By Pam Tittes, AZ VCD, SGC Team
My local Rotary Club in Florence, AZ meets weekly, and the members are asked to provide short presentations on a rotating basis on whatever subject they feel might be interesting or beneficial to the rest of the membership. In the past I have considered presenting on Convention of States (COS); however, I have hesitated because I feared some attending might find the subject a bit too political. But sometimes you just have to go for it. This week I gave a short presentation on COS to my local Rotarians, and, in fact, received a very positive response.
I started out with a short summary of COS, and I followed by playing one of COS’ standard short videos (3+ min.). I finished by reading an excerpt from Dwight D. Eisenhower’s May 26, 1963, address to the graduates of Defiance College. It was an amazing speech on the application of Article V for a Convention of States, ending with:
“… Moreover, constitutional amendment is not to be lightly undertaken. But if you and your generation, fortified by a superb education, with access to the knowledge and wisdom of the ages, and imbued with the spirit of our founders, decide that reformation of a radical kind becomes due – then I say, let nothing stop you! Study, examine, survey, think, consider, decide, and then – by all means – act!”
No matter what your political background, the average American can see spending by the Federal Government is not sustainable. Something must change! And that was the response I received from the Rotarians present. Everyone there either signed our petition (“Passed State” version) or took one to return to me later. I guess the moral is to never assume anything.
To learn more and to join our team, go to Conventionofstates.com and click on the “Take Action” tab.
