CONNECTING IN A CRISIS - June 2020
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CARY NORTON M President’s message y Rotary journey began 40 years ago when I joined the Rotary Club of Decatur, Alabama, at the age of 25, and it has brought my family and me many unforgettable moments. But nothing could have prepared me for connecting with the world as president of Rotary International. My individual Rotary journey has become a shared Rotary journey with each of you. All of the incredible people Gay and I met this year — Rotarians, Rotaractors, and the extended family of Rotary — will be an inspiration for the rest of our lives. We visited clubs and projects from Uru- guay to Ukraine, from Nigeria to New Zealand, and beyond. We were privileged to crisscross the globe, circumnavigating it twice and moving back and forth between the Northern and Southern hemi- spheres. Each country and each stop held its own Rotary magic. While in Zimbabwe in March, we jun20-PresMess-editOK_revise.indd 2 4/16/20 9:41 AM
participated in a medical vocational training team As I have witnessed the members of the Rotary mission with Rotarians from India, providing community act to care for humanity amid the health, hope, and life itself to the thousands who coronavirus pandemic, I have seen the aloha of came for treatment. We also felt the energy of more Rotary. We are indeed people of action. Every day, than 300 young people at a Rotary Youth Sympo- but particularly during this pandemic, the Rotary sium in Harare. What a thrill it was to be with these community has demonstrated its aloha spirit. young people! It is a gift to be shared, and we are each a steward This year Rotary launched our new Action Plan, of this gift of Rotary. Gay and I have been amazed, and I trust each club is putting that plan to use. And inspired, and humbled by all of you within the family I have been energized by the efforts to embrace the of Rotary. priorities I set for this Rotary year: engaging families, providing leadership opportunities for all ages, cel- ebrating our history with the United Nations in its As COVID-19 reached around the 75th year, and, most significantly, growing Rotary. globe, we found ourselves in a world As COVID-19 reached around the globe, we found transformed. We have been forced to connect in ways we could never have CARY NORTON ourselves in a world transformed. We have been forced to connect in ways we could never have imag- imagined, testing our ability to adapt. ined, testing our ability to adapt. We have made tough decisions, including canceling club meetings, district conferences, presidential conferences, and, Indeed, I would say that the last part of our shared much to our regret, the 2020 Rotary International Rotary year was transformational. We found new Convention in Honolulu. Together everyone is plac- ways to make the lives of others better, new ways to ing the public good and welfare first, despite the loss move forward together. And, together, we will con- of meetings, events, and experiences that had been tinue to grow Rotary so that we may increase our planned for years. gift of Rotary to our local and global communities. As we looked forward to the Rotary Convention Gay and I will always remember and treasure our in Honolulu, we learned about the aloha spirit. Our year with you, our shared journey, as Rotary Connects Rotary friends in Hawaii showed us that “aloha” the World! means mutual regard and affection. It extends warmth and caring with no expectation of anything in return. The spirit of aloha applies wherever in the world we may live. As Rotarians, Rotaractors, and members of the family of Rotary, we are connected, and as aloha has been defined to me: Our connection MARK DANIEL MALONEY to one another is based upon mutual respect for our President, Rotary International differences as well as our appreciation for what we have in common. Community is the sum of individuals Visit riconvention.org for information about virtual — individuals who have concern for one another, who 2020 Rotary Convention events to be held in June. care, share, and take responsibility. June 2020 The Rotarian |1 jun20-PresMess-editOK_revise2.indd 3 4/27/20 12:34 PM
MARCO FONTE AND DANIEL ALONSO jun20-Contents_edit_OK.indd 2 GÜNES ERTAS RAFAEL M. GARCIA III 4/10/20 6:36 AM
contents Vol. 198, No. 12 JUNE features 28 IT JUST CLICKED When our 2020 photo contest judge, Damon Winter, got his first real camera, a lens opened on a future that would include a Pulitzer Prize, a job at the New York Times, and a portfolio of artful photographs that tell compelling stories. By Julie Bain Photography by Damon Winter 40 S NAP JUDGMENTS 28 This year’s photo contest winners tell a story of Rotarians exploring the world with open eyes and 1 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE hearts, making connections across cultures, and 6 INBOX capturing beauty wherever they find it. 8 EDITOR’S NOTE 11 our world • Community trust: Tika Dewi “ As I have witnessed the members of the Rotary community act to care for humanity amid • Global etiquette • To the manners born the coronavirus pandemic, I have seen the aloha of Rotary. ” • World Polio Day ideas from around the globe • Stay connected through Rotary’s — Mark Daniel Maloney online Learning Center • Snapshot: Madurai, India • Adapt and connect ON THE COVER A family arrives at a drive-through COVID-19 testing site in Syracuse, New York, in late March. 23 viewpoints Photography by Damon Winter/New York Times • It’s only human ABOVE Assigned to photograph workers who were still on the job on his Manhattan block just before a statewide 55 our clubs stay-at-home order took effect in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, our photo contest judge took a self-portrait. Photography by Damon Winter/New York Times • Building by the bay in San Francisco • 5 questions about meeting online OPPOSITE Mark Daniel Maloney’s duties as 2019-20 • Message from the trustee chair Rotary president took him around the world. “Each country and each stop held its own Rotary magic,” says Maloney, • Rotary Fellowships who was often accompanied by his wife, Gay. Left to right, • In memoriam top to bottom: Bandai, Japan; Ankara, Turkey; Busan, Korea; • Crossword Kolkata, India; El Rodeo, Guatemala; Harare, Zimbabwe; Fatima, Portugal; Kaneohe, Hawaii; Sydney, Australia; Kolkata, India; Chicago, Illinois; Pasadena, California; Mutare, Zimbabwe; London, England; 64 LAST LOOK and Evanston, Illinois. Photography courtesy of Gay Maloney unless otherwise noted June 2020 The Rotarian |3 jun20-Contents_edit_OK.indd 3 4/10/20 6:36 AM
