Chuck Cusick & Jeanne Schaller
Our guest presenter, Jeanne Lound Schaller, joined us this week to speak about how Rotary connections have helped her increase her commitment of peace building both home and abroad.
Jeanne became a Rotary Peace Fellow at the young age of 69. She has traveled extensively promoting peace and nonviolence. As an honorary Midland Noon Rotarian she leads the chapter's Nonviolent Peaceforce, an international NGO that works to "transform the world's response to conflict." Jeanne has also worked diligently to help bring awareness to the ongoing conflicts in Sudan and aids in the initiative to end them.
Jeanne began her presentation with a short uplifting song of peace. Then, shared about the following topics:
* How her Rotary Committee is currently working on district peacebuilding for youth
* Her work with youth in schools through the NP Midland Chapter
* How the Rotary 2019/2020 Global Grant for South Sudan is unfolding
Since 2014, Jeanne has brought together a teaching team of NP Chapter members whom have helped teach Midland area students about conflict resolution and anti-bullying. The team has even introduced a modified version of the 4-WAY TEST to middle school students in 2 Midland area schools.
Near the end of her presentation Jeanne read a poignant quote from Martin Luther King, Jr. which left one to ponder the significance of promoting peace and nonviolence: “This is the unusual thing about nonviolence. Nobody is defeated and everyone shares in the victory.”
