The Rotary 'social time' before President Alex officially called the March 11th meeting to order consisted of Covid- 19 vaccination updates with a bit of optimism showing through. Our fine, Fine Master, John O'Neil, raised spirits with an early 'wearing of the green', and advice (warning) to do so for the next meeting. Might there be fines in our future if we don't comply?
At 5:30 the meeting was called to order and The Four-Way Test was led by President Alex. Cheryl Roop quoted former First Ladies words of wisdom before leading the pledge. Phil Warner noted our focus on Diversity, and stepped up for inspiration which he drew from Malala, the teen advocate who was shot by the Taliban for her advocacy of education for girls in Pakistan which she began at 11. She received the Nobel Peace Prize, and recognition by the United Nations and others. Ladies, what we we doing at 11?
Our Greeter, Maguy Feghali, welcomed all members and guests; Barbara Crew and Debra Goodrich.
and Joel Doss added our musical tribute. President-Elect, Athenea Luciano enthusiastically spoke to us about her attendance at PETS, with other presidents-elect and praised our International President for his liveliness and vision and this year's theme-"To change the World." He spoke of 'empowering girls', not just welcoming them. Mike Fuqua who also attended noted that he was 'obnoxiously enthusiastic' about the training sessions. President Alex thanked the meeting volunteers: Mike Fuqua, Zoom Set-Up, Sonny Googins, Scribe, and Bill Angus, Newsletter. Best wishes for a speedy recovery for Bill's Mom who had heart issues and surgery. Arilla St.Laurent, Family of Rotary encourages reports to her of illness, etc. John O'Neill was appropriately Booed to the scene, and collected Happy Bucks; members were happy about having their Covid vaccines complete. Dan Barrios encouraged those who haven't yet to make their Foundation contribution. Send directly to him.
Our speaker, Sandra Lechman, Federal Attorney, was introduced by Mike Ortiz. After her presentation Terry Heck announced the book gift which Sandra thought was a great idea.
Sandra has made this issue her practice's focus as a Public Defender. The cash bail system, she noted, effects lower income minorities unfairly, since most don't have the cash required for bail. Racism and racial disparities play a dominant role as does immigration and drug usage for incarceration. She praised her immigrant parents for supporting her and planting her ideals which led her to this practice. She offered amazing statistics of disparate treatment and incarceration differences. Jail spending in 2015 was $87 billion - and has grown exponentially. The US has 5% of the world's population, and 25% are incarcerated. In 1972 200,000 and today 2.2 million. Childhood Trauma plays a significant role in the numbers of minorities jailed. For both males and females this includes sexual abuse, neglect from parents, drug use of parents, unstable homes, being left alone and mental illness. Operation Streamline, an attempt to smooth entry at the borders is another inequity wherein whites are treated differently. Inequities such as cages linked together for some and not others exists and selection of whites first for processing. We thank Sandra for her dedication to help minorities and immigrants gain an equal status and for fighting the 'cash bail' system.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Next meeting is March 18 at 11:00.
Bob Rogres will Speak on Polio Plus and John O'Neill will present on the Foundation.
District Events: March is Water and Sanitation month in the Rotary world. March 22 is World Water Day.
March 27/28 is Model UN virtual conference.
Meeting adjourned at 7:00p.m.
Sonny Googins, Scribe