General Officers of Rotary International 2019-20 President JOHN REZEK Editor in chief MARK DANIEL MALONEY Decatur, Alabama, USA JENNIFER MOODY Art director President-elect HOLGER KNAACK Herzogtum Lauenburg-Mölln, Germany JENNY LLAKMANI Managing editor Vice President OLAYINKA HAKEEM BABALOLA Trans Amadi, Nigeria GEOFFREY JOHNSON Senior editor Treasurer HANK SARTIN Senior editor DAVID D. STOVALL Hall County, Georgia, USA DIANA SCHOBERG Senior staff writer Directors FRANCESCO AREZZO Ragusa, Italy JOHN M. CUNNINGHAM Associate editor TONY (JAMES ANTHONY) BLACK Dunoon, Scotland JEFFRY CADORETTE Media, Pennsylvania, USA NANCY WATKINS Copy editor MÁRIO CÉSAR MARTINS Santo André, Brazil DE CAMARGO VANESSA GLAVINSKAS Contributing editor LAWRENCE A. DIMMITT Topeka, Kansas, USA MARC DUKES Production manager RAFAEL M. GARCIA III Pasig, Philippines JAN LUCAS KET Purmerend, The Netherlands JOE CANE Design & production assistant KYUN KIM Busan-Dongrae, Korea FLOYD A. LANCIA Anthony Wayne (Fort Wayne), Indiana, USA CYNTHIA EDBROOKE Senior editorial coordinator AKIRA MIKI Himeji, Japan KATIE MCCOY Circulation manager BHARAT S. PANDYA Borivli, India KAMAL SANGHVI Dhanbad, India JOHRITA SOLARI Anaheim, California, USA STEPHANIE A. URCHICK McMurray, Pennsylvania, USA PIOTR WYGNAŃCZUK Gdynia, Poland JOHN P. HEWKO General Secretary Kyiv, Ukraine Send ad inquiries and materials to: Marc Dukes, The Rotarian, Trustees of The Rotary Foundation One Rotary Center, 1560 Sherman Ave., 14th floor, Evanston, IL 60201; 2019-20 phone 847-866-3092; email adv@rotary.org Chair Media kit: rotary.org/mediakit GARY C.K. HUANG Taipei, Taiwan To contact us: The Rotarian, One Rotary Center, 1560 Sherman Ave., Evanston, IL 60201; phone 847-866-3206; email rotarian@rotary.org Chair-elect K.R. RAVINDRAN Colombo, Sri Lanka Website: therotarian.com To submit an article: Send stories, queries, tips, and photographs by mail Vice Chair or email (high-resolution digital images only). We assume no responsibility KENNETH M. SCHUPPERT JR. Decatur, Alabama, USA for unsolicited materials. Trustees To subscribe: Twelve issues at US$12 a year (USA, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin JORGE AUFRANC Guatemala Sur, Guatemala Islands); $16 a year (Canada); $24 a year (elsewhere). Contact the Circulation Department (phone 847-424-5217 or -5216; email data@rotary.org) BRENDA M. CRESSEY Paso Robles, California, USA for details and for airmail rates. Gift subscriptions available at the same rates. HIPÓLITO S. FERREIRA Contagem-Cidade Industrial, Brazil To send an address change: Enclose old address label, postal code, and JOHN F. GERM Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA Rotary club, and send to the Circulation Department or email data@rotary.org. PER HØYEN Aarup, Denmark Postmaster: Send all address changes to Circulation Department, The Rotarian, JENNIFER E. JONES Windsor-Roseland, Ontario, Canada One Rotary Center, 1560 Sherman Ave., Evanston, IL 60201. Call the Contact Center: USA, Canada, and Virgin Islands (toll-free) 866-976-8279. SEIJI KITA Urawa East, Japan Elsewhere: 847-866-3000, ext. 8999. JULIA D. PHELPS Amesbury, Massachusetts, USA IAN H.S. RISELEY Sandringham, Australia Unless otherwise noted: All images are copyright ©2020 by Rotary International or are used with permission. GULAM VAHANVATY Bombay, India MICHAEL F. WEBB Mendip, England Published monthly by Rotary International. The Rotarian ® is a registered trademark of Rotary International. Copyright ©2020 by Rotary International. All rights reserved. Periodicals postage paid at Evanston, Ill., USA, SANGKOO YUN Sae Hanyang, Korea and additional mailing offices. Canada Publications Mail Agreement No. 1381644. Canadian return address: MSI, PO Box 2600, Mississauga, ON L4T 0A8. This is the June 2020 issue, volume 198, number 12, of JOHN P. HEWKO General Secretary The Rotarian (ISSN 0035-838X). Publication number: USPS 548-810. Kyiv, Ukraine 4 | The Rotarian June 2020 jun20-masthead-round1.indd 4 3/25/20 8:35 AM
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inbox Field work Bob Quinn, the Montana Rotarian featured in the March issue [“Scientist, Farmer, Innovator, Rotarian”], appears to be a remarkable man who has made a solid contribution to his community. But in fact America’s fields are not “soaked in chemicals” that “suck nutrients from the earth, from the food, and from the small communities that dot the plains.” All agriculture requires chemicals, especially nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. H20 — water — is a chemical. “Farming without chemicals,” contrary to the warm rhetoric of the article, is not possible. In general, organic farming requires much more labor than conventional agriculture does. What will laborers be paid? Where will all the organic mulch and fertilizer come from? Usually a much greater amount of organic matter — manure and so on — must be put on the fields than is needed for conven- tional agriculture. Organic farming does not provide extra protection from pests and diseases; there is evidence that organic coffee farms have been hit harder by leaf rust than conventional operations have. All the conventional farmers I have met, in Central America, China, Ethiopia, Ohio, and other places, are dedicated to sustaining their yields. They do not poison the earth or destroy communities. Organic farming may be wonderful, but the organic industry — which now involves very large companies like General Mills — engages in scare tactics. “Chemicals” are called bad, while the industry aims to frighten consumers by insisting that genetically modified organisms (GMO) are killing us and are producing Frankenstein foods and animals. That is shameful, as Americans have been eating GMO corn and soybeans for decades now, with no discernible effect on health. Organic may be a powerful tool in growing food, but to disdain the tools of GMO is an attack on science. I wish the best to organic farmers, but I hope The Rotarian will support science and not the harmful claims of the organic food industry. ROBERT W. THURSTON Oxford, Ohio As an old farm boy, I began reading “Scientist, point, I concluded that the rest of the article wealthiest countries in South America, and to Farmer, Innovator, Rotarian” with great interest was trash and closed the magazine. see it now is unbelievable. To not at least but quickly became frustrated with the JOHN K. RUTLEDGE mention some of the reasons ignores the emotional and slanted writing. Fields “soaked in Wheaton, Illinois elephant in the room. Although I understand chemicals”? Really? Same sentence: “corpora- trying to avoid political commentary, the tions that farm them.” Does the writer know that The role of politics cause and genesis of this sad crisis should about 97 percent of all farms in America are The article on the refugee crisis in Venezuela transcend politics and not be lost. family farms? And that they produce about in the March issue was interesting, but the PAUL PAGENKOPF 86 percent of all U.S. agricultural output? situation in Venezuela was euphemistically Pewaukee, Wisconsin Enough to feed us and much of the world for a referred to as “the country’s collapse — an price we can afford. Fifty years ago, the average economic meltdown that … is worse than the Inspiring issue American family spent about 20 percent of Great Depression.” There was never any These two stories hit it out of the park for me: its income on food. Today that is a little over mention of Hugo Chávez’s socialism failure: 1. “Scientist, Farmer, Innovator, Rotarian”: 10 percent. “Suck nutrients from the earth”? the corruption, mismanagement, and Bob Quinn is my new hero. Can I order the If Mr. Quinn sells his crops to be delivered off authoritarian dictatorship that continues apples and grains? I was moved nearly to tears his farm, he, too, is removing nutrients. At that under Nicolás Maduro. This was one of the reading about the years he has dedicated to 6 | The Rotarian June 2020 jun20-Letters-EditOK.indd 6 3/27/20 2:41 PM
