“It is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.” — Dietrich Bonhoeffer – 1906-1945 – German Protestant pastor, theologian, anti-Nazi dissident

 

“The real gift of gratitude is that the more grateful you are, the more present you become.” – Robert Holden – Author-Psychologist

 

“The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you.” – BB King – 1925-2015-Singer-Songwriter

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(notes provided by the erudite Mary Hodson)

 

November Bucket Bucks will be directed to The Angel Forever Foundation.

 

There are still slots open for Salvation Army Bellringing.   Contact Mary Kay to sign up.

 

Jarrod announced he is making pancake sweaters to distribute on Black Friday.  Contact Jarrod to place your order.

 

 

PROGRAM

 

Darrell introduced Dean Dempsey, a member of the Bitter Water Clan of the Navajo Nation.  His parents emphasized education as a way of rising out of the poverty of the reservation.   He attended DeVry University and now lives in Danville.

 

The Navajo Nation is the largest full blooded Native American Community in the world.   The Navajo reservation covers parts of New Mexico, Arizona and Utah.  The federal government owns the land and exercises control over the reservation.    The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) must approve how the tribe spends money and they do not trust the natives with funding for infrastructure programs.

 

One in five households on Navajo land lack access to running water.   Some families cannot afford electricity so they live without both water and electricity.  The reservation has been hard hit by the COVID-19 global pandemic.   Some residents must travel hours to reach one of the few clinics or hospitals.

 

Dean still has family living on the reservation.  His uncle delivers water to families who do not have access to running water.   He was using his own truck and made many trips to deliver water from an artesian well.   Dean started a Go Fund Me page called “Water for Oak Springs” to raise the money for his uncle to buy a water truck.   They now have a new Facebook page with a donation button, and the Go Fund Me page is still open.

 

Rotary clubs from California and Nevada help install wells through a project called “Dig Deep”.   They started on the east side of the reservation and are gradually working west.

 

Dean can be reached at tcoakville@gmail.com or 505-407-7402.

 

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  Nov 26th Dec 3rd Dec 10th Dec 17th
         
Reflection No meeting –  Diana Dummitt Ata Durukan Ondine Gross
Notetaker Turkey Day Conforti Perry Hodson

 

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UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee member responsible listed in parentheses)

*All meetings via Zoom unless otherwise noted*

 

November 26th – No meeting – Thanksgiving

December 3rd – Susan Zola (Mary)

December 10th – Tracy Parsons (Ondine)

December 17th – C-U Sunrise Rotary Holiday Party (held during normal meeting time)

December 24th – No meeting

December 31st – Regular meeting canceled; social at 7pm (location TBD)

January 7th – TBD

January 14th – TBD

January 21st – TBD

January 28th – TBD