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Our speaker, Dr. Virpi Honkala lives in Raake, Finland, so she joined us via Zoom. Virpi, who is a surgeon, is also Rotary International Treasurer. Her zone covers from Greenland to the east border of Russia, and to the southern border of Poland. Her husband Matti is also a Rotarian and is a Finnish business professional. They became Rotarians in 2001. On the Club level, she was President 2003-04, was also Foundation Chair and Treasurer. She was DG in 2009-10, and on the District level, she was the coordinator for the Doctor Bank, the District Rotary Foundation. As an RI Director (2020-22) Virpi was a liaison to shaping Rotary's Future Committee, a member of the Council Legislation Advisory Committee and a member of the Administration Committee. As RI Treasurer this past year, she's been a member of the Executive Committee and a member of the Finance Committee. On this day, Virpi reminded us of the core values that connects each Rotarian to one another all around the world: Fellowship, Integrity, Diversity, Service and Leadership. Rotary's vision is "Together we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change - across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves." As with the mission of The Rotary Foundation, to enable Rotarians to Advance world understanding, good will, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, the support of the environment and the alleviation of poverty, shared with us the many projects the Rotary Foundation has been financing - many of them she and her Club have been a part of. Dr. Honkala shared with the Club some of thge projects that the Rotary Foundation has funded. The Pingori Miracle is the successful effort to harvest rainwater in a soil-rich but arid area in Maharashtra, India. In doing do, this provides water year round for crops. This community economic development project brought family farms from poverty to prosperity in just five years. This was a an international partnership with districts in Finland, Sweden, New Zealand and the U.S. Another example is the cataract operations performed on blind Ethiopians to give them their eyesight back. This was hosted by RC Nigdi-Pune in India, with international partners in Finland and Korea. She also suggested when we look for service ideas, we can look to the history of Rotary and their first project of public toilets. Many countries may not have facilities like we are used to. Rotary Peace Programs was another program Dr. Honkala mentioned. Clubs may find suitable candidates and send in applications through their districts. The peace fellows are chosen by an international committee. The Rotary Foundation covers all expenses. Rotary Peace Centers are located in Sweden, Japan, Thailand, Australia, Uganda, UK and U.S (Duke University). Up to 130 peace fellowship candidates are selected every year. As an honorary member of this Club for several years now, it never ceases to amaze me (cliché, I know) to learn of the amazing work Rotary does everywhere everyday! |
