Snowboarding vs Cross Country skiing at RI
On Monday the Plenary Session (now called General Session) began with an introduction by Carl Wilhelm Stenhammar about the new road Rotary needs to take, mainly by inviting younger members to join our agining clubs.
I nearly tuned out since this is of course not at all the case with our own club! Okay, I'm just kidding, but his point was well made, comparing us to the recent winter Olympics where the 'old guard' was involved in cross country skiing. This is a difficult and labour intensive activity, not unlike projects in which Rotary Clubs become involved. However, virtually no one was watching. Maybe just a few at the finish line.
On the other hand, there were the snowboarders. Their events were sold out. He challenged us to become more like snowboarders and less like cross country skiiers.
The next hour would grab my heart and squeeze it dry.
Sister Ethel Normoyle spoke to us about Missionvale in Africa, where she is the current director and where she has worked "since arriving at the young age of 43, 19 years ago". She is a tiny and very beautiful Irish woman who still charms with the lilt in her voice and her impeccably coiffured grey hair. She told us of how she gathered children to teach when she arrived and having nowhere to meet, they met under the shade of large leafy tree. The tree is still standing and many of her students have blossomed under her tutelage. A nurse by profession, they would let her treat their maggot-infested cuts after she gained their trust.
Today, while many have benefitted from her teaching and nurturing, the need is just as dire as it was 19 years ago. Literacy remains her main focus and she spoke passionately about how literacy is the ticket out of poverty.
I was too involved in listening to her to take notes, but more than once I caught glimpses of other people wiping their eyes so I know I wasn't the only one touched. She received a standing ovation at the conclusion of her presentation which I hope warmed her heard as much as thed $10,000 cheque from Mr. Stenhammar.
I nearly tuned out since this is of course not at all the case with our own club! Okay, I'm just kidding, but his point was well made, comparing us to the recent winter Olympics where the 'old guard' was involved in cross country skiing. This is a difficult and labour intensive activity, not unlike projects in which Rotary Clubs become involved. However, virtually no one was watching. Maybe just a few at the finish line.
On the other hand, there were the snowboarders. Their events were sold out. He challenged us to become more like snowboarders and less like cross country skiiers.
The next hour would grab my heart and squeeze it dry.
Sister Ethel Normoyle spoke to us about Missionvale in Africa, where she is the current director and where she has worked "since arriving at the young age of 43, 19 years ago". She is a tiny and very beautiful Irish woman who still charms with the lilt in her voice and her impeccably coiffured grey hair. She told us of how she gathered children to teach when she arrived and having nowhere to meet, they met under the shade of large leafy tree. The tree is still standing and many of her students have blossomed under her tutelage. A nurse by profession, they would let her treat their maggot-infested cuts after she gained their trust.
Today, while many have benefitted from her teaching and nurturing, the need is just as dire as it was 19 years ago. Literacy remains her main focus and she spoke passionately about how literacy is the ticket out of poverty.
I was too involved in listening to her to take notes, but more than once I caught glimpses of other people wiping their eyes so I know I wasn't the only one touched. She received a standing ovation at the conclusion of her presentation which I hope warmed her heard as much as thed $10,000 cheque from Mr. Stenhammar.
Comments