CLUB NEWSLETTER for April 26, 2006

Attendance: Missing were Hurwitch (visiting her son in Maryland ), Meston (still in China ), McInnis, Blanchard, Kern, Nuboer, Nuzzo-Mueller, Snyder, Jenkins. We were joined once again by Lisa and our speaker was SHS teacher George Haddad. We were 21 in all. Jack reported that he and Linda were present last Wed. at 6:30 sharp!

Our Meeting: Janet was asked to begin the Pledge but while waiting for all to be upstanding, someone else started the ball rolling…Bill’s WOW were enhanced by his report from the SRC Pole Excavation and Implantation Committee. How very nice it is to see the new signs!! We have talked about this since my Presidency now many years ago! Thanks to Bill and Donn from all of us.

Changes to our by-laws were recommended by Bob Schipul, seconded by Bill Coulter, and passed by those present with only 1 objection noted. The changes include (even for those not present or voting): 1) the SAR is now a member of the Board of Directors. 2) Each member will be billed, for payment by the first of the month, for meals monthly. This will hopefully prevent the club from paying for meals not eaten and help Rotarians to be accountable for their presence or absence. You can continue to miss meetings but you must let Judy know by Sunday that you will not be eating with us or pay for the uneaten meal yourself. Absences reported will be forgiven (credited) on next month’s bill. 3) Proceeds from our Pancake Breakfast must be given to the SRC’s Foundation (as it has been for the past 2 years).

Fines and HBSB were most lucrative this meeting. Ben wants to collect on unannounced Birthday from January 1st – he will have the victims by name next meeting – and is fining for interruptions and rudeness.  GO BEN! Janet lost a fortune being excited about the beautiful new signs! The North River Bridge will be named for Michael Kelley (to be signed by the Governor on May 5th or 10th). No fine incurred but it was noted that Connie Mitchell has broken her foot again. Connie, we will consider fining you if you do it again! Bob Schipul was fined for wearing Bob Price’s badge that he could not find to put on until sitting across the table and seeing himself without a mirror.  Eric was not fined for not having a badge on but Bart is at risk of incurring a fine if that badge does not show up soon.

Maryann read a bit of information on RI in an effort to catch our newest members up on who we are. Someday we should also have Foundation Minutes but I am happy that our program chair has had 1 Foundation Program and has just requested a second. For your information, The Rotary Foundation (TRF) is RI’s (Rotary International’s) funding arm. It is OUR foundation and supports all of our health and humanitarian activities.

Final Reminder of the District 7950 Conference in Plymouth , May 5-7. Go on line NOW and register for the part you want to participate in. Do we have a table of 10 yet for Saturday evening?

Scholarship committee will be meeting this week to make a decision for May 1st.

Chris Ryan will meet with Janet to discuss/consider the Phonebook fundraising as a new responsibility. Chris, even the consideration gives me hope…please call me for a coffee date – soon!

Our speaker: SHS’s French and Spanish teacher, George Haddad, spoke about a new program in the HS called “School to Career Program.” He has placed 21 kids, mostly seniors, some juniors, into local sites of employment reflecting their interests for their futures. It offers an exposure that fine tunes interests and opens up possibilities for their futures. The kids are well received, well behaved, and growing beyond expectations. George comes to us to help him with contacts for future placements of his students. He will put together a wish list for next year based on upcoming interviews with students wanting an internship next school year. We reflect many vocations within the community and should be able to assist with this program. George clearly loves his work, the kids and made a great presentation to us. He would make a great Rotarian!  He left us with his email and phone number: ghaddad@shs.scit.org 781.545.8750 X418 – leave a voice message. He loves new ideas.

Filler: Janet has an email from Past District Governor Dick Anderson presenting information about a Martha’s Vineyard Rotarian who has promised to match up to $5000 of Rotarian’s contributions toward the Gift of Life Project.  (Sorry, I do not know what this is – I will check it out). Dick has sent the first $100 from our District. Dan and Barbara Nalven visited Kenya and were so taken with the poverty that they want to do something. (Well, we know that!, thank you Bob and Eric.) They will be visiting Kenya again via the District Conference in Mombassa and Dan writes in his email to Dick, “ Kenya has been declared a famine disaster country. The Red Cross buys dying animals to feed the people who walk 15 kilometers, just to find water to survive. We leave for East Africa on May 15th. There are over 2 million orphaned children in that area in need of food, clothing and education.” Dan promises that 100% of money sent to him will go directly to these kids via their responsible village elders. He promises to report on his return. Checks should be made payable to Rotary District 7230 Gift of Life, marked for African Relief, and sent to PO Box 698, Tarrytown, MY 10591.

