Message from International Rotary President Francisco Arezzo:

We are fortunate in Rotary to have a powerful way to support emotional well-being and happiness: friendship. The connections we build in Rotary can be a powerful force for change. I know this from personal experience.

When my fellow members first proposed that I become club president, I demurred. I had a stutter. I was terrified of speaking. But having club members who supported me and surrounded me with affection enabled me to face my fear, and I found a way to stand confidently before a crowd.

Today, I regularly address audiences — some numbering in the thousands — in a language that is not native to me. The Rotary members in my life helped me create lasting change within myself.

Rotary can answer that call by championing mental health awareness in our clubs, working with local health systems, funding training for community health workers, and supporting initiatives that bring care to places where none exists. Even small investments in mental health yield enormous returns in productivity, public health, and happiness.

While we are creating lasting change in the world, we cannot forget to take care of each other. Past RI President Gordon McInally wisely reminds us that we must go beyond asking, “How are you?” We owe it to each other to instead ask, “How are you, really?”

As we transition to a new year filled with new possibilities, let us 𝙐𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙂𝙤𝙤𝙙 — for healing, friendship, and access to happiness.

Francesco Arezzo

Rotary President

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Who will follow Terre as President of the RCHR Noon Club?

Remembering those whose shoulders we stand upon.

*****

Blair Gifford spoke at our noon      meeting last Thursday. He is the director of the international health management certificate in the health administration MBA programs at CU. Gifford is the founder, first director of the Center for Global Health (2003-6), and current executive committee member of the Center for Global Health at the University of Colorado. Gifford is also the founder and current board chair of Global Health Connections, Inc., a not-for-profit in Denver that serves to broaden health education globally. Gifford is also the principal of Health Beyond Borders, LLC, an international health consulting organization. He let us know that training local college graduates to inspire health related practices is having a measurable, positive effect on sub-saharan quality of life and even on life expectancy.

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Dec. 7th Note from Tamie Fennell:

I wanted to keep everyone informed about Guy Caves' (pictured above) current health situation. As many of you know, Guy was admitted to the hospital yesterday afternoon and has been in the ICU. Fortunately, Claudia is hopeful that he will be transferred to a regular hospital unit later this evening, which is a positive step forward. Guy was taken by EMS on Saturday morning, and since then, he has undergone a series of tests, including an MRI. He has also been seen by a neurologist and other specialists. The good news is that they have ruled out a stroke and any heart-related issues. However, the medical team is still working to determine the exact cause of his condition. He is expected to remain in the hospital for a few more days as doctors continue their assessments. We will keep you updated as we learn more about his progress. Please keep Guy and Claudia in your thoughts and prayers during this challenging time. Thank you for your support and kindness. 

Warm regards,

Tamie

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Thank you for reading! Please send submissions to philipbclarke@gmail.com and put Wheel Spinner in the subject line. Thank you to Jeannie Taylor for covering our latest meeting and to Beth Clarke for proofing my goofing.

“And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.”

Paul McCartney