At Lincoln South Rotary Club on October 21 we heard from Rotary District 5650 Governor 2022-23 Barb Bartle.
The theme for Rotary International 2022-23 is Imagine Rotary.
District Governor Barb Bartle's leadership has helped us all Imagine Rotary - what Rotary can do in our communities - local and around the world. We have been challenged to imagine new ways to hold our meetings and increase our membership.
She briefly shared information about the Imagine Rotary Tour - modeled after Rotary International President Jennifer Jones who is on a world Imagine Rotary Tour. Barb indicated that there have been membership inquiries because of the tour - people recognize the impact of Rotary. Rotarians are People of Action - 1.4 million Rotarians in 46.000 clubs around the world. As People of Action we align our goals and action plans with those of Rotary International. By aligning our goals and activities it just further proves how much we have in common.
She challenged us to imagine what we would have done on 2-24-22 which is when Russia invaded Ukraine and started the war that continues today. The 2021-22 Rotary Theme was Serve to Change Lives. But with the war, it also led us to Serve to Save Lives. The story that she would share about the people impacted by the war was:
Courage
Compassion
Commitment
Lincoln 14 Rotary Club Member Steve Glenn, with his connections in the travel industry, was able to secure a hotel in Warsaw to house refugees from Ukraine for a month. That was a commitment of $50,000 raised by Steve, his family and many friends including Rotarians.
Barb traveled to Warsaw early in the project to help with the project. Steve asked Lincoln 14 to help set up the processes so Barb traveled with 2 of Steve's staff members. They had the hotel secured and the rooms has been paid for but how would they communicate with those in need, coordinate their housing, and transport them to the hotel. Barb and other volunteers were challenged to get this processes in place.
Early on they learned that there were non profit organizations stationed at the border. They would meet the refugees and get them connected with the services they needed.
Barb shared stories. One woman arrived at the hotel with only a couple of cloth grocery bags. Barb learned that the woman and her family were in a city that was raided. They hid in the basement as they knew that there were snipers on the rooftops. They took only what they could to the basement with them. One day they heard someone outside yell "we have room for 2". The family decided that the lady and her daughter would go - they grabbed a couple of bags and ran to the van. There was not time to pack additional items or grab valuables.
The escape from Ukraine - the travel to Warsaw - was especially difficult on babies who were often dehydrated.
Compassion
The compassion of the people of Poland was heart-warming. Almost every home took in refugees - not knowing how long they would be with them. Some continue to house refugees (8 months later). Many have been able to move on to more permanent housing.
Poland had a population of 3 million and the City of Warsaw had a population of 500,000 ahead of the war. They estimated that 60% of those refugees would end up being permanent residents. That increase in population translated to 80 new schools with staff that could speak Russian.
There were processes put in place to allow quick citizenship approval so that they would have access to services. They would have access to financial stipends, medical support and education.
Commitment
Rotary does not leave the table. Rotary knows how to partner and get things done. We continue to support Ukraine working with governments and non-profits to keep Ukrainians housed and as safe as possible.
These stories are huge - they are international - and it may be hard to connect when we are so far away.
But, Governor Barb encouraged us to consider how we can translate Courage, Compassion and Commitment here in Lincoln. She encouraged us to look at the most recent Lincoln Vital Signs reports for the City of Lincoln and find a way that we can help.
When public, private and non-profit organizations all work together . . . Imagine What Rotary Can Accomplish.
What impact will our Rotary Club make?
What impact will we, as Rotarians, make?
BIO
Barbara recently retired as president of the Lincoln Community Foundation after serving for twelve years. She has nearly 50 years of experience in fundraising, program development, public engagement and teaching. Prior to coming to the Lincoln Community Foundation, Barbara was president of the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools for 18 years.
She currently is on the Chancellor’s Board of Counselors for the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the Lied Center for Performing Arts Statewide Advisory Board and has served on numerous nonprofit boards in Lincoln.
Barbara was a College Board education ambassador to China. She is recipient of the Spirit of United Way award, named Woman of the Year for the Lincoln Journal Star Inspire Award and inducted into the Hall of Fame for the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Nebraska Chapter.
She is past president of Lincoln Rotary Club 14 and Lincoln Rotary 14 Foundation. Barbara was selected to be Team Leader for Rotary International Group Study Exchange to India.
Barb is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow and currently a member of the Paul Harris Society of The Rotary International Foundation.
Her favorite time is spent with husband, Bob, and their three children and families—just ask her about her seven grandchildren.
