Program for Friday February 7, 2003 Paul Camacho, "IRS Criminal Investigations" (Groucho glasses and noses will be provide by the Prez Dave administration.) Door Duty: Tom Butt and Dan Tanita * * * * * * * * * Program for Friday February 14, 2003 Valentines Day TBA Door Duty: Herb Cole and Jim Young * * * * * * * * * Program of January 31, 2003 Dr. Edward Epstein,  Rotary Peace Scholar) Prez Dave introduced the Rotary Peace Scholarship Program as an international activity of Rotary.  We are blessed with one of the program's international campuses (Cal) in our backyard. Dave introduced Dr. Ed Epstein who is the Director of the Rotary Peace Scholarship Program at Cal.  Dr. Epstein has a Ba in Political Science from Penn., a Ma in PoliSci from Cal and a law degree from Yale.  He is Chair of the Peace and Conflict Study Group, Prof. Emeritus of the Haas School of Business, a former Chair of the Cal Academic Senate, Associate Dean of the Haas School of Business and a Professor at St. Mary's College.  He is a member of the California and Pennsylvania State Bars and has been admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States. Dr. Epstein recognized past District Governor Susan              contribution to the Peace Scholarship program acknowledging that she is the hub of the program at Cal and the primary liaison between Rotary and the scholars. Dr. Epstein has worked with Rotary for 30+ years and still appreciates and enjoys the Rotary commitment to camaraderie and service that he characterized as a "world wide common denominator".  As a participant in the Scholar selection process, Ed went to Rotary International HQ in Evanston Il to help pick the 70 scholars now attending seven universities around the world.  Indicative of the high level of Rotary commitment to the Program, the six member selection committee included three past International Presidents and the current President elect for 2004.  Rotary should be very proud of the Peace Scholar Program as it receives the highest level of commitment possible from International Rotary. The two Program universities in the USA are Cal and Duke & the University of North Carolina.  The current Scholars at Cal come from around the world.  They are young professionals pursuing mid-career enrichment and include government magistrates, NGO administrators and private industry technocrats.  The Scholars make a two-year study commitment to the Program.  In addition to their major studies take classes in human rights, conflict resolution and peace studies. Ed then apologized for the following pitch, but listed three areas of support that could be provided by local chapters. They include: ·Financial support, given the Program's high cost and the impact of the economic down turn on the Rotary Endowment. ·Host families for visiting Scholars, which is satisfied for the current Scholars. ·Direct bright young Americans to apply for the Program at one of the five other world campus'.  Ed noted that this American participation internationally is important. Speaking about the new Program's initial operation at Cal, Ed said the University was very proud to be one of the world sites.  He said it is a work in progress with both the Scholars and the UC "learning on the job".  He expects the US campuses to begin a collaboration to strengthen the program and improve the Program application process, which is daunting.  The UC is looking forward to the next ten Scholars who will arrive in 2004.  As the program moves forward, there will be 20 Peace Scholars on each campus every year. The Rotary and UC hope for the Program is that the Scholars studies, their interpersonal relationships and their persona commitment to conflict resolution will make the future world a little better than the world of 2003. Dr. Epstein then introduced Allison Bond, Peace Scholar from Hamilton NZ.  Wearing her highly embroidered Hamilton Rotary Blazer, Ms Bond presented Prez Dave with the Hamilton Club banner in the traditional exchange.  Ms. Bond left New Zealand at the age of 16 to attend the United World College (high school) in Wales England where she was first introduced to conflict resolution as an academic subject.  United World College was founded in the aftermath of WWII to bring students together from around the world with the idea of breaking down cultural barriers.  This was pursued through strong emphasis on living together and very active pursuit of community building and community service, within and beyond the school.  Ms Bond then attended Emmanuel College at Oxford. After graduation she began real world conflict resolution work in Palestine/Israel, Cypress and South Africa.  