Highlights of February 22 Meeting

 

 

 

 

 

Dick asked Visiting Rotarian Harry Grossman to draw the winning raffle ticket which was held by his table-mate, Eric Silverberg.  Eric was given the daily winnings and a chance to try to draw the Ace of Clubs, which would have entitled him to the larger accumulating pot if he had been successful - which he was not.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

President Colleen introduced Cheryl Laflen who has been an Arizona resident for sixty-five years.  She has lived in Mesa for fifty years.  She retired after 25 years as a librarian in Mesa Public Schools.

 

Cheryl was widowed in 2017.  She has six children, twelve grandchildren and one great granddaughter.  She lives in Red Mountain Ranch.

 

Cheryl is a three-time cancer survivor.  She has been a volunteer at Ironwood cancer center for nearly seven years.

 

In 2022, Cheryl was named Mesa Woman of the Year.

 

She joined Mesa Sister Cities 24 years ago.  She has served three terms as President.  She has traveled to Mexico, Canada, Peru, New Zealand, Egypt, South Africa, several states and all over Arizona in support of the Mission of Sister Cities.  She has been on the Arizona Sister Cities Board for nine years.  In 2022, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award.

 

Cheryl said that Sister Cities is an international organization.  It was started by a man who had been in war.  The goal is to work toward world peace through citizen diplomacy by reaching out across borders and building friendships.  It was officially founded September 11, 1956 which happens to be Cheryl's birthday.

 

There are 500 member cities in the United States, with 1800 relationships in 140 countries.  Though not tied to politics, the relationships are recognized by leadership in both communities.

 

In 2006, Cheryl had the opportunity to attend the 50th anniversary conference.  She said it was the most meaningful event she hadever experienced.  She saw mayors from Israel, Palestine, and Syria dining at the same table and having a good time with each other.

 

Mesa has five sister cities:

The relationships work differently in each case.  In some cases, the visits to not happen as frequently.  In 1999 she went to Burnaby Canada.  They have much in common with Mesa.  She said they were treated like royalty when they were there.  They will be coming to Mesa in April to celebrate 25 years of that relationship.

 

They are working to start new relationships in South Korea and the United Kingdom.

 

They have a student exchange program, but their program is just three-week visits in each country.  The visits typically happen in the summer, which may need to be re-considered here in Arizona.  She was aware of one visitor who was disappointed because she had always wanted to ride a school bus, but that opportunity was not available.

 

Cheryl said they are always looking for people with open hearts and open minds.  Anyone who is interested in getting involved can go to their website where an application for membership is available.

 

She is aware of our club's Hearing Project in Guaymas.  One of her grandchildren wants to be an audiologist.  Her last husband was a Rotarian.

 

Bob Jensen provided a little background.  He said Sister Cities and Mesa Baseline Rotary were both involved in the medical mission that resulted in our hearing project.  

 

To answer a question, Cheryl said the China relationship is difficult.  It has been dormant for several years and is currently in emeritus status.