Ajijic Book Club: 2019
Reflecting on the success of the Ajijic Book Club, John Stokdijk now thought of it as a significant chapter in the story of his life. Each member and each book was a meaningful paragraph in that story. It did not matter that some of his initial objectives were not being realized.
January 29, 2019
Program Leader - John Stokdijk
Book selection - Aging as a Spiritual Practice
February 26, 2019
Program Leader - Karl Homann
Book selection - The New Tsar
March 26, 2019
Program Leader - Allison Quattrocchi
Book Selection - Factfulness
Early in March the website was down, something that was not unusual. However, this disruption in service continued and became worrisome. Then John received a shocking email from the wife of Richard Koller.
Richard the Computer Guy died on March 3rd. John was deeply affected as he had worked closely with him for over three years. Richard had also helped John with another challenging situation unrelated to the book club. Richard was only 58 and he had been busy in recent months with the affairs of his father who died late last year.
Unfortunately John Stokdijk did not have a disaster recovery plan in place for the Ajijic Book Club website. At first he feared that everything was lost and this caused him much anxiety. However, he connected with another client of Richard's who faced similar circumstances. They were very helpful with the recovery of the website, contents and all. John was able to quickly find a new webmaster, Duane Hanes. The website was rebuilt and relaunched better than ever in April.
April 30, 2019
Program Leader - Paula Whittingham
Book Selection - The Autobiography of Eleanor Roosevelt
Program Leader - Connie Davis
Book Selection - Educated: A Memoir
July 30, 2019
Program Leader - John Stokdijk
Book Selection - 21 Lessons for the 21st Century
In July John Stokdijk added a monthly Newsletter to ABC activities.
August 27, 2019
Program Leader - Lila Wells
Book Selection - Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea
October 29, 2019
Program Leader - Dee Dee Camhi & Larry Pihl
Book Selection - Falter: Has the Human Game Begun to Play Itself Out?
November 26, 2019
Program Leader - John Stokdijk
Book Selection - I Shall Not Hate: A Gaza Doctor's Journey on the Road to Peace and Human Dignity
As 2019 was drawing to a close, John Stokdijk reflected on a couple of ABC meetings which did not meet his expectations. Personality clashes and unpleasant conflicts emerged and several members indicated that they would discontinue attendance if this continued. John Stokdijk consulted with several members for recommendations on how to resolve this challenge in 2020.