2018-01 January

www.rotary.org January 2018 rd ANNUAL

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DEAR FELLOW ROTARIANS, I n Rotary, our diversity is our strength. This idea dates back to the earliest years ON THE WEB of our organization, when the classification system was first proposed. The idea behind it was simple: that a club with members who had a wide variety of Speeches and news from backgrounds and abilities would be capable of better service than one without. RI President Ian H.S. Riseley at www.rotary.org/office-president In the years since, the idea of diversity in Rotary has come to be defined more broadly. We have discovered that a club that truly represents its community is far better able to serve that community effectively. Looking ahead, it is clear how essential diversity will remain in Rotary: not only to strong service today, but to a strong organization in the future. One of the most pressing aspects of diversity to address in our membership is the age of our members. When you look around at almost any Rotary event, it becomes immediately obvious that the age range in the room does not promise a sustainable future for our organization. Our membership is near a record high, and we are bringing in new members all the time – yet only a small minority of those members are young enough to have decades of Rotary service ahead of them. To ensure a strong and capable Rotary leadership tomorrow, we need to bring in young and capable members today. We also cannot discuss diversity in Rotary without addressing the issue of gender. It is difficult to imagine that just three decades ago, women could not join Rotary. Although we have come a long way since then, the legacy of that misguided policy is still with us. Far too many people continue to think of Rotary as an organization only for men, and that idea has had a detrimental effect on both our public image and our membership growth. Today, women make up just over 21 percent of Rotary’s membership. While this is certainly a great improve- ment, we have a long way to go to meet what should be the goal of every club: a gender balance that matches the balance of our world, with as many women in Rotary as men. Whatever brought each of us to Rotary, we stay because we find value in Rotary membership and believe that our service has value to the world. By building clubs that reflect that world in all its diversity, we will build even more enduring value in Rotary: Making a Difference. I A N H.S. R I S E L E Y President, Rotary International



january contents Vol.196 No.7 30 FEATURES What it’s like to… Survive an atomic bomb. Chase your baseball dream. Walk 27,000 miles for peace. Rotarians describe some of their most remarkable experiences. Illustrations by Richard Mia DEPARTMENTS COLUMNS 6 Letters 1 President’s message 11 Up front Our diversity is our strength • Lamont Clemons, bridge builder 8 Editor’s note 24 Clubs • Yachts bring aid to remote islands Tee party • Tiny club has an 57 Trustee’s message oversize impact 58 Crossword 64 Last look 22 Calendar 55 Insider • Cellphones power polio fight • Fund helps wildfire victims • Rotarian Action Groups ON THE COVER What’s black and white and read all over? LEFT Rotary Peace Fellow d’Arcy Lunn, at his tiny house outside Adelaide, Australia, describes what it’s like to live on $1.50 a day on page 38. (Photography by Matt Turner / The Advertiser)

rtheotarian General O cers of Rotary International ® 2017-18 JOHN REZEK Editor in chief President JENNIFER MOODY Art director IAN H.S. RISELEY Sandringham, Australia JENNY LLAKMANI Managing editor President-elect BARRY RASSIN East Nassau, Bahamas GEOFFREY JOHNSON Senior editor Vice President HANK SARTIN Senior editor DEAN ROHRS Langley Central, B.C., Canada DIANA SCHOBERG Senior sta writer Treasurer MIKAEL AHLBERG Ölands Södra, Sweden VANESSA GLAVINSKAS Contributing editor Directors NANCY WATKINS Copy editor GÉRARD ALLONNEAU Parthenay, France MARC DUKES Production manager JORGE AUFRANC Guatemala Sur, Guatemala BASKER CHOCKALINGAM Karur, India JOE CANE Design & production assistant CORNELIU DINCĂ Craiova, Romania MARK DURAN Research editor JAMES RONALD FERRILL Martinsville, Va., USA CYNTHIA EDBROOKE Senior editorial coordinator PETER IBLHER Nürnberg-Reichswald, Germany KEIICHI ISHIGURO Tsuruoka West, Japan MAY LI Circulation manager ROBERT C. KNUEPFER JR. Chicago, Ill., USA JOHN C. MATTHEWS Mercer Island, Wash., USA JWK MEDIA GROUP Advertising representatives EUNSOO MOON Cheonan-Dosol, Korea Ad inquiries: [email protected] TADAMI SAITO Toyota, Japan JWK MEDIA GROUP FLORIDA - 954-406-1000 BRIAN A.E. STOYEL Saltash, England 212 SE Eighth St., Suite 101, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 NOEL J. TREVASKIS Bega, Australia JWK MEDIA GROUP NEW YORK - 212-292-3718 GREGORY F. YANK O’Fallon, Ill., USA 1271 Avenue of the Americas, 43rd floor, New York, NY 10020 PAULO AUGUSTO ZANARDI Curitiba-Cidade Industrial, Brazil Send ad materials to: Marc Dukes, The Rotarian, One Rotary Center, 1560 Sherman Ave., 14th floor, Evanston, IL 60201; phone 847-866-3092; JOHN HEWKO General Secretary email [email protected] Kyiv, Ukraine Media kit: www.rotary.org/mediakit To contact us: The Rotarian, One Rotary Center, 1560 Sherman Ave., Trustees of The Rotary Foundation Evanston, IL 60201; phone 847-866-3206; email [email protected] Website: therotarian.com 2017-18 To submit an article: Send stories, queries, tips, and photographs by mail or email (high-resolution digital images only). We assume no responsibility Chair for unsolicited materials. PAUL A. NETZEL Los Angeles, Calif., USA To subscribe: Twelve issues at US$12 a year (USA, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands); $16 a year (Canada); $24 a year (elsewhere). Contact the Circulation Chair-elect Department (phone: 847-424-5217 or -5216; email: [email protected]) RON D. BURTON Norman, Okla., USA for details and for airmail rates. Gift subscriptions available at the same rates. To send an address change: Enclose old address label, postal code, and Vice Chair Rotary club, and send to the Circulation Department or email [email protected]. KENNETH M. SCHUPPERT JR. Decatur, Ala., USA Postmaster: Send all address changes to Circulation Department, The Rotarian, One Rotary Center, 1560 Sherman Ave., Evanston, IL 60201. Trustees Call the Contact Center: USA, Canada, and Virgin Islands (toll-free) 866-976-8279. ÖRSÇELIK BALKAN Istanbul-Karaköy, Turkey Elsewhere: 847-866-3000, ext. 8999. Unless otherwise noted: All images are copyright ©2018 by Rotary International WILLIAM B. BOYD Pakuranga, New Zealand or are used with permission. MÁRIO CÉSAR MARTINS Santo André, Brazil Published monthly by Rotary International. The Rotarian® is a registered trademark of Rotary International. DE CAMARGO Copyright ©2018 by Rotary International. All rights reserved. Periodicals postage paid at Evanston, Ill., USA, BRENDA M. CRESSEY Paso Robles, Calif., USA and additional mailing offices. Canada Publications Mail Agreement No. 1381644. Canadian return address: MARY BETH GROWNEY SELENE Madison West Towne-Middleton, Wis., USA MSI, PO Box 2600, Mississauga ON L4T 0A8. This is the January 2018 issue, volume 196, number 7, of The Rotarian (ISSN 0035-838X). Publication number: USPS 548-810. SUSHIL GUPTA Delhi Midwest, India GARY C.K. HUANG Taipei, Taiwan 4 THE ROTARIAN | J A N U A RY 2 0 1 8 SEIJI KITA Urawa East, Japan JULIA PHELPS Amesbury, Mass., USA K.R. RAVINDRAN Colombo, Sri Lanka MICHAEL F. WEBB Mendip, England YOUNG SUK YOON Seoul Hoehyon, Korea JOHN HEWKO General Secretary Kyiv, Ukraine

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letters Winning score Reading“Game Changer” in the October issue brought back fond memo- ries of the historic and friendly Wahconah Park. I had returned to my long- time hobby of singing by answering an ad in our newspaper in which the Pittsfield Astros were looking for national an- them singers for the 2001 season. Without an audi- tion, I had the honor of performing“The Star Spangled Banner” before a raising is the highway that who keep us safe such as our in your community, why small crowd, including family allows Rotary to help improve military and our first wouldn’t you? and friends. Some fans con- lives in the world. Together we responders. We could ask gratulated me on my rendition.   continue to eradicate polio and our communities who their Stephen J. Cropper Sr. do other humanitarian works heroes are and give them an Selbyville, Del. Encouraged and newly in our communities. If not for opportunity to sponsor an confident, I started send- fundraising, we never could American flag for $50. Fight corruption ing tapes to many teams. Now have accomplished all of what a retired business owner, I we are proud of. That is how Rotary’s I was glad to see The Talent have sung at over 300 events Flags for Heroes began, and Around the Table,“Measur- throughout the East Coast. A few years ago, a today it is spreading through- ing and stopping public I’m always looking to per- Rotarian returning from a out the United States. Fifty corruption,” in the November form more because of the Texas vacation brought clubs in seven states held issue. It was pleasing to see kindness and appreciation of a an idea to his club in Mary- this fundraiser in 2016. that through our Rotary few who took the time to land. He had heard about scholarship programs, Rotary thank me early on. But the one a concept of signing up In addition to raising global grant scholarship performance dearest to my sponsors to allow American money, this program garners recipient Lusiné Mehrabyan heart is singing in Pittsfield flags to be placed in epic media coverage for your is focusing her efforts on every summer at the century- front yards for a fee on five club by recognizing our public corruption. old ballpark of my hometown. patriotic holidays. They heroes and makes your club’s would be installed at dawn public image stand tall. We see the stories in the William A. Squires and removed at dusk. He news of corrupt officials and Longmeadow, Mass. proposed this to his club but So I ask, who is your hero? government employees taking suggested that once a year They walk among us daily, bribes, diverting funds and Flag fliers they display hundreds of flags and everyone has a hero. assets for their own benefit, at a park or on a school lawn selling their votes, and other I want to comment on your for a week or so. He sug- A better question would despicable acts almost daily. well-written article“The Fun gested that we honor those be that if you could lead your in Fundraising” [October] by club by adding new members, As someone who also Nancy Shepherdson. Fund- increase public relations, decided to stand up against and accomplish more good these illegal and unethical 6 T H E R O T A R I A N   | J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 8

