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   TONIGHT - Tues. Nov 15 from 5 - 9 pm
Membership Planning Session - mandatory attendance -
with District Governor Julie at Milwaukee Athletic Club
 
 

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MEMBER INTERVIEW: JOHN WARREN ON ENLISTING MEN TO HELP END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

 

From the October 2016 issue of The Rotarian

As a criminal prosecutor and assistant district attorney, John Warren has seen much more than his share of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse cases. Now, by founding the nonprofit Men of Action, he hopes to help prevent family and sexual violence by redefining manhood. Warren, who was elected district attorney last spring and takes office in January, is a member of the Rotary Club of Gainesville, Texas.

THE ROTARIAN: What led you to become a criminal justice lawyer?

WARREN: I thought I was going to specialize in estate planning or financial planning, but it was very boring. The first year into my career, I’d have to read 120-page wills, and after a while I just became glassy-eyed and realized, “This is not for me.”

I had always been scared about practicing in a courtroom, but I wanted something new for my life. My fear was public speaking, but they say you have to face your fears, so I took a job with the DA’s office in Dallas.

There was no “Here, let me hold your hand and teach you what to do.” The very first day, I learned that if you’re going to be a prosecutor, you can’t have any feelings. All the old-time criminal-defense lawyers know they’ve got fresh meat, and they just try to run right over you. But I developed a thick skin. It’s been close to 10 years now.

TR: So how did a thick-skinned prosecutor become involved with efforts to end domestic violence?

WARREN: First I prosecuted misdemeanors, like DWIs, and then they move you up to felonies – child abuse, drugs, murder. I helped prosecute one case in which a father had molested both of his daughters for years, and the judge gave him life in prison with no parole. That was a very trying time for me. I had to talk to children all day, every day, about what had been done to them, and I had two small children of my own. It was hard.

Eventually my wife and I moved back to Gainesville, where her family has been for generations, and I was hired as the first assistant DA for Cooke County. There’s a family shelter here called Abigail’s Arms, and my wife and I said, “We’re going to get involved,” because I had seen the devastation of what was happening to children like those.

At the end of our volunteer training, I said, “I need to start a group for men, to give us a voice to say, ‘We’re here and we don’t approve of this, and 99.999 percent of us do not want family violence in our community. ’ ” A lot of children these days don’t have good male role models. We want to provide a model for men. I want men to know how a woman should be treated. Our society and culture show one way, but many times it’s not the right way.

We’re trying to build Men of Action’s membership, and we’ve had several events to get the word out. I’d like to start hosting events, like maybe a softball or golf tournament, to raise money for Abigail’s Arms.

TR: How does your work with Men of Action overlap with your life in Rotary?

WARREN: I’ve had people from Abigail’s Arms speak at our club meetings, and we have several Rotarians who are interested in joining Men of Action. I’ve always believed that service to your community is very important, but I think Rotary really instilled a servant’s heart in me.  

Anne Ford

The Rotarian

19-Sep-2016
 
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Can't Attend Weekly Rotary Meetings? Need a Rotary Make-Up?  Do It On-Line or In-Person!

Did you know that you can get a Rotary meeting make-up by visiting one of a number of E-Clubs and reading some programs and giving your info so that you can receive a make-up.  OR you can go to another club and enjoy an interesting meeting.

Some options include;

http://www.recswusa.org/   -           Rotary eClub of Southwest USA

https://www.rotaryeclubone.org/   -  Rotary eClub One

 
 
 
 
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Rotary International Convention in Atlanta!  Are you joining us?

Let President Patti Lynch know if you plan to attend.  Register early and save!

Russell Hampton
National Awards Services Inc.
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Club Information
Latino Focused but not exclusive and English is our language! In the Latino tradition, your children are welcome to attend with you!
Service Above Self
We meet Tuesdays at 5:45 PM
Milwaukee Athletic Club
758 N Broadway
Milwaukee, WI  53202
United States
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Help Assemble Thanksgiving Baskets for Those in Need!
This is our annual project in partnership with the Mitchell Field Club
 
Saturday, November 19, at 8:15 AM
at the Oak Creek Salvation Army 
8853 S. Howell Ave.
 
Join us with your family and / or friends to assemble and then deliver baskets. Baskets will be ready for delivery by 9:00 AM.
Please let President Patti know if you are participating. Click here to email her.
 
 
 
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The Augustine Prep Open House is also on Saturday, November 19, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The address is 2607 5th Street, Milwaukee. As you recall, Alfonso Carmona, the school administrator, visited us on October 18.
 
     
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Robert Grede
November 5
 
Mari Guerrero
December 25
 
Spouse Birthdays
Claus Weyand
January 6
 
Tania
December 8
 
Anniversaries
Nestor Godinez
Tania
December 17
 
Join Date
Leana Nakielski
January 18, 2014
3 years
 
Ana Docta
November 17, 2015
1 year
 
Tina Dozier-Weyand
November 17, 2009
7 years
 
Tre Waldren
November 19, 2013
3 years
 
Phillip Golden
November 24, 2015
1 year
 
Rosa Sugo-Golden
November 24, 2015
1 year