Upcoming Speakers & their Presentation Topics
February 5: Bernadette Mueller, Commodore, The Schuylkill Navy of Philadelphia. “Challenges for America’s Oldest Amateur Athletic Association”
February 12: David Kasievich, Co-Founder & Head of School, St. James School. “Founding an independent neighborhood school”
February 19: Gail Harrity, President, Philadelphia Museum of Art. “Two decades of stewardship—a look back” (Interview format)
February 26: David Borenstein, Co-founder and CEO, Solutions Journalism Network, “Social Entrepreneurship.”
Necrology
Sadly, 1990 RAC president, Rear Admiral John Cronin, Jr., passed away Monday, January 25, 2021. His obituary is in the Sunday, January 31, 2021 edition of the Philadelphia Inquirer on p. B6, cols. 4-5.
Past Month’s Speakers’ Presentations Summarized
(prepared by Bob Haskell)
January 15, 2021. Professor Jessica Roney from Temple University discussed ways in which our revolutionary heritage bears upon modern debates around gun rights and militias. The founders believed that standing armies were at the root of tyranny and the usurpation of people’s liberties, because they were beholden to their “lord” rulers. As an antidote, community-based militias were formed. It was a social and civic duty to participate. Bearing arms was a right (and essentially a requirement) of citizenship, as well as an obligation to protect the community.
However, militias did not perform well during, or after, the Revolution. There was generally no organization, no discipline, and because they were state-based, limited mobility. Hence, a standing army had to be established. Article 1, Section 8 of the US Constitution stated that: “Congress may raise and support armies and call forth the militia to execute the laws of the union, support insurrections and repel invasions.” But even so, the anti-federalists forced the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution: “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” Critical to understanding the 2nd Amendment is the distinction between individual rights (ability to rise up against tyranny) and the collective welfare, where the right to bear arms has a community obligation. This is an important political, not military, issue. The 2nd Amendment remained unchallenged until Supreme Court decisions in 2001, 2008, and 2010 shifted the focus to individual rights from the collective welfare. Professor Roney offered two closing questions: 1) Is the right to bear arms an individual or a collective right? 2) Does the right come with a community obligation. The definition of “community” might dictate the answer to the latter. There were 36 participants.
January 22, 2021. Board of Control Special Session. To follow-up on discussion raised at the Annual Meeting on January 8th, the Board of Control met in special session to begin planning for the Club’s 100th anniversary celebration. The initial timeframe is mid-June, hoping for good outdoor weather. Two proposals for location will be considered: Philadelphia and a travel destination. A Centennial Planning Committee has been formed with Jack Nixon (chair), Pete Alois, Ted Burkett, and Bob Kunz. Details will be announced as they are decided.
January 22, 2021. Daniel P. Schmidt, retired executive of the Bradley Foundation, discussed the power of philanthropy to strengthen the fabric of social trust and civil society (i.e., building faith in one’s neighbors, in community, in local civic associations and institutions). A mission of the Bradley Foundation is to strengthen democracy by enabling an environment where there is a balance of ideas in the public square, and balance across both sides of the political aisle. They proactively invest in large strategic initiatives. In the 70’s and 80’s, they promoted conservative philanthropy, helping to establish institutions (conservative think tanks) to counter the preponderance of liberal thought at the time. They now promote empowerment philanthropy, to empower people and community, by shifting the load from government bureaucracy to the local level and local organizations (e.g., churches, schools, civic associations), to help build local trust and responsibility. Two specific initiatives focused on education (enabling family, parental, community choice) and welfare reform, as demonstration projects in the state of Wisconsin. There were 36 participants.
January 29, 2021. Jacqueline Lewis, Executive Director of LEADERSHIP Philadelphia. LEADERSHIP Philadelphia, founded in 1959, is a non-profit organization with a mission to mobilize and connect the talent of the private sector to serve the community. The Core Program experience is a nine-month, tuition-based program (up to $10,000), that enhances civic knowledge and awareness and enriches leadership skills. LEADERSHIP fellows receive non-profit board training, and board placement is offered to all interested participants and graduates. There is no central classroom. They meet once or twice per month in various settings around town. A key benefit for participants is the development of meaningful, non-transactional connections: a network that can be called for advice or further connections, with no expectation of anything in return. These connections create “value at the intersection.” Individuals must be nominated and must pass entry criteria and interviews. The Connectors & Keepers program is an effort to recognize, empower, connect, and retain Philadelphia’s most promising young leaders, when they graduate from local colleges. They are now in the 6th cohort of about 50 young “visionaries.” In one other example, they support master classes in empathy, teaching how to listen and find common ground between strangers and viewpoints. There were 36 participants.
Carter Broach
Corresponding Secretary
