Frank BuresE CT OCTOBER 2020 ROTARY 49
PLANT AN IDEA What plants are native to your area? Find resources at: Pollinator Partnership pollinator.org/ guides Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation xerces.org/ pollinator- resource-center National Wildlife Federation nwf.org/ nativeplantfinder Monarch Joint Venture monarchjoint venture.org/ resources No one knows how the instructions for this Stein knew the power of Rotary to make things 6,000-mile round-trip journey — one of the long- happen. Several years earlier, he had given a pre- est known migrations of any insect species — pass sentation to the Rotary Club of Stillwater Sun- from one generation of monarchs to the next. What rise, Minnesota, that led to the district signing a we do know is that everywhere along this butterfly’s memorandum of understanding with the National route, the habitat it needs to survive is disappearing. Park Service. The result was a “sister park” project The plight of the monarch has made news in recent between national parks in the upper Midwest and years, and from schoolchildren to scientists, people in Costa Rica — the summer and winter homes, re- are trying to help. Chris Stein, a ranger with the spectively, of birds that migrate along the St. Croix. National Park Service, is one of them. That idea was based on the International Peace Park conceived by Rotarians in the 1930s, which unites IN JUNE 2015, STEIN, who was then superintendent Glacier National Park in the United States and Wa- of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, invited terton Lakes National Park in Canada. Marlene Gargulak, the incoming governor of Rotary At his office in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, Stein District 5960 (parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin), to gave Gargulak a presentation on the monarch mi- park headquarters to discuss the loss of vital habitat gration and showed her maps detailing the habitat for monarchs and other pollinators. loss facing the butterflies at every stage along their journey. Then he asked her, “What do you think “Seventy-five percent of the Rotarianscoulddo?” Gargulak’s idea was to ask clubs to improve pol- linator habitat in their own communities. “Or better world’s plant species are dependent yet,” she said, “let’s ask all the clubs, in all the dis- tricts from Canada to Mexico, to each do a project. Anita Jader We can’t wait until the butterflies get to Minnesota on pollinators to survive.” or Wisconsin to help them. If we’re going to do the corridor, we’ve got to have everybody. We have to do a big project.” 50 ROTARY OCTOBER 2020
DEPENDING ON THE YEAR, between seven and 14 Midwestern United States will require participation Previous pages: colonies of monarch butterflies overwinter in Mexi- from all sectors of society.” That includes munici- Monarch butterflies co. Partly because of habitat loss — caused by illegal palities and other government entities, businesses, gather by the millions logging in Mexico’s Monarch Butterfly Biosphere industries — and homeowners, Caldwell says. in their winter home Reserve; by modern agricultural practices in the “Whatever people can do in their backyards is an in the mountains of United States and Canada, where corn and soy- important part of the solution.” central Mexico. beans no longer share space with milkweed plants; by climate change; by pesticide use on farms and Stein, who now oversees the National Park Ser- Opposite: Members in residential and commercial landscapes; and by vice’s eight National Heritage Areas in the Midwest, of the Rotary Club urban sprawl and other development — numbers agrees. “No project is too small,” he says. “Someone of North St. Paul- have dropped from an estimated 682 million of the planting one milkweed seed is good. If someone wants Maplewood-Oakdale, insects in 1997 to 59 million last year. The west- to go out and restore a prairie, that’s even better.” Minnesota, install a ern monarch population, which migrates primarily pollinator garden in within the state of California, has fared even worse, Restoring habitat will be key to the monarch’s a local park. with 29,000 remaining, down from a population of survival. But there are even bigger stakes. Butterflies 4.5 million in the 1980s. aren’t the only pollinators in trouble: So are bees, Below: Wisconsin bats, moths, and other insects. Researchers have Rotarian Bruce Goode “Habitat is the biggest factor we have direct influ- found, for example, that native bumblebee popula- planted pollinator ence over,” says Wendy Caldwell, executive director tions in North America have declined 46 percent in gardens outside of the Monarch Joint Venture, a coalition of govern- recent years. And the work those pollinators do has a his restaurant; Peg ment and private groups working to save the species. direct effect on our own lives. Duenow and her club “And we need it everywhere. We’re losing habitat received a district faster than we’re able to put it back in.” “Seventy-five percent of the world’s plant species grant to help create are dependent on pollinators to survive,” says Stein. a pollinator garden For monarchs, that habitat must include milk- “I ask people: Do you like to eat?” Without the help on city property in weed, the only plant monarch caterpillars will eat, of pollinators, he says, 30 percent of the food in any Lakeville, Minnesota. and therefore the only plant on which the butterfly grocery store would disappear. will lay eggs. In North America, there are more than 100 species of milkweed, a tough plant that can grow Fortunately, the same native plants that help in many places: pastures, prairies, gardens, road- monarchs also help bees and other