letters practices by assisting the U.S. ment and not just a recogni- And remember, you cannot for a consistently well-done government in investigative tion or right of membership. start on the road to governor and interesting publication. I operations (including one that until you have served as a club learn something of value led to the arrests of two sitting Many of us seasoned president. In many parts of from each issue. mayors, a first for the FBI), Rotarians have already done the world, that is still not an followed by assisting in the “silent, unrecognized easy step for women. But I would also like to echo changing policies and laws work” of Rotary. Rotarians the suggestion in the October pertaining to public corrup- understand that recognition When I joined this letter from Thomas V. Lasse tion and government em- is not the Rotary way – wonderful organization in concerning a revision for The ployee protections and service is the Rotary way! 1990, I did not expect or Four-Way Test. As a retired presenting my experiences to desire that it would conform English teacher with years of various groups and students, I Carol A. Eastwick around me. I joined to serve experience editing student applaud those like Lusiné who Reno, Nev. and strengthen Rotary, and I papers for greater clarity, I, too, want to make a difference. try to do that every year I find the word“concerned” Candidate pool remain a member. Past RI unnecessary and even a little I use The Four-Way Test in Vice President Jennifer Jones awkward. I think removing it my presentations and share it Reading the letters in the answered the question about would indeed better state the with as many in public office October issue about the when there would be a female goals of Rotary. as I can. And they have all underrepresentation of president very gracefully asked me to provide them a women on the RI Board, I am and succinctly: “When a Penelope M. Mitchell copy for their offices! fervently motivated to woman who applies is the Jacksonville, Ill. respond. best-qualified candidate.” Public corruption is a The editors welcome comments on cancer on our society. I am Just this week I served as Lucinda Rose General items published in the magazine but hoping more Rotarians join chair of the Zone 26 Nomi- Phoenix reserve the right to edit for style and the efforts and stand up. nating Committee to select a length. Published letters do not director for 2019-21. Our Makeup test necessarily reflect the views of the Michael W. Kesti paired zones encompass the editors or Rotary International Palmetto Bay, Fla. westernmost part of the U.S., I would first like to commend leadership, nor do the editors take and we are forward-thinking the editors of the magazine responsibility for errors of fact that Service order and innovative. We had a field may be expressed by the writers. of six – three men, three My husband and I are past women. For the first time in ROTARY INTERNATIONAL / ALYCE HENSON presidents of our respective our paired zones’ history, we clubs, both of which selected a woman. The Follow us to get updates, share stories with your networks, have high percentages of encouraging and uplifting and tell us what you think. women members. outcome is that gender never entered our committee’s The Rotarian, One Rotary Center, 1560 Sherman Ave., Evanston, IL 60201 USA The three letters regarding discussion. We chose the the lack of women on the individual who (a) met the WEBSITE therotarian.com twitter.com/therotarian Board of Directors [October] criteria, (b) we believe will EMAIL [email protected] facebook.com/therotarianmagazine were missing some important best fulfill the role, and (c) will facts. As in most organiza- strengthen and invigorate our tions, top positions are held organization. That is what our by people who have acquired Rotary ethical beliefs demand. knowledge and experience after years of membership, or, Anyone with a solid in business, long-term knowledge of Rotary employment in their field. programs, Rotary Foundation operations, and district and The RI directors have the zone positions quickly time to volunteer for these realizes that our system for very consuming positions. It either gender moves slowly. is an extremely large commit- J A N U A RY 2 0 1 8  | THE ROTARIAN 7

editor’s note SERVICE ABOVE SELF Rotarians tell great stories. at’s because they so The Object of Rotary often find themselves doing interesting things. It’s also THE OBJECT of Rotary is to encourage and foster because Rotary tends to attract people who have the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster: already had life-changing experiences. Once you FIRST The development of acquaintance decide to live your life mindful of service to others, as an opportunity for service; you’re more likely to do and see things that are worth SECOND High ethical standards in business and professions, the recognition of the worthiness of all telling others about. And as members of Rotary know, useful occupations, and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society; the person sitting next to you at any given club meet- THIRD The application of the ideal of service in each ing is likely to have a story that’s worth hearing. Rotarian’s personal, business, and community life; is issue marks the third consecutive January that we’ve celebrated what FOURTH The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through happens when ordinary Rotarians find themselves in extraordinary circum- a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service stances. In January 2016, we launched this now-annual event with stories includ- The Four-Way Test ing what it’s like to donate a kidney, to survive a hijacking, and to bicycle across OF THE THINGS we think, say, or do: the United States raising money to end polio. at issue won industry awards 1) Is it the TRUTH? 2) Is it FAIR to all concerned? as well as acclaim from our readers. 3) Will it build GOODWILL and Last year, we heard, among other stories, what it’s like to save someone from BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? 4) Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned? drowning, to be a prisoner of war, and to sail the ocean using traditional Poly- Rotarian Code of Conduct nesian navigational techniques. Again, we won awards, but what we appreciated The following code of conduct has been adopted for most was your response. You wrote to tell us how much you enjoyed the issue the use of Rotarians: and how you planned to use AS A ROTARIAN, I will “We hope this issue it to show potential members 1) Act with integrity and high ethical standards what an inspiring, diverse, in my personal and professional life will again win your and fascinating group of 2) Deal fairly with others and treat them and their admiration as you read people they would meet in occupations with respect about the gumption, our organization. big-heartedness, and joy 3) Use my professional skills through Rotary to: We hope this issue will mentor young people, help those with special again win your admiration as needs, and improve people’s quality of life in my community and in the world Rotarians bring to life.” you read about the gump- tion, big-heartedness, and joy 4) Avoid behavior that reflects adversely on Rotary or other Rotarians that Rotarians bring to life. You will learn what’s it’s like to survive an atomic bomb and then dedicate your life to peace, what it’s like to be a member of the millennial generation in Rotary, and what it’s like to live on $1.50 a day, along with many other compelling tales. It is an honor for us to tell the world about the depth of the Rotary experience. So please tell us about the Rotarians, Rotaractors, and program participants you know who have found themselves in extraordinary circumstances: Write us at [email protected] and include “What it’s like” in the subject line. We’ll be back with more fantastic first-person stories in January 2019. JOHN REZEK 8 THE ROTARIAN | J A N U A RY 2 0 1 8

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up front Bridgebuilder JOSH ANDRUS LAMONT CLEMONS Rotary Club of Springfield, Mass. “Busy day,” Lamont Clemons says,“and those are the best kind. ” He’s driving to the site of the MGM Springfield, a giant casino under construction in Springfield, Mass. Clemons’ family business, S-Cel-O, is painting much of the 125,000-square-foot palace for MGM. It’s just one of numerous work contracts competing for his attention with a half-dozen civic duties, including his new role as the first African-American president in the 102-year history of the Rotary Club of Springfield.“I feel blessed. Excited. Ecstatic, even, ” he says. He grew up in one of Springfield’s poorest, toughest neighborhoods.“Pretty humble, ” he says of his youth,“but I was lucky to have a hardworking mother and father.” Clemons attended private, mostly white Cathedral High School and learned to get along with people of all sorts – a skill he has used to help diversify the Rotary club. Springfield’s 56-member club boasts a growing number of Latino and African- American Rotarians. Along with his Rotary duties, Clemons runs the city’s entrepreneur program for teens and sits on the board of the local YMCA. “I want to create bridges, ” he says. “Bridges leading young people and minorities to the business world. There aren’t all that many role models for minorities in Springfield. I’m hoping to be one. ” Clemons touches a new ring on his left hand, a wedding band. He spent a recent weekend getting married. Of course he was back at work on Monday morning. – KEVIN COOK J A N U A RY 2 0 1 8  | THE ROTARIAN 11

up front CONVENTION DISPATCHES Toronto Schools get help with clean water and hygiene sightseeing A n estimated 2.5 billion people lack access to improved sanitation facilities that hygienically W hen you’re in Toronto for separate human excreta from human contact. Rotarian Alfredo Pérez knows the schools in the 2018 Rotary Interna- Guatemala and neighboring countries can use all the help available in this area. tional Convention, from So, when Carlos Flores, then governor of District 4250 (Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras), 23 to 27 June, build some time asked Pérez in 2016 to get involved with the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in into your schedule to see the Schools Target Challenge, he quickly accepted. As the name suggests, the pilot program focuses sights of this beautiful city. The on providing clean water and sanitation systems, and equipping teachers to educate students on iconic CN Tower is one of the better hygiene practices. most popular tourist attractions in Toronto, welcoming about “ The objective of the project is to develop good hygiene habits in children,” Pérez says. 1.5 million visitors each year. “By reducing absenteeism due to diseases that are acquired due to lack of water, sanitation, The tower has two observation and hygiene in schools, we can increase their academic development. Training teachers to help areas and two restaurants, all children develop good hygiene habits is key.” of which provide breathtaking views. For the adventurous, the Indeed, more than a year after the effort began, the Rotary Club of Valle de Guatemala, where tower also offers a hands-free Pérez is a member, has improved conditions for as many as 1,793 children from 10 schools in walk around the outside ledge the town of Escuintla, about 40 miles south of Guatemala City, the capital. of its main pod, which is 1,168 feet above ground. Corporación Energías de Guatemala, an energy company, backed the project with a $62,000 grant. Pérez’s club and the Rotary Club of Escuintla worked with local public health officials For something easier on and urban and rural planners. The project provided toilets, washing stations, and water tanks, and the nerves, stroll through St. also supported training for teachers so that the facilities would be put to good use. Lawrence Market, which has dozens of vendors selling food This year, members of Pérez’s club have a budget of $30,000 for work at five more schools. products and specialty items, Pérez is giving talks around his country in hopes of recruiting more clubs to take up the chal- or the Distillery District, a re- lenge in their communities, and he’s seeking international partners to help expand the program. stored historic area that has Educators tell Rotarians that fewer students now miss school because of gastrointestinal and re- been turned into an entertain- spiratory illnesses, which sometimes spread by poor hand washing or lack of safe water. –JENNY ESPINO ment and shopping district. 5.3 million 21 $15 million You could also visit Gothic Revival-style mansion Casa Number of Guatemalans Percent of Guatemalans Amount invested in WASH Loma. Built in 1914 by a Cana- who lack access without access to soap and projects worldwide by The dian multimillionaire, it has Rotary Foundation since 2010 almost 100 decorated rooms to basic sanitation water for hand washing as well as secret passages and 5 acres of estate gardens. Once a private residence, the “House on the Hill” is now a museum and hospitality venue. To enjoy nature, visit High Park – a huge green space with sunken gardens, hanging basket gardens, nature trails, and streams – or take a ferry to the Toronto Islands, which have meadows, woods, la- goons, and sandy beaches. – RANDI DRUZIN Register for the 2018 Rotary Convention in Toronto at riconvention.org. 12 T H E R O T A R I A N   | J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 8

