Given recent tragedies, political rhetoric, and hate-mongering in our country, it has become apparent to many Rotarians that it is time to elevate the conversation in our communities about peace. And as community leaders, I think this task falls to us the Rotarian leaders in our communities.

 

Some accomplishments resulting from the peace initiative:

 

•   In 2017, with the help of fellow club members and a few friends, we were able to install a peace space on the campus of Centennial High School in Peoria. This space helps students and faculty to connect with one another as they seek more peaceful outcomes. Photos can be found at www.PursuingPeace.org. 

 

•   In 2018, PDG Nancy Van Pelt, our District's Peace Chair, launched the Peacebuilder Network for our clubs. Tons of resources are found HERE.

 

•   This month, with the help of nine Rotary Clubs and a TRF District Grant, we are adding a peace space at the Phoenix Police Department's Communication Center. This space will help employees as they deal with the trauma of handling stressful 911 calls. Beginning in September, photos and articles will be available at www.PursuingPeace.org, www.rotary5495.org, and perhaps even in a future issue of the Rotarian magazine.

 

 

District Governor David is encouraging all Rotarians to consider Rotary Direct for their contributions to The Rotary Foundation.  There is a Club Contest for Rotary Direct Participation.  If your club could use an extra $2000 consider the Rotary Direct Initiative.  (See next page for Rotary Direct Information.)

 

PP Mike Tanner introduced our speakers for the day, Interactors and Ambassadors to the Crutches for Africa program, Jaiden Gatson and Matthew Syms who were both on the Interact District Council. Jaiden was President of her Interact Club at Bourgade Catholic High School and will be attending NAU; Matthew attended the Herberger Young Scholars Academy and will be attending Choate Boarding School in CT in the fall. 
 
Jaiden thanked the club of our financial support that helped make travel possible for the Ambassadors to deliver crutches and other mobility devices to Kenya this summer. Ten or so Rotarians, Interactors and non-Rotarians made the trip—the third year District 5495 has been involved in the project. One of the reps this year was from the American Furniture Warehouse where the mobility devices are stored until ready to be shipped to Africa.
 
The group spent two weeks in Kenya, the first week working through a secondary school in Naivasha, just north of Nairobi. The Ambassadors spent some of this week delivering clothes, sewing kits, toys and soccer balls. Although the Ambassadors were members of Interact serving ages 12-18, it is actually Rotaract serving ages 18-30 that is most robust in Kenya while Interact is the weakest. The second week was at the Maasai Mara Game Reserve staying at the Prescott College Campus bordering the reserve.
 

The Sun Lakes Rotary Club recently participated in a Friendship Exchange with Rotarians and friends from District 9640 in Australia.

 

The eight Friendship Exchange Australians from D-9640, New South Wales/Queensland, gave a presentation, highlighting its 51 clubs with over 1,200 members. The District’s main effort this year is focused on its malaria vaccine project. The Commonwealth of Australia was formed on January 1, 1901, with the signing of their Constitution and the federation of colonies joining, six British colonies of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia. The Australia flag has the Union Jack in the canton of a blue field, displaying five white stars in the form of the Southern Cross and a 7-point Commonwealth Star, representing the six Australian states and the Northern Territory. The name Australia was derived from the Latin Terra Australis, a name used for a hypothetical    continent in the Southern Hemisphere since ancient times.