pollinators. sides, and wetlands. Other native plants provide the “Monarch habitat benefits a lot of things,” says nectar that nourishes the butterflies themselves. En- Caldwell. “Pollinator habitat is essentially about the suring that all the plants monarchs require are avail- plants and the ecosystem they support. Native plants able where they need them will take a coordinated support a higher diversity of insects, which feed the effort. In 2017, in a paper published in the journal birds, which feed the other wildlife. It’s all about the Environmental Research Letters, researchers noted ecosystem. Monarch habitat is wildlife habitat, as that “the eastern migratory population of monarch opposed to lawns or monoculture crops.” butterflies declined by more than 80 percent within the last two decades.” They estimated that restor- AS 2015-16 GOVERNOR, MARLENE GARGULAK vis- ing “more than 1.3 billion stems of milkweed to the ited all 63 clubs in her district, speaking at each one about the pollinator crisis and asking them to sign on to a “pollinator pledge” to take action. She sent Jamey Guy
TAKE ACTION letters to the governors of all 74 districts across the of Hudson, Wisconsin, established a pollinator park. eastern monarch’s territory asking them to do the “The fellow who was in charge of the parks at the Learn more about same thing. The District 5960 conference that year time said, ‘I just didn’t think it would work at all. But Operation Pollination included a sale of pollinator plants. In July 2015, by gosh, the plants came up, it looks pretty, and but- at operation Gargulak attended a meeting with former U.S. Vice terflies and bees came!’ ” says 2011-12 District Gov- pollination.net. To President Walter Mondale, a resident of Minnesota, ernor Judy Freund, who has also worked to promote participate, follow at which they discussed ways to increase pollinator Operation Pollination beyond the district through the these simple steps: habitat. The next month, she and Stillwater Rotar- Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group. ians Craig Leiser and Bev Driscoll met with U.S. Rep- 1 Encourage your resentative Betty McCollum of Minnesota to kick off “Anybody can participate in Operation Pollina- Operation Pollination, a broad effort open to anyone tion,” says Freund, a member of the Rotary Club of club to sign a interested in increasing pollinator habitat. The Rotar- Hudson Daybreak. “Community members, Rotarians, pledge committing ians also helped form the St. Croix Valley Pollinator businesses, and organizations. The pollinator pledge to carry out one Partnership, which brought together small-business has been signed by many organizations in addition to project to support owners; a baseball team; government agencies such District 5960. And of our club’s almost 80 members, pollinator habitat. as the National Park Service, Forest Service, and a good number have participated in planting pollina- Fish and Wildlife Service; and private companies, tor gardens.” Some, she says, have also planted pol- 2 Partner with including Andersen Corp. and Xcel Energy. In 2016, linator gardens at home. the partnership received a grant of $200,000 from other organizations the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, allowing At least 31 clubs in the district have carried out and invite them to it to restore native habitat on nearly 1,000 acres of pollinator projects since 2015, including one in Rice sign your pollinator land and establish a 5-acre seed plot for milkweed Lake, Wisconsin, where the city donated a plot of pledge. and wildflowers at the St. Croix Correctional Center. land for a butterfly garden and tree planting. A mem- ber of the Rotary Club of Barron County Sunrise, 3 Share your story Stillwater, Minnesota, a city on the St. Croix River, Bruce Goode, also hired a master gardener to design signed the pollinator pledge. Across the river, the city butterfly gardens in front of his Rice Lake restaurant. on your club and “We have two butterfly gardens,” Goode says. “Once district websites and you’re done planting, they just do their thing. It’s with local media. pretty much self-sustaining. It’s sort of like growing weeds, which I’m good at: You just whack them down in the fall and they grow right back in the spring.” When Peg Duenow, of the Rotary Club of Lake- ville, Minnesota, heard about Operation Pollination, she and her fellow club members decided it was something they could get behind. They approached the city of Lakeville, which located a “triangle of grass” in a park where the Rotarians could put in a pollina- tor garden. They applied for, and got, a district grant of $4,000. With the district grant, along with funds from the city, a local watershed group, and nearby Rotary “Habitat is the biggest factor Jamey Guy we have direct influence over. We’re losing habitat faster than we’re able to put it back in.” 52 ROTARY OCTOBER 2020
Sunmallia Photography Monarch butterflies undertake one of the longest known migrations of any insect species. Opposite: Past District Governor Marlene Gargulak has been championing pollinator habitat projects since 2015. OCTOBER 2020 ROTARY 53
Anita Jader Native plants such as prairie blazing star and sweet black-eyed Susan provide the nectar and pollen needed by monarch butterflies and other insects. Below left: Past District Governor Judy Freund works with the Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group on pollinator projects. Below right: Butterflies and bees are attracted to the blooms of New England aster. “I just didn’t think it would work at all. But by gosh, the plants came up, it looks pretty, and butterflies and bees came!” 54 ROTARY OCTOBER 2020