up front that could reach these remote islands; big merchant ships can’t get in, because of the nar- row entrances and shallow la- goons. Then Cyclone Pam hit Vanuatu in 2015, so we sent eight vessels to Vanuatu. We realized we had to get in front of this and created our first re- sponse league. We contacted owners of small yachts and the superyachts, and built a net- work just in case something else happens. When Cyclone Winston hit Fiji in 2016, we had 60 vessels that responded. We were the first on the scene and the last ones to leave. TR: How did this expand into economic development? HACKETT: It started with diabe- tes. The rate of diabetes in the South Pacific is one of the highest in the world. A lot of the health issues are either di- rectly or indirectly a result of diabetes. The [Western] diet that we have introduced to them has changed their whole THE TALENT AROUND THE TABLE culture. On the remote islands Yachts bring aid to remote South Pacific islands they don’t have access to the R ichard and Stephanie Hackett began chartering sailboats and yachts to travel the South drugs to treat it. And the farm- Pacific more than 20 years ago. Seeing the problems of getting health care to remote islands, Richard Hackett, past president of the Rotary Club of Fern Ridge (Veneta), Ore., came up ers are moving away, and they’re with the idea of charter sailboats helping to provide health care and disaster relief. Sea Mercy, the nonprofit he and his wife founded, started with one volunteer vessel in 2013 and now has sending money home. Instead more than 100 yachts on call, with initiatives to address health care, disaster response, educa- tion and training, and economic development. of working and farming and fishing, people are buying sugar and processed flour and rice and noodles. In our health clin- ics, we realized, we’re treating the symptoms but not the un- THE ROTARIAN: How do you get nel, it’s a working vacation: two-day period. When we’re all derlying causes. So we are shift- the vessels and the volunteers Doctors, nurses, physician as- done, we start sailing to the for Sea Mercy’s programs? sistants, pharmacists, dentists, next remote island. ing to more of an economic HACKETT: The people with the and optometrists come out and TR: How did disaster relief fit vessels are either private own- join us. Even some medical stu- into the original model? development, agriculturally ers or the captains who repre- dents want to participate. It’s a HACKETT: We thought once ev- sent private owners. Most are two-week period. We travel to ery five years we would be re- based program. We’re budget- people who have chased the anywhere from five to nine re- sponding to, perhaps, a dream of sailing the South Pa- mote islands. We set up a clinic cyclone. Cyclone Ian hit Tonga ing it, gearing up, meeting with cific or sailing around the onshore, and they treat patients in 2014, and we sent two ves- world. For the medical person- throughout the day or over a sels. We were the only vessels the leadership, and getting the approval. It’s been a really MONICA GARWOOD amazing journey, but we’re very excited about seeing the impact it’s going to have on these re- mote islands. –NIKKI KALLIO J A N U A RY 2 0 1 8  | THE ROTARIAN 13

up front World Roundup Rotary projects around the globe 1 ] SPAIN 2 The unemployment 3 rate in La Línea Nestled between the famed beaches of de la Concepción, the Costa del Sol and Gibraltar, La Línea 35%, is double the de la Concepción is plagued by tobacco Spanish average. smuggling, drugs, and alcohol abuse. For homeless Spaniards, the Nuevo trafficking, and ex-convicts being Hogar Betania shelter offers a haven, re-socialized,” says Martina Spann, a if temporary, from the crime-ridden member of the Marbella-based club. streets. Rotarians have played a critical role in making this a vibrant facility Marbella Rotarians have pledged that houses up to 70 people and feeds their continued support. During hundreds more. the holidays, club members deliver carloads of foodstuffs for residents, The Rotary Club of Marbella- proffering rays of hope in a hard Guadalmina led a project, begun in place in Andalucía. 2013 and completed in 2016 with the Rotary clubs of Ceuta, Gibraltar, and Benahavís-Costa del Sol, to outfit the shelter with about $30,000 worth of solar panels to heat water. For many clients, the “New Home” offers the only available shower. “Hogar Betania feeds 260 people, including abused women and their children, victims of human by BRAD WEBBER 14 T H E R O T A R I A N | J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 8

up front 2 ] UNITED STATES Tinkerers in the Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley in east-central Massachusetts ran a free repair clinic in September, as they have since 2014, mending garments, fixing lamps, righting reluctant air conditioners, and more. “We set up shop in a school cafeteria,” explains club member Ray Pfau, “we invite people to bring things that are broken, and we try to fix them for free.” Pfau boasts that two-thirds of the items typically regain their utility. “The guests can keep using the things, we save them money, and we keep [trash] out of the landfill – all to avoid this throw-it-out-and-buy-new culture.” Americans generated 3 ] PERU more than 250 million Rotarians in the southern Peruvian city of Tacna got cooking to celebrate their nation’s indepen- tons of trash – about dence, raising $550 for End Polio Now with a three-day gastronomic fair. All clubs in the 1 28% of it metal, plastic, municipality – Tacna, Caplina, Miculla Tacna, or wood – in 2013. San Pedro de Tacna, and Takana-Tacna – dished up local specialties including picante a la 4 tacneña during the festival, 28-30 July. Besides fundraising, heightening clubs’ profiles, and satisfying appetites, the gathering let local Rotarians fill up on fellowship, says Carlos Miranda Ceballos, president of the Rotary Club of Tacna, who adds that the function was the first to bring members of all five clubs together. 5 4 ] THAILAND 5 ] SOUTH AFRICA Since its inception in 2016, the Rotary Club of Phrae’s mobile medical mission has adminis- tered health screenings and on-site treatment of basic ailments to about 400 people in five To help guide a sports day last May proving that villages in northern Thailand. About two dozen volunteers at a time – half of them Rotarians, people with intellectual and physical disabilities can including a pharmacist, a nurse, and the club’s president, Dr. Natthanin Sestawanich – participate as ably as any athlete, the Rotary Club of converge on the remote outposts, says Naratta Seenamngern, a past president. “The project Sandton called on Interactors. One hundred youths aims to provide basic physical checkups such as hypertension screening, blood sugar screening, and adults drawn from six schools and care centers body mass index, and dental care.” Lessons in disease prevention and cardiopulmonary in the Johannesburg area took part in contests resuscitation augment the visits, the signature initiative of the club. of soccer, volleyball, bocce, and tug-of-war. “Our Rotary club is committed to serving all in need in the community, but especially those who are vulnerable and marginalized,” says club member Edna Mugaa- Mutua. “Spending the day bringing smiles to children and adults with disabilities reminds us, and our Interactors, that in giving we receive so much more.” J A N U A RY 2 0 1 8 | THE ROTARIAN 15

up front In Illinois town, a tiny club has an oversize impact On a sunny July morning, experience what it is like to Rotary Club of Harvard, mak- Decker, site director for the ROTARY INTERNATIONAL / MONIKA LOZINSKA two dozen preschool plant a garden from the plant- ing the project a community- food pantry.“Everybody needs children from Brown ing to the picking to the eat- wide effort. a little help now and then.” Bear Daycare inspect a bed of ing,” says Sheila Henson, milkweed plants for monarch executive director of the day As many as 250 needy fam- The Rotary Club of Har- butterfly eggs, holding magni- care center and a member of ilies benefit from the 10,000 vard took on the project seven fying glasses to the underside the Rotary Club of Harvard. pounds of vegetables that are years ago, looking for a way to of leaves in search of the tiny, “At the end of the summer, we grown and donated every year address hunger and help the off-white objects. have a parent night where the to the local food pantry. The community. With only seven parents see the different things fresh produce serves as a members, the club has had an Their curiosity stoked, the their children have been safety net for many families. impact far beyond its size, five-year-olds and their teach- involved with.” Roughly a quarter of the com- amplifying its efforts by work- ers move to the shade of a munity’s 9,200 residents live ing with the master gardeners large tree to listen to a master With the goals of alleviat- below the federal poverty line, and other groups. gardener explain the role ing hunger and educating the a result of the limited employ- these butterflies play in gar- community, master gardeners ment opportunities in small “Harvard is definitely a bet- dens. The Brown Bear kids from University of Illinois farm towns across Illinois. ter place because of the mem- visit the community garden in Extension planted the garden The already fragile economy bers of this club, and that is Harvard, Ill., every Monday in 2001 on a half-acre parcel was further affected by the what keeps us going,” says Mike from spring to fall to learn donated by the city and adja- closing of a Motorola plant Morris, the club’s president.“It’s about garden-related topics cent to the public library. Over here in 2003 after only seven the expertise of the master gar- and even help out. the years, the master garden- years of operation. deners, individuals in the com- ers have enlisted the support munity, farmers who help, and “They get to taste the veg- of many businesses, organiza- “In this community, the the education provided through etables, some that they have tions, and clubs, including the only way we can get by is by the day care that makes this an never even seen. They get to helping each other,” says Dave amazing team effort.” 16 T H E R O T A R I A N   |   J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 8

up front The Rotary club has pro- OPPOSITE: Club President Mike Morris gets down in the dirt at the garden. THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Harvard vided $400 to buy seeds and residents Elizabeth Sanchez, left, and her mother, Reina Montes, volunteer in the garden; the kids learn how bees make honey; starter plants from a local nurs- a teacher from Brown Bear Daycare shares the secrets of planting; Dave Decker works with food pantry volunteers. ery every year since 2011. It ROTARY INTERNATIONAL / MONIKA LOZINSKA also purchased plastic drip irri- October to April, each time etables. The garden is behind to help plant, pick, and weed. gation tubing and fertilizer distributing 9,000 pounds of schedule this year because of Montes moved to Harvard valves after a drought threat- meat, vegetables, boxed goods, heavy rains, and today’s harvest ened the garden in 2012. This breads, and fruits. is smaller than normal. At the from Mexico City more than year, it provided a letter of sup- food pantry, Nelmes weighs 20 years ago and fell in love port needed by the master gar- Morris says growing up on each crate: 9 pounds of broc- with the small town. Her deners to secure a $5,000 grant a farm in northwestern Illinois coli, 6 pounds of kohlrabi, daughter now has two college- from the McHenry County played a big part in his interest 8 pounds of peppers, and 22 age daughters of her own, Community Foundation for an in fighting hunger. pounds of zucchini. Later in whom she hopes to teach the organic compost mix that will the season, many more hands value of community service. add nutrients back to the soil “I know we can produce will be needed to harvest. and help keep weeds at bay. more than enough food to feed “Thanks to the garden, we everybody in the country,” he Reina Montes began volun- can feed people who can’t afford During his year as president says. “It’s just a matter of the teering at the garden after a back to buy fresh food at the super- in 2016-17, Morris made the logistics of getting it from the injury forced her to stop work- market,” says Sanchez. “I garden his special focus and farm to their table.” ing temporarily and she had to believe it is everybody’s respon- enlisted every member of the go to the pantry to supplement sibility to help the community. club to help with planting, On a July morning, about 20 her groceries. When she learned If our children see that there is weeding, and harvesting. Hen- people – Rotarians, master gar- about the garden, she persuaded unity, love, and support, they son also recruited day care deners, and community volun- her daughter, Elizabeth San- are going to do the same thing. employees to volunteer. teers – are scattered among the chez, to join her on Mondays We are leaving them a legacy.” 14 rows, each 125 feet long, For planting, says Dale pulling weeds and picking veg- –ARNOLD R. GRAHL Nelmes, one of the master gar- deners who volunteer every week, “we need everybody. Many of us master gardeners are up there in years and can’t get down on our hands and knees like we used to. I was so impressed with Rotary and Sheila, who brought all these young volunteers in. It was incredible how much we accomplished.” The Harvard Rotarians also used district grant money to buy a new freezer, which allows the food pantry to store vege- tables longer. Last winter, Mor- ris secured another district grant for $2,000, which, when combined with $5,000 from club funds, funded seven weeks of food deliveries from the Northern Illinois Food Bank. A mobile unit from the food bank set up at Brown Bear Daycare once a month from J A N U A RY 2 0 1 8  | THE ROTARIAN 17

