President Sukuji Tanaka’s Presidential citation calls for clubs to complete a project that calls attention to the organization’s annual theme – Peace Through Service.
So what are clubs doing?
Here is just a sampling.
- Sedalia Rotary club is considering establishing a peace pole, at the city park or on the Missouri State Fairgrounds, that would include the word “peace” in the languages of the RYE students we have hosted in the past. The design would include space so that future RYE students could add “peace” in their languages as well.
- The Rotary Club of Springfield seeks to promote peace in the community by supporting resources and services for the homeless teenagers in the community through the charitable organization Rare Breed –a homeless shelter for youth. Contributions to Rare Breed’s nutrition and literacy programs are envisioned.
- Springfield North Rotary is working with Robberson Elementary to provide 10 international flags to enhance the school’s cafeteria and generate international awareness. The flags were selected to illustrate the personal histories of students attending Robberson, and they represent the nations of Kenya, Germany, New Zealand, El Salvador, Russia, Guam, Mexico, Micronesia, United Kingdom and Brazil.
- All five Rotary Clubs in Columbia are promoting a public screening of the recently released documentary “Battle Within,” the story of African-American educator Elliot Battle, who worked diligently and respectfully, during the 1950s and ‘60s, to desegregate Columbia, Missouri’s public schools. A moderated discussion of the film will follow, in which it is hoped one of the film’s central themes will be highlighted – That differences of opinion can be resolved through non-violent means.
So that’s a brief summary of the great projects going on in YOUR Rotary District 6080.
Congratulations to all the great ideas, and for bringing them to fruition!
Mark Pearce
Governor 2012-13
Rotary District 6080