Rotary International Theme 2020-2021	THE ROWEL Rotary Club of Durham		Rotary International President: Holger Knaack Rotary District 5160 Governor: Mark Roberts Durham Rotary President: Jen Liu _____________ Editor: Phil Price Publisher:  Jen Liu
	March 9, 2021	The  2021 Harvest Festival scheduled for Sunday, September 19, 2021.

This was our twenty-fifth Zoom meeting.  There were 17 members present, although that number varied during the meeting.  We also had two Students of the Month present as well the principal of Durham High School, who was our program tonight. President Jen Liu, having returned from Taiwan, opened the meeting.   He then asked Eric Hoiland to lead the pledge, which he did.  Following that he asked Jim Patterson to give the invocation, which he did.

FUTURE MEETINGS:

All meetings at BCCC are cancelled until further notice.  But there will be meetings on Zoom as follows:   March 23rd:   Mike Crump will present Tod Kimmelshue, 4th District Supervisor   April 6th:   Steven Heithecker will present John Dwyer, Dist. 5160 Foundation Chair   April 20th:    Phil Price   May 4th:  Dave Jessen   May 18th:  Roy Ellis   June 1st:  Steve Plume   June 15th:  Larry Bradley   June 29th:  The Demotion

 

 

  The Meeting

 

Steve Plume reported that we had now received $4,105 (if I heard right) contributed for a Clint Goss scholarship.  Those who want to donate to this scholarship should send their check to Durham Rotary, P.O. Box 283, Durham, California 95958, with a note on the memo line that it is for the Clint Goss scholarship.

Steve also reported that the Club has $48,000 in the bank, but $8,000 is committed to the Putney Drive project.  There is $32,500 in the Durham Rotary Club Foundation account, only $27,100 is available due to commitments.

The issue was raised about our annual donation to Sober Grad Night.  Larry Bradley moved that we donate $1,500, which is our usual donation, although we have donated more.  The motion was seconded and passed vote of the Club.

President Jen reported that we were contacted by the Durham Exchange Club about lending traffic direction assistance to the Mother’s Day parade.  Mike Crump, Steve Heithecker, Larry Bradley, Eric Hoiland and Jen Liu volunteered.

Mike Crump reported that the County is moving ahead with the Putney Drive project, but they want to substantially enlarge the project by adding the resurfacing of the Durham-Dayton Highway from the Midway to Aguas Frias Road.

Program

Kelly Lotti introduced Robbin Pedrett, Principal of Durham High School.  She talked about how they are teaching with the limitations imposed by the Covid-19.  On March 13, 2020 they were notified to close the school.  They went to on-line teaching.  Graduation was a drive through graduation.  By October 8, 2020 they were permitted to return to a hybrid operation in which half of the students came to school two days a week and the other half two other days a week.  On-line distance learning continued the other days.  The new semester began January 25, 2021 and on March 1, 2021 the students were permitted to return to classrooms in which the desks were placed 4 feet apart and had Plexiglas around three sides of the desk.  See the photos below.

 

 

 

Due to lack of space, with desks separated, they have had to move desks into the library, but they are 6 feet apart because they do not have plastic surrounds.  See below.

 

 

The band has had a real problem, because they cannot play any wind instrument, since that spreads the horn blower’s breath.  So the horn blowers have had to learn a new instrument, such as a xylophone. 

 

Next District Grant Project

As previously reported Kelly Lotti, Steve Heithecker, Dave Jessen and Larry Bradley attended Rotary District 5160's Virtual Rotary Foundation Training Day event February 20, 2021.  They have been appointed by President Jen as a committee to come up with a Grant project for Eric Hoiland’s year as president, and prepare the grand application.

Students of the Month

Larry Bradley introduced Durham High School Student Councilor and Interact adviser, Colleen Coutts, who was present with our two Student of the Month for September and October.  They were Liam Parrott and Kylie Jones.  In view of the limitations of a Zoom meeting they were not actually presented with their plaques.  Each did talk a little about themselves and their plans for the future.

Colleen also talked about the annual Rise Against Hunger project and how we were going to do it this year.  A date must be picked and we will probably do it outside.

Next Meeting

The next meeting will be on March 23, 2021.  Mike Crump will present Tod Kimmelshue, 4^th District Supervisor.

 

Report and Announcement

 

From the District Governor

 

Greetings!

While we observe the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying lockdown, we are excited about the increasing availability of vaccines this spring and the hope that we can resume in-person meetings and hands-on service projects in the not-too-distant future. THANKS to all District 5160 members and clubs for keeping the Rotary faith during the past challenging year!

Many clubs have expressed an interest in helping support vaccination efforts in their communities. Ways you can help vary from county to county. Assistant Governors have been trying to get info from the county public health agencies in their areas. Please check with your AG to find out what they’ve learned.