ToTo Be ronto up front Determitnoeadttend the IN BRIEF Ro⅓tav -r2y.1I2n5\"t×er9.n5\"ational News, studies, and recent research 2018 Convention  Pre and Post Convention Tours including... Rocky Mountaineer rail travel - Vancouver to Calgary Prince Edward Island Halifax Quebec City Montreal, etc. Rotarian owned and operated with decades of experience taking Rotarians to Rotary Conventions (800) 475-2260 toll free Adults rank bullying and cyberbullying as leading (510) 834-2260 health concerns for children nationwide, according to the University of Michigan [email protected] C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital’s annual poll. Not enough exercise, unhealthy www.HowardTours.net eating, drug abuse, and internet safety were next on the top 10 list. When parents were asked about greatest concerns for their own children, the highest proportion www.facebook.com/HowardTours cited bullying/cyberbullying, internet safety, stress, and safety (car accidents and school violence). Black parents cited racial inequity and safety as top health CA Seller of Travel: 101526-10 concerns for their children. Celebrating 70 Years Child deaths due to diarrhea decreased Advertise in by one-third between 2005 and 2015, according to a study published in The Lancet. The Rotarian But in some of the world’s poorest nations, rates still remain high among children [email protected] under age five. In 2015, 499,000 children globally died from diarrheal disease. India (954) 406-1000 Florida and Nigeria accounted for 42 percent of those deaths, which are most common in (212) 292-3718 New York countries with poor access to clean water, sanitation, and urgent medical care. , 6 3 6 $0(1 +2*$1 Consumers buy products with lots of reviews 6+$+ %($8 $. , 7$ over products with fewer, even when more-reviewed products have the same low 323( / $&. %$ /0< online ratings. According to findings published in Psychological Science, study participants who were asked to choose between pairs of cellphone cases, shown <28$5( 7+(.(< online with an average user rating and number of reviews for each case, routinely .$72 6($%$66 picked the one with more reviews. This bias toward choosing more popular products sometimes led consumers to make very poor decisions, say researchers. +$6 72 36<&+2 Eighty-year-olds are as streetwise as 20-year-olds $*6 61$3$ 7 0($ / 7 $.( 7 , 0( 726(59( when it comes to detecting threats posed by strangers, says psychologist Liam $0 , ' 32' , 80 %(' Satchell of the University of Portsmouth in the UK. The findings, published in 581*83 6( 783 Europe’s Journal of Psychology, are from the third in a series of studies, which show , 76$%(7 6($5 that feelings of threat and intimidation – gut instincts – are reliable in judging SHUTTERSTOCK.COM 527 $5<6+$5(6 9 , 2/$ 6($/ 5 , 7( who poses a danger and that this ability improves toward age 18 and doesn’t , 1/(7 .$/( /$5$ decline with age. In the study of 39 people aged 59 to 91, and 87 people aged 20 $ 1 ' ( 6 6 3 (: 6 / 2 7 to 28, there was little difference in accurately judging threats. –ANNE STEIN 18 T H E R O T A R I A N | J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 8

CLUB A club built from INNOVATION scratch focuses on service Rotary Club of Seaford, Australia I N NOVAT I O N : Charter date: Nov. 26, 2016 Original membership: 21 The club emphasizes service to the community, with Current membership: 28 only two meetings per month. The venue for meetings rotates, sometimes in a Rotarian’s home and some- times in a local restaurant, hotel, bookstore, or coffee shop. The meetings are informal. H I S T O RY : bought a $300 popcorn machine and it was a hit every time at events,” recalls Cardwell.“We networked with other charities, es- One of Australia’s newest clubs, Seaford was chartered in November pecially the Aldinga Giving Garden, which grows fresh fruit and 2016. Seaford is a fast-growing suburb of Adelaide, and the club vegetables for the needy. We didn’t just install a $580 rainwater focuses on the needs of the expanding community. The club partici- tank that a hardware chain store donated; we put a huge poster on pates in a “giving garden” where local schoolchildren and community it about Rotary’s clean-water work overseas. Parents see it when members are welcome to take herbs, vegetables, and fruit when they they park to pick up their kids at the nearby school. ” need them, and locals can donate seeds, cuttings, and excess produce. The club also supports Breakfastbellies, a local charity that provides The charter members had the opportunity to start fresh. They meals for children whose families are having trouble providing food. wanted to build a club that would be welcoming to women and to people of all ages. And they wanted the focus to be on community The Rotary Club of Seaford was unusual from its inception. service more than on meetings. They decided to limit meetings to twice monthly, on the first Thursday evening and the third Sunday While most new clubs are sponsored by another club nearby, afternoon, a schedule designed to suit more members with children. Guest speakers are invited to only a quarter of the meetings, and Seaford was built from scratch by District 9520. District mem- then because of direct relevance to club operations. bership chair Mark Huddleston had been looking at demograph- The club is about two-thirds female.“I look forward to more families getting involved with Rotary and to us changing the old ics in the Adelaide region and realized that the Seaford area south images with new ones filled with diversity and love,” Cardwell says. And Huddleston didn’t want to build membership by poach- of the city was experiencing huge growth driven by a new exten- ing members from nearby clubs. Only three members are trans- fers from other clubs (including Huddleston). sion of a rail line and a new freeway. There were no service clubs “On the surface, fast-growing Seaford looks idyllic nestled in the area. Huddleston saw an opportunity. between the vineyards and the coast,” Cardwell says.“But when you dig beneath the surface, you find food insecurity, domestic When he approached Cecilie Cardwell, who immigrated to Aus- violence, homelessness, and youth disaffection – all areas for us to help.” The club organized a recent Seaside Walk on Suicide tralia from Norway in 2010 Prevention at nearby Onkaparinga that mustered 400 people and raised $7,000 for Australian Rotary Health. and had been a Rotaractor at What is your club doing to reinvent itself? Flinders University in Ade- Email [email protected]. laide, about chartering a new club, she embraced the chance to build a club for the 21st century. They started a recruit- ment campaign that included fliers in mailboxes, posters, ads in the local newspaper, Top: New member Deborah Lawrence (left) phone calls, strong presence is welcomed to the club by Hännäh Seegärs. Bottom: At local events, the club often at community events, and a runs a booth serving grilled sausages. social media blitz. “We J A N U A RY 2 0 1 8  | THE ROTARIAN 19



WHERE IN THE WORLD Perambalur, India To celebrate the centennial year of The Rotary Foundation, Rotary District 3000, the Rotary Club of Perambalur New Gen, the Roever Group of Educational Institutions, and Sri Ramakrishna Group of Educational Institutions went big. Very big. They gathered 16,550 students from local schools and colleges to spell out an inspiring message. The gathering was certified by Guinness World Records as the “largest human sentence.” SRIDHAR BHARATHY, a member of the Rotary Club of Tiruchirapalli Diamond City, used a drone to capture the moment from 2,000 feet up. “Everyone felt a lift in their self-esteem to be a part of a worldwide record,” Bharathy says.

up front January 5 - 7th th 13th STOW AWAY FOR FUN EVENT: Gasparilla Ball HOST: Rotary Club of Tampa, Fla. MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHAT IT BENEFITS: Local charities EVENT: Keep India Polio Free WHAT IT IS: Every year, Tampa Bay hosts Gasparilla season, HOST: Rotary Club of Agra Taj Mahal, India three months of pirate-themed parties, festivals, WHAT IT BENEFITS: India’s polio immunization efforts and parades, including an elaborate “pirate WHAT IT IS: Rotary club volunteers from around the world invasion” re-enactment. The Tampa club has make their way to Agra, India, at the start joined the fun with its inaugural Gasparilla of 2018 to help administer lifesaving polio Ball, a shipboard costume gala. So dig out that immunization drops. What better way to begin eyepatch and get ready to walk the plank! the new year than to participate in the world- wide effort to eradicate polio? 27th 6th CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE OFF-ROAD ADVENTURE EVENT: Rotary New Year Trail Run 5K EVENT: Mission 10 Race HOSTS: Rotary clubs of Somerset and HOST: Rotary Club of Hollister, Calif. Somerset-Pulaski County, Ky. WHAT IT BENEFITS: Local charities WHAT IT BENEFITS: Local charities WHAT IT IS: This race offers several running choices for those WHAT IT IS: If you prefer to take the road less traveled, then this race is for you. You run one mile on who are looking to complete a half-marathon, set the road and two miles on scenic trails. You a personal record in a 10-mile run, log their first 5K, can also jog or walk; all speeds are welcome. or just participate in a one-mile fun run. Start 2018 strong with a run through historic San Juan Bautista. 28th RESOLUTIONS ON HOLD EVENT: Taste of Ridgefield HOST: Rotary Club of Ridgefield, Conn. WHAT IT BENEFITS: Local charities WHAT IT IS: Now that your New Year’s resolutions are broken, it’s time to let loose a little at the 19th annual Taste of Ridgefield. Sample cuisine from many local restaurants and sip selections from area wine shops. Tell us about your club’s event. Write to [email protected] with “calendar” in the subject line. 22 T H E R O T A R I A N | J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 8

23 Rotary unites problem solvers around the globe behind one goal: to do more good. Our members are driven to bring communities together to create lasting change. Connecting to make things better — that’s what people of action do. Learn more at Rotary.org.

