District Gov. Deepa tells SP Rotarians to be inspired, inspire others
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Published: July 28, 2010
A message from a self-described “One crazy Indian woman” - and one with a hole in her head yet! - inspired Rotarians when they welcomed District 5240 Governor Deepa Willingham at a recent meeting.
Deepa, a member of the Santa Inez Rotary Club, arrived at the Santa Paula Rotary meeting at Logsdon’s at the Airport in her head-turning detailed car promoting the eradication of polio and Rotary participation.
Ventura Rotarian and Acting Assistant District Governor Terry Schaeffer, Past President of Santa Paula Club, which he belonged to for 23 years, introduced Deepa.
Schaeffer noted that during his approximately 30 years of Rotary service he has a perfect attendance record, an accomplishment he modeled after late Santa Paula Rotarians Gil Jackson and Gale Mason.
A native of Calcutta, India, Deepa studied primarily under Mother Teresa and developed a program The Education of the Girl Child adopted worldwide that has helped girls break the cycle of poverty.
Deepa told Rotarians during her July 19 visit that Rotarians have been fundamental to the effort to create a polio free world both by donations of money and time.
“My official title is ‘One crazy Indian woman’ and my subtitle now is ‘with a hole in her head,’” said Deepa, who said the latter stemmed from the removal of a brain tumor.
Deepa, who holds joint U.S./India citizenship, said she believes the “Planet’s well being is in the hands of Rotary,” and their programs of international help to half the world’s population that exists on less than $2 a day.
Thirty percent of children under 5 - about 600 million - live in these households and one-fifth of the population is illiterate of which two-thirds are women.
“... there is no hope in their hearts and humans cannot survive without hope,” instead at times turning “to terrible things” such as terrorism.
The United States is also suffering with “a huge increase in homelessness,” including children and a “sinking literacy rate.
“Rotary is humanity’s problem solvers,” demonstrated by its efforts towards eradicating polio through it’s PolioPlus program that helped solidify the worldwide effort against the disease.
Rotary International President Ray Klinginsmith asked club presidents at the recent international conference held in Montreal to “Dream big... dreams give us a chance to have a clean slate,” and accomplish great things.
Deepa quoted a passage from John F. Kennedy’s “We choose to go to the moon” speech and noted the importance of its defining “who, what and by when... your Rotary President Paul (Skeels) was asked to define his moon... “
Klinginsmith’s theme is “Building communities, bridging continents” which requires a stronger club membership to continue to tackle world programs and needs.
Deepa said her personal moon and Rotary District theme is “Inspire... I don’t know how to think small.”
Rotarians should “operate from the heart” and remember their defining Rotary moment; promote Rotary by “being a doing and acting club,” and offer more “hands-on community service.”
Paul Harris started Rotary in 1905 when he was 37 years old and Deepa said 11 percent of Rotarians worldwide are under 40 and Baby Boomers represent 50 percent.
She urged that diversity on all levels be encouraged and that Rotary promote its good works to attract same as members.
“Be innovators, be trendsetters” in having meetings considered “outside the box” whether it be location or program.
Deepa also urged that the PolioPlus program become a community effort as “When polio is eradicated it will not only benefit Rotary but the world... “
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