clubs, the Lakeville club had more than $14,000 to 25 miles pay for plants, seeds, fencing, signage, and other needs. In the summer of 2016, the Rotarians went to Average daily work, preparing the site and planting the seeds for a distance migrating dense patch of native plants, including wild lupine, monarchs travel tall blazing star, rattlesnake master, prairie onion, en route to Mexico and butterfly weed (a type of milkweed). The city maintains the 8,000-square-foot garden, and the air 55 degrees is filled with bees and butterflies all summer long. Fahrenheit To date, much of the Operation Pollination activ- Temperature below ity has taken place within District 5960, at the north- which monarchs ern end of the monarchs’ route. Rotarians there want cannot fly to work with clubs and other entities all along the migration corridor. Stein says that National Heri- 6-9 months tage Areas are a natural partner; these public-private partnerships have a total combined area larger than Life span of the state of Texas and are run by local organizations monarch “super with support from the National Park Service. Of the generation,” 55 U.S. National Heritage Areas, 36 have expressed eight times longer interest in joining Operation Pollination. A dozen than the other have already signed pollinator resolutions and are generations seeking partners for projects. Less than1% “Rotarians are perfect partners to sign on to the National Heritage Areas’ resolution, to sign a Current pollinator pledge, and to do some habitat restora- population of tion,” Stein says. “Operation Pollination can be a western monarchs local project or it can be a district project. Can you as compared imagine if each district from Canada to Mexico em- with the historic braced this idea? What if 1.2 million Rotarians, in population districts around the world, pledged to do work on behalf of pollinators? Wouldn’t that be something? 53% Wouldn’t that be cool?” Decrease in the Frank Bures is a longtime contributor to Rotary mag- population of azine. He was lucky enough to travel to central Mexico monarchs over- to see the monarch colonies before the pandemic. wintering in Mexico in 2019-20 from the previous year Jamey Guy E M Kaplin OCTOBER 2020 ROTARY 55
new area of focus virtual convention rotex international taipei’s night markets OURCLUBS satellite club. Members were concerned VIRTUAL VISIT that the two clubs would only compete Vital statistics for new recruits, but Trimbel was con- Baltic vinced that the city needed a second in- Chartered: 2019 boosters ternational club to accommodate young- er professionals and former Rotaractors Original membership: 24 Rotary Club of who might not be able to attend her Lituanica International club’s lunchtime meetings. So she and Current membership: 26 fellow Vilnius International member Jur- Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius, is a Baltic gita Butkevičienė, along with Rotaractor Rotary in Lithuania gem, a city where Gothic and Baroque Mingailė Subačiūtė, set out to find like- edifices bump up against contempo- minded people who were looking for a Lithuania has 56 Rotary clubs and rary buildings, such as the stark white flexible format and were less concerned more than 1,600 members. MO modern art museum. After the fall than some older members about tradi- of communism 30 years ago, Rotary tions and totems. She recalls a common There is one Lithuanian-speaking club was quick to reemerge there and found reaction to their pitch: “I would have outside the country: the Rotary Club of early popularity, especially among young never considered joining Rotary, but I Chicagoland Lithuanians (Westmont). professionals eager to make their place love your vision.” in the world. That spirit infuses the Ro- The first club in Lithuania, the Rotary tary Club of Lituanica International, a Part of that vision is an interest in Club of Kaunas, was chartered in 1934. collective of locals and expatriates fo- global affairs. Members of the Rotary cused on strengthening relationships Club of Lituanica International have The club is also almost evenly split beyond borders. either lived abroad or are responsible between men and women — no small for international activities as part of feat in a country where such organiza- Rotarians in Lithuania got their own their work. “That gives us a very differ- tions tend to be male-dominated. “We district — 1462 — in 2014. Three years ent mindset and a healthy tolerance and have very strong women in the club,” later, at the district conference, they openness to new ideas,” Trimbel says. At- says Trimbel, who is currently serving were asked to envision a time when tendance is not mandatory, but English as District 1462’s first woman governor. there would be so many clubs in the fluency is. While about four-fifths of the “They are leaders in their fields. And we country that they would need a second members are Lithuanian, many chose the have very strong men who are not afraid district. “Everyone said, ‘Aw, we just club in order to hone their language skills. of very strong women.” got our independent district,’ ” Vikto- rija Trimbel recalls. But for her, it was a The club is also breaking down barri- Because Lithuania spent 40 years as “eureka moment.” ers by making a point to include people part of the Soviet Union, Trimbel says, with different backgrounds and abili- many people, even other Rotarians, “still Trimbel, a corporate governance ex- ties. Donatas Počešiūnas, an architect think that we are poor and need financial pert and digital entrepreneur, suggested and designer who studied in Germany donations from abroad. But we say that to members of her club, the Rotary Club and the United States and who is hard by helping others, you can better appre- of Vilnius International, that they start a of hearing, says the club’s welcoming at- ciate what you already have.” The aim, mosphere is what drew him in. “I love this she adds, is for Rotarians in Lithuania to club because they want to learn from me be more active in serving communities and improve the club to make it an inclu- outside their country as well as within it. sive and innovative community,” he says. 56 ROTARY OCTOBER 2020
