SOMETHING NEW

OPENING
 

Greeters:  Elva Salinas,  and Lee Means

Invocation:  Russ Rainwater

Flag Salute:  Carole Benedict

VISITING ROTARIANS AND GUESTS
 

Gia Battaglia, outbound student to the  Yucatan Peninsula was introduced by Sharon Larson.

Austin Wuellner inbound student was introduced by Lee Means

Bob Hashagen was introduced by Bruce Huffman

Scott Maytubby candidate for county Tax Assessor was introduced by Erin Stephenson

Eric Hanson introduce his son Abraham a student at Willamette Law School

Joe Crabtree was introduced by his dad, Jack Crabtree

Scott Dickey was introduced by Jan Hartzell

MEMBER RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND BRAGS
 

Dianne Haugeberg recently celebrated her fourth anniversary and made an appropriate donation

“I’m approaching the Big One,” noted Erin Stephenson as she recently celebrated her 29^th birthday

“Where’s the wheel?  I want the wheel,” moaned Al Hansen who will soon be celebrating his 67^th birthday.   (Have we even used the wheel in the past year?)

Brent Adams spent several days in California with the high school rugby team.  They played 7 games and “were in every one of them”.  He is trying to catch up on sleep after spending the time with 32 high schoolers

Elva Salinas announced the Migrant Camp Outreach Supply Drive sponsored annually by the Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Clinic which will make 28 visits to migrant camps in our area.  Last year nearly 1700 migrant and agricultural workers received health education and 950 migrant workers received medical care as a result of these visits.  Cash or various items are in great need.  If you or your organization could help contact Elva at the Clinic at 503-883-4713.

LV VanBlaricom announced the Relay for Life “Wine or Whine” fund raiser in Carlton, April 1

Teresa Smith asked that we each complete the member information forms to update our records.

Chuck Pattishall described the International Rotary Convention beginning June 15, 2008 in Los Angeles. This is a great way to see all that is happening around the world (third world countries, various high school clubs, etc.).

Ray Fields discussed the officers and member training conference for District clubs.  New members are encouraged to come and get a glimpse of club dynamics and activities.

Jill Methven acknowledged missing the contribution to the club's Foundation during last week's member recognition and the fact that hubby Allen made good this meeting.

 

NEW MEMBER INDUCTION

Induction of new members was performed by Past-president Art Bradley. Jeanne Hermens was sponsored by Jill Methven. Lynda Wiegan was sponsored by Walt Haight.  We greeted Jeanne and Lynda with a standing ovation. WELCOME LYNDA AND JEANNE.

MAIN EVENT

 

Jill Methven began the program with a short video showing the living conditions in the area of Guatemala where the team went to provide dental services.

Our club has been supporting a joint effort with Rotarians in the Newberg clubs to provide dental and medical help in Guatemala over the past several years.  Jill introduced the presenters who are all members of the Newberg club: her dentist husband Allen, Mike Caruso (outgoing Assistant District Governor), Jan Winder (Past President of the Newberg Noon Club), and Nicole MacIntyre (Newberg President-elect).  

Before Mike gave his presentation he invited us to the Newberg club fund raiser annual auction, 7:00, April 5 ($35/person), at the Newberg Armory.

These annual Guatemala trips began in 2004, with 3 dentists, a nurse and support folks. That first year there was no electricity.  Michael’s job was to hold a flashlight in the patients’ mouth through the blood extractions and root cannel work.  He was struggling to stay conscious after the 13th extraction in one mouth.  In 2005 they brought generators and water experts.  They found the water in the village, as well as the entire water system in the nearby city of Antigua to be quite impure due to diarrhea causing bacteria.  “Diarrhea is a way of life there.”

Jill noted that while the work is demanding the team has a great time. “We had superb food as we ate in a different restaurant every night.”  

“PLEASE CONSIDER JOINING US—THIS IS A PERFECT WAY TO GIVE BACK,” noted Dr. Allen. Contact Jill if you are interested or want more information.

We saw a video of their work in small villages in central Guatemala.  A second PowerPoint described the micro-loan program (at very low interest) to native women to assist them in starting and maintaining their small businesses.  Bank loans are available only at 200%.   The colorful clothes, the smiling faces (“These are very friendly people.”) were impressive.  “These folks are so genuine and optimistic that things can and will go better for them.”  They seem to be quite aware that they are a ‘forgotten people’.

One of the villages was created after a civil war between two groups who were moved into one village in 1986/7 by the central government.  There was great mistrust in the village.   After several annual visits from our Rotarians they are much more trusting.  Dr. Allen told of being asked by one mother as he worked on her son’s mouth, “Do you know who this is?”  He said no.  She said, “He is the boy who would not let you work on his mouth last year.  So every time this year he complained of tooth pain I told him he had to wait until you came this year.”  Average age in these villages is about 15—older people either die or move to larger cities.  People in their mid-forties are ‘old’.

Before Jill concluded the program, Mike presented Jill with a certificate of appreciation from the folks in Guatemala.

On behalf of the team of Newberg Rotarians, Jill thanked us for our support and URGED ANY OF US TO JOIN THEM. 

CLOSING
 

President Dan had Jill sign one of our SMART reader books and noted that “It really is good to see how our Rotary dollars are working.”  (Note that team members are responsible for their own transportation.)

Next Week:  Vern Leblanc will be speaking about Computer Data Safety.

Photographs by Jon Triest
Captions by Frank Bumpus
Edited for the web by Ray Fields

"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 Rotarianan
 

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