Jennifer E. Jones is a member of the Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland, Ontario, Canada, and she is about to make history. She has been nominated to become Rotary International’s first female president, her the first woman to hold polio worldwide office in the organization’s 115-year history. Her term will be for the 2022-23 Rotary year. Females were first allowed to become Rotary members in 1989.
Jones officially became president-nominee on October 1, 2020. The nominating committee consists of Rotarians from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Ghana, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Spain, Thailand, and the USA.
Under her leadership, Jones envisions Rotary International’s Action Plan as motivation to increase Rotary’s impact. She has stated, “As we reflect upon our new strategic priorities, we could have never envisioned that our ability to adapt would become our North Star during what is inarguably the most profound time in recent history,” Jones said in her vision statement. “Silver linings rise out of the most challenging circumstances. Using metric-driven goals, I will harness this historic landscape to innovate, educate, and communicate opportunities that reflect today’s reality.”
Jones understands the importance of supporting Rotary’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Statement which reads as follows:
At Rotary, we understand that cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture is essential to realizing our vision of a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change. We value diversity and celebrate the contributions of people of all backgrounds, across age, ethnicity, race, color, disability, learning style, religion, faith, socioeconomic status, culture, marital status, languages spoken, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity as well as differences in ideas, thoughts, values, and beliefs. Recognizing that individuals from certain groups have historically experienced barriers to membership, participation, and leadership, we commit to advancing equity in all aspects of Rotary, including in our community partnerships, so that each person has the necessary access to resources, opportunities, networks, and support to thrive. We believe that all people hold visible and invisible qualities that inherently make them unique, and we strive to create an inclusive culture where each person knows they are valued and belong. In line with our value of integrity, we are committed to being honest and transparent about where we are in our DEI journey as an organization, and to continuing to learn and do better.
Jones can be quoted saying, “I believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion … begins at the top and for us to realize growth in female membership and members under the age of forty — these demographics need to see their own reflection in leadership,” Jones said. “I will champion double-digit growth in both categories while never losing sight of our entire family.”
Jones is founder and president of Media Street Productions Inc., an award-winning media company in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. She served as Chair of the Board of Governors of the University of Windsor and Chair of the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce. She has also been recognized for her service with the YMCA Peace Medallion, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal which was created in 2012 to mark Queen Elizbeth’s sixtieth anniversary of accession to the thrones of England and to recognize those who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in public service, and Wayne State University’s Peacemaker of the Year Award, a first for a Canadian. Wayne State University is located in Detroit, Mi, USA. Jones holds a Doctor of Laws (LL.D.).
Jones has been a Rotary member since 1997. A current Rotary Foundation trustee, she has also served Rotary as RI Vice President, director, training leader, committee chair, moderator, and district governor. She is a leader in Rotary’s rebranding effort and serves as Chair of the Strengthening Rotary’s Advisory Group. She is also the Co-chair of the End Polio Now Countdown to History Campaign Committee, which aims to raise $150 million for the eradication of polio worldwide.
Jones recently led the successful #RotaryResponds telethon, which, viewed by more than65,000 people, raised funds for COVID-19 relief. Jones has also received Rotary International’s Service Above Self Award and The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service. She and her husband, Nick Krayacich, are members of The Rotary Foundation’s Arch Klumph Society which recognizes those who have contributed more than $250,000 USD to Rotary International during their lifetime, the Paul Harris Society which recognizes those who have contributed more than $1,000 USD to the Rotary International Foundation, and the Bequest Society.
Rotary Club Bali Ubud Sunset [RCBUS] will announce its slate of officers for 2022-23 shortly. In the meantime, please mark 10 September 2022 on your calendars. That’s the date of the 2nd annual RCBUS Bogies for Bali charity golf tournament.
Members of RCBUS are friendly people of action. If you are considering joining RCBUS and would like to attend a meeting to see what we are all about, please contact Marion Hook at marion.hook@gmail.com for more information. We meet every 2nd Monday and every last Monday of the month at Wedja Restaurant in Mas. If you would like to join this dynamic group of people from four different continents who love Bali and work to help the people who live here, information to do so can be found at http://rotarybaliubudsunset.org/how-to-become-an-rcbus-member/
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