Club Meeting

On Thursday 18th November, twenty-four South Queensferry Rotarians met at the bistro in Conifox and seven joined the meeting on Zoom to enjoy a speakers evening. They were joined by Gordon McInally from Chicago and Terry Keefe from Southport. The speaker was Jean Best. Her husband, Keith, ran the presentation on Zoom.

Both Jean and Keith originated in Yorkshire. They have lived in Scotland for thirty years and both worked in education. Jean was an HMS education inspector and is currently Peace Officer for Rotary District 1020. Keith was District Governor in 2011-2012. In 2017, Jean was recognised by the United Nations for the Peace Project she started with young people from Kirkcudbright Academy. Now Douglas Ewart High School, Dalbeattie High, Dalry High and Lockerbie Academy all have groups. Jean received her award in Geneva as part of United Nations Rotary Day.

In light of the Covid 19 pandemic, Jean and the pupils of Douglas Ewart High School met to discuss the long term impact on mental health. People of all ages are increasingly suffering from anxiety and depression. Self-harming and suicide are on the increase. With Jean's guidance, the pupils came up with a Self-Care Programme to lessen such problems. Now groups of young people in Japan and Australia have taken part in the virtual courses Jean runs. Zoom has enabled the world to learn about the initiative.

Jean believes Rotarians have to work together to provide good role models by demonstrating peace in every area. We are all taught to speak, but do we really listen?