Speaker: Ray Myers
This week's program is a story of how things do and don't change over time. Ray Myers, a member of the Office of Educational Technology in the U.S. Department of Education, was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Hubli in the state of Karnataka in the late 1960s. In 2008, he had the chance to return to India, and today he shares that story with us.
His return was made possible in part by the efforts of the Deshpande Foundation, which is known for its work in innovation, entrepreneurship and international development. Please take the time to learn more about their efforts at: http://www.deshpandefoundation.org/
This week comments: 97, this week visitors: 78
I am suprise that students in GERMANY will induce to learn.
Kudos to the club in Germany
I am suprise that students in GERMANY will induce to learn.
Kudos to the club in Germany
Like Steve Diamond, I am also at a loss as to why 40 years later, the same programs are still there.
I envy Mr. Myers return to his youthful past, especially one in which he worked for the good of others. The journey,however, must have been somewhat bittersweet--the memory of him and his good works much dimmed, both in his and their minds, in a land where he gave so much to a people he clearly learned to love.
This program reminded me of my time in Africa, especially Congo/Kinshasa. When I started there in 1997, cell phones were rare, Internet access and cyber cafes rarer still. By 2004, all had come and were widespread. They really opened up communication and changed the way of life for many ordinary people in ways that could not have been imagined just 15 or 20 years ago. I am still in contact with friends there and hope to make a return trip in the next year or two.
Congratulations Ray, for sure it was a unique experience, thank you for sharing it with us. I am sure you know the saying “If you want to change the world, start changing your self”
I truly believe that thanks to social networks, it was possible that clubs like ours have been so successful for people who do not have enough time to attend meetings at preset times terrestrial.
It was an interesting story and good photographs. Thanks Ray
Very interesting. I enjoyed reading of your experiences during your denure with the PEACE CORPS and I also enjoyed the meeting prior. Thanks...
another excellent and informative meeting
What a great experience to be able to return to the area where you had served. The photos told so much of the story about the area. Thank you for sharing.
Following my trip to India, I salute your speaker for the good things he is helping accomplish. The need is great, but the rewards are even greater.
GOOD LUCK ON A WORTHWHILE VENTURE
A very interesting program!
What an adventure - twice! I am curious whether your Peace Corps experience had an influence on your eventual career path. And whether you served during the war, my husband and ex-husband both having been drafted after their college educations,
Thanks, Ray, for a wonderful story. Hopefully Rotarians around the world who don't yet know about social entrepreneurship efforts of organizations like the Deshpande Foundation will take an interest!
It was an interesting meeting.
With the number of Engineers (good ones by the way) in India, not sure why they can't solve their own problems.
I must be missing something (happens to me often!)
Interesting reading, thank you!
Interesting and a pleasure to revisit some of the activities of the Peace Corp. I was not a member of the Peace Corp, just one of it's admirers and past student of one the founders of the endeavor. Thanks! Theodore E. Hitt
Thanks for accepting me as member of this energetic club.
Advice given to a politician by a voter;
" We are good at changing money , but money does not change us"
Regards
Omar
very interesting
I enjoyed reading and attending this online meeting.
I especially liked the quotes.
What a great opportunity to view the two visits through the 40 years of separation. It is hard to imagine the descriptions of extreme poverty with visions of cell phones and internet access in the same place.
The world is such a vast land for change and help to others and your program only shows how change and inspiration can lead anyone to grater heights - through thehelp of Rotary. Service above Self
First timer - this is a great idea though of course actual attendance is even better. I liked the Linked In information - have been a member of the Rotary group for a short while and already learned much.
Very interesting! Need more people like this to help with the world problems. Thanks for sharing
The world is getting smaller quickly, yet changes slowly. The efforts of our past make a difference, but blend into the fabric of teh present.
I found Ray's experience very interesting. To hear about his service as a Peace Corps. volunteer and to have the opportunity to revisit the land he worked so hard should have been very rewarding for him. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Thanks for the opportunity to be a part of your meeting.
N/A
Interesting comments and insights on social networks. The internet has just opened new methods of doing old things. I really believe that internet social networking skips some of the important elements found in other types of social networking. Personal contact is always preferable.
my email address is: michaelsokolich@yahoo.com
My rotary club is the San Pedro, CA, USA club district 5280.
Club secretary's email: deannad@bgcsp.org
I agree that how we provide orientation is very important. I have belonged to one other club besides the one I am now in, and I must say that being in a club that has a strong orientation is a huge plus- I was at a loss in the first club I belonged to.
Those pictures are really interesting, so many bright colors.
Thanks for the meeting.
This story reminded me very much of my own Rotary experience in Pakistan in 1998. Both India and Pakistan has recently tested their nuclear weapons, and the American Embassy had been evacuated. I went alone and I was, I believe, the only American in the country. In this meeting today I identified with "drinking many cups of tea." I was interviewed by a Pakistani newspaper in a shabby, messy, small office; however, tea was served in a lovely English bone china cup and saucer. I have very fond memories of my time in South Asia as I know that today's speaker has as well.
NO Thanks
Not about this meeting, but...
When I do work on behalf of AARP, that is not done on bahalf of ReCSWUSA. Reporting it through our club feels, to me, like I am taking double credit and therefore fails my 4-Way Test.
I have been to India three times, and I love the country. I actually have heard of the Deshpande Foundation before.
Very interesting.