Berta Tilmantaite The club also focuses on up-and- believe we as Rotarians can give these our areas of interest. The project has to comers: In addition to participating in kids a more interesting experience” as have an international element or bring Rotary Youth Exchange — it has already they set goals that range from “baking in some foreign know-how. We are more sent a student to Brazil and hosted an- a three-layer cake to landing a plane to focused on projects involved in developing other from that country — the club getting your photo in a magazine.” skills. We want to help those who are facilitates the Duke of Edinburgh’s In- helping others.” ternational Award, a career and skills The club provides financial support development program for people ages 14 to Sidabrinė Linija, or Silver Line, a tele- The club’s nimbleness, coupled with to 24 that Trimbel describes as a men- phone support service that helps elderly a desire to keep pace with Rotary peers toring program. “Traditionally this is run people overcome social isolation. Marius outside Lithuania, keeps members highly in schools by teachers,” she notes. “We Čiuželis, the club member who founded engaged. “We are the club that appreciates the organization in 2016, says that it and builds on differences,” Trimbel says. “We have very strong serves a vast need. “Lithuania has more “Our motto is ‘Bring the world into your women in the club. than half a million people age 60 or over, bubble.’ People are living in their own little And we have very and our population has been aging at social bubble and don’t understand people strong men who are almost the fastest pace in the whole Eu- in other social bubbles. We want to be not afraid of very ropean Union,” says Čiuželis, who notes open to the world.” —brad webber strong women.” that more than 450 volunteers made nearly 10,000 calls, logging about 3,500 Lituanica International club members hours, between January and April. (from left) Donatas Počešiūnas; Jurgita Butkevičienė, club president; Viktorija When it comes to selecting projects, Trimbel, governor of District 1462; Mingailė Trimbel says: “We have to know each Subačiūtė; and Marius Čiuželis. other as a team, know our strengths, OCTOBER 2020 ROTARY 57
OUR CLUBS IN BRIEF one of the goals of Rotary’s Action Plan. vulnerable populations, and in building a “We are putting that plan into action safer, healthier, and more peaceful world,” Rotarians Guterres said. connect at virtual out of necessity,” Maloney said. “We all have a better understanding of growing Ro- A panel of global health experts dis- convention tary by extending our reach beyond regular cussed how the polio eradication infra- meetings. Now we are experiencing in real structure has helped communities tackle Rotary’s first virtual convention, held time how important it is to create new club the needs that have emerged from the 20-26 June, attracted more than 60,000 experiences.” COVID-19 crisis. (Read the conversation registrants and 175,000 viewers. The ro- on page 44.) bust participation demonstrated Rotary At the second general session, 2020-21 members’ eagerness to connect with one RI President Holger Knaack echoed these Virtual breakout sessions covered top- another amid the COVID-19 pandemic, sentiments. ics such as engaging with members online, which had forced the cancellation of the planning environmentally friendly events, annual in-person convention planned for “Let us seize this moment and value it and using digital trends to attract millenni- Honolulu, Hawaii. for what it is: an opportunity for Rotary to als to Rotary. Nearly 40 additional break- build on what we’ve learned, to embrace out sessions were held throughout July. During the first general session, 2019- this new reality, to embrace new faces, to 20 RI President Mark Daniel Maloney said find new and better ways to shine, and to Despite the change in format, the con- he was inspired by how members world- have a continuing impact on the world,” vention did not lack for entertainment. Par- wide had stayed connected, adapted to Knaack said. ticipants enjoyed performances by Austra- their changing circumstances, and helped lian pop-opera quartet ARIA and Hawaiian those in need during the crisis. A number of world leaders and rep- ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro. resentatives from partner organizations Maloney acknowledged that the pan- spoke about the need to help one another Experience the entire virtual conven- demic had challenged Rotary to find new through the pandemic. In a video address, tion at convention.rotary.org. ways to adapt and grow. He pointed out United Nations Secretary-General António that “increase our ability to adapt” is Guterres said that the people of the world must work together to find solutions to the problems that are weakening our societies. “Your [Rotary’s] efforts have made a significant difference — in eradicating po- lio, in strengthening communities around the globe, in alleviating the suffering of IN BRIEF Mark Daniel Maloney, 2019-20 RI presi- Costa,” said 2017-18 RI President Ian H.S. Rotary International dent, said that during his Rotary travels, Riseley, chair of the Environmental Issues The environment he met many Rotarians