October 12, 2007  Volume 87, Number 15

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

 

The first encounters between two classmates in the Rotary Peace and Conflict Studies program were anything but cordial.

From July through September 2006, Raveendra Pathiranage and Thevananth Thevanayagam participated in the program’s inaugural session at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand. For weeks, they argued about the long-standing conflict in their native Sri Lanka.

“But we talked about our problems and gradually understood each other,” says Thevanayagam, program manager for the Tamil Refugees Rehabilitation Organization in Sri Lanka, who was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Jaffna, Northern Province. The agency provides food, shelter, rehabilitation, and other assistance to displaced Tamil refugees.

“We erased the hard feelings and went on to What can we do to solve the problem? What can we contribute?” says Pathiranage, senior state counsel in the attorney general’s office in Sri Lanka, who was sponsored by District 3220.

Read more

 

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

October- Vocational Service Month
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
14 15 16 17 18 19
Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar Megham Bromert 		20
21 22 23 24 25 26
Marv Henberg is professor of philosophy and former academic
dean and interim president at Linfield College. He has completed a coffee table book on the history of the college (we are celebrating our 150th
anniversary this year). He is also a terrific speaker. 		27
28 29 30 31      

opening
 

Greeter:  Brent Adams

Inspirational Moment:  John Larsen reading from a thought-provoking perspective on our Four-Way Test and how it could apply to global ethics.  The author is RI Director-elect Lars-Olaf Fredricksson.  See the full essay at a link off Rotary.org and then go to Four-Way Test.

Pledge:  Bruce Wyatt

VISITING ROTARIANS AND GUESTS
 

Lori Rumbaugh introduced her youngsters Carl and Olena.

 

Nancy Larsen was introduced by husband John

John also introduced outbound-student Caity Bernards, and rebound student Austin Wuellner.

 

Art Bradley inbound-student Jessy Guinot.

MEMBER RECOGNITION &  ANNOUNCEMENTS

Member Recognition by Eric Hanson

Skip Huwalt was absent.  Eric recalled being a neighbor to Skip and receiving two dressed chickens after Skip’s “two large dogs got into our chicken house and caused havoc.”

Kristi Brill was absent.

Carole Benedict walked in as Eric recognized her recent birthday.

Celebrating his 61st birthday was John Larsen; but since “life begins at 60, actually I’m only one year old.”  He announced that tomorrow, Saturday (13th) is Shred Day at First Federal from 9 to 1.  Bring up to two boxes and/or enjoy watching the large shred truck operate.

Eric closed this part of the meeting with “tales” about dogs licking themselves and an elderly Rotarian enjoying a wide variety of success/wealth/and marital bliss who is quite sad—he forgot where he lived!

Brent Adams ran a trivia quiz.  “Where did we get our bell?”  (from the Corvallis club in 1936).  “Which name occurs more frequently Adams or Gardner on the bell?”  (Gardner)  “What name occurs most frequently on the bell?” (Macy).

 

Nancy Larsen asked for volunteers to assist clients of Mid-Valley Rehabilitation center.  Particularly needed is a gentleman to assist a gentleman (interested in sports trivia) with reading skills.  Call Nancy if you could help or know someone who might help.

President Dan up-dated us on the difficulties involved in getting a permanent caterer.  The Board has proposed that we try food from Harvest Fresh.  To do so we must change venues.  So the Board has proposed that we MEET OCTOBER 26 AND NOVEMBER 2 AT THE GRAND BALLROOM, thus giving us the opportunity to try a new caterer.

We voted on a change to the club constitution and in the by-laws.  Ray Fields noted that details went to members via email earlier.  Both changes were passed by unanimous voice vote. The updated club constitution and by-laws are on the web available from a link of the club's home page.

President Dan reported on the response to his recent email request for help stuffing envelopes (11/6) to benefit the Cultural Coalition.  “Thanks to the many of you who responded with your willingness to help; great response.’

 

Walt Height encouraged us to consider attending the up-coming play Deathtrap at Gallery Theater; “A really enjoyable play with interesting plot twists, humor and characters.”  One of the ‘characters’ is Jeff Sargent.  (Jeff observed that “I don’t have the star status that you do, Walt.”)

 

program

Shirley Venhaus began by talking about her 14 years with the Yamhill County Historical Society (which has been functioning for 50 years).   For years the Society resided in a church building (built in 1892 but lost it congregation several years ago) in Lafayette, which is now registered in the National Registry of Historical Sites.  It became inadequate for storage uses due to substantial water damage.  She spoke of the Society’s vision for the next 50 years, “We need to be able to demonstrate farming practices, house and display about 15,000 items, and provide a meeting space and eating facilities for up to 200 people.”  

The new Director for the Society, Katherine Huit spoke about growing up in McMinnville and being very thankful for local help in building a structure at Camp Smith in memory of her mother.  She appreciated seeing “Doc Singletary” (a major influence from her Linfield student days) and Colin Armstrong (who has been very helpful).  Before being employed by the Society, Katherine was involved in starting the Evergreen Museum.  

Among the 15,000 items collected from around the County are old combines, logging tools, clothes, the bank vault from the old Wortman Bank (formerly on 3rd St.), and a quilt which arrived here by wagon coming over the Oregon Trail in 1844.

Through numerous generous efforts the Society is now beginning to locate on a 12 acre site South of McMinnville at the intersection Hwy 18 and Durham Lane (across from Valley RV center).  We saw a series of pictures of renderings showing major demonstration areas, auditorium, office space and parking resources.  Included with be fields to be worked by antique farming machines (the society currently has 12 tractors). 

The Society plans to portray family life in Yamhill County, including perspectives provided by local Tribes.   Hopefully the entire site will be completed in time for the February 14, 2009, 150th anniversary of the founding of Oregon.  The Society will continue to keep the church and log house structures in Lafayette.

CLOSING

President Dan had Katherine sign a book for the SMART program and gave her an official Rotary Club of McMinnville pen. 

Next Week:

We will hear from a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar, Megham Bromert

Photos by Dennis Gray
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

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