  That’s all folks!

On behalf of Beatrice, it has been a pleasure chatting with you.

Janet

======================================

CLUB NEWSLETTER for April 19 2006

 Attendance:

 President Dietrich, Janet Nuboer, Rev Robert Schipul, Beatrice Hurwitch, Judy Rego, Donn Sladen, Jim McInnis, Alden Mitchell, Mike Johnson, Bill Coulter.

Family of Rotary: Carol Sladen

Speaker.- Stephanie Roumanis

 The meeting opened with The Pledge of  Allegiance led by Beatrice, followed by the Invocation given by Rev. Robert Schipul.

After the usual words of welcome and greetings to attending members and guest speaker by President Dietrich; Jim McInnis read a portion of what the objectives of Rotary are.  The ideal service is, "to seek, encourage, and develop opportunities to serve those in need." Our guiding principle is, Service above self.

Bill Coulter gave us some words of wisdom. He read two stories about "windows". The first one is about a man that asked a doctor.  By what criteria do you determine that a person has to be institutionalized?. Well, we give them a test. We give them, a spoon, a glass and a bucket and ask them to empty a tub full of water. To this the man replied, of course the sane person would use the bucket to empty the tub. The doctor said no, he would pull the plug. Would you like a bed near a window?.

The second story was about a man who was blind that shared a hospital room with some one that was not blind. The blind man had the bed next to the window and his companion was frequently in pain. Every day the blind man described a beautiful scenery that he "saw" outside his window and his friend improved. One day the blind man died, and his room mate asked to be placed by the window.  When he looked out the window, all he saw was a brick  wall and he asked a nurse, If he was blind, why did he describe beautiful things to me? " Because he felt your pain, and thought this would make you feel better, and it did! "  " Today, is a gift from God that is why it is called the Present "

And "Happiness when shared  is doubled ".

  Janet announced that we received a thank you note for a $200 donation we gave.  Also that the Weymouth Rotary Club is having an auction and would like our support. Janet suggested that we do this and buy, individually or collectively, a $100 ticket for this event.   Bart and Janet have been doing the Scituate Phone Book for many years and  would like some one else to lead the next Scituate Phone Book Fundraiser.    The District Conference organizers want us to know that they are still accepting registrations for those who wish to attend this event.. Please contact Janet.

President Dietrich talked to Medical Bridges and they said they would be willing to put together a container with donated medical supplies worth $300.000 for a hospital in Rwanda if we pay the shipping costs.

Rev. Schipul talked about the project of digging wells for clean water in Kenya and that a hand pump is needed and asked if we could help with this.

  Stephanie Roumanis, Regional Sales Manager for  Go Ahead Tours  explained that  this is the largest Educational Travel Agency and that EFE Education and Rotary share the same goals.  To establish goodwill and friendship, overcoming cultural differences, and promoting peace in the world.  This Travel Agency was founded by Bertel Hult, a Swedish national, that saw that English would become the preferred language of communication in the world.  He fomented student travel, and total immersion in an all English speaking country for this is the best way to learn a language. They offer tours to many countries. They have different price range, and are basically fully escorted tours that covers historical and cultural aspects of countries visited.

Regards,
Beatrice

=======================================

Members Attending International Night, Monday April 17th

CLUB NEWSLETTER for April 12, 2006

Attendance:

 President Dietrich,Janet Schmitz, Dr. Dennis Snyder, Rev. Robert Schipul, Beatrice, Chris Ryan, Karen Kelley,Judy Rego, Donn Sladen, Jake Borror, Jim McInnis, Bart Nuboer, Alden Mitchell, Mike Johnson, Eric Foote

Family of Rotary: Carol Sladen, Connie Mitchell, Linda Borror

Guests: Liza Thompson, Steve and Deborah Emmett

Speaker.- Rotarian Alvin L. Burridge

Dennis led the pledge and Bob did the invocation. Dietrich welcomed and greeted members and guests and then asked Bart to give a summary of the Board meeting on Monday April 10th. Bart reported that we have designated July 5th for the installation of President Elect, Suzanne Kavanagh, as President. At the District Conference to be held May 5th thru 7th, we will show the films on Conflict Resolution and also exhibit different projects we had taken on during the year. The ones featured will be Dennis Snyder’s Mission for Children, the Kenya project and the Film Festival. The board also supports that a new generation of Rotarians should start to take on the telephone book fundraiser. Bob reported on our interaction with Kenya , a potential well project for us to study, the visit later in the year by Rev.Schmelzer from the Kishumu Rotary Club. President Dietrich introduced the idea to consider a potential twin relationship with Kishumu, given the similar size of the clubs and interactions at so many levels. Dennis reported on the discussions to explore the potential shipment of a container of medical supplies to Rwanda in cooperation with Medical Bridges, Houston which would serve as a base allowing Medical Missions for Children to perform surgery in Rwanda . Medical Bridges would supply the medical supplies, the Scituate Rotary Club would finance the shipment. Dietrich then asked Janet give the latest update on the District Conference. We have many programs exhibited and run the film program, support and participation from members is encouraged

