How are we doing? We’re doing great, actually. Because of all of you. We did not sit around wringing our hands. We rolled up our sleeves, looked around and asked “What is the greatest need, at this time?”

 

The answer, “Food Insecurity.” Because of Covid, families who have always been able to meet their own needs, and even help others, found themselves in need. Club support of food pantries and food banks dramatically increased. It became a major focus for us. The $25k disaster grant, secured last spring, boosted our ability to help. That, in concert with our regular community activities and access to free personal protection equipment, in the form of surgical grade face masks for distribution, multiplied our effectiveness.

 

So, Thank You!! Let’s keep on Doing Our Thing!

 

 

February is the month in which we traditionally celebrate love. For some it is Romantic Love that they celebrate. Others celebrate parent/child love, love of friends, love of the animal kingdom/pets, brotherly/sisterly love, love of humanity. Most of us celebrate all the different aspects of love.

 

February is also Black History Month – a month dedicated to unearthing – and celebrating - the Black experience and the myriad ways that black men and women have contributed to the growth of the United States, to the benefit of everyone. A celebration of the dignity and strength of the human spirit.

 

In our Rotary World, February is Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution Month. There is certainly no shortage of conflict in this world. Rotary International, in concert with the United Nations, has been working on furthering peace for the past 70 years. R.I. has six Peace centers at different prestigious universities throughout the world.

 

Our District is proud that our own Fran Jeffries, of the Rotary Club of the Bridgewaters, is a Peace Fellows graduate of Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand, (2016). Fran’s particular knowledge is in the area of nuclear proliferation. She has now turned her attention to the health effects of nuclear weapons on maternal and child health.

 

As I say, there is certainly no shortage of conflict in the world. Right now, here at home, we are experiencing a great political divide. We may be looking at each other, but we are not really seeing each other. That won’t change until we recognize that a difference of opinion is just that – a difference of opinion.

 

So, I think it's important that we apply the tenets of the first paragraph to the other four. Let’s all work for peace. After all, Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution is the first of the (current) six areas of focus.

 

District Conference Update --  Save the Dates!

This year, we are virtually virtual! Our Combined District Conference Committee is hard at work, converting a fabulous in-person conference to an equally fabulous Virtual Conference! More details to follow!

 

 

THERE’S LOTS GOING ON 'AROUND THE DISTRICT'
CHECK IT OUT ON OUR WEBSITE!
See stories and photos of holiday service projects by clubs all around the district, commendation for the Middleboro Rotary Club as ‘Volunteers of the Year’ by the Soule Homestead Education Center, the Bridgewaters highly successful Polar Plunge and more! It’s all here! Remember, all that is needed for your club to join these illustrious Rotarians is a short article about your accomplishment – with photos!

 

 

 

That pretty much brings us up to date, everyone. Keep on working toward peace!! And stay well. 

 

Kindest regards,