Overheard on social media Our March issue featured an interview with Rotary President-elect Holger Knaack. We polled readers on Instagram for their thoughts on leadership. Have you met President-elect Do you seek leadership Check out Rotary International’s Holger Knaack? opportunities for yourself? Instagram story on 17 JUNE for an Yes OR No Yes OR No interactive poll about etiquette. 21% 79% 89% 11% - The ability to listen - Embrace of diversity - Public speaking skills - Understanding - High ethical standards - Confidence - Good communication skills - Organizational skills - Fairness and firmness Qualities you value in leadership: - Transparency - Inclusiveness - Honesty - Consistency - Selflessness - Attainable goal setting - Authenticity - Team development skills - Motivational skills - Skills in empowering others - Enthusiasm - An ability to inspire organic farming and supporting businesses as Multiplying impact my club in Northfield, Minnesota, I can say well as helping the Rocky Boy’s Reservation in I read “Toward a More Lasting Peace” in the that very few investments have greater bang for its struggle to have healthy foods. February issue with interest. I am proud to serve the buck than the shipping of a container of 2. In “Exodus,” the plight of more than on the board of directors of Books for Africa, the excellent donated books (35,000 books with a 4 million refugees is heartbreaking. The story world’s largest shipper of donated books to the value of about $250,000) at a cost of about highlighted two women in the Rotary E-Club African continent. Former U.S. Ambassador $12,000 to $14,000 per container. of Houston (whom I know personally) and their Howard Jeter, mentioned in the article, is also Books for Africa has also equipped 100 law commitment to act, as well as that of Rotarians a member of our board, and Sir Emeka Offor is a libraries at top universities across Africa and is in Colombia, Mexico, and the United States. member of our Ambassadors Circle. I’m pleased working with the African Union to expand this I feel extremely proud of Rotarians to report that the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation work. Knowing that there will be Rotarians on the everywhere and glad to be a part of all the good has provided more than $1.3 million to Books for other end to receive the books and ensure that done in the world. Africa over the past several years to send well they reach their destination is a huge bonus. BELINDA KAYLANI over 1 million books to schools, libraries, and The Rotary Peace Centers have increased Houston universities in Nigeria and across Africa. Rotary’s reach exponentially in the search for a Books for Africa is celebrating its 31st better tomorrow, and if we count the other The March issue was the best issue ever. I read it anniversary and 50 million books sent to organizations that have worked with Rotary over cover to cover! Thanks for the inspiring articles! Africa, and Rotarians have been instrumental the years, this impact is only multiplied. BARBARA SCHILE in the organization’s growth. Having led three CHARLIE COGAN Covington, Washington Rotary/Books for Africa partnerships through Northfield, Minnesota The editors welcome comments on items published in the Follow us to get updates, share stories with your networks, and tell us what you think. magazine but reserve the right to edit for style and length. Pub- The Rotarian, One Rotary Center, 1560 Sherman Ave., Evanston, IL 60201 USA lished letters do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors or Rotary International leadership, nor do the editors take respon- WEBSITE therotarian.com twitter.com/rotary facebook.com/rotary sibility for errors of fact that may be expressed by the writers. EMAIL yourletters@rotary.org instagram.com/rotaryinternational June 2020 The Rotarian |7 jun20-Letters-EditOK.indd 7 3/27/20 2:42 PM
SERVICE I t’s the first full week of April. All 11 members of the Rotarian staff have been working from home for ABOVE SELF four weeks now. We’re working the phone, we’re email- ing, and we Zoom in on each other, mostly in groups. We pass around our work as digital files: manuscripts, edited text, tentative layouts, finished pages. As we put the June issue to bed, we’re planning our coverage for the rest of The Object of Rotary A message from the the summer and through the end of the year. Plus we’re THE OBJECT of Rotary is to encourage and foster editor in chief trying to navigate a world that seems determined to the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, undermine any sort of prediction. JOHN REZEK in particular, to encourage and foster: But we are able to see and share what’s before us at this moment. By now we all know people who have been FIRST The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service; infected with COVID-19. We may know some who have died; we’ve all witnessed heroic people out delivering SECOND High ethical standards in business and food, packages, personal protective equipment, and other professions, the recognition of the worthiness of all medical supplies. I don’t think I can be angry at a truck useful occupations, and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society; driver ever again. Simultaneously we are hearing from Rotary clubs THIRD The application of the ideal of service in each that, in this time of crisis, continue to engage with their Rotarian’s personal, business, and community life; communities and attend to the needs they anticipate and FOURTH The advancement of international discover. In this issue we report on some of those efforts. understanding, goodwill, and peace through We will continue to do that. a world fellowship of business and professional In this month’s column, as counterpoint, Frank Bures persons united in the ideal of service notes how we can sometimes regard others as having a lesser quotient of humanity than we do. I found that The Four-Way Test a stark thought when I first read it. I wondered if I had OF THE THINGS we think, say, or do: dehumanized someone in my lesser moments. I have 1) Is it the TRUTH? 