NOVEMBER 4, 2014 ROTARY IN REVIEW:
Home Grown Terrorists and the Bigger Picture

Club 10 Business Report



President the Hon. John Guthmann brought the meeting to order at 12:17 p.m. on a sunny Election Day in downtown Saint Paul.  Jerry Faletti led the assembled Rotarians in singing God Bless America accompanied by Bill Given on the piano. Bob Cardinal provided today's invocation recalling the days of each of our enrollments in Rotary and that no questions were asked regarding religious affiliation---all faiths are welcome in Rotary. Carla Hauge facilitated the introduction of visiting Rotarians and guests.  Today's Greeters were Corey Edmunds and Steve Hanson. 



Jay Pfaender previewed upcoming programs including a committed marathon runner and the president of the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank. Bill Collins described an upcoming New Member Orientation Event to welcome Red Stripers on November 13th (see the website for details).  Geoff Kaufmann provided information about the upcoming Rotary Blood Drive (see the website for details).

Foundations Month details were provided by Jerry Faletti focusing today on Rotary International Foundation's international and humanitarian programs (many details were provided on the objectives of the programs and many achievements over the years). The Paul Harris Award is given each time a Rotarian achieves the $1,000 donation level.  In November, Carol Kralichek will match any Club 10 member’s donation toward the achievement of their first Paul Harris Award. Jerry awarded Paul Harris Fellows to Dr. Ann Frisch and Jim Kosmo today.

Past President and Past District Governor Joe Kovarik rose to speak about the Group Study Exchange program.  Joe described his experiences with the program beginning with his trip to India in 1977. Dist Grants Subcommittee Chair Margie Horning (Stillwater Sunrise Rotary Club) brought a check for $4,000 from the District for the Civilian Based Peace Process project in Southern Thailand. 

Jim Miller introduced today's speaker, Omar Jamal, CEO of American Friends of Somalia, Inc. Mr. Jamal first came to Minnesota years ago to work in the Jesse Ventura administration. He described that as a great experience. Mr. Jamal is troubled by what he sees in America in the present day. The spirit and cohesiveness described by the founders of the country in the words "...all men are created equal..." is no longer present. He sees great disparities fueling many of the problems facing America.

Minnesota is home to the largest Somali population in North America. Mr. Jamal is still personally struggling to understand "Minnesota Nice." Beyond his own experience, in 2007 some Somali's tried to join an Al-Qaeda off-shoot in Somalia known as Al-Shabab. Many of those who went came from the best families and colleges here, not from gangs and bad elements. 40 Minnesotans went to fight with Al-Shabab; 20 Minnesotans have fought with ISIS.

The war on terror is ongoing. Mr. Jamal is shocked that our own citizens are now going to fight against America such a short time after Nine-Eleven (9/11/2001). The "War on Terror" is a war of ideology. "You can only fight an idea with a better idea." Mr. Jamal says look how communism collapsed: "communism was an ideology that was defeated by a better idea." Mr. Jamal hopes that people will one day understand the crisis we are facing. He hopes that people will come to understand the motivation of the person who wants to do us evil. This is not about politics; this is a serious issue. The terrorists promote rejecting the concept of government in the form of the western state. ISIS ignores boundaries and operates in both Syria and Iraq.

He wants to bring to Club 10's attention to what Somalia is like after twenty-two years of civil war. Many refugees of Somalia have come to Minnesota and are now becoming part of our communities, running for office, etc. "Be vigilant and aware of the world that is shaping around you. Before it is too late, embrace the immigrants."

President John thanked Mr. Jamal for his remarks and noted that a donation in his name would be made to the Saint Paul Public Library's "Read With Me" program.  Mr. Jamal was given a light up Rotary pin. President John also awarded Mr. Jamal with an official Rotary coin featuring the Four-Way Test ("Is it the Truth?  Is it Fair to all concerned? Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships?  Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?"). The President asked all to rise and recite the Four-Way Test. He then adjourned the meeting at 1:22 p.m. 

Chuck Standfuss
Scribe