CLUB NEWSLETTER for March 22, 2006

Attendance:

President Dietrich, Bill Coulter, Maryanne Cohan, Ben Summer, Jim McInnes, Karen Kelley, Judy Rego, Donn Salden, Bob Price, Suzanne Kavanaugh, Bart Nuboer, Beatrice, Walter Heller, Michael Johnson, Janet Nuboer, Chris Ryan.
Rotarian, Alvin L. Burridge 
Family of Rotary: Carol Sladen, Sandi Schipul
Interact Members:  Austin Crompton, William Grace, Donna Green, Liza Thompson

 President Dietrich welcomed our guests and announced that the Film Festival preparations were going well and that everything will be ready and on time. Many rotarians volunteered to help out on Saturday and Sunday.

On Club Night, April 5th, we have invited The Scituate Chamber of Commerce to join us for dinner here at the Scituate Country Club, starting at 5:30 PM with cocktails, followed by dinner. Please keep this dinner engagement.

 Dietrich said that we received a call from the SHS about Mercy Ships. They would like us to step in and help with financial aid that will fund youth program.  A four week period on Mercy Ships, plus air fare is approx. $1 500.

We are also ready to send two students to RYLA - Rotary Youth Leadership Assembly -  but he has yet to hear from them. Janet promised to look into this.

 We are sending three people to the Whitewater Program.

The SHS has inquired about our youth exchange program during vacation, and would like to know if we would be willing to include students whose parents are not Rotary Members.

Dietrich presented a check  from Rotary Club to Ms. Donna Green, as a donation for the Magical Moon Foundation that helps children with cancer.  At the moment they are sponsoring forty-seven children.

 Thanks to Jim McInnes and Rotary volunteers, the hot dog stand on St. Patrick's Day was a success.They brought in $420. Many thanks to: Janet and Bart, Jake Borror, Walter Heller, Karen and Joe Kelley, Donn and Carol Sladen, Maryanne Cohan and Judy rego.

 As President and Vice-President of the Interact club, Austin Crompton and Bill Grace presented a short film on what a Youth Interact Club is. It provides young adults, 14 thru 18 to promote peace and engage in community service. Interact Clubs encourage personal growth providing an opportunity to meet people from other countries and making friends that may last a long time.  " You can make a difference , and at the same time have fun ".  Regretfully, Austin and Bill said that it was not a good year for them, due to the lack of response from fellow students. " we tried different projects with different approaches and the students that said yes, usually did not show up for group meetings, or were willing to do their work. We found out that no one really wants to do anything. They sign up, they don't show up, they just don't care."  It was sad to hear that students so young are experiencing acute apathy.

Dietrich said let us look at the facts first and see what we can do with this situation. Let us look at this as a challenge and try to turn it into a success. He asked Austin and Bill if they would be willing to sit down and discuss what went wrong, what went right, what needs to be done to turn this around; to which they responded; " If we continued to try and implement the Interact Club, you have to realize that it will take a long time to do so and that it will require a lot of patience and endurance. Therefore we will review whether we want to put in such energy and effort for another year.

All members of the club were very appreciative of what Austin and Bill had done this year and the offer for support was unanimous. Thank you both for all you have done, and please do not give up.

Beatrice

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CLUB NEWSLETTER for March 15, 2006

Attendance: Our President Dietrich Bilger, Bill Coulter, Alden Mitchell, Janet Nuboer, Rev. Robert Schipul, Ben Summers, Walter Heller, Donn Salden, Judy Rego, Beatrice , Donna Nunzo Mueller, Jim Mcinnes, Candice Cramer , Rotarian, Alvin L. Burridge
Family of Rotary, Sandi Schipul, Carol Sladen
Guests: Peggy Cammarata of Road to Responsibility and Eric Foote

Peggy Cammarata speaking at the March 15th meeting.

  After the  President welcomed our guests and greeted all present he informed us that the preparations for the Film Festival is on track , We are still looking for sound equipment and screens but fliers have been distributed to stores , churches and schools and we are looking forward to a good response from the public. Additionally Dietrich reported progress on potential youth exchange with Twin Club Shoumen as Bill Coulter and Jack Borror are willing to take in children from Bulgaria and have grand children interest in going. Also  in the cultural exchange program there is movement. Next, Janet said that Our President Elect went to the training seminar, PETS, and came back very excited about the experience .  On April 1 there will be a Leadership Program at a cost of $65.00. Anyone wanting to go please let me know. The District Conference will be May 5 thru 7. This will start with Rotary International Plenary Session and end with dinner on Saturday night. For information and registration please see our and the District web site.

