After she arrived in the U.S.A. she had the belief that the Tiananmen Square Event was the result of students attacking soldiers.  When she was given access to independent photographs, first-hand reports and videos of the event she realized how strongly the Chinese Communist Party controls the news narrative provided to their population.  We also learned how the CCP cracked down on Falun Gong, a popular and growing mind-body meditation technique movement, and subjected some of them to forced organ harvesting.  In addition, we learned that companies like CISCO and YAHOO helped in the information control in China by building the Great Firewall and turning over personal emails to the government.  It was eye-opening talk about the power China has over companies wanting to business in that country, the control over their populace, and the human right abuses.

Jon reported that attendance was down to 11,000 (normally 25,000 to 30.000).  Mostly absent were Rotarians from other countries.  There was a lot of energy, excellent sessions, and good news about growing membership numbers.  Martha added the important point that Rotary evolves.  We can't relay on the approach "we always do it this way", but need to innovate and change with the times.  Rotary is doing that with hybrid and e-club meetings.