Take-out and drive-through dinners have become popular fundraising events for a number of clubs in our district. These events not only produce revenue for club projects, they also really help restaurants that have been struggling for customers and income during the past year. The Moraga club has held three very successful take-out dinner events with local restaurants. (Claire and I have enjoyed all of them!) Moraga Club President Brian South – south@moraga.ca.us -- would be happy to share tips and “how to” info with you.

Have you been keeping all your club members connected with each other and Rotary? I know it’s been a challenge since some members miss in-person meetings and events – and just plain don’t like Zoom! Even if you’ve tried your best to get them to try Zoom, please make sure you keep them connected with e-newsletters or good old phone calls. We don’t want to lose these Rotarians – and we want to let them know that we’re working our way back to “normal.”

That “normal” may continue to look a little different for a while. Please let me know if your club has tried Virtual/In-Person (aka hybrid) meetings or if you’re planning to do so. This is the kind of info I want to share with ALL clubs in the district. Thanks!

Finally, please be sure to register for the “All Aboard!” Virtual District Conference coming up on the weekend of April 30-May I look forward to welcoming you!

Mark Roberts

District 5160 Governor 2020-21

 

District Conference

2021 will be here faster than COVID testing at CVS. With the new year came hopes of a return to enjoying the company of our fellow Rotarians – in person!

But that will not be.  The District Governor has announced that, after a lot of research by District Conference Chair Arne Gustafson and other members of the planning committee, it was decided that the probability of being able to hold an in-person conference for 300+ people this spring in Sacramento were slim and none. So we’re converting our ALL ABOARD! Conference to a virtual format but on the original weekend: April 30-May 2. Folks who made their reservation with a $20 payment are all set – and you too can register.   Just visit the district website, Rotary5160.org, scroll down the home page and click on Learn More to register. More info to follow!

 The Rotary Foundation Donations

When every Rotarian gives every year, no challenge is too great for us to make a difference. The minimum gift to The Rotary Foundation is $25.00.   An annual $100.00 gift is a sustaining member.  Once your donations accumulate to $1,000 you become a Paul Harris Fellow.

It is possible to learn more about The Rotary Foundation on the Rotary web site. 

Our Rotary Foundation Chairperson has been Jim Kirks for about 5 years (he cannot remember exactly how long).  After a meeting between Jim, Jen Liu and Steve Heithecker, Steve Heithecker has now been appointed our new Rotary Foundation Chairperson.  Congratulations and thanks were expressed to Jim for all his work in promoting donations to the Rotary Foundation.

Speaking of donations, your gift can be made online or by sending Steve Plume a check made out to The Rotary Foundation to Durham Rotary, P.O. Box 283, Durham, California 95958

Steve Heithecker wants to continue awarding an Honorary Paul Harris membership to a deserving person.  The Club has enough points that I will not cost the Club to do so.  Please let either him or Jen know who you would nominate to receive the Honorary membership. Steve is also working on awarding a Memorial Paul Harris Fellowship to Clint Goss.

Eric Hoiland had Paul Harris pins to present to two members.  One was a Paul Harris Fellow plus 2 to Steve Heitheckar.  The other was a Paul Harris Fellow plus 5 to Dave Jessen.  Actually, the pin was a little late because he is now a Paul Harris Fellow plus 7, having donated $8,000 to the Paul Harris Foundation.

Steve Heithecker’s quote for the night was from Arch Klumph, the founder of the Rotary Foundation.  Since we were discussing the Foundation, he thought it appropriate to give it now, and not wait to the end of the meeting.  Unfortunately, I could not hear it all but as close as I can get it was:

“We should not live for ourselves alone, but for the joy in doing well for others”.

Recognitions

 

There were no recognitions tonight.  Actually, there was no time for any.

Membership

 

When we have live meetings again, bring guests, who you think you can interest in becoming a member, to meetings.  Your dinner and your guest’s dinner will be paid for by the Club.  In the meantime, please invite Durham business owners and/or managers to one of our Zoom meetings.  Actually, you can promote membership by having a guest sit with you during one of our Zoom meetings.  Also, bring a guest to one of our occasional social gatherings in the Durham Park.

Conclusion

President Jen then closed the meeting.

__________________________________________________________________________________

From Rotary International
 

As we stand at the threshold of the third decade of the 21st century, imagine where we’re headed

In 1915, writing in Rotary magazine, Paul Harris remarked: “What Rotary will be 100 years hence, none living can imagine.”

More than a century later, there’s no need to imagine: Rotary has thrived. As we stand at the threshold of the third decade of the 21st century, we are imagining where we’re headed — and what to expect when we get there.

 

 

(This article in the News and Features section of Rotary International’s web page is a led in to five separate but related articles.  The first one on “Philanthropy”, the second one on “Water”, the third one on “Leadership” and the fourth one on “Environmentalism have been presented in prior Rowels.  Below is the fifth and last one which is on “Migration”.)