The Peace Scholars Program at Cal is reminiscent of the intense study and living environment she pursued at United World College in Wales, especially the weekly, two hour seminar between the Scholars.  The combination of diverse backgrounds and wide age/experience range make this relationship very rewarding.  One of the Scholars most common problems is dealing with others in the campus community when they describe their conflict resolution study emphasis.  The Scholars are always asked, "What is that and what kind of job can you get?" Describing her experience in Palestine/Israel Ms. Bond said she originally hoped that presence "on-site" would allow her to see into the heart of the conflict, providing the insights for conflict resolution.  She described a much more wrenching, desolate intra personal landscape where whole being is consumed by conflict.  As examples she said that it is impossible for an Israeli or Palestinian to simply be a "normal" teenager as the conflict pervades their lives.  She said she learned that it is not helpful to view the conflict from the perspective of who's right and who's wrong.  It is simply too complicated.  Her personal interest was with the individuals and bystanders who were in the conflict as unwilling aspects of the landscape. She has developed a very deep respect for the individuals and organizations that work at the grass roots level trying to put back together lives torn asunder by warfare and otherwise recreate trust between individuals.  Their task is incredibly difficult.  Ms. Bond said that even now she has difficulty reading detached journalistic articles about the Palestinian/Israeli conflict because it remains so real and emotional in her mind's eye. Ms. Bond's experience in Cyprus was more positive and hopeful.  There she worked with an UN community building project that brought youth from the north and south (Greek and Turkish sectors) of Cyprus.  The project was to paint a hospital in the blazing heat of the Cypriot summer.  The project did not take on the divided islands political issues head on.  Instead it took 16, 17 & 18 year old youth and had them sweat their way through the project's completion to a higher level of mutual understanding and trust.  Ms. Bond noted that the project youth had never had contact with, "the other side".  Her job was to motivate the youth through the heat and drudgery of the task, to the project objective of developing interpersonal bonds, trust and understanding.    The project ended successfully with many tears of departure and genuine commitment to stay in communication, which Ms. Bond found very gratifying.  (It sounds as though the hospital got painted too.) Answering questions from the members: ·Ms. Bond said the Peace Scholar Program did help her get into Cal, but it was a difficult process. ·She didn't feel qualified to discuss violence/conflict in American society as she is living in the insulated environment of International House at Cal.  She did note differences like gun laws and attitudes about crime.  She recommended a very provocative film on the subject, Bowling for Columbine by Michael Moore, the film is Moore's experience, not hers. Prez Dave thanked the guests for their informative presentation and lead the members in rousing applause of appreciation.

` Last Week President David Brown rang the bell and reminded the members that this year's Rotary theme is, "Sow the seeds of love." (http://www.bhichairattakul.org/).  He then asked un-mean Joe Green to lead the members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Dave's challenging thought for the day has from Jimi Hendrix:  "When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace."  (Jimi Hendrix [1942-1970] American Musician, Guitarist, Singer, Songwriter. Dave followed that quote with a revolutionary idea,  "If there must be trouble let it be in my day, that my child may have peace." - Thomas Paine. Somewhere between "Revolver" and "Revolution" Dave remembered, "Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will live as one." --John Lennon Prez Dave then quoted "the anthem of his generation", "All we are saying is give peace a chance.", no attribution. Visiting Rotarians: Guests: Prez Dave introduced pas District governor Susan  Waite.     Dr. Herb again introduced his favorit Father-In-Law Reyes Licea, who in addition to his many other titles was recognized by Herb as his "Drinkin' Buddy Announcements Summoning his most powerful lawyering voice, Prez Dave asked the members if anyone besides him remembered the Canned Food Drive for the Richmond Food Panty? Prez Dave said that the club was about to enter an era of serious fines if members didn't start remembering the Canned Food Drive for the Richmond Food Panty.  