2) Is it FAIR to all concerned? regretted times when I have been short with people; it 3) Will it build GOODWILL and pains me to remember when I have seemed or been cruel. BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? I hope I am most often successful in letting my better 4) Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned? angels have the final say. And then I began to think of it another way, thanks to Rotarian Code of Conduct something journalist Ezra Klein said. The gist was that The following code of conduct has been adopted for the we can disagree and become angry — very angry even — use of Rotarians: We are hearing with people, but when we hold them in contempt, we lose AS A ROTARIAN, I will from Rotary clubs something of the moral thread that should be at the heart 1) Act with integrity and high ethical standards that continue to of our consideration. To feel contempt, to loathe, to hate in my personal and professional life — these are the dehumanizing enablers we have in our engage with their language. I probably should include the lesser, sportier 2) Deal fairly with others and treat them and their occupations with respect communities. versions: to deride and to mock. It is fitting, then, that this month we bring you photo- 3) Use my professional skills through Rotary to: mentor young people, help those with special graphs of how Rotarians are able to see our besieged needs, and improve people’s quality of life in world. Their pictures are filled with wonder and promise, my community and in the world hope and beauty. And it is also fitting that we have as our 4) Avoid behavior that reflects adversely judge photojournalist Damon Winter, who, among other on Rotary or other Rotarians things, shows us the exquisiteness of the everyday and tells us how we can capture it for ourselves. 5) Help maintain a harassment-free environment in Rotary meetings, events, and activities, report any That’s important to keep in mind as we wait to see what suspected harassment, and help ensure non-retaliation will come our way. to those individuals that report harassment. 8 | The Rotarian June 2020 jun20-Editor's Note-editOK.indd 8 4/13/20 3:09 PM
Potential shines brightest when it’s inspired. That’s why Rotary clubs invest time and expertise in encouraging others to be the best they can be. Empowering those who have big dreams to achieve great things — that’s what people of action do. Learn more at Rotary.org. POA_RotarianAd_Empower.indd 1 2/21/20 12:38 PM
TAKE YOUR CLUB IN A NEW DIRECTION Is your club flexible and ready for the future? New resources on Satellite Clubs, Passport Clubs, and Corporate Membership can help you create an experience that works for every member. LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR OPTIONS AT ROTARY.ORG/FLEXIBILIT Y MembershipFlexibility_AD2_EN18.indd 1 6/14/19 1:16 PM
our world Community trust NI KETUT KARTIKA DEWI Rotary Club of Bali Ubud Sunset, Indonesia Living in paradise can make it easy to over- look privation, says Tika Dewi. Growing up in Selasih, an emerald haven of rice paddies and ravines in the interior of Bali, Tika was 10 years old before her family got their own toilet. Villagers bathed in a river. “Shoes were a fancy thing,” she says. “One pair was KADEK RAHARJA enough for one year, and if we were lucky, June 2020 The Rotarian | 11 jun20-OW-Opener-Extended Caption-QA-editOK.indd 11 4/3/20 2:48 PM
our world continued from page 11 they lasted three years.” Her father, a minibus driver, operated the communi- ty’s diesel generator, which powered the Global etiquette family’s television, which — as one of ROTARIANS OFTEN CONNECT with people from different cultures. only three in the community — was a Here, members of Rotary’s Global Communications team — magnet for neighbors and friends. our translators, interpreters, and all-around international experts “Bali has a strong social culture,” says — offer a few etiquette tips from their native countries. Tika, president of the Rotary Club of Bali Ubud Sunset. “We take care of each other. We trust each other. Balinese put honesty first. Even with strangers, we Dziękuję ci Wie geht’s? never think badly about other people.” Ich bin müde After Tika and her husband, Kadek und mürrisch und Raharja, joined Rotaract in 2008, they When getting off an elevator könnte ein wenig got involved in local projects: He trekked in POLAND, say “thank you” Schlaf gebrauchen ... through rugged terrain to assist Rotari- to your fellow riders. GERMANS don’t consider ans who were constructing gravity-fed the phrase “How are you?” arcia ...! water systems for subsistence farmers in to be a simple greeting; remote northeastern Bali; she gathered people will think you really clothing donations for the families and, with baby in tow, helped out at a weekend M want to know, and will answer honestly. In BRAZIL, call people school library run by their Rotaract club. by their first names. There “Before the water project, every morn- are very few instances when ing the women walked two hours each you would use surnames — way to get a bucket of water for the whole such as when more than family,” says Tika. Rotarians have com- one person in a classroom or pleted 17 projects, including the gravity- office has the same name. fed water systems and wells. “Now these In KOREA, don’t pick up women are thinking about other things to rice or soup bowls from the llo, Herr Müller do to improve their family life,” Tika says. table when you’re eating — Tika joined the Rotary Club of Bali H a but in JAPAN and CHINA, Ubud Sunset about three years ago and it’s appropriate to do so. And In GERMANY, however, when drinking alcohol with has embraced her club’s environmental do not address a person who Koreans, do not fill your own awareness campaign, which is centered is not a friend or longtime glass; your fellow diners are on waste separation. Despite the Bali- acquaintance by their first supposed to fill it for you. nese philosophy of harmony with nature, name. Instead, address them If you see that someone’s glass litter — single-use plastics in particular as Mr./Ms. Last Name. is empty, offer to refill it. — is a serious problem on the island. “It is so sad to see our river and our riverbank full of plastic,” she says. “It will be a long mucho gusto effort to deal with waste management en conocerte here, not a short project.” Her zeal for helping people has not gone unnoticed in her club of 18 mem- bers, who nominated her to be club pres- In PERU, kiss a woman on ident. “I had never thought about it. It’s the cheek when you are Bow, don’t hug, as a greeting an honor,” she says. “The question I introduced to her by a friend. in JAPAN. And don’t talk on asked of all the members was, ‘Do you Two men always shake hands. the phone on public transpor- really trust me?’ ” There are plenty of tation — it’s considered rude. reasons they do. — BRAD WEBBER 12 | The Rotarian June 2020 jun20-OW-Opener-Extended Caption-QA-editOK-rev.indd 12 4/27/20 11:58 AM
