2022 Letter to Rotary International About Speaking Up For Ukraine
Background
Our club believes that R.I. has influence around the world and we urge R.I. to take a courageous stance supporting Ukraine in its
defense from Russia's invasion, and use its voice to encourage countries that have not supported Ukraine to step up and do so.
2022 Our 'Letter to the Editor' Published in ROTARIAN Magazine
Background
An article in the Rotarian magazine, December 2021, titled "The End of the World as We Know It?" disturbed us
because it seemed to say that climate change isn't worth worrying about. RCWP member Paul Schwartz volunteered to draft a
'Letter to the Editor' expressing our disagreement with the article's message. Of course we didn't think it would be printed.
After a brief email back-and-forth between Paul and the Editor, we were informed that out letter would in fact be printed
in the March 2022 issue of the magazine, along with 2 other letters from readers responding to the same article.
Here is the letter we sent to the magazine:
We were shocked and dismayed to read the article by Frank Bures ["The End of the World as We Know It?"] in the December issue.
Bures equates the warnings about global warming to ancient mythology. This isn’t just nonsense; it’s worse than that.
Rotary has clubs in parts of the world that are already feeling serious effects of climate change.
For that matter, here in the United States the changing weather patterns are unmistakable.
Of all organizations on the planet, Rotary should be at the forefront, a leader in urging
the adoption of policies to stem the creeping danger.
It is shameful to see you instead giving space to someone whose message might well be summed up as: "Don’t worry, be happy."
— The Board of the Rotary Club of White Plains, New York
This PDF contains:
1. the original article from the ROTARIAN magazine ("The End of the World as We Know It?" by Frank Bures);
2. the three letters to the editor responding to the article;
3. and the email thread between Paul Schwarz and the magazine editor.
December 7, 2021 - Brief address by Andrew L. Mozello
Remembering and commemorating that day of infamy...
This is an excellent reading for the first December meeting each year,
just remember to adjust the anniversary year...
this speech mentions the 80th several times.
Click the logo to open the PDF
2021 Completed Community Potable Water System for Communities in Ecuador
With completion of the successful Global Grant # 1874107 from Rotary
International, the Rotary Club of Bahía de Caráquez has now completed seven
of these water projects bringing safe water to the homes of about 1800
families so far... a successful effort that would never have been possible
if not for the goodwill and participation of Rotarians and their clubs.
Our club has worked with the Bahia club over the past 2 decades, arranging
to help Bahia directly by, for example, donating an ambulance, providing
fire-fighting gear, and helping build a school. A summary of prior projects
can be found at
https://rotarywp.org/ourclub/ecuador/Bahiasum.asp
Recent Stuff
RCWP Honored by RDC
Center For Counseling Sept 16, 2020
4th Annual Fundraiser
"EAT WELL, DO GOOD" Gala festival, Jan 30, 2019
An evening of fine wine and food sampling -- a fundraiser
evening not to be missed!
A crowd of 150+ assembled at the C.V. Rich Mansion in White
Plains (Women's Club)
for delicacies from 10 restaurants and 7 purveyors of wines,
beers, and spirits.
Click
the picture below to open the photoalbum
Annual Performance
White Plains High School Honors String Ensemble
Every December, we are proud and delighted to host the WPHS Honors
String Ensemble.
On December 18, 2018, we enjoyed a performance from the HONORS
strings.
On March 7, 2017, the club meeting marked the 30-year anniversary of
women joining Rotary,
a movement initiated by members of the White Plains Rotary Club.
Click
this picture below for the "rest of the story"
Evening Meeting at Clay Art
Center, Sept 27, 2016
Evening meeting with the
Rotary Clubs of Greenwich, Port Chester/Rye Brook and White Plains
Click the picture below for
the photoalbum
Past Presidents Celebration,
Nov 17, 2015
Honoring our club's past
presidents were many PDGs and RI dignitaries
Founded in 1995, the O'Rourke
Irish Dancers include Regional and National Champions as well as World
medal holders! This was their final performance before heading to
Scotland for the world championships.
