March 30, 2015 - Today we listened to presentations by members Jim Durham and Bill Perkins. Jim gave us a brief history of his life and career. Today Jim is a Process Engineering Manager with Compound Photonics. He began his career with a construction company then joined the navy and completed his education after leaving the navy. He graduated with a degree in ceramics engineering and electrical engineering. He worked fro IBM, Motorola, and Fairchild, along with some independent consulting, before his current employer. Jim also shared his career philosophy with us. Jim has two kids and is now keeping in shape by playing hockey.
Bill told us about his home club's (Bloomington Indiana) annual fund raising event - Race for Literacy. This event is a 5 k walk/run and is organized with the support of a professional company that has experience in this arena. He told us they relied on about 30 volunteers to staff the race and they have about 250 people participate.  The also receive donations from local sponsors. They raise over $3,000 per event.  The funds are used to support the Teacher Warehouse that provides supplies to teachers in the local schools. Our club will discuss the viability of such an event here in our area.   Thanks Jim and Bill for great presentations.

 March 23, 2015 - Through academic training, study, and practice, the Rotary Peace Centers program develops leaders who become catalysts for peace and prevention and resolution of conflict in their communities and around the globe.
Graduates of the program are reintegrating refugees in Sudan, creating jobs for disadvantaged women in India, and supporting reconstruction in devastated regions of the world.
Each year, up to 100 Rotary Peace Fellows are chosen to participate in a master's degree or certificate program at one of several partner universities. Fellows study subjects related to the root causes of conflict and explore innovative solutions that address real-world needs. There are several peace centers around the world.  For more information on the program and the peace centers, click here.

  March 23, 2015 - Jerry Howard, Director of and archeologist at the American Museum of Natural History in Mesa, gave us an interesting presentation on native American history in the Salt River Valley. Relatively recent excavations in the Valley have tracked the progress from 13,500 years ago. The Hohokam people first came here in about 1 A.D. and during the next 1000 yrs built the largest network of canals in the new world. Jerry showed us a map of the area showing the complex system of canals. His presentation brought several questions from the group who learned about this interesting history for the first time.