What an inspiring meeting with the Lake Mills Rotary Club on January 20th at the Lake Mills High School Auditorium as we welcomed world-renowned speaker Ed Futa. 
Originally from Honolulu, Hawaii, and now living in Madison, Ed is a member of the Madison Downtown Rotary Club and shared powerful insights on peace, connection, and the true impact of Rotary. Ed reminded us that empathy is essential for peacemaking. Click here to watch Ed's Presentation:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wPkLzvFcmwg4Fl531S4umitWk-jSxlqf/view?usp=sharing
Ed Futa's bio is available at... https://www.rotary6250.org/page/2019-speaker-bio
Ed reminded us that the role of a Rotarian in peacemaking is even greater than the United Nations—because individuals can create real, lasting change. One of his most memorable analogies compared smartphones to Rotary: apps make smartphones work and make them “smart,” and Rotarians are the app that makes our communities work. We are the true peacemakers right where we live.
He spoke passionately about the essential role women and girls play in creating peace that lasts, and how Rotary projects—like building wells, providing access to clean water and education—support the most basic building blocks of peace in communities around the world.
Ed also reminded us that while we’ve never been more connected through technology, there’s an epidemic of loneliness, isolation, suicide, and violence. His message was clear: the vaccine for loneliness is Rotary fellowship. iPhones and screens can be impersonal, but Rotary is deeply human.
Through stories, reflections, and even a poem about a violin auctioneer, Ed brought us back to what truly matters. When we come together at Rotary, we are being fed—so we can go out and spread peace, fellowship, and love throughout the world.
Above all, he reminded us that empathy is essential for peacemaking. Click here to watch Ed's Presentation:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wPkLzvFcmwg4Fl531S4umitWk-jSxlqf/view?usp=sharing
Ed Futa's bio is available at... https://www.rotary6250.org/page/2019-speaker-bio