polio- Africa Regional Certification Commis- this milestone. It took tremendous effort virus, which is rare but continues to in- sion conducted thorough field verifica- over many years.” fect people in the region. tions that confirmed no new cases and analyzed documentation of polio sur- In conjunction with the announce- “This is a big step in our journey to a veillance, immunization, and laboratory ment, leading media organizations around polio-free world, but the fight is not over capacity by Cameroon, the Central Afri- the world published more than 90 stories yet,” Knaack said. “We still need the sup- can Republic, Nigeria, and South Sudan. that highlighted Rotary’s role in the eradi- port of our Rotary members and donors, The commission had already accepted cation efforts in Africa. Several outlets, and the heroic effort of health care work- the documentation of the 43 other coun- including Al-Jazeera, published an op-ed ers to finish the job.” — ryan hyland tries in the region. The last cases of polio written by Knaack and WHO Director- caused by the wild virus in the African re- General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus The global eradication of polio is Rotary’s gion were recorded in Nigeria’s northern about how to apply the lessons of polio state of Borno in August 2016, after two eradication to the fight against COVID-19. top priority. Visit endpolio.org to learn years with no cases. Rotary earned additional publicity in more about the fight against polio and Since 1996, when Rotary, its GPEI how you can help. partners, and then-South African Presi- dent Nelson Mandela launched the Kick Polio Out of Africa campaign, Rotary members around the world have con- tributed nearly $900 million — and countless volunteer hours — toward eradication efforts in the region. With those funds, Rotary has issued PolioPlus grants for polio surveillance, transporta- tion, awareness campaigns, and National Immunization Days. The actions of Rotary and its members (including nearly 32,000 in Africa) have enabled the GPEI to respond to and stop polio outbreaks. 62 ROTARY DECEMBER 2020
IN BRIEF A Rotarian for 35 years, Funsho is a Disease Control and Prevention, the Bill member of the Rotary Club of Lekki Phase & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Gavi, Rotary’s 1, Nigeria, and a past governor of District the Vaccine Alliance. Tunji Funsho 9120, and he serves on Rotary’s Interna- tional PolioPlus Committee. Funsho is a As a member of Nigeria’s Presidential named to cardiologist and a fellow of the Royal Col- Task Force on Polio Eradication, Funsho Time 100 lege of Physicians of London. He lives in has coordinated immunizations and ad- Lagos, Nigeria, with his wife, Aisha. They vocacy campaigns with the minister of Tunji Funsho, chair of Rotary’s Nigeria have four children and five grandchildren. state for health and a national inter-agency PolioPlus Committee, has been named coordination committee. He has also one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People The annual Time 100 list is made up worked closely with the Sir Emeka Offor of 2020. Time announced the honorees — of individuals whose leadership, talent, Foundation, the Aliko Dangote Founda- “pioneers, artists, leaders, icons, and titans” discoveries, and philanthropy have made tion, the Northern Traditional Leaders from around the world — on 22 September a difference in the world. Past honorees Council, and the Federation of Muslim during an ABC television broadcast. Fun- include Bono, the Dalai Lama, Bill Gates, Women’s Associations of Nigeria. sho was recognized for his instrumental Nelson Mandela, Angela Merkel, Oprah leadership and work with Rotary members Winfrey, and Malala Yousafzai. In response to the certification of the and partners to achieve the eradication of African region as wild polio-free, Funsho wild polio in the African region. He is the “I’m honored to be recognized by Time told Time: “The polio eradication pro- first Rotary member to receive this honor for my part in ensuring that no child in gram in Nigeria has gone through some for work toward eradicating polio. Africa will ever again be paralyzed by difficult times, but I never once doubted wild polio, a disease that once disabled that this day would come. Any time that 75,000 African children every single we’ve experienced a setback, Rotary and year,” said Funsho. “Eradicating the wild our partners have been able to find solu- poliovirus in Africa was a team effort that tions and develop strategies for reaching required cooperation and dedication of vulnerable children.” — ryan hyland governments, partners, Rotary members, hundreds of thousands of health workers, and countless parents who chose to have their children vaccinated against polio.” Funsho has led PolioPlus efforts in Nigeria since 2013. Building on the work of his predecessors, he has worked alongside Rotary members to raise awareness about the importance of polio immunization, encouraged governments and public figures to support polio eradi- cation, and served as a vocal leader and advocate for Rotary and its fight to end the disease. He works closely with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative part- ner organizations: the World Health Or- ganization, UNICEF, the U.S. Centers for IN MEMORIAM Rotary International With deep regret, we report Serrano, Bedfordview, South Kenneth W. Roberts Mary E. Watson the deaths of Mateo A.T. Africa, who served RI as Lancaster-Sunrise, Pennsylvania, Tsawwassen (Delta), British Caparas, Malolos, Philippines, director in 1993-95 and district 1992-93 Columbia, 2003-04 who served RI as president in governor in 1983-84. 1986-87, director in 1979-81, and Howard J. Powers Abiodun Z. Odeleye district governor in 1964-65; See page 55 for a tribute Phoenix East, Arizona, 1996-97 Osogbo, Nigeria, Luis Vicente Giay, Arrecifes, to Caparas. An upcoming issue 2004-05 Argentina, who served RI as will feature a tribute to Giay. Ambroise Tshimbalanga Kasongo president in 1996-97, director Kinshasa-Binza, Democratic Takeoki Akayama in 1986-88, and district In addition, we report Republic of Congo, 1996-97 Hitoyoshi Chuo, Japan, governor in 1974-75; Donald L. the deaths of the following 2013-14 Strickland, Somerville, Texas, Rotarians who served RI as Choei Ito who served RI as director in district governors: Tomakomai-North, Japan, 1998-99 Richard Akpoto-Kougblenou 1973-75 and district governor in Lomé-Azur, Togo, 2019-20 1967-68; and Antonio Moreira Edward Dandeson Spiff Valdemar Lopes Armesto Port Harcourt, Nigeria, 1991-92 São Paulo-Vila Alpina, Brazil, 2002-03 DECEMBER 2020 ROTARY 63
FOUN Mix and mash A scotch aficionado bonds with fellow sippers in his large club Moses Altsech ON WHISK(E)Y: Scotch whisky doesn’t analysis and re-created it. It came HERE COMES THE GENERAL: My Rotary club in the wooden box with a map of Rotary Club have an “e” in it. The “e” is an the expedition and mock keep- has about 430 members. Even if of Madison, American thing, an Irish thing. This sakes. I got it because of the story. you attend the lunch meeting every Wisconsin is a handbook covering everything, week, you can never get to know so the “e” is in parentheses. GEE WHIZ: Ardbeg is a distillery that absolutely everyone. So we have fel- lowship groups for the purpose of A COLD ONE: The bottle covered in sent vials of scotch to the Inter- smaller interest-based interaction. national Space Station as part of I founded one for Scotch whisky. We straw is a replica of a single malt an experiment about how flavor named it the Lew Harned Society, scotch that was left behind by Sir compounds behave in space. The after one of our members, a retired Ernest Shackleton during his Galileo edition commemorates Army brigadier general. Scotch is 1907-09 expedition to Antarctica. that. I love the design of the label our excuse. We do like it, but it’s the The bottles were discovered in with the rocket on it. fellowship that keeps us together. 2007, and a distiller did a chemical 64 ROTARY DECEMBER 2020 Photography by Frank Ishman
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