“ Bad manners can have real consequences. Sheila Armstrong ” To the manners born Your mother may have admonished THE ROTARIAN: Why did you write The Little At Rotary meetings, I’ve been at tables you for talking with your mouth full Book of Etiquette? where nobody talked or where I was ignored or putting your elbows on the table, because I was a visitor. When you have some- but there’s so much more to manners ARMSTRONG: I ran an executive search firm. In one you don’t know at your club, ask them than that. Etiquette is really “being the early 1990s, I had two candidates within what projects they’re involved in. That starts a three months of each other who were each on conversation. thoughtful about yourself and oth- the verge of being offered a position with an If you’re traveling for a Rotary project or ers,” says Sheila Armstrong. She incredible salary and benefits, but neither of event, research the etiquette in your destina- learned about manners from her them got the offer — because they were dining tion. Start practicing how people dine there, for grandmother Cookie Mae, a Univer- slobs. The first candidate ordered spaghetti and instance, and how you should offer and accept sity of Wisconsin graduate who slurped up the noodles, allowing tomato sauce a business card. But remember that if some- taught elocution in Superior, Wis- to splash on both sides of his face — and then one is visiting your club and they goof up your consin. “For her, it was important to he forgot to wipe away the sauce. And when the local customs, it’s gracious not to point it out. be precise in everything from dining second candidate was taken to dinner, he drank etiquette to basic thoughtfulness three glasses of wine. It made me so mad that I TR: The world is so casual today. Does etiquette toward others,” says Armstrong, a interviewed 500 people and wrote a book. still matter? member of the Rotary Club of Hous- ton. Armstrong has appeared on nu- TR: How did the rules of etiquette first arise? ARMSTRONG: Bad manners can have real con- merous TV shows, and her Little Book sequences. One day, my father called to tell of Etiquette: Tips on Socially Correct ARMSTRONG: The first notes we have on me that my mother was not feeling well. I lived etiquette come from 2400 B.C. in Egypt. One in Austin, Texas, 100 miles away. I wanted to Dining was first published in 1993. piece of advice could be translated as some- drive safely but quickly. On a narrow two-lane thing like “when your boss laughs, laugh with road, a driver with road rage refused to let me him.” The use of the word “etiquette” with its pass for 30 minutes. When I finally reached contemporary meaning comes from France and my parents’ door, Daddy opened it up and said, is often traced to the time of Louis XIV. “Sheila, darling, I am sorry, your mother died five minutes ago.” TR: What tips do you have for Rotarians? It felt like part of my life had ended, and all because of that driver. So I decided to write a ARMSTRONG: If you want to ask someone book on driving: Buckle Up, Stay Alert: Driving VIKTOR MILLER GAUSA to volunteer for a project, do it away from Tips for Adults and Teens. It will include infor- your Rotary meeting. Ask the person to cof- mation about the rules of the road and tips on fee or dinner — and tell them in advance why how patience can help you be a better driver. you would like to talk with them. — DIANA SCHOBERG June 2020 The Rotarian | 13 jun20-OW-Opener-Extended Caption-QA-editOK.indd 13 4/3/20 2:48 PM
our world United States Japan Pakistan Peru World Polio Day ideas New Zealand from around the globe United States Peru Japan The Rotary Club of Seattle and the Last year, the Rotaract Club of District 2510 called on three of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Iquitos assembled eight bands for a Japan’s foremost practitioners of co-sponsored a World Polio Day panel concert in observance of World Polio good humor to tackle the serious More than 5,900 discussion last October. Around 150 Day, raising $200 for End Polio Now. topic of polio last year. The End Polio World Polio Day people gathered to hear insight into “During the show, the band mem- Charity Theater on 21 October at events were the eradication effort from Sidney bers interacted with the audience, Sapporo’s Erinji Temple featured held in 2019. Brown, program officer with the Gates informing them about the purpose Shiko Katsura, a specialist in a tradi- Foundation; Denny Wilford, a polio of the concert and encouraging them tional art of comic monologues survivor and member of the Rotary to continue supporting this cause,” known as rakugo, and Suzuran, a duo Club of Gig Harbor Midday, Washing- reports Fernando Alonso García known for a rapid-fire style of stand- ton; and Ezra Teshome, PolioPlus Torres, a member of the club. The up comedy called manzai. Attendees subcommittee chair of District 5030 Rotaract club was one of several donated nearly $500 to End Polio (Washington). The event was moder- clubs in Iquitos to hold events during Now. The program was developed by ated by Mark Wright, a Seattle news the week, ranging from a Zumba Dainin Habu, a regional Rotary Foun- anchor and member of the Seattle dance party organized by the Rota- dation coordinator. The event was club. “When I speak at events,” says ract and Interact clubs of Iquitos to modeled on a 2014 performance, Wright, “I often talk about polio, a family-friendly bicycle rally. which also featured Katsura, along because the effort to eradicate polio with Shanti, a popular jazz singer. is proof that no problem is too big.” 14 | The Rotarian June 2020 jun20-OW-Map-editok.indd 14 3/31/20 8:17 AM
Pakistan New Zealand Faisalabad’s iconic clock tower gems that have received similar Inspired by Rotarians’ train rides to raise serves as the city’s focal point. treatment, such as the UK’s House awareness and funds in Sydney, Aus- In the hands of the Rotary Club of of Parliament and the Sydney Opera tralia, and other cities, members of the Faisalabad Cosmopolitan — which House in Australia. Satisfied that Rotary Club of Dunedin traversed their bathed the structure with purple the tower stood in good company, city by public buses on 24 October, and yellow floodlighting for three the officials approved the illumina- collecting about $1,100 from fellow nights beginning 24 October — it tion. In 2019, based on the success riders. “This project was a win for end- was transformed into a signpost of the first event, all it took was a ing polio, a win for encouraging citizens Two of the three for End Polio Now. brief multimedia presentation to to ride the buses, and a win for the wild poliovirus “This is the second time the persuade the new administration. profile of Rotary in the city,” says Club strains have been club has illuminated the tower,” Besides flipping the switch President John Drummond. “Several eradicated. says club member Mubasher Siddiq and unfurling an End Polio Now bus trips became classes on the history Butt; the first was six years ago. banner, Butt and other Rotarian of polio and its effects.” — BRAD WEBBER “In 2014, my club organized a and local dignitaries held a ceremony What will your club do on 24 October seminar and invited government discussing Rotary’s leadership to highlight Rotary’s commitment to officials and gave them a detailed role in Pakistan, which, along with eradicating polio? Whether it’s virtual or in person, we want to hear presentation” about the idea, says Afghanistan, is one of the countries about your World Polio Day event. Butt. The presentation included where cases of wild poliovirus Let us know at endpolio.org/register-your-event. information about other architectural continue to be reported. June 2020 The Rotarian | 15 jun20-OW-Map-editok.indd 15 3/31/20 8:17 AM