and Rotaractors Task Force, which championed the new becomes who advocated for the environment as an area of focus. area of focus. “I believe strongly that our new Rotary Rotary Foundation programs now have a “As a lifelong environmentalist, I’m de- area of focus valuable added dimension to our efforts,” lighted that our great organization has rec- Maloney said. ognized that the environment is a worthy In June, The Rotary Foundation Trust- and appropriate destination for our project ees and the Rotary International Board As the global population approaches activity,” Riseley said. “This is an exciting of Directors unanimously approved the 8 billion, protecting the environment is in- moment in Rotary history.” addition of a new area of focus for our creasingly important, said 2019-20 Foun- organization: the environment. dation Trustee Chair Gary C.K. Huang. The environment is Rotary’s seventh “It is time for us to use our collective re- area of focus and the first one to be added More than $18 million in global grant sources to invest in a smart and efficient since the global grant model launched in funding has been allocated to environ- way to protect our environment,” he said. 2013. It joins peacebuilding and conflict ment-related projects in other areas of fo- “We are qualified to take on this initiative prevention; disease prevention and treat- cus over the past five years. The creation of because we are a global group of problem ment; water, sanitation, and hygiene; ma- a distinct area of focus to support the en- solvers with diversified talents.” ternal and child health; basic education vironment will give Rotary members even and literacy; and community economic more ways to increase the organization’s In 1990-91, RI President Paulo V.C. development. impact and bring about positive change. Costa made the environment one of his primary causes, creating the Preserve Global grant applications for projects Planet Earth Committee, which looked in the new area of focus will be accepted at opportunities for clubs and members beginning 1 July 2021. Gifts and com- to conduct environmental projects. “We mitments from Rotarians and others are have finally caught up to [the vision of] being sought to provide funding for this new area. 58 ROTARY OCTOBER 2020
TRUSTEE CHAIR’S MESSAGE SERVICE ABOVE SELF Celebrate World Polio Day THE OBJECT OF ROTARY with a donation The Object of Rotary is to encourage In the early 1990s, polio was still a Obstacles can seem insurmountable and foster the ideal of service as a concern in my country. As the Sri Lanka until we overcome them. basis of worthy enterprise and, in PolioPlus Committee chair, I was part particular, to encourage and foster: of a task force of Rotarians, government In March 2020, the polio program officials, and UNICEF representatives made the tough decision to temporarily First The development of that drove all polio eradication efforts, suspend polio immunizations while the acquaintance as an opportunity for including National Immunization Days polio infrastructure that Rotary members service; (NIDs). had helped build was used for COVID-19 response. But with the wild poliovirus Second High ethical standards But those were difficult days; civil war now banished from the African region in business and professions, the was raging in Sri Lanka. The government and circulating in just two remaining recognition of the worthiness said NIDs could happen only outside countries, we continue to move forward. of all useful occupations, and conflict zones. This meant one-third of the Our history shows that we can overcome the dignifying of each Rotarian’s country’s children would not be vaccinated even the most difficult situations. But we occupation as an opportunity to — an unacceptable proposition. can’t do it without your help. serve society; Rotary stepped in with UNICEF World Polio Day is 24 October, and it’s Third The application of the ideal of to engineer a cease-fire. Establishing the greatest opportunity we have to raise service in each Rotarian’s personal, contact with one of the world’s most funds and awareness for Rotary’s polio business, and community life; feared and elusive rebel leaders was not eradication efforts. Visit endpolio.org/ easy, and we were careful to maintain worldpolioday to get tools for planning Fourth The advancement of Rotary’s good name during negotiations. virtual events and fundraisers, and to international understanding, register your club’s event. goodwill, and peace through a A few weeks later, my secretary world fellowship of business and delivered a letter to my office, her hands Please consider making a donation to professional persons united in the shaking. Signed by the rebel leader End Polio Now, to be matched 2-to-1 by ideal of service. himself, it read: “Dear Mr. Ravindran: If the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In you can persuade your government to stop the face of a pandemic, there is a serious THE FOUR-WAY TEST the war for two days, then we are willing to risk of further spread of polio. Your lay down our guns for two days too, for our support is more important than ever, and Of the things we think, say, or do: war is not with children.” it will ensure that together we can tackle the remaining obstacles and achieve a 1. Is it the truth? Soon the NID was on, and vehicles polio-free world. 2. Is it fair to all concerned? bearing the Rotary emblem traveled to the 3. Will it build goodwill and better vaccination booths in the areas occupied K.R. RAVINDRAN by insurgents, receiving the same respect friendships? and courtesy as the Red Cross. Foundation trustee chair 4. Will it be beneficial to all Illustration by Luke Wilson concerned? ROTARIAN CODE OF CONDUCT The following code of conduct has been adopted for the use of Rotarians: As a Rotarian, I will 1. Act with integrity and high ethical standards in my personal and professional life 2. Deal fairly with others and treat them and their occupations with respect 3. Use my professional skills through Rotary to: mentor young people, help those with special needs, and improve people’s quality of life in my community and in the world 4. Avoid behavior that reflects adversely on Rotary or other Rotarians 5. Help maintain a harassment-free environment in Rotary meetings, events, and activities, report any suspected harassment, and help ensure non-retaliation to those individuals that report harassment. OCTOBER 2020 ROTARY 59