column C L U B S Tee party Golf is so much more fun – and less stressful – as a team sport by KEVIN COOK DAVE CUTLER T he first rule of the Rotary golf much time kicking themselves and cursing Joining my foursome at the first event is: You talk and talk their luck, and too little time heeding Ben tee, I saw that I was the only guy in about the Rotary golf event. Hogan’s advice to stop and smell the flow- our group. We were the Lemon You persuade local merchants to ers along the fairway. Drops: Julee Clement, a corporate sign up as tee sponsors, raffle spon- comptroller and treasurer of our Ro- sors, or silent auction sponsors.You Luckily for me, I have hit so many lousy tary club; Kris Armstrong, recently talk every golfer you know into play- shots in more than 40 years as a golfer that retired from a career in the timber ing. In the run-up to the tourna- I have developed a sort of immunity to the business; Lesley Birk, an executive ment, you post signs and hand out jitters. Here’s my secret: One day I noticed with the Boy Scouts of America; fliers. In the last days you watch the that everyone on the course was as nervous and me. As we donned yellow T- weather reports, employing what- as I was. Everybody else was so worried shirts, Lesley mentioned that it was ever voodoo you have to ward off about his or her own game, they barely no- her first round of golf ever.  “I’m not low-pressure systems. ticed how I was hitting the ball. nervous, ” she said bravely.  “I’m here to help the team. ” She had a tattoo Then the fun starts. Watch out Golf got more relaxing after that. No on her leg, a quote from A Midsum- down the fairway – I’ve got my easier, but a lot more fun. mer Night’s Dream:“And though she bad-drive warning ready to go: be but little, she is fierce. ” “Service beFOOORE self! ” We were playing a scramble, a For many Rotary clubs, the an- format that allows every member of a team nual golf event is one of the year’s biggest to hit a drive, then pick the best one and fundraisers. In September, my Massachu- play again from there.Your group gets four setts club held its 22nd annual Northamp- tries for every shot. A scramble makes for ton Rotary Golf Tournament, a day the low scores and plenty of team spirit. Even players might have enjoyed even more if so, we found ourselves playing through a not for the worries that bedeviled so many forest. Kris, who knows how to cut a tree of them: trunk so that the tree falls away from you, wished she had her chain saw. But we kept How will I play? swinging and even made a couple of birdies What if I embarrass myself? no one expected from the Lemon Drops. Why is golf so damn difficult? You can blame the Scots for making the On one of those holes, I swung as hard game so hard. Long ago they made the hole as I could. My ball zoomed straight into a a mere 4¼ inches across and banned do- sand trap, then hopped out to the edge of overs. Since then, golfers have spent too 24 T H E R O T A R I A N   | J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 8

Reinvent our wheel What is your club doing? In coming Share your club’s great new ideas. months, The Rotarian will be showcasing: Email us at • NEW MEMBERSHIP MODELS [email protected]. • WAYS TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY • PROJECT IDEAS • FUNDRAISERS

⅔To Bve D-e4t.e4r3m7in5e\"d× 9.5\" DEVELOPS column C L U B S SOLO OR 2 SPATIAL SKILLS! the green. (Sometimes the golf gods give you a break so you won’t take up tennis.) Of PERSON PLAY! course I duffed the chip shot. But Julee ran her chip to the lip of the cup and we tapped ZOBRIST CUBETM in the putt. That’s how you ham-and-egg 20,000 Puzzles in a Box! your way to a score: When one player messes 33 POLYCUBE PIECES & 52 PAGE CODE BOOK up, his teammates make up for his blunder. Never get bored by a cube assembly puzzle And that’s the charm of a scramble: It’s again. Each code in the code book specifies teamwork in action. In fact, ham-and-egging a different set of pieces that assemble into makes for a good Rotary metaphor – we a cube. The codes are sorted by difficulty combine our efforts for a better outcome from easy to hard. There are even two than any of us could achieve on our own. sections of simple puzzles for children. Extra pieces allow two player competition, There were 44 golfers in action that day. all packed in a beautiful box. Club President Phil Sullivan had pulled into the parking lot before dawn. Sullivan 1 (855) 962-7478 www.ZobristCube.com Ages 6 - Adult wasn’t playing today – he had had part of a lung removed a few months before. Still, 2 JUNE 2018 he spent an hour unloading tables, chairs, CHICAGO, USA traffic cones, a couple of jumbo umbrellas, ZONES 28 AND 29 a U.S. flag, and a Rotary-wheel road sign rotaryliteracy.org that weighed approximately 6 tons. His doctors would have winced to see him BASIC EDUCATION AND LITERACY huffing and sweating, but Sullivan rests when his work is done and no sooner. Worldwide,more than 250 million children livein regions affected by violence. In Chicago, more than 1,500 youths under age 17 have been shot since 2011. By breakfast time, he had plopped into a folding chair to greet the first golfers. The conference will explore the relationship of education, peace, and the Some resembled the pros you see on TV. role of youths and educational programming in mitigating conflict. Join They carried binocular range finders and community members, education professionals, students, and other thought shiny clubs that made my Sunday bag full leaders to explore strategies for empowering young people and communities of old sticks look like the garage-sale reject to reduce violence through safe and quality education. it was. Yet the Lemon Drops hung tough as the day went on. At the seventh hole, a FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT long par 3 where a hole-in-one would win rotary.org/presidential-conferences a new car, I swung hard again and would have made an ace if the hole had been the 26 T H E R O T A R I A N | J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 8 size of the Arizona Meteor Crater. Kris, swinging a red persimmon driver, knocked one to the green and we made par. Don’t look now, fancy golfers, but you’ve got four Lemon Drops sneaking up behind you. As the group’s veteran golfer, I kept get- ting asked for swing tips. Fortunately, the golf swing is pretty simple. All you have to do is keep your left arm straight and turn your left shoulder under your chin. Tuck your right elbow into your side. Keep your eye on the ball as you bring the club back until the shaft is parallel to the ground, then start down toward the ball, shifting your weight over your left knee as your hips turn … OK, maybe it’s not so simple.

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⅔To Bve D-e4t.e4r3m7in5e\"d× 9.5\" column C L U B S INVEST Maybe that’s why there are only a couple YOURSELF of hundred humans getting rich playing golf. The rest of us, if we’re smart, settle There’s an opportunity to become a member of for hitting a good shot now and then. The Rotary Foundation’s Investment Committee starting 1 July 2018. Candidates must be Rotarians, It’s hard to relax when you’re making preferably with a CFA or CAIA designation, be fluent your golf debut in a tournament with cash prizes at stake, but Lesley was full of team in English, and be a resident of North America. spirit, playing a bright yellow ball that matched our T-shirts. Her trademark feroc- CANDIDATES SHOULD CONTACT: ity came out on the greens, where she Eric Jones, Rotary’s Chief Investment Officer smacked a few putts that were still picking at (847) 866-3015 or [email protected]. up speed as they reached the parking lot. Through it all, she never complained. She FIND A CLUB had intuited the secret of social golf: Every- body wants an upbeat partner. ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD! Still, it’s no fun when the team never Get Rotary’s free Club Locator app and find a meeting wherever you go! uses your ball. Lesley hit a few good shots, www.rotary.org/clublocator but somebody always hit a better one. It went that way until the last hole. By then 28 T H E R O T A R I A N | J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 8 it was clear that we weren’t going to win, but we could still post a score that raised eyebrows. All that stood between us and a Lemon Drops-record score was a short putt. Just 2 or 3 feet, the kind of putt you would call a gimme in a casual round. But they don’t have gimmes at the Northamp- ton Rotary Golf Tournament. Julee missed the putt. Kris missed. I stepped up and confidently missed. It was up to Lesley. She didn’t have a putter of her own, so she used Julee’s. She peered down at the ball, took a breath, pulled the putter back, and smacked the putt right in the hole. While we won no cars or cash prizes, we had our moments. More important, our club cleared $6,000 for its causes: our an- nual holiday party for underprivileged chil- dren; the local Survival Center food bank; the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts; and the club’s ongoing effort to provide clean water for families in Guatemala. Few golfers ever played for better reasons. But when I think back on the 22nd annual Northampton Rotary Golf Tournament, what I’ll remem- ber is the 19th hole. That’s where the four of us lifted beers with twists of lemon, toasting Lesley’s putt. n Kevin Cook is a former editor of Golf Mag- azine. His latest book is Electric October.

A little inspiration goes a long way • GET INSPIRED Read about 100 years of doing good and take action to be part of the next century. • SEND AS A GIFT Encourage your loved ones to get involved. • EDUCATE YOUR COMMUNITY Inspire the next generation of humanitarians by donating copies to your local library and schools. Order today at shop.rotary.org

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Ordinary Rotarians can find themselves in extraordinary circumstances. In their own words, they tell us what it’s like to... illustrations by R I C H A R D M I A J A N U A RY 2 0 1 8  | THE ROTARIAN 31

atomic bombsurvive an JIRO KAWATSUMA Rotary Club of Tokyo Yoneyama Yuai, Japan WHEN I FOUND MY SISTER, only her bones morning of 6 August 1945. My mother, extreme concentration of radiation. were left. my father, and my sister were in Hiro- As I walked to my parents’ house from shima when the bomb hit. I was 18 and a I had been told that she died in the freshman at Hiroshima University, but to the station that night, I saw many dead bombing, so I went to identify her. But support the war effort I had been sent 70 horses, but no human corpses. Seventy- when I got to the bomb shelter where she kilometers away to Mihara to supervise a two years later, I learned from a TV pro- had been hiding with a friend, I only saw team of high school-age factory workers. gram that the streets I had walked down two charred bodies. They were unrecog- We supplied fuel to fighter planes. that night were in an area where the first nizable. Then I noticed that one had a gold cleanup efforts had taken place. I had been tooth. I knew my sister didn’t have a crown I was at work that morning when I spared from an even more terrifying sight. on any of her teeth, so that’s how I knew found out that a huge bomb had been which one was her. I gathered her bones dropped on Hiroshima. They said that Our house was destroyed, so I walked and left her friend there for her own fam- fire was spreading through the city and to the nearby university campus, where ily to claim. My sister was 23. She had that catastrophe was unavoidable. At the people were sleeping in tents. I found my been a teacher. time, we didn’t know it was an atomic parents there. My mother was bleeding bomb. I got three days off from my supe- from her head, but able to talk and other- Most people think they would like their rior and rushed to the train station to get wise OK. My father had been at his office, loved one to live even an hour longer, but back to my family, but nobody knew when which was a very sturdy concrete building, with this kind of bomb, I knew it was bet- the trains would resume running. I waited so he didn’t have many injuries. I stayed ter to die right away. I was grateful that at the station in Mihara the entire day in a tent with them that night. The next she had died immediately. That was the and finally arrived in Hiroshima about day, I went to claim my sister’s body. best I could hope for. 8 o’clock in the evening. That delayed train saved me from being exposed to the most My sister was a teacher at a girls high A B-29 bomber transported the atomic school. She was married, but her husband bomb they called “Little Boy ” on the was away serving in the army, so she and 32 T H E R O T A R I A N   |   J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 8

