Chair: Alana Hirtle
O Canada
Personal Reflection: Focus on the positive and the blessings we have received this past year
Guest Speaker: Professor David Divine: Systemic Racism and District 7820’s Anti-Systemic Racism task force
Professor David Divine has occupied senior positions in social work practice and social housing in the UK. He ran a consultancy specialising in social work, housing and community health from 1994-2004. In 2004 he was headhunted for the James Robinson Johnston Chair in Black Canadian Studies at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, Canada from 2004-2009, in addition to being a fully tenured Professor of Social Work at the university. During his time as Chair in Black Canadian Studies, Professor Divine assisted in acquiring over $3.8 million dollars in grant funding within 4 years.
Professor Divine splits his time between pursuing doctoral studies on the impact of children and young people who have spent a significant period in residential care and managing Footprint Life Coaching. He is the current President of the Rotary Club of Halifax Northwest, and has been integral to the work of the Rotary District 7820 Anti-Systemic Racism Task Force with a focus on Anti-Black Racism.
David had sent out 2 articles for us to read before his presentation, links in previous email from Alana. He described diversity or differences as being visible – e.g. clothing, accent, culture, ethnicity, race, skin colour – and invisible – e.g. disability, sexuality, economic status. A healthy vibrant community is where diversity and differences are acknowledged, named and celebrated. There is value and power in storytelling and in our presence in seeking understanding and focus on feelings. There is an importance in self-definition. A difference is not to be corrected. He gave the example of Rotarian Nadine’s tears in talking about her struggles and challenges being a French speaker in a non-French world, and referred us to the work of Audrey Lord.
Everyone should be able to live in a world of basic human rights. We should be active in promoting our collective and individual rights. We can’t be a silent witness to inequity and discrimination. He referred us to the handout he had emailed about the integration of these ideas in the 4-Way test. The district Anti-Racism task force will be producing a document about systemic racism which will be a discussion primer. It is due out in the next few weeks. There will be pointers about connecting, reaching out, talking, acknowledging each other, seeking to find a relationship, sustaining that conversation, building that relationship. We need to know our history and see beyond visible differences as well. The trappings of our history, pain, bloodshed, have consequences. We need safe spaces for these actions. Rotary can be a receptive container for our vulnerability and differences. He has a commitment to making District 7820’s mission statement a reality.
For further reference:
3. Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man, by Emmanuel Acho, published by Flatiron books, New York, 2020
Alana thanked Professor Divine for his important presentation and looks forward to the work coming out soon from the task force.
Committee Reports:
Yearbook: Lech is trying to close the loopholes. So far there are >100 ads so we are past the break even point. If you have follow ups to do, keep pushing along. Lett Matt or Joanna or Lech know if there are any barriers to getting the list finished.
Christmas Index: Brian reported Rotary helped 157 children this year. The deliveries and pick up will be this week from Wednesday to Friday. Keep an eye out for emails re opportunities to help.
Rotary Cares: Andrew and Matt are in Amherst today to speak to club and thank them for $5000 donation. There is more good news coming in January.
President’s Report
President Jane is appreciating all the committee work. The Davgo orders are in. She will contact people directly with their order amounts to pay Al by e-transfer.. She noted that this is Garth’s last meeting. Garth spoke for a few minutes about what the club has meant to him.
Happy Mug:
Alana: Garth, you will be sorely missed
Ed: happy to have key
Terry: happy/emotional re seeing COVID vaccine being administered to health care workers
Lech: happy to see the pop up COVID testing clinics, with some Rotarians volunteering and getting tested.
Meeting adjourned. This was our last meeting of 2020. Wishing everyone a peaceful and meaningful festive season and see you again January 4 2020. 26 participants.