OUR CLUBS the Rotarians choose the students who will go on exchange. When Rotarians host educational events for outbound students, we are there as well, to tell about our own experiences. And after the students come back home, we send them an email to in- vite them to join. Rotex is a good way to give back after a really good experience. FOUR QUESTIONS 3 How else do you work with Rotarians? Network news Rotarians ask us to help with many local Rotary Youth Exchange events. In After returning home, many Rotary Youth Exchange students Finland, we help organize language and miss their lives abroad. Rotex helps fill the gap culture camps that are held at the begin- ning of an exchange. There are always 10 Riikka Muje had a fantastic time when yet to be founded or chartered with Ro- to 15 Rotex members who work as camp she lived in Brittany, France, in 2011-12 tary International. leaders. When Rotarians in Finland host as a Rotary Youth Exchange student. “At tours for Youth Exchange students — the the beginning it was hard,” she recalls. Rotex alumni associations have orga- EuroTour or Lapland tour, for example — “I didn’t speak the language. I didn’t know nized four international conventions in dif- they also invite us to help with organiza- anyone. But then it’s amazing how you can ferent host cities. We founded Rotex Inter- tion and practical things. We do smaller form a life in another place.” national (rotex.org) fouryears ago to spread Rotex events as well, every month or two awareness about Rotex. We have five board by district. We help promote exchanges After her exchange, adjusting back members from different countries.And last by visiting schools and doing social me- to life in her hometown of Rovaniemi, year, Rotex International was chartered as dia campaigns. And in some countries, Finland, was just as hard — until she a Rotary alumni association, which gave such as Germany and the United States, joined a Rotex alumni association, Rotex us official standing in the Rotary family. Rotex members do fundraising events. for short. Rotex alumni associations are As president of Rotex Finland, I also take groups of Rotary Youth Exchange alumni 2 What’s the role of Rotex in Rotary part in Finnish Youth Exchange meetings who act as intermediaries between Rotar- Youth Exchange? to provide a youth opinion as they devel- ians and Youth Exchange students. They In Finland, when someone applies for op their programs. provide mentoring and organize events Rotary Youth Exchange, the Rotex mem- with exchange students in their home bers are there for the interviews to help 4 Why did you join Rotex? country as a way to give back and keep I had a good Rotary Youth Exchange their international connections alive. “Rotex gives you a experience in France, and when I got chance to continue back I felt so empty. Rotex gives you a Now Muje is a fifth-year medical student chance to continue interacting with people at the University of Turku and president of interacting with from other countries, and to get to know Rotex Finland, which has more than 80 people from other people who have had the same experience members across the country’s five districts. countries, and to get as you. It helps you readapt to your old life, to know people who which can be surprisingly difficult. 1 Are Rotex clubs everywhere? have had the same It depends on the area. In Germany, experience as you.” I joined Rotex in my hometown of Taiwan, Brazil, and Finland, for ex- Rovaniemi, which is in the north of Fin- ample, Rotex is well established. There land, on the Arctic Circle. When I moved are other places where it is just getting to Turku in the south to attend university, started. And there are some countries I didn’t know people outside of those I met where Rotex alumni associations have at school. Rotex has helped me to make friends who do things in life other than medicine. I think that’s really valuable. — diana schoberg Reconnect Week is 5-11 October. Each year, all around the world, Rotary members and alumni of programs such as Rotary Youth Exchange, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, and Interact share their experiences, network with one another, and participate in projects together. Find out more at on.rotary.org/reconnectweek. 60 ROTARY OCTOBER 2020 Illustration by Viktor Miller Gausa