her mother-in-law had rented a small house badly burned and had blood all over her that we could live on as well. Hope for a outside the city. Because so many air raids face and chest. The radiation must have better, more peaceful world. took place at night, it was common for affected her, yet she still made it back to people to rent homes outside the city for the house. I could tell she had suffered I recently moved from Hiroshima to safety and commute into Hiroshima for terribly. I still can’t bear to think about Tokyo to have a new start and dedicate my work. But the day before the atomic bomb how badly she suffered before she died. last years to Rotary and peacebuilding. I was dropped, my sister had a meeting, so have worked on a global grant to help fund she and her mother-in-law stayed at their Later, I heard more stories of suffering. the planting of saplings from trees that house in the city that night. There was a I heard about a group of schoolgirls who survived the atomic bomb. My goal is to bomb shelter under the first floor. When were so badly burned that their own plant these“peace trees ” around the world. the air raid sirens went off, the two of them, mothers couldn’t identify them. But they During the 2017 Rotary Convention in along with one of my sister’s colleagues, could still talk, so one by one the children Atlanta, I helped plant one, a ginkgo tree, went down there. But there wasn’t enough called out.“Mom, I am Keiko. ” at the Carter Center. room. As the air raid sirens blared, my sis- ter’s mother-in-law ran 10 kilometers back I’m 90 now, but what I experienced that I know nuclear weapons are not going to their rural house. day is still very clear in my mind. I believe away. But maybe I can help spread a mes- there should not be a bomb like this. Hu- sage of peace so that others never suffer as After I found my sister, I spent my man beings should not have nuclear weap- we did. third day of leave looking for her mother- ons. That’s why I have dedicated the rest in-law. I’ll never forget what I saw when of my life to peace. As told to Vanessa Glavinskas I arrived at the house. She was lying face- up, and between her lips, there was a After the bomb, they told us that noth- Peace is one of Rotary’s six areas of focus. blood clot the size of a golf ball. She was ing would grow in Hiroshima for 75 years. Learn about the different ways you can work Everything was destroyed. But soon after, some trees started to bud. It gave us hope for peace at rotary.org/our-causes. J A N U A RY 2 0 1 8  | THE ROTARIAN 33

break the sound barrier WHEN I DECIDED TO BECOME A TEACHER for when a Rotarian overheard me and said, the deaf, I enrolled in a program at Fresno “You know, we have a program that State. We started with 80 candidates, sends teachers overseas to continue their but by graduation we were down to 13. education. ” I received an Ambassadorial That’s how intense the program was. Scholarship worth $26,000, more than I was earning at the time. The problem was People don’t realize the linguistic chal- Professor Wood. He told me, “We don’t lenges of deaf students, especially the train teachers of the deaf. ” So the Rotari- trouble they have learning to read. Why is ans sent another Rotarian who worked in that? Because reading is a sound/symbol the university’s engineering department system. You don’t read with your eyes but to talk to him, and he finally allowed me with your ears. This is why blind stu- to come over and help with the research. dents, for instance, read at the same level as their sighted peers, while deaf students The technique that Professor Wood might graduate from high school reading focused on, story retelling, had been in at a fourth-grade level. the educational toolbox for a long time. It’s based on a crucial insight, one that When I started out, 38 years ago, educators tend to overlook, which is that teachers dealt with this problem using students develop language intrinsically. workarounds, trying to figure out how to How we talk to ourselves in our own get information to deaf students in ways heads is really more important than the that didn’t involve reading. Then I heard communication between two people. about a professor in England, David Wood, who was doing groundbreaking We didn’t work with grammar books. work with the deaf. Instead, we would have students read the same story over and over, then have them He was studying artificial intelligence, retell that story. The kids were confused at and he fed a computer all the rules of first, because they were so used to being English and programmed it to generate with speech therapists and specialists who language. But the language that came out talked for them. But Professor Wood was was very strange. He passed it around to very strict. You said nothing. You let the his colleagues and someone said, ‘That’s uncomfortable silence go. Eventually the deaf language!’ And he had this epiph- kids would realize you were going to let any: A computer is deaf! A computer has them keep talking, and you could see the no ear for language. So he realized that wheels turning. They would start to cor- he would have to study how deaf people rect themselves. It was amazing to watch process language if he wanted to under- them have that moment. stand how computers process language. That’s how he came to form the Learning Now, education is never quick. It’s not Sciences Research Institute at the Uni- like microwaving something. You have to versity of Nottingham. be patient and consistent. But with my students, I started seeing things in writing I was at a party talking about all this 34 T H E R O T A R I A N   |   J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 8

( the deaf)as a teacher for JEAN IRWIN HATFIELD Rotary Club of Folsom, Calif. and reading that I had never seen from deaf children before. And once I saw that, there was no going back. I realized that I could choose particular stories that would help with whatever clause structures that student was struggling to master. I also fig- ured out that stories with a lot of repeated dialogue were crucial, because when my students repeated the dialogue, you hear the music come into their voices and out would come these perfect sentences. After using this method for several years, my graduating students went from reading at a fourth-grade level to a 10th- grade level, and some of them were exceed- ing that. Some graduated from college. I just went back into teaching after be- ing retired for eight years. Once again the kids have very low reading levels, so I’m starting all over again. I speak at reading conferences, and I al- ways get letters from teachers who tell me, “Oh, my gosh. What a game changer this method has been! ” So when I tell Rotar- ians how much the scholarship has meant, I’m not just blowing air up their skirts. It’s amazing how much the lives of these kids have been changed just by giving one year of education to one teacher of the deaf. As told to Steve Almond Through The Rotary Foundation, clubs and districts can sponsor scholarships for graduate students to study abroad in the field of education or any of Rotary’s other areas of focus. They can also sponsor undergraduate or graduate students using district grants. To learn more, visit rotary.org/scholarships. J A N U A RY 2 0 1 8  | THE ROTARIAN 35

chase your baseball dream GEORGE “THE WATERMAN” LEWIS Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch, Fla. WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, not many peo- Red Sox signed me to another contract. Williams if he could help Yaz with his ple thought about going to college. So in I figured I would go to Wagner for the swing, he shouted back,“No! Don’t mess 1952, when I graduated from Rahway first half of my senior year, go to spring with that swing! ” High School in New Jersey, I knew training in February, and finish college what I was going to do: sign a contract later. But at spring training, I hurt my We played all night games in the mi- to play baseball. I had made the varsity knee, and when they sent me up to play nors, except for a day game on Sundays. team for the Rahway Indians my fresh- with the minor league Corning (N.Y.) We played in old stadiums, and if they got man year, and in my sophomore year we Red Sox, I had trouble crouching. I 2,000 people, that was a lot. The lights won three major New Jersey champion- ended up playing in the outfield. I had were bad, and it was tough to see the ball. ships. I was All State my junior and se- been a great catcher, but I was only OK When I played in Corning, the teams were nior year, and team captain in my senior in the outfield. Still, I hit 32 home runs pretty close to one another, so the travel year. I was feeling pretty good. – more than any other player in the Red wasn’t bad. But when I was in Allentown, Sox organization that year – batted over the teams were spread out, and as soon as In those days there were no drafts, but .300, and had 100 RBIs. In my mind, I a game was over, we would get on the bus. scouts for the major league teams were was going to make it. I got paid $450 a month, which wasn’t too going around and looking at high school bad for 1959. My first job after baseball, players. I had become friendly with a scout In Corning, if you played for the Red with Texaco, paid $400 a month. for the Boston Red Sox, and I ended up Sox, you were a hero. People looked up to signing with them. They sent me to up- you, asked for your autograph. If you walk- After Allentown I went to the Savan- state New York to play in the All Star Col- ed into a restaurant, everyone knew you. nah (Ga.) Pirates. I was good but not lege League. It was my first time ever on good enough. That’s when I decided to an airplane, and I found myself sitting next That’s when I got drafted into the quit. The Red Sox sent me another con- to another young guy. Like me, he was a Army. I did my training at Fort Dix in tract, but I never signed it. I felt lousy, but catcher, and he had some impressive cre- New Jersey, and after I finished, the Red I realized I was just fooling myself. dentials. This worried me. He might get Sox arranged for me to stay there. There the starting job ahead of me. I thought, were a lot of other professional players Life should be an exciting adventure, “How can I be on the bench? I’m the best there, and we played exhibition games. Not and that’s how I lived my life. I regret not baseball player in the world. ” many of them made it big, though I did go making it to the majors, but at least I had out drinking a few times with two future the opportunity. I hated losing those Things turned out differently than pitchers for the Dodgers: Sandy Koufax prime years to the Army, especially right expected. In my first at-bat, I struck out and Don Drysdale. I really liked Koufax; he after having had such a great year in on three pitches, and they sent me back was a nice guy. And he had huge hands. Corning. But it was a great experience. I home. I thought, “My life has ended. ” I His hands were twice as big as mine. was a poor kid from Rahway. Baseball was practically crying. gave me everything. When I got out of the Army in 1960, Fortunately, as part of my deal with I thought about leaving baseball. I fig- As told to Geoff Johnson the Red Sox, I received a scholarship ured I was already too old. I ended up to Wagner College on Staten Island. I playing anyway, first for the Allentown Why is George Lewis known as the Waterman? continued playing baseball – at Wagner, (Pa.) Red Sox and then the Raleigh He is a Rotary Foundation Major Donor where I was named All Conference (N.C.) Capitals. That’s where I roomed each year in the Metropolitan league, with Carl Yastrzemski. He had just fin- who has worked on dozens of Foundation- with stints of summer ball in Maine and ished his freshman year at Notre Dame, supported water projects throughout the world. Nova Scotia. but he already had that beautiful swing. When the Red Sox asked the great Ted You can also help provide clean water At the beginning of my senior year, the to those in need – or support Rotary’s other areas of focus – by giving to the Foundation at rotary.org/donate. 36 T H E R O T A R I A N   |   J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 8

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live on $1.50 a day IN 2012, I WAS LOOKING FOR WAYS to pro- All things conspire to inspire. I came mote the Live Below the Line campaign. up with an entirely different approach to That’s an annual event that challenges my trip. I decided to keep going on foot, people to spend five days subsisting on walking 10, 15, 20 miles a day. On those $1.50 a day, just as 1.4 billion people – days when I wasn’t traveling, I would find those living in a state of extreme poverty a pool and swim a mile. Along the way, I – do. Interest in the event was low. Ameri- spoke at schools, churches, Rotary clubs, cans couldn’t believe that people actually and other gatherings. I gave a presenta- live on that small amount of money. tion prepared by the Global Poverty Project, called 1.4 Billion Reasons, that I figured I could help. I had spent the encourages people to help end extreme past 11 years traveling almost continu- poverty. ously, visiting more than 90 countries – especially developing countries. In my Through all this, I had to discover travels, I had grown passionate about how to live on $1.50 a day. I relied on a advocating for an end to extreme poverty. lot of oats, hominy, potatoes, pasta, and Also: I like riding a bike, I had a friend lentils. I supplemented that with very in Portland, Oregon, and I had lived in small portions of fruit or frozen vegeta- Whistler, British Columbia. This was a bles. Every five days or so, if I could chance to connect all those dots. afford it, I would buy an egg. When I ate it, I could feel the protein running I decided I would bicycle from Port- through my body. land to Whistler, a distance of more than 400 miles. I announced my plan to live Whenever I shopped, I bought what- on $1.50 a day during my three-week ever was cheapest. Each night, I did a big ride. My rules were very strict: I could eat cook-up for the following day. I raided only the food I bought with my $1.50. I my host’s kitchen for the biggest pot I couldn’t beg, borrow, or steal food – and could find, since whatever I was cooking no dumpster diving! would usually be boiled. When it was cooked, I packed it in a Tupperware con- Things didn’t go as planned. I’m based tainer and I was ready to go. in Australia, so I borrowed a bike for the ride. It was a lovely bike, but it just didn’t From Olympia, I walked north toward work with my body. I set off on April 11. Port Angeles, and from there I caught a By the time I reached Olympia, Wash- ferry to Victoria, British Columbia. From ington, I had tendinitis in one knee. there, I needed to catch another ferry to Vancouver. I figured the terminal would My host there happened to be a doctor. be right in town, but in fact I had to walk She knew I wanted to press on, but she more than 30 miles to reach it. All I had convinced me to stop for a day and recon- to eat was three-quarters of a potato and sider my plans. I was really heartbroken, an egg. I ate the potato on the walk and so I went for a walk and thought about it. 38 T H E R O T A R I A N   |   J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 8