 

The challenges to migration paint a daunting picture for the future

Citizens can help shape migration by raising awareness, and with targeted programs

by Quentin Wodon

Migration has been at the core of people’s adaptation to their environment for millennia. But over the past few decades, as the world has globalized and urbanized, migration flows have greatly increased.

The United Nations estimates that the number of international migrants reached 272 million in 2019, an increase of 51 million since 2010. Internal migration is also at unprecedented levels and expected to continue to grow, typically from rural to urban areas. Today, 55 percent of the world’s population lives in urban areas. By 2050, this share is expected to increase to 68 percent.

Rotarians understand that to have the most impact, we need to learn from other cultures. As global grant scholars, that’s what we aim to do — during our studies, and afterward.

Migration has traditionally generated substantial benefits for individuals and families, whether they moved within their country or sought other opportunities abroad. In particular, money sent by migrants has been a key source of income for families back home, lifting tens of millions and possibly hundreds of millions of people out of poverty. Migration, even when fully voluntary, has not been without risks for migrants and their families. But on balance, it has often been a positive force for migrants, their families, and their communities.

In the future, the situation may well be different. The willingness of receiving areas to welcome migrants has been weakened because of a range of factors, including the perception that migrant flows, especially when substantial, may affect job opportunities for local residents. Whether this is the case is hotly debated in the academic literature and depends on local circumstances. But whatever the actual effects of migrant flows may be, these perceptions have contributed to more governments imposing restrictions on international immigration. There have been concerns about internal migration as well: Without appropriate policies and planning, the ability of cities, especially in low-income countries, to absorb new migrants may be more limited than in the past, with risks for social cohesion.

The dispossessed

At the end of 2019, the top source countries for displaced persons (in millions):

1. Syria: 6.6

2. Venezuela: 3.7

3. Afghanistan: 2.7

4. South Sudan: 2.2

5. Myanmar: 1.1

Source: United Nation’s High Commissioner for Refugees

Another major challenge is the rise in forced displacement. The latest global report by the UN’s High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that in 2019, 79.5 million people were forcibly displaced. That figure includes 26 million refugees, 45.7 million internally displaced persons (IDP), 4.2 million asylum seekers, and the nearly 4 million Venezuelans displaced abroad. This is a dramatic increase in forced displacement from the estimate of 41.1 million in 2010. Cumulatively, just over the past decade, 100 million people have been newly displaced (some have returned home since). Refugees, IDPs, and “other persons of concern” (to use the terminology of UNHCR) are among the most vulnerable individuals and families in the world. Unfortunately, their numbers are expected to increase further in the future, in part because of the impact of climate change.

The challenges that the world will face related to future migration, and especially forced displacement, will be daunting. This does not mean that they cannot be met. Governments and international development agencies can implement a range of policies to help manage migration flows and support growing cities. Targeted programs for migrants, especially for education, health, and social protection, also have a role to play. But in addition, ordinary citizens and civil society organizations, including Rotary clubs, can make a difference.

Rotarians can help in two ways. First, they can develop projects that support migrants, refugees, and IDPs. At the 2019 Rotary Day at the United Nations in New York, five Rotarians and a Rotary Peace Fellow were recognized for their work in this area. In Germany, Bernd Fischer aided the integration of Syrian refugee women by providing child care, job training and placement, and mentoring in their own language. In Bangladesh, Hasina Rahman supported Rohingya refugees through an outpatient therapeutic center. In Indonesia, Ace Robin led community efforts to respond to earthquakes through emergency support, temporary housing, and other services. In Turkey, Ilge Karancak-Splane helped Syrian refugees living in camps, initially providing shoes and socks, and later assisting with health and education. In Lebanon, Lucienne Heyworth works with refugees to provide education in emergencies. In Brazil, Vanderlei Lima Santana welcomed and cared for Venezuelan refugees. These individuals demonstrate how Rotarians and clubs can make a real difference on the ground.

A second role that Rotarians and their clubs can play is perhaps less salient, but no less important: It relates to raising awareness and serving as advocates. In many cases, the willingness of individuals and communities to welcome new migrants is challenged by common perceptions that an influx of migrants may have negative effects. In reality, the academic literature suggests that migrants often have positive effects on their new communities. Even when there are risks of negative effects, these can be managed. Rotarians and their clubs can educate themselves and others on these issues through simple means such as sharing a meal or a conversation with refugees, organizing a movie night to watch a great documentary, or providing a voice to refugees by enabling them to speak about their experiences at local Rotary club meetings and other venues. By learning from the refugees who live in our midst, we can help change minds and hearts — including our own.

The president of the Rotary Club of Washington Global, D.C., Quentin Wodon is a lead economist at the World Bank. He is spearheading the creation of a Rotary Action Group devoted to refugees, forced displacement, and migration.