President's Message

I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one in our club who has a stack of books on her nightstand. And another stack on the coffee table. And more than one bookcase in the hallway. And, okay, books in every room of my house.

Blame it on my mom. Or, rather, bless her for instilling in me the love of reading.

For those of you who keep track of such things, you know that March is a busy month. It's National Women's History Month, National Irish-American Heritage Month, Rotary Water & Sanitation Month, and it's National Reading Month. For me, every month holds that last title.

I remember my third grade teacher, Mrs. Slezak, reading Charlotte's Web aloud to us, with our heads down on our desks after lunch recess. And I remember the tears that found their way onto my hands as she read the end of the book. I remember reading that same book to my own children, and once again feeling tears on my cheeks. And watching my children realize that a book had made me - and them - feel such depth of emotion.

I was a little older than 8 before I could articulate how amazing books can be, how they can reach into our hearts, broaden our minds, and heighten our sensitivity as human beings. That realization is probably what led me to major in English, and to teach English to high school students for many years. As C.S. Lewis wrote, "We read to know that we are not alone." Literature connects us.

In an age of online books, media, news, and blogs, we have many choices for our reading material. We are fortunate to have a beautiful and inspiring library that is once again open for us to browse and find our next favorite book. Each month, we receive The Rotarian Magazine, which captures and showcases both the work that Rotarians do and the work that is still to be done. And of course, in our electronic devices, we can tap into just about everything ever written. We can read for relaxation, inspiration, and information.

Reading Rotarians has a nice ring to it. I encourage you to pick up a new "read" this month. Let me know where it takes you.

Philomena

-- Contributed by Jill Duerig

Rotary International’s mission is “Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create a lasting change - across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves.” To accomplish this, RI has had six Areas of Focus and is adding a seventh this year on July 1st:

• Promoting peace

• Fighting disease

• Providing clean water, sanitation and hygiene

• Saving mothers and children

• Supporting education

• Growing local economies

• Protecting the environment (new)

More information on each cause is available on the RI website. For many of us, this means we have an opportunity get involved in specific ways to improve the world that are consistent with our personal interests. For me, that means I joined the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Rotary Action Group a couple years ago. ("WASH RAG")

From that, I got involved in an ambitious program to bring potable water to everyone in Haiti, a country that has almost no functional water infrastructure and, as a result, finds that about half of its deaths every year are related to that lack of potable water. (The strategy is summarized on the Hanwash website - Haiti National Clean Water, Sanitation, & Hygiene Strategy.

Think of it – no running water, having to spend hours every day to obtain only a few gallons of any water regardless of quality in a bucket or other unclean container, no improved sanitation (even latrines are a luxury), girls missing school to take care of the family’s water needs, diseases spreading because people can’t even wash their hands, and so much more that’s unthinkable to those of us who live here in the United States.

In a lot of cases, international projects overlap several areas of focus. If running water can be brought to a school, students can learn about hygiene, can have actual bathrooms to separate the men from women so young women don’t have to stay home a week every month, educational opportunities can be enhanced, and the community improves on other levels with fewer hours spent dealing with water. Environmental enhancements related to watershed protection or restoration can improve the quality and availability of water, opening other opportunities for the community. There is so much to do and so many opportunities to help. Open your hearts and consider joining a Rotary Action Group that helps you pursue your passion.

Please join Inner Wheel of Livermore for an historic Livermore car rally. Get out of your homes and away from your computer screens to enjoy a day of exploration!

• Sunday, April 11. Registration at 1:00-1:30. Start times 1:30-2:00.
• The $25 entry fee (per vehicle) will benefit the Inner Wheel USA Myoelectric Limb Project for children.
• Social distancing and masks will be worn.
• Prizes will be awarded to the 3 best times. One prize per vehicle.
• To register in advance or for more information, please contact Ellen Bell at ebell4830@sbcglobal.net

Lots of outreach and opportunities are going on in clubs throughout District 5170. Here are some of the upcoming District events:

• March 5 - 7 -- Far West PETS (President-Elect Training Seminar) via Zoom
• Castro Valley Lunch Club Meeting - Jeff Teresi speaking on Preparing for your next breakthrough. Zoom link.
• Happy Hour with DG Gregg, March 29th
• Rotary Book Club - March 31 - Rita Marie Johnson, author of Completely Connected: Uniting Our Empathy and Insights for Extraordinary Results. Zoom Registration Link

Check out the latest & register for Zoom events using the Rotary District 5170 link below.

Throughout the Rotary year, Club Service Director Roy Porfido will invite each member to serve in a variety of roles that add depth and personality to our meetings. In addition to one member leading us in The Pledge of Allegiance at the start of each meeting, we also welcome club service in these positions:

Greeter: Our Zoom meetings start at 7:30 am. The Greeter logs in at 7:15 am and welcomes members and guests as they arrive at the meeting. This is a good time for fellowship and camaraderie.

Thought of the Day: This person selects an inspirational thought or comment, quote from a motivational speaker, or a personal thought to share as inspiration to the club. These thoughts should be non-religious and non-political in nature, and should apply to all members by raising consciousness and awareness that may assist us in our daily lives.

Song of the Day: The person designated for Song of the Day can select any song that has some meaning to them. Maybe a song your parents once sang to you. A song that inspired or made a difference in your life and meant something special to YOU. Let Philomena know your selection and she will cue up and play after you introduce the song and its significance.

Joke of the Day: Because we are a morning club, a GOOD Joke of the Day can be a great way to get us going in the morning. There is nothing like laughter to get those endorphins flowing and put us in a cheerful mood to start the day and perhaps carry us throughout the day. The only rule here is to be aware of your audience so, please, no off color, racial or jokes with sexual innuendos. Remember, the purpose of Joke of the Day is to put everyone in a good and joyous mood so we can face the day in an uplifting manner.