Learn about upcoming speakers, events, last meeting's presentation, and other club updates.
Upcoming Speakers
March
9 - Deb McMillan, Mayor of Victoria 16 - Angelina Amerigo, Miss West Central 2023 23 - Patrick Stieg, Communities of Belonging 30 - Gary Wittrock, Fishing with Friends
Upcoming Events
Club Announcements
Invocation: John Roebke
Wayne Ward will be helping Natasha and others to generate smiles and memories of their I FLY experience this coming Sunday.
Neil Wingert asked for help cover the newsletter reporting duties while he is away March 30 – April 20. New member Jennifer Spalding graciously volunteered! Sienna White will be faithfully creating the web posting as she has been for the past 6 months!
FINEMASTER
Steve Wein performed a new Finemaster trick. First, he offered $5.00 to anyone. Greg Anderson took the bait. Steve then fined the rest of us $1 each! It was painless and most of us smiled at the ploy (especially Greg).
ROTARY EXCHANGE STUDENT - Natasha Palmelund
Natasha Palmelund has recovered from her winter illness, and she braved the physical and social challenge of selling Girl Scout cookies with her former host sister. Later this morning, Ken Hiller hosted and photographed Natasha, Marta (from Spain) and Adam (from Hungary) as they visited the state capital. They (hopefully) marveled at the gilded rotunda and classical architecture while meeting Senator Ann Rest (Ken’s sister, at right), Senator Julia Coleman and the Senate President Bobby Joe Champion (below).
PRESENTATION: Simon Adams, PhD – The
Center For Victims of Torture
Gary Hardel introduced Dr. Simon Adams, President and CEO of the Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) an international organization that treats survivors and advocates for an end to torture worldwide. Dr. Adams spoke to us via Zoom from Brooklyn, NY with an accent that reflected his Belfast roots and early years in New Zealand and Australia. His family history included the results of conflict in Northern Ireland and South Africa, so Simon’s presentation about the abuse of human rights was founded in personal experience. CVT was founded in 1985 following interest and leadership by Rudy Perpich, the Governor of Minnesota. Initial help for torture survivors started in Bosnia and Croatia in 1993.
CVT has a staff of about 450 spreads across the world, working with the United Nations, Amnesty International and Non-Governmental Organizations to prevent and respond to crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide. One of CVT’s goals is to train local people to carry out the CVT objectives and provide services to promote healing for survivors and communities. There are Healing Centers located in St. Paul, Atlanta, and Tucson. Abroad, facilities have been organized in Ethiopia, Jordan, Kenya and Uganda. The CVT international headquarters are also in St. Paul.
With his many years of experience with the consequences of torture and violation of human rights, Dr. Adams is still inspired by the efforts of caretakers, teachers, medical teams, volunteers and contributors. Simon expressed his thanks to Rotary for its efforts and programs to support world peace. Stories of success and ongoing work are found in the CVT website, along with resources and materials for human rights organizations.
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