TAIPEI CONVENTION ShSuhtuttetresrtsotcokc.kc.ocomm Midnight snacks When the sun goes down in has been in operation for near the Taipei 101 tower is less spring onion pancakes, pan- Taipei, the shopping begins: more than a century and frequented by tourists. All the fried dumplings, and grilled The city’s night markets is perhaps the city’s most markets are less crowded and sausages, of which there is an come to life on sidewalks and famous (and busiest). Visit touristy on weeknights than on overwhelming variety. Stinky streets, where vendors set up the nearby National Palace weekends. tofu lives up to its name, but stalls for a night of buying, Museum and then head to the deep-fried and served with selling, eating, and drinking. market, which gets started Have a light dinner (or garlic sauce, it’s delicious. Or Some streets are lined with in the late afternoon. There none at all) before you visit you might decide to slurp awnings that unfurl every are outdoor food stalls at the a night market so you’ll have up noodles with a choice of evening. When you’re in Shilin market near the Jiantan room to sample the delights sauces. — hank sartin Taipei for the 2021 Rotary metro station; other goods are of Taiwanese street food. Try International Convention, on offer near Yangming Plaza. 12-16 June, make time to Another famous destination Learn more and register at convention.rotary.org. experience this lively slice is the Linjiang Street Night of Taipei’s everyday life. Or Market — also known as the should we say everynight life? Tonghua Street Night Market — which despite its location The Shilin Night Market CROSSWORD ACROSS 54 The Time Machine 13 “To ...” poem 1 More opposite group 21 Blue, perhaps Many 5 Barbershop 22 Like old happy returns 55 In a different sound manner audiobooks By Victor Fleming 9 Rodeo rope 26 —– cava Rotary Club of Little Rock, Arkansas 14 Jai —– 56 Those French 15 Sugar type women? (major vessel) 16 Like a lob shot 27 Aims 17 Mud component 57 Entity officially 32 Stand for a 18 Latin trio member formed on 24 19 Really hot October 1945 hot pot 20 Start of concern 34 Dosage 60 Ice grabber of 57-Across 62 Cyan relative unit 23 Sally Field film —– 63 100% 35 Archipelago 64 Have words Rae 65 Skin designs, unit 36 Good buy 24 1982 Disney film casually 37 Obtain by 25 Narthex abutter 66 Deuce follower 28 Stellar 67 Breakfast fare cadging 29 “Not another 68 Double Stuf 39 Heel style 43 Depleting step!” cookie 44 Affectionate 30 Verdon or 69 Actor response Stefani Jerry Van —– 46 Chopper’s 31 Vet’s patient 33 Part 2 of DOWN destination 1 Bill of —– 49 House concern 2 Romance novelist 35 Airline check-in counterpart Glyn 51 Uncertain needs, briefly 3 Dramatist Jean- 52 Dramatist 38 E.R. workers 40 Hydrotherapy Paul Ibsen 4 Web surfer’s aid 53 Ancient Jewish locale 5 Analyze 41 Methane or 6 “Broadway Joe” ascetic 7 Ensnared 58 “Aha” ethane 8 Leafstalks 59 “Not only that ...” 42 End of concern 9 Past participle 60 Half of a mint 45 Book after Gal. 47 Ulrich or that’s an anagram that’s two-thirds of NAIL of a grid game von Trier 10 Adapt musically 61 “Bobby Hockey” 48 Strives for 11 Knave 12 Actor’s workplace Solution on page 10 superiority 50 Café con —– OCTOBER 2020 ROTARY 61
OUR CLUBS TRIBUTE of a completed 3-H project. In 1978, in anticipation of Rotary’s 75th anniversary An extraordinary gentleman in 1980, a special fund was set up for new projects. From that fund, the first 3-H grant Remembering 1978-79 Rotary International of $760,000 funded the purchase of enough President Sir Clem Renouf polio vaccine for 6 million children in the Philippines. This first 3-H effort, to immu- By Cliff Dochterman nize the children of that country against polio, was successful, and the potential of With the death of Sir Clem Renouf in ment. Until then, clubs had focused pri- 3-H grants was recognized throughout the June, Rotary lost a quiet and gentle mem- marily on their own communities. Although Rotary world. ber who was also known for his dynamic Rotary had a history of some international and creative leadership. As Rotary Inter- service work, Clem’s creative vision for the Clem consulted with medical authorities, national’s 1978-79 president, Clem chose new Health, Hunger and Humanity (3-H) including John Sever, chief of the infectious as his theme Reach Out. By that he meant Grants program was to take on a variety of diseases branch of the National Institute we should reach out across our desks to humanitarian activities around the world. of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, U.S. our customers, employees, colleagues, and The 3-H program ultimately led to the National Institutes of Health (and gover- competitors; across a room to share our adoption of Rotary’s PolioPlus initiative. nor of District 7620 during Clem’s year as enthusiasm for Rotary with friends; across Rotary president), who assured him that a street to find and meet urgent needs in When Clem announced the concept of polio immunization was a worthy and chal- our communities; and across the world to 3-H grants, which encouraged clubs and lenging program for Rotary to undertake. create a climate of understanding and trust. districts to work together on large inter- Thus the stage was set for launching, over national projects, the idea was met with the next several years, Rotary’s PolioPlus A charter member of the Rotary Club of substantial objection from many Rotary program to immunize all the children of Nambour, Australia — he joined in 1949 — leaders who believed the primary task of a the world, and the Global Polio Eradica- Clem could be described as the president Rotary club was to address the needs of its tion Initiative, a partnership with the World who launched the Rotary clubs of the world local community. To stem the tide of disap- Health Organization, U.S. Centers for Dis- into a mission of international achieve- proval, it was necessary to show the value ease Control and Prevention, and UNICEF. Since then, polio has been eradicated from 145 countries and territories, leaving only Rotary International two countries where the virus is endemic. During World War II, Clem served in the Royal Australian Air Force. In his profes- sional life, he was an accountant and part- ner of his own firm as well as an associate of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and