Thursday, August 4, 2022
By: W Todd MillerOn August 3, 2022, the Rotary Club of Washington, D.C. held its weekly meeting and welcomed guest speaker Rae Wood, Vice President of Global Impact.
On August 3, 2022, the Rotary Club of Washington, DC, held its regular weekly meeting in person and via Zoom.
Past President Lynn Holec called the meeting to order at 12:30 PM and lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Secretary Todd Miller led the introduction of guests and visiting Rotarians.
Sergeant-at-Arms Lola Perez recognized birthdays and anniversaries for the week and offered words of wisdom.
Past President Bill Dent discussed the Town Hall meeting that would take place on Zoom on August 10, 2022, immediately following the regular weekly meeting (by Zoom). The Town Hall was being held to discuss the policy for prepayment of lunches for in-person meetings.
PP Lynn expressed condolences for the passing of Jill Kent who remained very active in the Club until her unfortunate and unexpected passing. Details of any memorial service will be shared when they become available.
Todd Miller discussed the Centennial Grant and said that everyone should have received an email with details and a link to the application. He asked people to get the word out about the grant. The themes were chosen by the membership, people should contact him and co-Chair Elise Egan if they want to participate in the committee to review applications, and once the Centennial Grant is awarded, there would a return to other grant activities. For example, there would be discussion of ways to improve the grant review process and there would be applications for and review of applications for the smaller community service grants on their normal schedule.
President Elect Lisa Cohen shared details of her potential abduction as she was attempting to head home after attending American Prophet at Arena Stage, sponsored by Committee for the Equality of Black People. She underscored the importance of having her story believed by the police department which is actively investigating the incident. She was joined by an officer from the Washington, DC, police department who noted the rise of such incidents and emphasized the need to remain aware of surroundings. The Club expressed their appreciation to PE Lisa for her courage in sharing her story.
Sterling Hoffman presented Paul Harris pins to Kenny Barnes, Donna Rucker, Pamela Stern-Green, Charles Day (via Zoom), Lisa Cohen, and Dr. Sam Hancock.
PP Lynn reminded everyone of the Centennial celebration on September 10 and the Baseball night on August 20 and urged everyone to attend.
Steve Liston introduced the speaker, Rae Wood. Ms. Wood has 20 years of leadership experience from diverse fields including the military, defense contracting, nonprofit ministries, and program management. Wood served five years in the United States Marine Corps where she provided tactical leadership to Marines all over the world on land and sea. She served as a missionary in Asia working with unreached people groups and developing a cultural curriculum for an internship program focused on exposing young adults to missionary work. Later, she joined the pastoral staff of her US-based church, leading small group ministries.
In 2014, Ms. Wood launched Prison Fellowship International’s (PFI’s) in-prison evangelism and discipleship program, The Prisoner’s Journey, which is on track to reach 1 million prisoners, with the message of the Gospel, by 2020. She now oversees the strategic implementation of all global field initiatives. Ms. Wood graduated from Regent University with a Master of Arts in Practical Theology.
Ms. Wood noted that this was PFI’s first Rotary event. She explained how PFI seeks to transform the lives of prisoners, families, and victims through a global network of ministry partners. Specifically, PFI tries to break the cycle of crime through Christian ministry.
Ms. Wood was joined by her colleague Jonathan Derby who provided detail on PFI’s vision of “restorative justice.” To PFI, justice is relational, and justice heals. Ultimately, PFI seeks to transform identities. In response to a question, Ms. Rae explained that PFI has been building its network for 40 years and has been most effective in North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
Past President Lynn presented Ms. Wood with a certificate for a planting of a tree under the Club’s Trees for the Capital program.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 PM. Sterling Hoffman and his guest Linda Aufenkamp was the producer at the University Club and Pamela Stern-Green was the producer on Zoom.
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