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 Steve Wade introduced the day’s program and speaker, Michael McGill of Peacebuiders.org. Dr. McGill and his family have recently relocated to Traverse City from Uganda. He is Director and Consultant of Young Peacebuilders, an organization he built with his team of consultants and advisors to deal with international youth peace building especially focused on war torn areas and violence against youth. Children and youth too often encounter roadblocks hindering their peacebuilding potential. The organization goal is to remove roadblocks and build bridges strengthening their peacebuilding capacity. Peacebuilding roadblocks and supports are encountered at many levels, from inside a family, to intergovernmental policy. They help nurture environments where young people's peacebuilding potential is maximized. They do this by developing quality child and youth peacebuilding tools, projects, research, and partnerships. Together, supporting more child and youth peacebuilders and increasing their impact.
Far too many of this world’s children grow up amidst great violence and poverty. Over 90% of children live in Majority World (developing) nations. Nearly 80% of the poorest nations have experienced a major civil war in their recent past and some have over half of their population younger than 18. Countries with a high percentage of young people have a much higher risk of terrorism, war, and other violence than older nations. Children in these contexts suffer incredibly from sexual exploitation, disease, and loss of education, families and futures, and children represent half of war casualties.
Young Peacebuilders believes that young people provide hope for a more peaceful and prosperous future. In places primed for violence, great changes in thinking and acting are needed. It’s wise to invest in those most likely to change their thoughts and actions—the children and youth. The youthfulness of high-risk contexts represents a great opportunity. However, to seize this opportunity there must be investment in supporting young people as engaged citizens and devoted peacebuilders. Together, it can be done and is worth the cost.
McGill’s team includes a diverse group of experts with experience ranging from catalyzing a peacebuilding movement as a child in a war affected nation, to practitioners and academics with PhDs in child and youth peacebuilding, even a Lost Boy of South Sudan who is now a PhD candidate and influential peacebuilder.
Most fascinating is the proximity in many of the same parts of the world as Rotary initiatives. McGill spoke to the close connection their organization shares with polio eradication for example. An interesting concept working through youth to attain world peace. Who knows? The children of the world might just do it, if we let them.
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Allison Beers led us in song. With the oh-so-rare absence of Byron Hanson on piano, Beers took an unusually different approach and though non-traditional, folks had fun with Van Halen’s neo-rock-classic“Jump!”
We met another new Rotarian, Shelli DiFranco, introduced by Rachel Wasserman. Say, “Hello,” and please make her feel welcome!
Trevor Tkatch and committee have kicked off Ad Sales for the Rotary Show, so make sure to pick up your packet. The goal is $100,000 this year. Tim Tate also reminds anyone interested in participating, that Production Meetings are on Saturday mornings, 9am at the TC Chamber Building. Next meeting is February 6th. 113 of the 249 total Club members were in attendance. 
The STRIVE Committee is preparing for Career Networking Day 2016 for the student body at Traverse City High School, the alternative high school located on 3 Mile Road. We are looking for 40 volunteers in a variety of fields to provide career exploration and community fellowship for the youth at TC High. Please email 
