The Borgen Project to End World Poverty (Aired on August 30, 2020)

Scott Oatkin, Political Affairs Ambassador for The Borgen Project, visits RadioRotary (via Zoom) to describe the efforts that he and other volunteers are making to encourage the United State Government to do more to help end world poverty. Around the world more than 700 million people live in extreme poverty, and The Borgen Project is dedicated to the proposition that the world’s richest nation should be leading efforts to improve economies. A better world economy would be better for the United States as well. The Borgen Project got started 7 years ago when Clint Borgen was a volunteer in Kosovo and saw first-hand how many people live without enough food or other necessities because of low income. More recently Mr. Oatkin also experienced how really impoverished people live when he was a part of the Rhinebeck Interact’s mission to build a school in rural Nicaragua, which led to his involvement in The Borgen Project. Rhinebeck Interact is a high-school club sponsored by Rhinebeck Rotary. Mr. Oatkin is now a junior political science major at NYU. As a Borgen Project Ambassador, he lobbies government officials to do more about world poverty.

Learn more:
The Borgen Project: https://borgenproject.org/
Interview with Clint Borgen: https://www.seattletimes.com/business/borgen-one-mans-seven-year-project-to-downsize-poverty/
Rhinebeck Interact on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/395583917202375/
Rhinebeck Rotary: https://portal.clubrunner.ca/2252

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September 8, 2020 · Posted in Financial Aid, International Programs, Law, Service Organizations  

Ending Canine Discrimination—and More (Aired on August 23, 2020)

Foundation Manager Nicole Juchem visits RadioRotary via Zoom to describe themany ways that the Animal Farm Foundation improves the way dogs, especially those who have been discriminated against because of appearance or breed, are accepted and also how their other programs training dogs or using their special qualities help people across the United States. Although the Animal Farm Foundation is based in a large farm in Amenia, NY, it works around the nation to rid localities of laws or covenants that discriminate against particular canine breeds or dogs who are perceived as “pit bulls.” The Foundation also takes rescue dogs and trains them to be service dogs that can aid humans with vision, hearing, or anxiety problems. Their Paw of Purpose at Rikers Island Prison enlists prisoners to work with dogs to the benefit of both the dogs and the prisoners. Volunteers for Pets Together are using dogs and other pets to aid persons who have been socially isolated by the pandemic or just by life. There is much more that the Animal Farm Foundation is doing, so listen to this great interview and learn.

Learn more:
Animal Farm Foundation: https://animalfarmfoundation.org/
Paws of Purpose on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154483000337076.1073741870.51042412075&type=3
Pets Together: https://petstogether.org/
Breed-Specific Canine Discrimination: https://bestfriends.org/our-work/best-friends-advocacy/ending-breed-discrimination

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September 8, 2020 · Posted in Animals, Law, Mental Health  

Rotary’s Ribfest Restaurant Revival (Aired on August 16, 2020)

Highland Rotarians Steve Laubach and Peter Rein visit RadioRotary via Zoom totell how the club’s annual Ribfest has been reconfigured for the Covid-19 era.  Due to the New York State Covid-19 guidelines, the Highland Rotary Club  decided to cancel the 2020 Hudson Valley Ribfest at the Ulster County Fairgrounds scheduled for August 21–23, 2020. The organizers recognized that the essence of the festival was food and music, while the goal of a Rotary club is to help the community, so they have developed a way to do both. Rotary’s Ribfest Restaurant Revival is configured to help the area’s restaurants, all of which have been suffering from the pandemic and at the same time make it possible for the public to enjoy a great meal. At the same time, the club has arranged a YouTube concern of local musicians to take place during the festival days. Listen to the program and also visit their Website for the details of how this all will work. And, the club is planning to return to the fairgrounds next year on August 20–22, 2021 with an even bigger live event.

Learn more:
Hudson Valley Ribfest: https://rrrr.rocks/
Highland NY Rotary Club: http://highlandrotaryclub.com/
Highland Rotary on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/highlandnyrotary/

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September 8, 2020 · Posted in Events, Hudson Valley, Nutrition, Rotary Club Projects