Rev. Robert Schipul announced that we will have  a concert on November 24. Elizabeth Von Trapp has agreed to that date and will give a real Christmas Concert.

  Words of Wisdom - Bill gave us food for thought with a story about a veterinarian and a dog dying of cancer. He offered to euthanize the dog at home with their four year old son present , thinking this would help the little boy let go of, Belker, his dog. The boy was calm, petting his dog, as Belker slipped peacefully away. His parents could not help comparing the sad fact that animals have much shorter lives than human beings to which the little boy said -   " I know why , people are born so that they can learn how to live a good life- Like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right ?   Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."  Therefore, " Live simply, Love generously, Care deeply, Speak kindly, Leave the rest to God "

  Our speaker was Ms. Peggy Cammarata who gave us a presentation on the  wonderful work being done by Road to Responsibility.  This is a large non-profit organization serving the needs of individuals with disabilities such as mental retardation, and physical and emotional impairments. Their goal is to " provide the means, the opportunity and the necessary support they need to become productive members of the community".  Their mission statement is..."Citizens with Disabilities Belong...supporting them is our privilege. The Club contributed $250 and additional contributions came from individuals.

Beatrice

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CLUB NEWSLETTER for March 8, 2006

Attendance:

President Dietrich, Senator Robert Heldlund, Maryanne Cohan, Candace Cramer, Bill Coulter , Walter Heller, Beatrice Hurwitch, Suzanne Kavanaugh, Karen Kelley, Jim McInnes, Alden Mitchell Bob Price, Judy Rego, Rev. Robert Schipul, Donn Sladen, Ben Summers.

Rotarian; Alvin Lewis Burridge.

Family of Rotary:   Joseph Kelley, Connie  Mitchell, Carol Sladen.

President Dietrich greeted everyone and extended a warm welcome to our State Representative and speaker, Senator Robert Hedlund.

First item on the agenda was the St. Patrick's Day Parade on March l7th. It was agreed that we would have a stand, as in previous years, on Front street to sell hot dogs, sodas, and chips.  Jim, Judy, Suzanne, Janet, Carol and Walter will be in charge of organizing this, and anyone is welcome to help.

 Next item was a reminder of the Film Festival on Conflict Resolution the 25th and 26th of March, which promises to be excellent.  There are five films of 55 minutes duration each, dealing with Conflict Resolution in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, South Africa, The middle East, and Sicily. Admission, $5 per film, $20 for all films throughout the day and will be shown at the Scituate High School .  This is  a Fund Raiser for International and  Leadership Programs sponsored by the Scituate Rotary Club and in conjunction with Boston College for Scituate High School Students. The South Shore Clergy Association and the Scituate No Place for Hate Committee also agreed to endorse this program. Businesses are coming forward as sponsors.

To run the films we still need audio equipment. Any member who may loan their DVD player, an amplifier, and speakers, please step forward and let Dietrich know as soon as possible.

Next Club Night, on April 5th, there will be a joint meeting with The Scituate Chamber of Commerce. We look forward to an informal, friendly dinner together and get to know each other. Please give this date priority and come. This meeting will start at 5:30 PM . Please note.

Dietrich informed us that the $1,500, raised through the window campaign at Jim’s The Village Market and other businesses at Front Street from local residents for the Senior Center , plus the $3,000 raised from The Elizabeth Von Trapp Concert came to a total of $4,500.  A check was issued for that amount and given to the Senior Center .  

We are looking into a student exchange program with our twin Shoumen Rotary Club in Bulgaria . This will be for students between the ages of l3 and l8, whose parents, grand parents or guardians are Rotary Members and will take place during school vacation time. 

On Kenya, Rev. Robert Schipul informed us that Rotary is looking to participate in this program alongside with LCMS with focus on clean water project; this  is basically  providing the funds to dig wells that will yield clean, fresh water. The cost to dig a well is approximately $l00. Dietrich added that there has been interest expressed by a financial institution contacted to participate as an additional group through its Micro-Finance Program. It is a matter now to coordinate these activities into an overall program.

Our President Elect, Suzanne Kavanagh is going this week to PETS - President Elect Seminar - We are confident she will be a very good President. She has our support, and we wish her all the best.

