A large number of us have now been vaccinated against COVID, especially the most vulnerable, age 65 and over.
It is now time to begin planning our return to in person meetings at the AFDA club. It is my hope that we do this in a hybrid fashion to accommodate those that prefer in person meetings and those that like the present virtual format.
I have spoken to Wanda Peña of the AFDA Club, and they are happy to welcome us back; however, they will need to maintain a COVID protocol similar to that required by restaurants. They also need specific dates and an accurate estimate of attendees.
My goal is to have two hybrid meetings in May: May 11 and May 25, while we continue strictly virtual on May 4 and 18; however, I need the consensus of club members in order to start planning, advise our speakers and coordinate with the AFDA club. (We have a speaker, Salvador Hasbun, of the Vocero newspaper scheduled May 18 and he has been informed that his presentation will be virtual. The other dates are still open.)
If the 11th and 25th are a success, I recommend that we can go to all hybrid from June on.
Please let Pat know if you can and want to attend meetings in person in order to have a head count for the AFDA club. (787-342-6179) or rotaryclubofsanjuan@gmail.com.)
Attorney Nestor Mendez Gomez', President of the Board of Trustees of the Puerto Rico Supreme Court Foundation, topic was Civics: The Antidote of Populism and Autocracy. He discussed the three branches of government and what the founding fathers considered the importance of each branch in a democratic society. He then went on to define civics and describe its importance in a well-functioning democracy. He also described how Populists gain power preaching that they are the representatives of the people and using nationalism as a tool.
He also talked about the route they take to maintain power starting by manipulating what Alexander Hamilton considered the weakest of the three pillars of democracy, which is the judiciary and giving examples from events in such places as Poland, Hungary, and Venezuela. He went on to talk about the PR Supreme Court Foundation and its work to spread the teaching of civics especially to the younger generation. Under Nestor's presidency the goal is to have dialogues on how respectful consensus is reached. The first session was between students of the Ana Garcia Blanco Montessori schools and Judges of the PR Supreme Court. The next planned session will be between ECONO management leaders and students from various organizations, including Interact, Rotaract and RYLA.
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