The box for the cans is by the badges. Past DG John G. (Jack) Pugh passed away January 18th. A memorial and celebration of his life will be held January 31st, 3:00 PM at Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church, 45 Knox Dr., Lafayette.  In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Rotary International Foundation c/o the Moraga Rotary Club, PO box 122, Moraga CA 94556 or your favorite charity.  Find more information about Jack Pugh @ http://www.legacy.com/bayarea/LegacySubPage2.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=742456 District 5160 will have its Conference, "Festival in Fairfield", in Fairfield April 24th-27th complete conference details can be found @ http://www.rotary5160.org./conference.htm. The Rotary License Plate program has until March 15th to get 2,500 new sign-ups.  You have more time if you thought about getting a Rotary License Plate but did not act.  Prez. Dave reminded the members that a good reason to participate in the program is because our club gets 50% +/- of the fee collected by the State.  More information is available @ http://www.ca-rotarylicenseplates.org. Prez Dave encouraged the members to nominate qualified young people for a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship. The application deadline is March 31st.  For more information contact Richard Flanders @ srednalf@pacbell.net or 925-469-9155. Prez Dave asked the members to remember the Canned Food Drive for the Richmond Food Panty or else… . The RI Convention for 2003 will be held in Brisbane Australia Registrants from our District are eligible for the Visa known as Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) provided they hold a US Passport. They can apply online or through a travel agent. To apply online have them visit:  http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/index.html. Both a Passport and Visa are required, and you don't want to be "stopped at the gate" because a Visa has not been ordered early enough for travel to Australia. Nominations for district governor are being accepted for the period 12/1/02 through 2/15/03.  Please contact Bill Spaulding with any nominees at 925-938-0700. The district conference will be held in Fairfield on 4/24-27/02.  A Golf tournament will held concurrently Coming Speakers 02/21/03 Scott Donahue - Composite Sculpture 02/28/03 Dr. Gloria Johnston Recognitions As both Joey Baggs and David K. were missing in action and all with the club is otherwise well, Prez Dave move directly to…. Happy/Sad $$ Un-mean Joe Green with sad & happy dollars, elicited truly sad sighs from the members as he informed us of his pending move from Richmond to become Head Librarian for the City of Kansas City Missouri.  Joe will be leaving in a month, March 10th, but promised to join the Rotary Club in Kansas City and return often.  (A replacement for the Richmond Library has not yet been selected.) Josh Genser had sad dollars following Joe Green's announcement, but happy dollars for Stanford's upset over the  #1 University of Arizona while his favorite team to hate (Cal) lost to Arizona State. Dr. Herb was intrigued that Joe Green was going to Kansas City. Speaking in incomplete sentences, Dr. Herb when on to observe, "That there are people from Bakersfield…[no member disputed that there are at least some people from Bakersfield]…for those of you who don't remember, that's where Walter Marks went."  The ensuing cacophony concluded with Prez Dave's wondering if any conclusion could be drawn from "this" (no doubt meaning the metaphysical relationship between Bakersfield, Richmond and Kansas City. Jim Young had one Happy Dollar for happily spelling any guest's name correctly if it was given or e-mailed to him for "The Flywheel". Prez Dave used the proceeding comment about "The Flywheel" to segway into copious praise for the publication, including the club's accomplishment in creating "The e-Flywheel" and its recent scribes, Jan Brown, Mark Howe and the writer.  An appreciated round of applause was given by the members.  After giving up $5 Happy Dollars Prez Dave mused that the only real challenge facing the club was getting its last few members on the internet (no names were mentioned). Lawlis Jon has put a slide show of the Reno trip on the club's home page www.richmondcarotary.org/reno2003/default.htm .  The writer notes you do not have to be over 18 to check out these e-pics. Charley Fender had Sad Dollars for Cal's demise at the hands of ASU last night, but Happy Dollars for Cal's pending victory over Arizona "tomorrow". Raffle There was $447 at risk.  Ms. Bond picked Jan Brown as the rafflee.  Jan picked a white ball.. Prez. Dave rang the bell and adjourned the meeting. Flywheel Editor Jim Young

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