Rotary News

May 11, 2009                                                                         Judy Moore, Editarian

The meeting opened with the national anthem, followed by an inspiring reminder from Don Ryan that we ALL have control of our time, (though we claim to not have enough) but just need to determine how it will be spent!

VISITING ROTARIANS were introduced: Dick Weaver, Santa Fe Springs; Matt Lechel, president of the new Rotaract Club; (they meet at Gallagher's on the 2^nd Tuesday and 4^th Wednesday, at 6pm. Mayor Hopewell will be their speaker tomorrow evening.) 

GUESTS: Joe Gagie introduced his granddaughter, Sandra Leonard, and grandson, Stuart Gagie; Deb Chope-Hughes, her husband, Bill Hughes; Gordon Duisterhof brought his granddaughter, Abbie; Steve Duisterhof his wife, Ginny, and son, Sam; Tim Light introduced Peter Livingstone-McNellis; Pam Kingery introduced her son, Noah; Mark Totten presented Ryan Opria; and Dale Hein introduced his wife, Nancy, his son, Matthew, and administrative assistant, Lori Pyatt. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

FIT Mi: Rex has extra flyers regarding this year's fitness program. Contact Karl Sandelin for more information.

Board Meeting: Wednesday, May 13 at the Park Club at noon. Let Sue know if you will attend.

Committee Reports: Continuing the effort to let us know about all of the committees and activities available for Rotarians to serve:

SITE COMMITTEE: Laura Latiolais is looking for additional members. This committee is in charge of meeting site, meals, etc., and any offsite meeting arrangements. (For example, on June 15 we will be at the KIA to see the new Georgia O'Keefe exhibit!)

NEW GENERATIONS COMMITTEE:  Karl Sandelin, one of our STRIVE MENTORS, reported for chairperson, Jill Eldred. The main project of this committee is the mentoring program at Kalamazoo Central High School. Rotarians are paired with students who need extra motivation to help set goals, improve grades and attendance, etc.  The mentors are making a big difference, and more mentors would mean helping more students!  Call Jill Eldred for more information.

PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE: Thell Woods shared that this committee has two purposes: (1) To inform our own members about our service, and, 2) To let the rest of the world know. Contact Adam Wade or Thell for more information.

GSE Team/District Conference: Amy Remmert is looking for assistance (financial) for hosting the hospitality suite at the District Conference this weekend at Frankenmuth. Our visiting GSE team will be there to greet guests. District Governor Elect, Kathleen Tosco, will be there to promote Kalamazoo as the next meeting site for the District Conference in 2010.  Contact Amy right away if you can help with the "adult beverages."

Happy Bucks: Jerry Meinzinger, for his granddaughter's graduation; Joe Gagie for his grandson on the U. of Iowa golf team; Don Flesche for the Kalamazoo College Men's Tennis Team and their 71^st year of taking the MIAA championship! Jim McIntyre threw in $3 for 2^nd son's graduation from college-3 years later; and Mark Totten for the Kalamazoo Central Mock Trial Team, and Miller Canfield law office for their support. Gif Blalock for his son's move into an Ann Arbor apt, and hopeful college graduation later; and Jack Hopkins for Mark Totten's Point of View in Sunday's Gazette, as well as all mothers, including those in our club!

PROGRAM

Dale Hein then introduced his daughter, Whitney, to speak about her 2 year experience in Zambia with the Peace Corps. She is a graduate of Loy Norrix and Michigan State University and this was her third trip to Africa. 

Whitney shared the goals of the Peace Corps: to share the American culture, to help those in need, and return to this country to share the culture of her host country.  Zambia is a peaceful country compared to those surrounding countries where there is much unrest, and therefore refugees fleeing to Zambia. She was a full 2 days of travel from the Peace Corps offices, but had cell phone reception.  Some in the country spoke English, but most did not. There was 50% unemployment and most were in agriculture, but merely for their own food.  Whitney felt the country has untapped potential for tourism, as it has natural beauty and "safari animals." 

Most of her time was spent training in the area of health practices that could increase their life expectancy, especially to reduce the number of children dying from food and waterborne illnesses.  She worked with Neighborhood Health Committees who in turn trained their villagers.  Her main project was bringing soap and handwashing to the villagers through an entrepreneurial program that allowed them to sell soap and turn the profits back into additional educational programs. 

Her next challenge will be in New Orleans, where she will go to graduate school and work in the area of housing needs.  Whitney is a very impressive young woman, and her parents must be proud!