Putting the “International” in Rotary
This year our club has emphasized international themes, including tribute luncheons to the Asian and Middle Eastern business and professional communities when we heard current Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar Jeannie D’Agostino describe her experiences with Rotary in Lebanon, and Michelle Park Steel tell of growing up in Korea and Japan.
Among our guests have been J.T. Warring, founder of the Myanmar Orphanages Water Systems Project, for which our club contributed $2,500. Current project chair Reiko Sakata joined us weeks later at our Asian luncheon. Both are members of L.A. 5.
This year we also launched our multifaceted Bridges to Songdo Project, of which the chartering of Chadwick Interact was the first formalized step. Our global outlook has inspired Chadwick’s Interactors, who are planning a service project in Korea in March.
When the charter for the new Interact Club at Chadwick School arrived last week, I was pleasantly pleased to see that it had been signed (in Japanese) by RI President Sakuji Tanaka. (From the many times I have quizzed you, I expect all of you to remember this name long after all other RI presidents have faded from memory.) His signature was a reminder that we are indeed part of an international organization. It had additional meaning in this case, because we also have had the support of Past RI President D.K. Lee in expanding our club’s Interact sponsorship on two continents. District Governor Lew Bertrand will present the charter to the officers of Chadwick Interact at our Friday meeting on February 15.
The intercontinental flavor will continue on May 10, when our Friday program will feature fromagere (cheesemaker) Arnaud Solandt, who went from tending goats at age 14 in France to becoming a large U.S. manufacturer of goat cheese products sold at Trader Joe’s and Starbucks among other popular establishments. Incidentally, French wine and cheese will be included with lunch. We are indebted to Joan Behrens for this coming program.
On May 26 the club will keep the international adventure moving forward with a fundraising reception honoring D.K. Lee at the beautiful Rolling Hills home of Hang Up Moon, who generously has offered the first $10,000 donation for the support of Chadwick Interact’s international service projects. District Governor Lew Bertrand and other senior District leaders will join us for that event as well.
Meanwhile, we have said a fond “thank you and farewell” to our club’s chair of International Service last Friday. In accepting a new position as a director of sales and marketing at a senior living residence in Palm Desert, Inga Liden is moving on to a bigger career challenge. With her Swedish accent and impeccable manners, the former Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar has been the international face of our club for the past two years. We hope she will be able to drop by now and then in the capacity of a visiting Rotarian.
In sum, our club has broadened its horizons, and in doing so has gained the attention of our District and the greater Palos Verdes community. A toast to all of you. As Inga would say, Skol!
We are this close!