our world Stay connected through Rotary’s online Learning Center ROTARY CONNECTS THE WORLD — that is Rotary President Mark Daniel Maloney’s theme, and despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, Rotarians are continuing to connect with one another and the world. Rotary’s new Action Plan calls on us to increase our ability to adapt — and members are coming up with innovative ways to serve their communities and create opportunities for fellowship. Many clubs are meeting online for the first time, reimagining fund- raisers and other events, and reinventing planned service projects. Rotary’s online Learning Center has resources that can help you stay connected to the organization and to one another. Instead of meeting one week, for instance, everyone in your club might choose a topic to learn more about and then report back to the other members. You might even decide to develop a webinar using Rotary tips and resources. “The Learn- ing Center courses could be used for general knowledge and for brainstorming, action planning, and idea sharing,” says Kimberly Kouame, learning resources manager at Rotary International. Often, the first time Rotarians use the Learning Center is when they are elected to a club office. But with more than 600 courses in over a dozen languages (including more than 80 in English), the Learning Center has something to inter- est every Rotarian. Here are a few to pique your interest; find them all at rotary.org/learn. COURSES ¶ Is Your Club Healthy? When your club isn’t able to meet in per- son, it can be a challenge to keep members engaged. Now might be an ideal time to as- sess the state of your club and ask members what is working for them and what isn’t. ¶ Your Membership Plan Perhaps you’ve been thinking about creat- ing a long-term membership plan. This course offers a helpful worksheet and step-by-step guidelines for crafting a strong future for your club. ¶ Building a Diverse Club In line with Rotary’s focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, this course can help you expand your club’s membership to in- clude people from different walks of life. ¶ Committing to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion ANDERS WENNGREN This course offers a closer look at Rotary’s DEI statement and how you can put those values into action. 16 | The Rotarian June 2020 jun20-OurWorld-Feature-editOKrev.indd 16 4/27/20 12:05 PM
ANDERS WENNGREN ¶ Practicing Flexibility and Innovation want the world to know what we are ac- guides you on how to effectively work with This course guides you through some of complishing. But how can you get the a team to define and achieve objectives. the ways your club can be innovative, with message out? This course will teach you advice on subjects such as setting up sat- how to build awareness of Rotary and ¶ Mentoring Basics ellite clubs. its work. Mentoring has always been one of the cor- nerstones of Rotary. This course identifies ¶ Kick-Start Your New Member ¶ Planning Your Projects: Service the traits of a good mentor and suggests Orientation Projects Committee some best practices to make sure your If your club has had trouble retaining This course is designed for people serving mentoring relationship is beneficial to all new members, with people joining only to on a club service projects committee, but concerned. leave a few years later, this course can help. anyone can benefit from the ideas about Get tips on how to make sure your new how to carry out effective projects — with ¶ Essentials of Understanding Conflict members feel welcome and engaged. tips on doing a community needs assess- We’ve all had to deal with interpersonal ment and executing the project. conflict, whether the issues are small ¶ All About Rotary Peace Fellowships (who sits at which table at the meeting?) Perhaps you know someone who might ¶ Rotary Foundation Basics or large (what are our club’s priorities?). be a good candidate for a Rotary Peace The Rotary Foundation is central to This course gives you tools to understand Fellowship and you want to be able to talk Rotary’s work in the world. This course different types of conflict and describes knowledgeably about the program. Or will walk you through the century-long conflict management styles. maybe you would like your club to be history of the Foundation and its role in more involved. This course will give you grant-making, supporting polio eradica- ¶ Leading Change information on Rotary’s Peace Centers tion efforts, and funding the Rotary Change is hard, especially in a collabora- and the requirements and deadlines for Peace Centers. tive organization. This course offers ideas applicants. on how to lead a group of people through ANDERS WENNGREN ¶ Becoming an Effective Facilitator organizational change, how to assess peo- ¶ Building Rotary’s Public Image Develop your leadership skills for Rotary ple’s readiness for change, and how to Rotarians are people of action, and we and beyond through this course, which deal with resistance to change. June 2020 The Rotarian | 17 jun20-OurWorld-Feature-editOK.indd 17 4/7/20 3:49 PM
our world SNAPSHOT Madurai, India While visiting a Buddhist temple in the southern Indian city of Madurai, DIDIER DEBERGUE, a member of the Rotary Club of Nîmes Tour Magne, France, caught the moment when one of the students in the temple school acknowledged his presence. “The students were gathered in a courtyard,” recalls Debergue. “Squatting on the ground in silence, I tried to shoot discreetly, in order not to disturb this meeting. But a student spotted my wife and me, and turned to see these strangers.” 18 | The Rotarian June 2020 jun20-OW-snapshot-Edit-ok.indd 18 3/27/20 3:11 PM
June 2020 The Rotarian | 19 jun20-OW-snapshot-Edit-ok.indd 19 3/27/20 3:11 PM