Jim McInnis gave an update on a new fundraiser approved by the board in cooperation with the Ross Auction Co. It will involve an auction of sports memorabilia and art works, and will be held at the Scituate Country Club August 19th.

In a ceremony involving Janet, Bob and Donn, President Dietrich then welcomed Eric Foote as a new member of Rotary. He was sponsored by Rev. Schipul. Janet presented him his Rotary pin and Donn Sladen was first to congratulate him.

Our Rotarian friend and guest Alvin Burridge gave us some fascinating reflections on China after WWll.Alvin had spent many years in China in a policy influencing position and was a first hand witness of the civil war there immediately following WWII. 

Guest speaker Alvin Burridge chats with members.

At the very end of the war, Japan had invaded Manchuria . The Soviet Union citing protection of it own borders justified securing part of Chinese land and incorporating them as their own. Alvin gave a compelling account of mistakes made on both sides. Betrayals by friends and family members. Withdrawal of promised support by the USA when most needed that turned possibly favorable results into tragedy with loss of strategic positions and lives. Alvin portrayed a gruesome war involving villains and honorable men, intrigue, deceit and broken promises which cost the lives of 70 Million people that impacts history to this very day. - Beatrice

==============================================

CLUB NEWSLETTER for April 5, 2006

Attendance: Coulter (MC), Cramer, Heller, Hurwitch (sick even!), Johnson, McInnis, Mitchell (and Mrs), Nuboer, Price, Rego, Schmitz, Sladen (and Mrs), Summers, Lisa, Lou and a visiting Rotarian from Weymouth . We were 18 and the Chamber of Commerce made up the 35 meals ordered.

Our Meeting:

It was a good attendance with several chamber members who had never gone to a meeting before! I stopped 2 from leaving early because they knew no one. I explained that most of us knew no one so get on with meeting each other! Maybe it was the Canadian Club (thank you, Walter) but it was a really pleasant evening. The Rotarians were well behaved and sat amongst the chamber folks having some great, newsy conversations. Maybe happy bucks should be telling about who we met. I sat between Mr. Pallotti of Pier 44/new condos on Front St. fame and the woman who started the Helping Hands club at Wampatuck school several years ago! She is a definite future Rotarian (mother of 2 school age kids).

I know we were not to promote ourselves but I am guessing we did that just by hosting, telling about ourselves in general and sharing around the tables. Maureen did her usual splendid job with the meal! The President of the Chamber told us that the Chamber exists to support business within Scituate and to give back to the community where it can. It gives HS scholarships also and sponsors the St Patrick’s Day Parade and Heritage Days. He spoke of the Harvest Festival in North Scituate as a past event. Hummm.

Bill did a reading that pleased everyone then went on to tell what it is that Rotary is and does, in President Dietrich’s words. It was very well delivered, of course, and we presented a most excellent and inspiring picture of ourselves.

Final Reminder of the District 7950 Conference in Plymouth , May 5-7.

Go on line NOW and register for the part you want to participate in, as time is nearly gone to do so!! Call me for help.

Friday: Plenary sessions  2 – 4:30,  6 – 10 PM (includes dinner, of course).   

Saturday: Breakfast buffet 7:30 , 3rd Plenary 8:45 – 12:30 , golf and toursism, 4th session: 6PM - 9:30 this dinner is not to be missed!    

Sunday: Ecumenical Service followed by  5th Plemary 9-12:30 with Banquet breakfast.   [ The entire program is intersperced with House of Friendship (see what clubs are doing), Hospitality Suites (free drinks parties) and of course our films!! We could use some help with this too.]

For Beatrice, my club and just for the fun of Rotary,  

Janet  

Back to Archives Index

                            

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copyright © 2002, Scituate Rotary
This site sponsored and hosted by Matrix 2000, Internet Solutions for Business
This site designed and maintained by Sue Cellucci. For problems, questions or comments about his site, please contact Sue via email: scellucci@verizon.net.