Denny’s Diner, San Diego

April 9, 2019;  6:18pm

Present: Amy Vegter, Fernando Santos, Carmen Diaz, Maxie Gluckman, Janet Mikelson, David Ballesteros, Marian Pavlovich Sargeant, Scot Sargeant, Felipe Razo, Maurilio Melendez, Emma Aguirre, Jill McManigal

Meeting opened with a sharing for caring moment. President Maxie had each member team up with another Rotarian and talk about a service project or event they were involved with over the past month. Afterwards she opened the discussion and had some of us give highlights to the group from other members. Fernando began the discussion by sharing his involvement with local children in Tijuana who needed hearing aids and migrant sheltering at the YMCA. He indicated that there is a big need for help. Maurilio continued the discussion by sharing that he was involved with the Oncological Pediatric Ward at the Hospital General de Tijuana. He indicated that preparations were already underway for the Dia del Nino (Day of Children), April 26th. He also mentioned that a new development will be under construction and there might be an opportunity for our club to be involved. Maxie then contributed by saying that Natalia (Carmen’s daughter) had also been involved as a volunteer for a health organization helping ill patients.

Guest speaker, former teacher by profession, Carlsbad resident, co-founder of Kids for Peace, Jill McManigal, was later introduced. She started her presentation by revealing her belief and passion for uplifting the world with love and action. As stated in the following quote by Ghandi, “If we are to achieve lasting peace it must begin with children”. This motivated her to focus her peace efforts with children, encouraging them from a young age to create peace from within, and through global friendships and finally acts of kindness and service.

Ultimately, the vision of Kids for Peace is a safe and peaceful world where everyone respects each other. Currently, the non profit organization has over 450 chapters in 121 countries around the globe. Their “peace pledge” which was recited to all members at the meeting has even been presented to Congress on Capitol Hill. Her work with the organization has also led her to travel many countries.

Each chapter is responsible for 2 programs. The first is the Peace Pledge Program which is year round, and calls for the pledge to be put to action. The second is the Great Kindness Challenge, which is based off of a checklist which drives children to complete acts of kindness. All of these are implemented by the schools. The program has even been showcased on Good Morning America.

Another component of the program is the kids coin program which are global service projects in which an underprivileged child makes a wish and another child in a better socio-economic condition helps make the wish come true.

The children also nominate Peace heros, Jason Mraz, Jane Goodall, and Tony Hawk are among some of the recipients of the Peace Hero award. This year the President of Liberia will be given the award.

The presentation concluded with several questions.

For more information about the organization please go to: https://kidsforpeaceglobal.org/about

Maxie then discussed club elections and President elect, Carmen Diaz requested a postponement till next month. At next month we will finalize positions for the 2019-2020 year.

Save the DATE:

April 26th- Dia de Nino at the Hospital General de Tijuana for the pediatric cancer patients 9am-1pm; travel details to be sent via whatsapp as date approaches

May 14th- Guest Speaker TBD, at Denny’s Diner

Jun. 11th- Rotary Year-End party/meeting at Achiote Restaurant, in San Ysidro

Treasury items:

Board will determine if there is sufficient funds to make a contribution to the desserts for the children at the Hospital and also for the doctors who will be volunteering at the Thousand Smiles clinic in Ensenada the first week of August.