D’ARCY LUNN J A N U A RY 2 0 1 8  | THE ROTARIAN 39 Rotary Peace Fellow, International Christian University, Tokyo, 2016-18 enjoyed my egg on the ferry. I will always remember that egg. In Whistler, I had a momentary lapse. I encountered a person handing out free samples of beef jerky, and I took one with- out thinking. I usually eat very little meat, but after I finished a mile swim, that beef jerky was calling me from my pocket. I ended up eating it, but I felt guilty about it. People living in extreme poverty don’t get those kinds of handouts. After my three-week journey across the Pacific Northwest, I flew to New York in early May for the official five days of Live Below the Line. I spoke at a num- ber of universities, and I still met people who were skeptical about living on $1.50 a day. “But that’s impossible, ” they’d say. “You can’t do that. ” At midnight of the last day, a friend and I had our own little countdown in Times Square. I could eat anything I wanted. I settled for a 35-cent can of soda water. (I figured I wouldn’t make it back from Times Square if I had a beer.) It tasted amazing. Every bubble mat- tered. I felt as if I had done something special, but there was a bittersweet feel- ing as well. There were still 1.4 billion people who didn’t have the kind of choic- es that I did. As told to Geoff Johnson Know someone who would make a great Rotary Peace Fellow? Clubs can recommend candidates for the program. Learn more at rotary.org/peace-fellowships.

be the Justin Bieberof Korea JULIAN QUINTART cameraman came over to interview me. I movies in Korea. Then I learned how to be Rotary Youth Exchange, Korea, 2004-05 told my friend back home,“Oh, I’m going a DJ. I got a lot of offers to do TV again, to be a TV star here! ” I was just joking, but I always said no, because as a foreigner THERE WAS NEVER ANY QUESTION that I but later on this became true. you always come off a bit like a clown. would go on a Rotary Youth Exchange, Then, a couple of years ago, I got a call because my whole family has been At that time, the only thing I knew about a show called Non-Summit, which through that program. My mom went how to say in Korean was,“Hello, I am a looked at Korean life in a more serious way. from Belgium to the United States in human. Hello, I am not a dog. ” But I It featured people from all over the world 1973, my older brother went to the spent a lot of time talking to Koreans, and discussed real issues, such as gay mar- States too, and my sister went to New who are very outgoing, and after six riage or whether to allow a parent to move Zealand. My parents always empha- months I started to be fluent. A friend of in with you. Each person discussed how an sized how important it is to travel and mine was making a TV show about for- issue was dealt with in their own country. see the world from a new view. eigners who travel the Korean country- side. He asked me to appear, because I The show was lighthearted, but it was When I told Rotary that I wanted to was this young Belgian guy who could also a chance for Koreans to talk about visit Korea, they were a little surprised. speak Korean. The show aired after I social issues, and it was a huge success. This was 2004, and for most Europeans, returned to Belgium, and it was a crazy At that point, I experienced a totally dif- Korea was just the name of a country that success. There were hundreds of mes- ferent level of fame. I could not walk in you might find on some cheap gadget. sages on the chat boards, and it was the the streets without getting mobbed. But I had a classmate who was half Kore- No. 1 Google search. The producer called People were knocking on my door and an, and I got interested in the culture, the me and said, “You have to come back. ” taking pictures all the time. I remember music, and this form of animation called one time we had a big event in Seoul, and manga. So I asked Rotary, and to my sur- I was just 18 and was supposed to go the whole street was filled with scream- prise they said yes, I could go. It was a bit to university, but suddenly I had a chance ing people. I felt like I was in a zombie like asking Santa Claus for a car. You to go back to a country I loved and be on movie, where you’re trying to get from never think it’s going to happen. TV. My parents were very supportive. Point A to Point B without getting eaten. They said,“Of course you have to do this. It was scary. Honestly, it was like what When I landed at the airport, there It’s the opportunity of a lifetime. ” Justin Bieber experiences. was a crowd of people jumping up and down with a big banner and a TV cam- I spent the next few years doing TV and For about a year, I did six shows every era. I didn’t think it could be for me. I’m week, along with interviews and other just some kid from Belgium. Then the appearances. It was an amazing experi- ence. These days, I do a lot more charity work. I just finished cycling around Korea, raising money for local hospitals. I feel I was given a voice, and I want to use that voice for something good. That comes back to Rotary, really, the philosophy that life is about helping other people. Sometimes that’s on a big scale, but sometimes it’s as simple as sending a student to a foreign country. As told to Steve Almond Rotary Youth Exchange has been expanding horizons since the 1920s. To learn more and get involved, visit rotary.org/youthexchange. 40 T H E R O T A R I A N   |   J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 8

millennialbe a in Rotary DOMINICK BONNY Rotary Club of Wenatchee North, Wash. ROTARY IS WEIRD. Rotarians are old, mostly. lived his life. I find that people in Rotary Being in Rotary hasn’t been a total hon- They sing songs and say the Pledge of do a lot of good, but not for self-promotion. eymoon. I went through a period when I Allegiance before meetings. They tell I really respect and want to emulate that. wondered if it was for me. After I joined, I lame jokes. took over running our social media and built I run a social media and marketing a new website for our club. I also started But they also organize highway trash company. I manage web pages for our local promoting Rotary to my network, but it cleanups, blood drives, and literacy fairs. newspaper, three school districts, and didn’t feel as though we were making any They raise money for students to study other organizations. Part of my job is to progress or any other young people were abroad, and they open their homes to monitor comments from the public, which going to join. But I had made a commitment foreign students studying here. They are means I’m in a quagmire of social media to show up, so I stuck with it. To volunteer fixated on eradicating polio. Yes, polio is trolls every day. People are just terrible to for stuff. I’m glad I did. Our club is almost still a thing. one another online. They say awful, mali- half younger people now. It has added a bit cious things. It’s a downer. For me, Rotary of urgency to our lunch meetings, since not I’m 32. I joined Rotary three years ago is a way to unplug from that. I think the everyone is retired anymore. when Earl Tilly, a leader I respect in our path back to a more civil society is through community, invited me. At my first meet- our clubs. While social media is good for So what’s it like to be a millennial in ing, I didn’t see a lot of faces my age, but I a lot of things, it’s not good for breaking Rotary? To most young people, Rotary is found that I fit in well with the Rotary down the walls we build between us. old-fashioned. For me, that’s what makes it mindset of Service Above Self. I remember Rotary offers a neutral space where I can cool. People in my peer group tend to iso- thinking,“Oh, wow. I’m home. ” Earl has gather with other people, even those I may late themselves. We are connected by tech- since become a mentor to me. He’s 83 and not see eye-to-eye with on every issue, and nology, but not truly connected. Rotary is still plays tennis and bikes regularly. He was focus on what really matters – making the my antidote to that. mayor of our town, then our state repre- world a better place. sentative. I admire him and the way he has As told to Vanessa Glavinskas J A N U A RY 2 0 1 8  | THE ROTARIAN 41

I WAS A TEACHER. I taught geography at all out to kids in schools across Canada and tions. Now they go up every year. We send levels – elementary, secondary, teacher the United States to plant to see if being 1.2 million in two packages of 600,000 training. Then for about five years I in space has any effect. seeds; each package is about 18 inches by wrote about agriculture for teachers. I 18 inches by 2 inches. My estimate is that authored or edited over 120 books, in- The program was started by a Canadi- the cost of sending a package that size into cluding three Canadian atlases. an astronaut, Robert Thirsk, and Michael space is probably in the neighborhood of Dixon, a professor at the University of half a million dollars. Then we have two When they asked me to write the first Guelph who specializes in“closed environ- other packages that don’t go up in space. teachers guide for Project Tomatosphere, ment systems ” – what it’s like to maintain, That’s the control group. I thought, “This will be a nice little thing and live in, environments like the Interna- to do. ” I ended up staying 15 years, until I tional Space Station or a module on Mars. When a teacher registers, their class retired last year. It was just so exciting! We They had worked together at the Cana- gets two smaller packets of seeds. One send tomato seeds to the International dian Space Agency and thought, “Why has been in space. One hasn’t. And they Space Station and back, then mail them don’t we try growing seeds in space? ” don’t know which is which. The first year we said, “These are the space seeds, and Getting things up to the International these are Earth seeds. ” And the students Space Station is always a struggle. We sent took really good care of the space seeds, seeds up every two or three years at first, and their germination rate was way better and in other years we used various simula- than the Earth seeds. Now we don’t tell them, so it’s a blind study. Getting stuff back down became a big problem after the U.S. space shuttle pro- gram ended. We sent some of the seeds up space tomatoesgrow ROBERT MORROW Rotary Club of Dundas Valley Sunrise, Ont. 42 T H E R O T A R I A N   |   J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 8

from Russia. But the Russians don’t bring data showing the changes in temperature, though I’m retired, I still watch what is back a whole lot of stuff. They send sup- humidity, and pressure that the seeds happening. plies in what’s called a “progress vehicle, ” underwent. which they then fill with garbage and burn The reaction of the kids is incredible. up on re-entry. That doesn’t do our seeds The whole purpose of this is to get the They love the project. They love graphing any good. So we had to get them crammed right seeds to go to Mars. The longest the the information and sending us pictures of into one of the Soyuz modules, which seeds have been in space is 23 months, them growing the seeds. It’s possible that bring people back. A Soyuz is about the and those germinated fine. One year we the students right now who are in grades size of a dining room table, and there are put them in a Mars simulator for a week, three and six will be the astronauts who three people in it. The shuttles were carry- which is a vacuum with a temperature of will go to Mars in the mid-2030s. Toma- ing 5 tons of stuff; the Soyuz only carries a minus 90 degrees Celsius. We wanted to toes will be one of the candidate crops to couple hundred pounds of cargo. simulate a breach in the storage system on go to Mars. So they may be the ones who the way to Mars. It didn’t affect the seeds. grow and eat these plants on Mars. Now the seeds go up on the SpaceX Dragons and come back down with the Sending the Hobo was Stage 2 of As told to Frank Bures part of the Dragon that lands in the ocean. Tomatosphere. The final two stages – germinating seeds on the International With the last set of seeds that went up, Space Station and actually growing to- we included something called a “Hobo ” matoes there – are in progress. So even – a data logger. My Rotary club bought two of them. One stayed on the ground with the seeds that never went into space, and the other went up to the ISS and came back down. We’re now analyzing the J A N U A RY 2 0 1 8  | THE ROTARIAN 43

