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| Speaker Eric Shumway shows the club a "Maka Feke" |
Upcoming Rotary Programs and Events
.December 12, 2013: Matt Gibson with Senior Benefits will discuss Medicare Options
December 19, 2013: Christmas Party at Riverside Country Club,
we will gather at 6:00 pm and have dinner at 6:30 pm.
after dinner, entertainment will be provided by
Carmen Rasmussen Herbert former American Idol Contestant.
RSVP to receptionist@RiversideCountryClub.org or
by calling the receptionist at (801) 374-1347.
December 26, 2013 and January 2, 2014: No Meetings
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !!!
The next Meeting on Thursday, January 9, 2013
Report of Provo Rotary Meeting Held December 5, 2013
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| Glen Zaugg conducts meeting |
Todays meeting was conducted by President Glen Zaugg. Ron Roberts and Jill Moon provided the music for the singing of the National Anthem which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Thereafter Joey Hansen gave the opening prayer. Guests included Jonathan Gall son-in-law of our speaker and Ryan Sabans visiting with his dad,Steve Sabins. The chaplain's report informed us that Jim Calder is still recovering at home from his hip replacement surgery. All were reminded that the Christmas Party will be held on December 19th at the Riverside Country Club. We will gather at 6:00 pm with dinner to follow at 6:30 pm and a program with American Idol signer Carmen Rasmussen Herbert after that. Greg Hudnall handled the Sergeant duties who fined us all for all the things we had to be Thankful for. We also celebrated the Birthdays of those in attendance who were born during the month of December.
Speaker
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| Al Cutler introduces our speaker |
Al Cutler introduced our speaker, Eric Shumway, former President of BYU Hawaii and Polynesian missionary for the LDS Church. He has lived in and with served with Polynesian people for over 45 years. Eric Shumway, now retired is involved with a group called Moana Nui that provides scholarships to Polynesians in Utah that want to go to college.
He discussed three traditional cultural imperatives of the Tongan people. First, was the concept of Fatongia which in english means responsibility. But it has a deeper meaning in the hearts of the people. It is a deep sense of duty to honor and serve family, village, the church, and the king of Tonga. The second cultural imperative is an aspect of Fatongia and is to respond quickly and compassionately to someone who suffers from the death or loss of a loved one. The third imperative is to give to bless the lives of others. And in the process the giver's own capacity to give is increased.
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| Speaker Eric Shumway |
Eric Shumway told two parables. First he showed us a Maka Feke which President Monson has talked about. The Maka Feke is used to catch octopus which is a major staple in the Tongan diet. The octopus is very elusive and hard to catch. However, the Maka Feke fools the octopus and it latches onto the Maka Feke and won't let go. Thus it is easily captured. This is an example opposite of the third imperative to give to bless others lives. The octopus is like a wealthy man who holds on to his money refusing to share. In the process he looses.
Eric Shumway talked about the benefit of giving to bless others lives to us personally. In addition, he talked about the effect on those we give to, that their their lives are enriched also. He gave a parable of the breadfruit tree. When he built his home in Laie, Hawaii, a Polynesian friend planted a breadfruit tree in his back yard. When Eric thinked him for his kindness to his family, the man explained that the tree was not just for him. He explained that the breadfruit tree was planted in good soil would
produce much more than his family could eat.
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| Speaker Shumway with Maka Feke |
The giver of the gift tree helped him understand that the breadfruit tree was the "staff of life". And that if the fruit was constantly being picked and eaten, it would just keep bearing. There is no other food like it. His friend explained that that was its value. It would feed many families, especially those that did not have room to grow such a tree or did not have as good soil. Much more good would come of the gift, if it was shared. Shumway said his experience has confirmed what the giver had said. In like manner, he said that giving to worthwhile causes has multiple benefits. He talked about the need for Polynesian students to get educations so they could help their families and better fit into the white society in Utah. He talked about the organization Moana Nui which provides scholarships to Polynesian students and he encouraged our individual and group participation in helping local Polynesian students to move ahead..
