December 8, 2006  Volume 86, Number 23

ROTARY'S FOUR WAY TEST
"Of the things we think, say or do:

1. Is it the TRUTH? 
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it Build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?"

SOMETHING NEW

This week’s Rotary Foundation Thought is about how Rotary helps communities impacted by disasters long after many relief agencies have moved on.

Shortly after the deadly tsunami struck south Asia on 26 December 2004, The Rotary Foundation established the Solidarity in South Asia fund to assist Rotarians in supporting long-term recovery efforts in affected communities. In addition to $4.8 million in contributions from Rotarians around the world, more than 75 Rotary districts allocated over US$700,000 in District Designated Funds (DDF) for rebuilding efforts. This DDF was a result of Annual Programs Fund contributions made three years ago, in which the districts had not yet allocated to a specific TRF program.

As a result, Rotarians were able to respond quickly to the disaster, and provide much needed financial support, through The Rotary Foundation. Rotary Sri Lanka set the pace for the massive rebuilding effort of schools destroyed by the tsunami; with 25 schools spread across the country allocated to Rotary for rebuilding. The first batch of schools is scheduled to be completed by the end of November 2005.

Rotarians can expect equally worthy projects in Indonesia, India and Thailand and in areas impacted by Hurricane Katrina. We can all be proud to be a part of an organization that is so responsive to needs in our own country and those around the world.

What would you like to add to the Calendar? Programs for our club are listed in the Calendar below.

December - Family Month

Sunday

 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
10

 

 11

 

 12
 

 

 13
Board Meeting
11:45 AM
Tequilla Grill

 

 14

 

 15
Mac Hi Twilighters

Vote to Amend Club's By-laws.

 16

 
17

 

 18

 

 19

 

 20

 

 21

 

 22
No Meeting

 

 23

 
24

 

 25

 

 26

 

 27

 

 28

 

 29
No Meeting

 

 30

 

opening

Greeter: Johannes Goddik   (President Art noted, “Johannes stepped in at the last moment.  Members we thought would be greeters failed to show up today!!”)

Invocation:  Frank Bumpus.  We observed a moment of silence for Sandy Primozich who passed away this morning.  And we observed a moment of reflection about how each of us could be generous with those less fortunate at this holiday time.

Pledge:  Kris Olsen
INTRODUCTION OF VISITING ROTARIANS & GUESTS 

Steve Larson introduced Tom Vail, member of the Sunrise Clan

Lindsey and Christie Whitman of the high school Interact Club were introduced by Paul Elias.

Jesse Davis introduced returning member Gary Eastland.

Julie Bishop a member-to-be of the Newberg club was introduced by John Larsen

Larry Bonsack of the Newberg club was introduced by Ray Fields.

  

MEMBER RECOGNITION & ANNOUNCEMENTS

In keeping with his oblivious-to-the-correct-time habit Ryan Arzner greeted us with his usual, erroneous “good morning” at 12:20PM.

Today is Kris Olsen’s  seventeenth wedding anniversary.  “It has been wedded bliss certainly for me.  I think my wife would say the same”.  They will have a romantic celebration enjoying hot dogs and soda at the Mac High basketball game tonight.

Bruce Huffman celebrates a birthday this coming Thursday.

Ryan made a partial contribution after loosing his bet on the Purdue - Indiana game

Christie and Lindsey came to the podium to encourage us to be involved in the Interact project by allowing members to put some publicity in our places of business about the Interact Club’s ADOPT A FAMILY program.

 

President Art asked those involved in getting the Pacesetter out every week to stand and be recognized.

Can you host an international visitor to the District for three to five days (perhaps a week) in April-May?    Note the email earlier this week about the vocational backgrounds of these Rotarians.  By being a host you could have one stay in your home, or you could invite one to observe you in your work setting.  Sounds like a great opportunity.

 

MAIN EVENT

Past District 5100 Governor Reg Keddie, and currently Rotary International Foundation Chair for our District, was introduced by Ray Fields.

We enjoyed a video from RI showing the diverse and productive ways our contributions to the Foundation are in service. 

Half of our contributions go to world wide needs and half go to our District needs.   In 2003-4 the District had about $270,000 to disperse to both sets of  needs.    Examples of international grants include:

            --various health related (including Polio Plus) projects.

            --micro-banking projects in which a third world entrepreneur could borrow a few hundred dollars to buy the basics (e.g. a sewing machine and material) to get a self-sustaining micro business started.

Examples of District 5100 grants include:

--dictionary projects (each student in fourth grade gets a dictionary with a Rotary logo including the Four-Way Test and the child’s name).  Reg quoted a thank you note from a fourth grader, “Thanks for the dictionary. I’m up to page 38.”

--Power Pumper cars for kids with respiratory difficulties which greatly assist in mobility.

--Tennis courts in a city park.

--High school concession stand.

--Year-round patio at a city park.

--Historic garden restoration.

--Mosquito nets in Uganda

Note that our Board recently agreed that we would be doing a dictionary project in our schools—details up-coming.

How can members participate?  Checks, credit cards, automatic withdrawals, adding $25 onto quarterly dues, will, codicil to one’s will, revocable living trust, IRA’s, 401k plans, etc.  The average gift from members of District 5100 last year was $336.  

RECALL OUR RECOMMENDED YEARLY CONTRIBUTION OF AT LEAST $100 PER YEAR PER MEMBER.

Norm Goss observed that if a person is over 70.5 years, contributions can be tax deductible from IRA’s. 

CLOSING

President Art showed Reg a book to be donated to the SMART reading program in commemoration of today’s program.

Next Week:

Twilighters will singing (also we will be voting on amendments to the club's By-Laws ).

Photos by Dianne Haugeberg
Meeting text Frank Bumpus
Edited for the web by Ray Fields

Did you miss this meeting and need a makeup?   Here is a list of places that you can makeup on the web.

"When meeting day comes around, I do not have to decide whether to attend or not, for that has already been decided for me . . . it was one of the obligations I accepted when I joined Rotary." -- A Rotarian

Back to McMinnville Rotary's Home Page

Copyright (c) 2006 * Rotary Club of McMinnville * All Rights Reserve