I was a Peace Corps Volunteer and this program brought back lots of memories!
This is a great way to have a make up it has good structure and is very convinent
Great article by Ray Myers! Enjoyed this meeting and information about social networking.
Ray's program was excellent. As we can see there is much to do to help the people while preserving their culture.
I really enjoyed this meeting. On the social networking opening comments, I was/am not sure what P.E.T.S. stands for. I tried Googling it but couldn't find anything that seemed appropriate.I'm glad that mention was made that social networks are not limited to those of the Facebook type. I also enjoyed the presentation on India. As a 1966 college graduate I appreciated the comments on that era of 'limited technology.' Of course in 1966 I didn't see it that way. The photos were great.
Great Story! Great Pictures!
What a powerful story Ray Meyers shares. It was a trip down memory lane paralleling a visit to the vibrant, yet unchanged, present. The pictures were evocative and majestic. Thanks so much!
A fascinating program and surprising that forty years later the local people remembered nothing about the peace corp and in fact had never heard of it.
Interesting, sad, yet hopeful.
This is a great way to makeupa meeting.
Excellent program. I am struck by the fact that no one remembered the Peace Corps. I'll be thinking about that one for a long time.
Very interesting. It is surprising to see that there still exists such significantly different levels of education and infrastructure in the small villages, when compared to at least some areas of the major cities.
Good program!
Great meeting! I liked the info on the LinkedIn topics. Will have to read those more frequently.
Ray Myers story is inspiring. Thanks for the great presentation.
I am one of the youngest members of my club and am fascinated by the stories of adventure that our members have experienced and share. This program was another example of this!
Informative program that included some excellent photographs.
Greatly enjoyed reading Ray Myers' story and appreciated the link to the Deshpande Foundation
Good meeting
Great way to do my make-up as I am wintering away from home and missed my usual local winter club. I enjoyed the presentation of the re-visit to India. Such a presentation confirms the need for the continuing involvement of our help to India.
My club secretary in Janeane Coutu - jcoutu@concise.com
I did not see a place to register the secretary.
Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers. Voltaire. I find this statement to be refreshing because tackling our concerns and problems must more about the process of finding a solution and what we learn on the way.
Thank you for letting me join your meeting. The "discussion" on the Peace Corp and its consequences 40 years latter was very interesting! I would guess that while the names and the people were not remembered, there was still a difference that was made in peoples lives, just as there was a difference made in the life of Mr. Myers.
Sincerely,
Carry Canady, Rotary of Nevada County South (the "gold country" foot hills of Northern California.
It was a pleasure sharing your return to India. I wonder how my time with the Fulbright Association and my work in the Republic of Georgia, 2001-2003 and Mongolia 2004 would be viewed if I returned later this year or next. It is interesting but what you say about 'the viewer being more changed than the viewed' is very true. You find, on service abroad, that when you go to a foreign country, you are the foreignor.
As a 1997 GSE participant to India's Rotary district 3170, it was interesting to re live some of the wonderful experiences I had in Hubli and Dharwad and the other villages in Karnataka state. I met with members of the Deshpande family while I was there. Thank you for your work with the foundation.
It's a great story, and one that reminds us about the effect of giving (time or funds) has on both the giver and those who receive the gift.
It was an excellent meeting as always!
Speaker Ray Myers gives an interesting perspective on the Peace Corps experience by describing his discoveries in Hubli-Dharwad, India, where he returned in 2008, forty years after serving there with the Peace Corps. Initially sent to teach classes in health and nutrition, Myers found his work through a CARE sponsored kitchen construction project to be much more rewarding personally. He returned to the U.S. in 1968 a changed man. Then in 2008 an opportunity opened through the Deshpande Foundation, a family foundation established by natives of India who had achieved substantial business success in the U.S., for Myers to return to India. The Deshpande program sought to evaluate the "state of educational technology" in the Hubli-Dharwad area. Myers biggest initial discovery: he found no one with any recollection of the Peace Corps activities in that part of India. Needless to say, Myers found many positive changes; but sadly for him, technology use, such as the cell phone, is "still very much a luxury". He is encouraged by the Deshpanda Foundation efforts, and hopeful Rotary can ally with them to "make a difference" in that part of the world. Very interesting program.
3-22-2010Ray Myers’ presentation was more interesting to me personally as a case study in what’s required when one wants "to change the world." Ray’s heart was in the right place when he joined the Peace Corp and served in Hbuli 1966-68. Nevertheless, the structure of service through a US government agency seems to have been a limited effort managed from the top down rather than a continuous, person-to-person, grass roots effort like maybe (drum roll...) Rotary. Any person who offers himself to educate others is a hero in my eyes. It’s really ideal when those teaching heroes can find organizations that value their precious contributions and help apply them most effectively over time.Thanks, Ray, for your valuable gifts of your teaching skills and time and a fascinating presentation.
Good Program. I have always enjoyed the programs I find on this online club site.
If I may suggest something. Please optimize your website so that it can be viewed on alternate browsers than Internet Explorer. I rarely use IE and the navigation does not work on the Mozilla Firefox 3 Browser I use.
Thank you
The monologue was very informative and inspiring. The picrures added incredibly to the spoken word.
It is the first time I access your eClub site, and I found it pretty interesting!
Hey, you can go home. Great story and wonderful photos. India, by the way, is where RGHF is growing the fastest.