Administrators. He also was a fellow of the Australian Society of CPAs, later called CPA Australia. Although Clem could easily be identified as a “citizen of the world,” his children and extended family were always his top prior- ity. His son, Noel, and his daughter, Judy, brought great pleasure to his life, especially after the death of his wife, June, in 1993. He married Firth in 1994 and many joint family relationships were created. Clem enjoyed hearing or telling an amusing story and brought much joy into the lives of friends and family. During his 70 years as a Rotarian, Clem frequently commented that “Rotary takes ordinary people and enables them to do extraordinary projects.” Sir Clem Renouf encouraged ordinary Rotarians to perform extraordinary service that will be remem- bered and continued for years to come. Cliff Dochterman served as 1992-93 president of Rotary International. 62 ROTARY SEPTEMBER 2020
LEGACY “Clem,” Pedrick replied, “there are thousands of Rotarians out there willing to An ambitious idea serve, if they can be given the opportunity.” On the strength of Sir Clem Renouf’s vision, With that conversation in mind, Renouf Rotary took on the fight against polio arrived a few days later at Rotary head- quarters in Evanston for a meeting of the As befit a former pilot, some of Sir Clem conversation, Renouf recalled, would be RI Board of Directors. The agenda included Renouf’s best ideas came to him while air- the “catalyst” for all that followed. a presentation about Rotary’s possible ad- borne. In February 1978, while flying from vocacy for mass immunizations worldwide Las Vegas to Tulsa with Mike Pedrick, a “I told [Pedrick] I’d like to be able to to protect children against communicable past district governor from Oklahoma, Re- give practical expression to the theme for diseases, and a discussion of potential nouf looked to the future. He would begin the year — Reach Out — in some program projects to commemorate Rotary’s 75th his term as Rotary International’s president that would involve large numbers of Ro- anniversary in 1980. in July, and Pedrick wondered what Renouf tary volunteers working in developing had planned for his presidential year. That countries on projects to improve the lot Following the discussion, Renouf of the disadvantaged.” worked past midnight on a proposal that would shape Rotary’s future. Presented Andrew Esiebo to the Board the next day, his idea laid the foundation for what would become the Health, Hunger and Humanity (3-H) Grants program, Rotary’s first foray into creating a fund to support projects on a global scale. But what would be its primary focus? In April 1979, while traveling on Rotary business, Renouf saw two guided-missile frigates that had been built in the United States for the Australian navy. They were each budgeted at about $100 million. What, he wondered, could Rotary do with that kind of money? On his flight back to Chicago, Renouf picked up a copy of Read- er’s Digest and read that the World Health Organization had eradicated smallpox — at a cost of about $100 million. Once on the ground, Renouf tele- phoned John Sever, the Rotary district governor who was an infectious dis- eases expert at the U.S. National Insti- tutes of Health outside Washington, D.C. Renouf asked him which single disease the 3-H program should aim to eradicate. In a May 1979 letter, Sever gave Renouf his response: “If a single vaccine were to be selected for the 3-H program, I would rec- ommend poliomyelitis.” As Renouf later wrote, “It was that recommendation, and the Board’s subsequent endorsement of it, which marked the beginning of PolioPlus.” Sir Clement William Bailey Renouf died 11 June 2020. He was 99. At his fu- neral, Renouf ’s stepdaughter Rosemary bade him farewell with a quote from his favorite author, William Shakespeare: “Good night, sweet prince. And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.” — geoffrey johnson Be a part of Sir Clem’s legacy. Make a donation at endpolio.org/donate. OCTOBER 2020 ROTARY 63
FOUN Talk of the town Aminu Muhammad describes what polio immunizers take into the eld Aminu THE MEGAPHONE: In Nigeria, we have town When we run supplementary to health camps or vaccination Muhammad immunization activities, the teams stations in remote communities. criers. If someone has a baby, they going door to door give children the Each vaccine carrier holds four ice National announce the name. If there is a oral polio vaccine and tell mothers packs, one on each side, and you coordinator community meeting, they announce where to take their children to place the vaccine in the middle. for Rotary’s that. We engage the town criers to receive these other vaccines. When teams go house to house, PolioPlus let people know when vaccination they carry the vaccines in smaller program in teams are coming to places that THE VACCINE CARRIER: The oral polio vaccine bags that hold two ice packs. Nigeria and radio and TV don’t reach. member of the must be kept between 35 and 46 THE MASK: Because of COVID-19, we Rotary Club of THE VACCINES: Injectable vaccines such as degrees Fahrenheit. Carriers like Abuja Downtown this one are used to transport vac- carry masks and hand sanitizer. The those for measles and yellow fever cines from health facilities, where gloves are part of our normal PPE are only given at health facilities or they are kept in refrigerators, [personal protective equipment]. at temporary vaccination stations. 64 ROTARY OCTOBER 2020 Photography by Andrew Esiebo
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FEEL THE ENERGY WHEN THE NIGHT COMES TO LIFE Taipei, Taiwan 12-16 June convention.rotary.org #Rotary21
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