Following the conclusion of the above items on the agenda, Dietrich turned to Bob Price and asked him to introduce our speaker, Senator Robert Hedlund, which he was very glad to do since they have been good friends for a very long time.   Robert Hedlund shared with us a little of what it is like to work at the State House in Boston . He loves his work and strives to represent the people’s interests to the best of his abilities. Sometimes it can be very frustrating, specially when things are not moving along at the pace one wants them to, but then again, isn't that true for most of us ?  Sometimes things are slow in getting passed.  One recent law that was passed successfully was the Melanie Law, due to the public outcry that prompted Legislators to do the right thing.  Legislators were obliged to do something, with so many people coming forward with stories of injuries as a result of drunk driving.  The Melanie Law raised us from 49th place to 6th place nationwide, in regard to tough sanctions for drunk driving. Toward the end of the meeting, the Senator encouraged us to ask questions and he impressed us by his courteous and calm demeanor.                                         

Beatrice

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CLUB NEWSLETTER for March 1, 2006

Attendance:  President Dietrich, Jim McInnes, Bob Price, Bart and Janet Nuboer, Walter Heller, Suzanne Kavanaugh, Dr. Dennis Snyder, Judy Rego, Candace Cramer, Ben Summers, Beatrice H. Chris Ryan, and Donn Sladen;  Family of Rotary Carol Sladen;  Visiting Rotarians; Alvin Lewis Burridge of Ripton Vermont; Wilfred Noering from Hingham Hingham; and Wayne Robbins from Cohasset.

L to R: Walter Heller, Bart Nuboer, Visiting Rotarian (Hingham Club) Wilfred Noering, Suzanne Kavanagh. Back: Ben Summers

 The dinner-meeting had a full agenda and I ask your indulgence if I did not cover all that was presented that night.  The best way to know about exciting projects and events is to grace us with your attendance.

 After the salute to the Flag and the Invocation by Bart Nuboer, Dietrich gave a few words of greetings to all present and welcomed our guests.

 _ First on the agenda was to remind us that the Film Festival on Conflict Resolution and Peace will be march 25 thru'26 held at the Scituate High School from l:00 PM. to 7:00 PM. , showing five films each day.

_  On RYLA, - Rotary Youth Leadership Award -  So far one person has been selected to go to the Conference.

_  The Mercy Ship Project is now in direct dialogue with the Scituate High School . 

_  Candace informed us that preparations were well under way for the Art Exhibit and for the Art Festival June l6 thru' l8 in Cohasset, which nine thousand people attend.

_  Dietrich, also mentioned that as an arrangement with the Council On Aging, we have set money aside to help cover medical expenses, up to three thousand dollars,for those in need in Scituate.

_  Dr. Dennis Snyder who just came back from the Philipines said it was a very successsful trip.  In a town south of Manila ,his team of doctors and nurses operated on fifty children. He thanked Scituate Rotary Club for their generous contributions that helped make this trip a success. Dr. Snyder's work is on corrective surgery on children with cleft Palate, giving them a chance to be accepted in society, and to enjoy a normal , happy life.

_  We are looking  forward to have interaction with the Twin club Shoumen of Bulgaria with a youth exchange of 2 to 3 weeks for sons and daughters between the ages of l3 and l8 whose parents or guardians are Rotary members. Bill Coulter has offered to host two students from Bulgaria .

_  Rev. Robert Schipul, Pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Scituate went to Kenya not too long ago on a mercy mission.  He is in touch with the Rotary Club in Kenya and working with Dietrich to see where we can be of help participating in projects there. One possibility is the Pure Water Project.

_  Wayne Robbins, Rotarian member since l968 from Cohasset, gave a very compelling presentation on the importance of conservation and the urgent need to help preserve our green open spaces.  He and his wife founded the Maxwell Conservation Trust in l998 which today has 370 members and welcome new ones.

Wayne Robbins (Right) speaking about eh Maxwell Conservation Trust with help from President Dietrich (Left).

 Hope to see you soon
Beatrice  

Back to Archives Index

CALENDAR:   

April   5:  Joint meeting with Chamber of Commerce begins 5:30PM

April 12:  Reflections on Post -World War II in China

April 17:  District Night, White’s of Westport, Westport, MA (Register by Apr. 3^rd)

Speaker Senator Robert Hedlund at the March 8th meeting.

Thanks to Bob

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