our world Adapt and connect FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY, Rotarians have been making connections in their neighborhoods and around the world. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced clubs to rethink everything from holding meetings to raising money to serving their communities. Rotarians, of course, have stepped up to the challenge with creative ways of adapting. As the crisis unfolded, we began contacting clubs we’ve featured in the magazine recently, and they have confirmed that when it comes to Rotarians serving the world, there is no such thing as life on pause. Rotary Club of Schaumburg-Hoffman Rotary Club of Napoli Parthenope, Italy Estates, Illinois “ When it became apparent on 12 March “distorted Our lives have been overwhelmed and by an invisible enemy that has that there was no way we could responsi- forced us to radically change a way of bly gather 350-plus people in a ballroom life and, above all, how we relate. We are two days later, we had to find a Plan B. holding meetings on the Zoom online platform to We managed to recast our 50th Birthday Bash as a evaluate initiatives, including a crowdfunding portal, virtual event, with an online silent auction, a grand together with other Rotary clubs, to benefit the prize drawing, and a livestream program. We raised nearly $120,000 — as much as we had expected with infectious diseases unit of a hospital in Naples. Ludovica Azzariti Fumaroli ” an in-person gala — for projects in our communities and internationally. The meals were donated to charity. Pat Groenewold, PRESIDENT ” Rotary Club of Kirkcaldy, Scotland “asOurofclub has many older Rotarians who, late March, were self-isolated in Rotary Club of Victoria, Hong Kong their homes. We began offering a service “aOurlarge-scale District 3450 Rotaractors initiated effort to collect masks and in which younger Rotarians shopped, picked up medicines, and provided meals the older members sanitary and personal care items for the could reheat. We then decided to offer this service to needy. They distributed the materials to the elderly and the local community. I got phone calls and emails in the to street-cleaning workers in Hong Kong. ” morning and gave the tasks out to a team of seven. Sharon Munro ” Anita Chan Rotary Club of Vilnius Lituanica Rotary Club of Asheville, North Carolina International, Lithuania “theOurcost club of 150 had already collected “from I worked with Rotarian Aurika Savickaite the Rotary Club of Chicagoland of meals from our members through the end of March, so we Lithuanians (Westmont). In just a few decided to donate that money, along with the money days, she and I launched a curated our club had allocated to send nine teenagers to information website for ICU clinicians to address the RYLA — for a total of $5,400 — to a local food major shortage of ventilators to treat COVID-19 bank. And we are out in the community doing as much patients. We also advised our community on how to service as we possibly can, donating blood, packing move their operations online fast. Small things count, too: We brought a huge flower bouquet to one of our hard- emergency food boxes, and feeding the homeless. Janet Whitworth, PRESIDENT ” working, and exhausted, members who is a physician. Viktorija Trimbel, PRESIDENT ” For more on how clubs are taking advantage of meeting online, see page 57. 20 | The Rotarian June 2020 jun20-OW-covid-editOK.indd 20 4/3/20 3:17 PM
Hunger hides in every community. That’s why Rotary clubs support programs to provide healthy food and develop sustainable solutions to food insecurity. Fighting hunger to build stronger communities — that’s what people of action do. Learn more at Rotary.org. POA_RotarianAd_FightHunger.indd 1 2/21/20 12:36 PM
FEEL THE ENERGY AT T H E 2 021 ROTA RY I N T E R N AT I O N A L CO N V E N T I O N SAVE THE DATE! TAIPEI, TAIWAN, 12-16 JUNE 2021 Learn more at convention.rotary.org #Rotary21
viewpoints It’s only human The tendency to dehumanize other people is in our nature. How can we avoid it? by F RA N K BUR ES O ne day recently, primitive, less evolved, or I was driving more animal-like than other down a narrow people,” Haslam says. street near my home. In In the early days of re- front of me, two cyclists search into dehumanization, were taking up most of the in an effort to understand lane, going — as cyclists tend how people are able to do to do — well below the speed horrible things to other peo- limit. As we rolled along, I ple, much of the focus was got angrier and angrier. Why on ethnic groups. More re- didn’t they get on the bike cent research has shown path next to the road? Why that dehumanizing attitudes didn’t they move over a little can be aimed at anyone: so we could pass? Who were women, medical patients, these people? immigrants, the mentally ill, Eventually I got around homeless people. them and cooled off. But I Researchers have also es- was surprised by my reac- tablished that dehumaniza- tion. After all, I’m a cyclist tion is not an all-or-nothing myself, and I have been on the receiv- every day, often without any idea that prospect. There are degrees, even ing end of drivers’ abuse. But at that we’re doing it. kinds, of dehumanization. What moment, I did not see myself in those Nick Haslam, a professor of psy- Haslam calls “animalistic” dehuman- riders. I couldn’t imagine what was chology at the University of Melbourne ization is the feeling that members of going on in their heads. They were like in Australia, is one of the leading think- another group are not as human as an alien species on two wheels. It was ers on dehumanization. To measure we are. We see them as having basic as if I had drawn a line between people how drivers dehumanize cyclists, emotions such as joy, anger, fear, and like me and people like them. Haslam and his colleagues surveyed surprise — but not more complicated This is a thought process known as more than 400 people. In one typical ones such as pride, admiration, and “dehumanization,” which sounds like result, 55 percent of noncyclists saw remorse. We see them as lacking something that only happens at Nazi cyclists as “less than 100 percent hu- “human essence,” or as being a kind of death camps, in Cambodian killing man.” (So did 30 percent of cyclists.) animal that needs to be overseen by RICHARD MIA fields, or at roadblocks in Rwanda. “Some drivers are more willing than those of us who are more evolved. But in fact, we draw these kinds of lines others to say that cyclists are more In Haslam’s model, the second June 2020 The Rotarian | 23 jun20-column-dehumanize-editOK.indd 23 4/7/20 7:55 AM
