No. 260 - A FINE "ROTARIAN" WHO IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE

No. 260

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Jim Davidson...NEWSPAPER COLUMN

A FINE ROTARIAN WHO IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE

The vast majority of the people in this country are so busy trying to make a living, pay their bills and taxes, rear their children and enjoy the fruits of their labor that they dont have time to worry about our nations massive social and economic problems. The only time they really get concerned or involved is when it affects them personally. For example, Rachel Scotts father who tragically lost his daughter in the school shootings in Littleton, Colorado, would not have gone on a personal crusade against school violence had he not suffered the loss of a beloved member of his family.

Every responsible, freedom loving citizen of this great nation should be outraged at what is happening to our moral fabric and be committed to making a difference in the future. In this regard, a very successful South Dakota newspaper publisher shared a quote with me that I had never heard before. He didnt identify who said it but here it is, The hottest spot in hell is reserved for those people who are not willing to take a stand for their convictions. This is really something to think about in the event you are not willing to get involved.

On a more positive note, I want to tell you about a very fine Rotarian who is willing to get involved. A few months after I spoke to the Fairfield Bay Rotary Club in Fairfield Bay, Arkansas I got a letter from Larry Mozer who was in attendance that day. He was responding to my column titled, A National Call To Righteousness by telling me about a project their club has with one of the area schools.

This school has a required course for ninth grade students that uses the PEACE curriculum supplemented with other materials and activities. This course or program is called Quest and it teaches students how to control anger, handle peer pressure and other relationship issues. The course was started three years ago by a former juvenile judge who decided she could be more effective in teaching students in alternative education before they got into trouble. If you would like to know more about the Quest Course, contact Vicki Sandage, Shirley High School, Shirley, Arkansas 72153.

In his letter, Larry Mozer also told me about another new interactive movie (game) on CD designed to teach teenagers about making hard decisions and to develop strong character traits. He said, I have reviewed the game and found it to be of very high quality. In fact, Emerson Electric of St. Louis was so taken by this game that they are supplying six copies (at $40 per copy) to every school in the state of Oklahoma.

This game is called Central High. You can find more information on the Internet at: www.centralhighmovie.com The description of the game is as follows: A superintellegent alien life-force threatens Earths extinction due to corruption, greed and violence of the people. Really !!! But the alien life-force has granted one chance to prove that humans have the strengths and virtues of positive character worthy of continued existence.

Larry ends his letter by saying, You might find the game as a good starting point for your National Call To Righteousness beginning with our young people. I feel this would be of value in schools all over the nation. He was also kind enough to write my friend Bob George at the Dodge City High School in Kansas and share some great information with him. Bob is a history teacher, a Vietnam veteran and is interested in reducing violence in his school. Thanks Larry Mozer, you are a fine Rotarian who is proving that one person can truly making a difference. Hopefully, other Rotary Clubs and individual Rotarians, across the nation will also get involved. (EDITOR'S NOTE: Jim Davidson is a motivational speaker and syndicated columnist. You may contact him at 2 Bentley Drive, Conway, AR 72034.)

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