Click the picture below to see photos and videos of their
spectacular performance!
St. Patrick's Day Parade in
White Plains March 12, 2016
2013 - Harry Bright's
Motivational Speech to Track Stars
Our club sponsors the annual Loucks Track Meet, and Harry gave a
motivational speech to the WPHS athletes on April 23, 2013. This
is a 5 minute video; it's a really good speech.
Harry O. Bright was a world class runner, and a pioneering
member of the New York Pioneer Club. In this interview, Harry
discusses his running experiences throughout his life, including
track meets around the world, his US Army track events, and
more. Throughout his life, Harry confronted and (usually)
overcame the societal institutionalized racism that blocked his
path as he continued to run and succeed in his career.
This is a 28 minute video made just one month before Harry's
89th birthday; it's so much fun listening to Harry recount many
life experiences.
Holiday Performance 12/16/2014
We were fortunate to have the WPHS Choir AND the WPHS
String Orchestra perform for our annual Holiday luncheon. Wow! youtube duration:2:34
2012
Scholarships 2012
On June 12, 2012, we awarded 26 scholarships to exceptional seniors
in the 3 high schools in White Plains.
11/15/2012 - Received the "Community Partner Award"
... from the Association of Development Officers (ADO) for 93
years of service to White Plains.
"The Community Partner Award is presented to a corporation,
organization, or private community foundation that has
demonstrated outstanding leadership, financial support, in-kind
contributions, and/or volunteerism for the good of our
communities." (ADOonline.org]
Rotarian Kurt Kannemeyer was named to the 2012 Class of Rising
Stars for the Business Council of Westchester. This is an elite
group of "40 under 40" young movers and shakers. Way to go,
Kurt!
Pre-2010
Dave Schribman (r) received the prestigious "Four Avenues of Service"
award from President Ted Nygreen at the June 24, 2008 meeting.
Our club received the Presidential Citation from Rotary
International!
Important Early Years
1986-87 Rotary Brings Hope
It was during this Rotary year that women were admitted for
membership. Our district governor was Glen Nygreen, and our club
president was Andy Morzello. Both played a part in having women
admitted as members.
1986-87 Rotary Brings Hope
R.I. president MAT Caparas came to White Plains in June 1987 and
inducted 3 women members into our club. It was the first time a
president of R.I. inducted a woman. Read about our club's role in
this historic event.
1994-95 Be A Friend
Andrew Morzello was district governor in the 1994-95 year. It was
due to Andy's friendship with MAT Caparas that the R.I. president
visited our club to induct 3 women members in 1987.
2001-02 Membership Card
2003-04 Membership Card
During the 20th century, Rotarians were expected to carry membership
cards and present them as proof of membership when visiting other
clubs. Old-timers may also recall how important it was to obtain
"make-up" slips when visiting other clubs, because the attendance
requirement was real, and you could really lose your membership if
you missed too many meetings. By the turn of the century, we
purchased paper member cards as shown, and used Word's mailmerge
function to create a personalized membership card for each Rotarian
in the club. It was a giant step forward to use plastic cards in
2003-04.
The Rotary Club of White Plains is Club 5043, District 7230, Zone
32, Region USCB, Federal tax ID 13-6111471. The "Foundation of the
Rotary Club of White Plains" is tax exempt, New York State #219346,
tax ID 13-6165380.
The Rotary Club of White Plains was chartered October 1,
1919, charter number 540. Mailing address: P.O. Box 1712, White
Plains NY 10602. Website created August 2001.
The Rotary Club of White Plains is Club 5043, District 7230, Zone
32, Region USCB, Federal tax ID 13-6111471. The "Foundation of the
Rotary Club of White Plains" is tax exempt, New York State #219346,
tax ID 13-6165380.
The Rotary Club of White Plains was chartered October 1,
1919, charter number 540. Mailing address: P.O. Box 1712, White
Plains NY 10602. Website created August 2001.