KIM LISAGOR four times Rotary Club of the Central Coast-Passport, join RotaryD5240,Calif. THE FIRST TIME I JOINED ROTARY, it was love at first sight. That famous wheel – the logo I had seen on service projects all over the world – hung on the wall of the restaurant where I sat in on my first Tuesday morning meeting. It sparked immediate feelings of allegiance to an organization I didn’t even know well yet. The club president was a woman in her 30s. She cracked jokes and discussed club business in equal amounts. Com- mittee members planned a meeting at a local wine shop. I knew this was the service club for me. In the years that followed, the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo Daybreak and I had so many adventures together: taking a dental chair to Guatemala, building an exercise structure at a local park, work- ing through matching grant applications. Good times. My husband, Scott, joined soon after I did, and when our son was born, the club welcomed him as an unofficial member. We were an active Rotary family for his first five years. Then, kindergarten happened. Our son’s school schedule conflicted with morning meetings, and one of us had to leave the club. I volunteered. It was sad, as breakups always are. But Rotary and I promised to keep in touch. I am hardly the first Rotarian to have life get in the way of service. Even Past RI President Ron Burton once dropped out of the organization. “I had little kids, a full-time job, and you do the things you 44 T H E R O T A R I A N   |   J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 8

think are important, ” he told The Rotar- strong digital rapport, and I enjoyed that club, we would be encouraged to do so. ian in a 2014 interview about how to twist on traditional Rotary fellowship. I was tempted, but I held firm. My attract and engage members. Alas, I spend most of my workdays husband went to the meeting and signed Rotary membership has grown in staring at a computer screen. After a on immediately. I stayed home. some parts of the world and declined in while, I just couldn’t get excited about others, leaving the overall number hover- logging on after hours. But here’s the thing about Rotary. If ing around 1.2 million. Many a Rotarian you’re the sort of person who is drawn has puzzled over this trend. The third time I joined Rotary was to its unique attributes as a service club more of a piggybacking than a joining. – its global mission, its ability to connect My theory: Today’s Rotarians are I registered as a Rotary spouse with my and inspire, its adherence to the prin- different from those of generations past. original club, where my husband was ciples in The Four-Way Test – then you We are just as passionate about serving still a member. That status allowed us to are a Rotarian for life. our communities, but we are more likely share attendance responsibilities: Scott to live in two-working-parent house- was the official member, but I could go I can’t quit you, Rotary. That’s why holds, more likely to be connected to to meetings in his place. What a happy I ended up joining my husband in be- the office around the clock because of reunion it was! coming founding members of the Ro- “advances ” in communication technol- tary Club of the Central Coast-Passport, ogy – and less likely to find time for Sadly, it was short-lived. A change in D5240. weekday meetings. job and school schedules meant morning meetings became impossible. My hus- Two months in, our club’s 21 members In 2014, the RI Board of Directors band and I both had to leave our beloved have logged nearly 1,000 volunteer hours voted to give local Rotary leaders more club. We resigned ourselves to the ap- in our community. We have picked up flexibility in how they run their clubs. parent fact that our lives were simply no trash at local beaches, raised money for Since then, Rotarians have been ex- longer compatible with Rotary. the food bank, and served on our city’s perimenting with new models that aim advisory bodies, nonprofit boards, and to accommodate the needs of modern When I was asked to join Rotary PTAs. We have leveraged our collective members without abandoning Rotary’s the fourth time, I had no intention of ability to conduct service in a way that core values. doing so. connects us with other Rotarians and ac- commodates our schedules. I’ll return to In my effort to stay connected to Ro- A friend invited us to a planning a traditional club someday, but right now, tary, I’ve sampled a few of those models. meeting for what he billed as an entirely I’m just happy to be a Rotarian again. new kind of Rotary club, and I politely The second time I joined, I became declined. This “passport ” club, he ex- I feel more connected to Rotary than a member of an e-club. Once a week, I plained, was designed for Rotarians like I have in years. And I feel certain that logged on to the club’s web page, regis- us whose lives had forced them to give we’ll remain connected this time, happily tered my attendance, read or watched the up their memberships. This club would ever after. program, and posted a comment. Mem- meet less frequently than a traditional bers shared service opportunities and club and have lower dues and a mini- Visit myrotary.org/club-flexibility posted photos from their events. I became mum service hours requirement that we to learn how your club can take advantage of part of an international group of Rotar- could fulfill in any way we chose. And new options to respond to members’ needs. ians who used this platform to establish a when we could return to a traditional J A N U A RY 2 0 1 8  | THE ROTARIAN 45

change lives through surgery THOMAS VECCHIONE Rotary Club of San Diego AS OUR BUS ARRIVED AT THE HOSPITAL, a line Our worst fear was bleeding, and there his open cleft lip for three or four months. of women in shawls accompanied by wide- were two or three times I really had to He also thought the tape might heal his eyed children stretched from the hospital sweat a little. I was operating on a child’s lip and make it grow back together. I ex- entrance along the dusty cobbled street. palate once when he started bleeding, and plained to Juan that we could heal his lip There must have been at least 200 people all I could do was put my finger on it to stop in a 35-minute operation – and the next waiting. It was barely dawn. it. But our care and caution have paid off: morning, that’s what we did. In nearly 30 years, we’ve never lost a child. On that chilly November day in 2005, On our earliest missions, I noticed there my colleagues and I, members of the Memories of patients stick with you. I were always some local people helping out. Mercy Outreach Surgical Team (MOST), remember the scared little boy in Morelia I saw one of those men was wearing a were in Tehuacán, about 150 miles south- who insisted we all say a prayer before we Rotary shirt, and when I got back to San east of Mexico City. I’m a plastic surgeon, put him to sleep – and who, when he Diego, I joined Rotary. If it weren’t for the and I had been making trips like this since awoke in recovery, his eyes still closed, Rotary clubs in Mexico, we couldn’t do the late 1970s. In fact, I met my wife, Syl- whispered in Spanish,“Forgive me for my what we do. It’s always good to have friends via, a recovery room nurse, when we sins. ” A nurse started crying. like that in a foreign country. When a prob- served on a mission to El Salvador. lem arises, they always know somebody I also remember the teenage boy who, who knows somebody who can help out. The MOST program dates to Febru- following surgery to repair a bilateral cleft ary 1988, when 58 children from rural lip, looked in a mirror, smiled, and said, Today we travel with a team of almost Mexico arrived at Scripps Mercy Hospital “Now I can kiss a girl. ” 50 people: several surgeons, the very best in San Diego. Thirteen months later, our pediatric anesthesiologists, and top-flight team made its first trip to Mexico, travel- In Pachuca in 2010, there was a beauti- nurses to handle all aspects of our mission, ing more than 2,000 miles to Oaxaca. ful, dark-eyed girl with a hairy nevus – a from pre-op through the operating room MOST continues to make weeklong trips pigmented birthmark covered in thick hair and into post-op and recovery. Now we can to Mexico twice a year. To date, we’ve vis- – across part of her forehead and cheek. handle the most complex cases, though if ited 26 towns there and helped more than The difficulty of removing the nevus and there’s ever any doubt, we’ll try to find a 13,000 patients. applying skin grafts took four or five sur- place to do it more safely. On our first trip geries over a number of years. She’s a to Oaxaca, we treated 40 patients; we had On our first trips, we found the medical young woman now, and she still comes to turn away a lot of patients who, if we had facilities to be very crude. The hospitals back to say hello. had them back in the United States, we were basically just big rooms, more like could have taken care of right away. In outpatient clinics. There was very little And then there was the boy in Zamora 2015, on our weeklong missions to Morelia equipment, certainly no X-ray, and no who had suffered such terrible burns that and San Cristóbal de las Casas, we helped post-op out there in the wilderness. The the scars had adhered his chin to his chest. more than 860 children. plastic surgeons down there are good, and We fixed that, again over the course of we’ve always made a point of sharing our many visits. He continues to return, now When will we stop going? We show medical knowledge and expertise with as a young man helping and reassuring the up, and there are 400 or 500 kids waiting them, but we were all hampered by what latest round of scared young patients. outside a clinic; clearly there’s still a need. we had to work with. And as long as there’s a need, we want to And on that chilly November morning be there. It’s the best thing I can do with That’s why, on that first visit to Oaxaca, in Tehuacán, there was a boy named Juan my life. we limited ourselves to helping only the who stood ramrod straight in his tattered simplest cases: burns, scar revisions, pro- white shirt and threadbare jeans holding As told to Geoff Johnson cedures we could do with local anesthesia his mother’s hand. He was like a little sol- and not have to worry about a lengthy dier ready to do battle. Across his upper Saving mothers and children is one of Rotary’s follow-up. Safety was our immediate con- lip, he had spread a strip of neatly cut elec- six areas of focus. Learn more cern. I don’t want to take any chances trical tape. when I have a child’s life in my hands. about all of them at rotary.org/our-causes. When I examined him, his mother told me Juan had been using the tape to hide 46 T H E R O T A R I A N   |   J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 8

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walk 27,000 miles for peace DANNYGARCIA E-Club of District 7210 I FIRST STARTED WALKING BACK IN 1996. but I don’t have any money. ” But he said, support of the people I’ve met. That’s “Hey, it’s OK. You can stay here as long how I got involved with Rotary, because I had gone through a divorce. I was so as you need to. ” That act of kindness we’re really doing the same work, pushing broken that I didn’t feel I had any life. I really launched my 20 years of walking. to help those in need, pushing for charity had this idea that I could walk for peace, and kindness and cultural exchange. Ro- and I think I was also looking for some Then a friend of mine called the Ma- tarians are special people. They’re like a kind of inner peace. rines, because I’m a former Marine, and giant family. And they don’t just talk, they they said, “Don’t go anywhere. We’re do. That’s what I love about them. I took off from San Francisco, headed coming. ” And three Humvees ended up toward San Diego. That first day I being my escort vehicles. And I need the support, because it can walked 30 miles in the pouring rain. I be dangerous out there. I’ve been clipped was soaking wet and only had $48 in my I spent three months walking across by cars. The backblast from semitrailers pocket. No credit cards. No nothing. I the United States. The media picked up can literally knock you off the side of the came to a hotel in Half Moon Bay, and on the story, and I got a lot of support. road. I’ve encountered mudslides and the manager was wondering what I was I’ve now done walks on six continents. sandstorms and lightning and rattlesnakes. doing. I told him, “Well, I need a room, What has kept me going is the love and 48 T H E R O T A R I A N   |   J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 8