4 Way Test:
Alfredo led the group in the Four-Way Test. Today we had 14 members present and one guest, Adriana Adame.
Rotary Moment:
Sonya told us about diversity in Rotary. The first Rotary Clubs in Asia were Manila in the Philippines and Shanghai in China, each in July 1919.
Rotary's office in Illinois immediately began encouraging the Rotary Club of Shanghai to recruit Chinese members “believing that when a considerable number of the native business and professional men have been so honoured, the Shanghai Club will begin to realize its period of greatest success.” As part of considering the application of a Club to be chartered in Kolkata (then Calcutta), India in January 1920 and Tokyo, Japan in October 1920, Rotary formally considered the issue of racial restriction in membership and determined that the organization could not allow racial restrictions to the organization's growth.
In Rotary's legislative deliberations in June 1921, it was formally determined that racial restrictions would not be permitted. Non-racialism was included in the terms of the standard constitution in 1922 and required to be adopted by all member Clubs.
Rotary and other service clubs in the last decade of the 20th century became open to gay members. Other minorities, in the face of general changes in demographics and declining membership, are also encouraged to join.
Announcements:
* On Saturday, December 9th from 9:00 AM to noon there will be a membership workshop entitled Priority #1 Plus. Sing up here:
https://www.crsadmin.com/EventPortal/registrations/publicfill/eventpublicfill.aspx?evtid=ee7c9d43-60d1-4b4b-9fee-faea5ff62f8d
* Our club's Christmas party will be at John Haley's house on December 9th, make sure you save the date!
* There will not be a meeting on December 27th, that is the only cancelled meeting this month.
* The Hoopathon will take place on April 28th, 2018, mark your calendars!
Guest Speaker:
Our guest speaker today was member John Haley, telling us about his once in a lifetime adventure trip to Africa.
Here are a few of the many exciting highlights of his presentation:
* He and Marni went off the beaten path to meet with several very interesting tribes that live in remote areas in Africa.
* One of the tribes they had contact with were the Himba people, The Himba are indigenous peoples with an estimated population of about 50,000 people living in northern Namibia. They are semi-nomadic.
* Himba women especially, as well as Himba men, are remarkably famous for covering themselves with otjize paste, a cosmetic mixture of butterfat and ochre pigment, to cleanse the skin over long periods due to water scarcity and protect themselves from the extremely hot and dry climate of the Kaokoland as well as against mosquito insect bites
* Another tribe they met with were the Maasai. The Maasai are a Nilotic ethnic group inhabiting southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. They are among the best known local populations due to their residence near the many game parks of the African Great Lakes, and their distinctive customs and dress.
Thought of the day:
“The only man I envy is the man who has not yet been to Africa – for he has so much to look forward to.” Richard Mullin
Next Speakers:
Nov 29 - Laura Track, Marijuana Legalization
Dec 6 - Tina Parbhakar, Uganda - child rights
Dec 13 - Business meeting. Club's AGM and Foundation.