major form of dehumanization is called the imager, they were shown either ob- “mechanistic” dehumanization, in jects or photos of people who appear Why should which we see people as lacking not merely human essence, but human na- to fit certain social stereotypes, such as middle class, rich, elderly, disabled, you consider ture itself. We see them not as a lesser version of us, but as something com- and homeless. Most of the photos activated the advertising in pletely different, like a machine or a robot or an empty vessel acting out of parts of the brain we use for social cog- nition. This is what happens when we The Rotarian? cold self-interest. When we draw these lines between think about another person. But two groups — homeless people and drug ad- ourselves and others, sometimes we dicts — triggered no activation. They draw them lightly; other times we con- were not being perceived as human. struct them like an impenetrable wall. Fiske had anticipated this. She had For one thing, It’s as if we had an internal dimmer been developing a theory of dehuman- switch for turning down the humanity ization called the Stereotype Content we have loyal, of others. The further it is turned Model, in which there are two criteria engaged readers down, the harder it is to imagine the by which we measure people we meet: minds or hearts of those people. warmth and competence. “What do who spend a Haslam says there are many reasons you need to know about people who are considerable amount we do this. “Sometimes we dehuman- unfamiliar to you?” she says. “First you ize people to make it easier to harm need to know their intentions — good of time with our them, but I don’t think this is the most or ill. If their intentions are benign, you magazine: common reason,” he says. “More often trust them more. If they’re malignant, it is just one aspect of a general human you don’t. Then you need to know tendency to favor the groups we belong whether they can act on their inten- • Eight in ten (86%) to over other groups. People tend to tions. Because if they can’t act on their see their ‘in-group’ as better and more intentions, they don’t really matter to read at least three of human than ‘out-groups.’ This may you. That’s competence.” every four issues serve an evolved function of promoting These two measures form a square strong ties with one’s group.” with four quadrants into which we published. In the mists of time, this propensity sort the people we meet. Those we con- to see our own group as more human sider to be like us are both warm and • On average, readers than others would have had survival competent. People we envy are those benefits to a small tribe trying to sur- we see as competent but not warm spend 52 minutes vive in a hostile world. We don’t live in (think Wall Street bankers). We see with an issue. small tribes anymore, but part of us people we pity or sympathize with as still wants to find the border of our warm but not competent (disabled or group, to defend it, to see those inside elderly people). And people who are it as more human than those outside it neither competent nor warm we see as — even if we know intellectually that something else entirely. Interested? this is not the case. Fiske’s groups correspond roughly Our ability to dehumanize runs so to Haslam’s mechanistic dehumaniza- Contact us. deep that it can be observed in our tion (cold/competent) and animalistic brains. In 2006, Princeton University dehumanization (warm/incompetent). adv@rotary.org scientists Susan Fiske and Lasana But she adds a category for the more Harris published a study in which they fully dehumanized group about whom put 22 students into a functional mag- we feel nothing but disgust. netic resonance imaging (fMRI) ma- This landscape of lines we draw be- chine, which allowed them to view tween ourselves and others is far from Based on 2018 GfK MRI reader survey data blood flow to and activation of parts of simple, but researchers are starting to the brain. While the students were in map it out. The next step is to figure 24 | The Rotarian June 2020 1-3v drytoast-readership-promos-2018-nojwk.indd 1 9/18/19 2:35 PM JUN20 Combos-v2.indd 24 5/1/20 1:59 AM
DOING GOOD IN THE WORLD The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into service projects that change lives close to home and around the world. By giving to the Annual Fund, you make these life-changing projects possible so that together, we can keep Doing Good in the World. GIVE TODAY: rotary.org/donate EREY Ad_JUNE-EN20.indd 1 4/8/20 4:37 PM
FINDFIND A CLUB A CLUB ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD! ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD! It’s as if we had an internal dimmer switch for turning down the humanity of others. out how to blur the lines or erase them, and thereby expand the circle of hu- manity. To rehumanize people. Some of this work was done in the 20th century with the rise of interna- tionalism, out of which grew Rotary, along with the United Nations, the Red Cross, and other organizations urging an expanded understanding of humanity. As Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.” We aspire to this, even if we don’t always prac- tice it. And we have come a long way since the world of small, struggling tribes. But there is always more prog- ress to be made. Fiske has found one method of reversing dehumanization. The idea behind it is simple: to force yourself to see things from the other person’s Get Rotary’s free ClubGet Locator Rotary’s appfree Club Locator app perspective. To do this, she conducted and find a meeting wherever and find you a meeting go! wherever you go! a study in which she simply asked sub- jects in the imaging machine whether www.rotary.org/clublocator www.rotary.org/clublocator the dehumanized person likes to eat a particular vegetable. This strange % $ 5 6 + 2 7 6 5 ( 3 ( / question had a profound effect: The ( / , ( $ 8 5 $ $ 1 2 ' ( 5 2 7 $ 5 < 7 ( / ( 3 + 2 1 ( social cognition areas of the brain lit * ( ( 6 ( < ( : $ ) $ 5 up again. It turns out you can’t imag- $ / ( & ( 5 1 ine what someone likes without seeing Advertise in ) 8 ( / / 3 $ 7 2 : $ 0 ( ( 9 ( / 5 , & $ 1 3 ( ' $ 6 / them as a person. “If you think about what’s going on The Rotarian 6 2 1 2 1 ( 7 , 0 ( 5 7 ( ( & $ 6 + 5 $ 6 3 5 $ & ( inside someone’s head,” Fiske says, 6 + , 3 6 , 1 7 + ( 1 , * + 7 “they become a human being again.” n / 2 6 $ * ( 6 adv@rotary.org 7 + $ , / ( , 0 ( ' , $ 0 2 1 7 + ( 1 ' & / 2 6 , 1 * Frank Bures is the author of The Geog- ( 1 1 8 , 9 ( 5 ( 7 $ 5 2 raphy of Madness and a frequent 1 ( $ 3 6 < $ < $ 2 / ( * contributor to The Rotarian. 26 | The Rotarian June 2020 JUN20 Combos-v2.indd 26 5/1/20 1:59 AM
What sort of people read The Rotarian? People who make their community a better place. The Kigali Public Library, the brainchild of Rotarians, is a center for peacebuilding, education, and connection. 76% of our readers said working in their local community is their top priority. SOURCE: 2016 Rotarian Reader Survey conducted by GfK MRI apr20-WhatKindAD_3.indd 2 2/24/20 3:32 PM
2020 PHOTO JUDGE IT JUST CLICKED When Damon Winter got his first real camera, a lens opened on a future that would include a Pulitzer Prize, a job at the New York Times, and a portfolio of artful photographs that tell compelling stories 28 | The Rotarian June 2020 jun20_Photojudge-editOK-revised.indd 28 4/13/20 4:39 PM
DAMON WINTER / NEW YORK TIMES June 2020 The Rotarian | 29 jun20_Photojudge-editOK-revised.indd 29 4/13/20 4:39 PM
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