May 18, 2009                                                    Sandy Bliesener, Editarian

After President Rex opened the meeting, Rotarians and guests sang the National Anthem.  Greta Williams gave an invocation that recognized the true meaning of Memorial Day, Richard Piet of WKZO gave us a rundown of the day's news, and D. Terry Williams presented the Arts News.  President Rex expressed his pleasure that the day's meeting content would be all about Rotary, and reminded us that there will not be a meeting next Monday - enjoy the long weekend!

Visiting Rotarians Robert Jenkins, Cindy Carter, Larry DeShazor, and Tonya Shumaker were in attendance, along with District Governors Bob Chadwick, Renee Merchant and her husband Dick, and Past District Governor Bill Dimond.

Songs:

John Dillworth received a welcome back ovation, then Jerry Albertson led an a capella version of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" in John's honor.  Then an appropriately garbed Amy Remmert took over to lead us in "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" in honor of our Argentinean guests.

New Member:

Thell Woods introduced Walter Jones III, Director of Constructive Community Builders, Inc.  Walter came to Kalamazoo with his parents from Baldwin, Michigan in 1960.  He attended Kalamazoo Central, KVCC then WMU.  After three years of law school, Walter served several tours with the Army in Vietnam, where he received three purple hearts and two bronze stars.  After Vietnam he taught in the classroom until starting Constructive Community Builders, Inc., a non-profit faith/community-based community development organization created to physically and socially transform Michigan's deteriorating urban and rural neighborhoods into healthy and sustainable neighborhoods.  Welcome Walter!

Special Presentation:

Past District Governor Bill Dimond invited Rotarian John Polzin and his wife Katherine (Kay) up to the podium to recognize their intention to include the Rotary Foundation in their estate planning.  John and Kay will be at Level Four of the Bequest Society, and their generosity will support programs that increase food and water, improve housing, eradicate polio, and promote peace and conflict resolution throughout the world.  District Governor Renee offered her congratulations and the Polzins received a standing ovation.

Happy Bucks were given by PP, ADG Rick Briscoe for an excellent District Conference last weekend; Steward Sandstrom because John Dillworth is back; Brian Kaufman gave a birthday check; John Dillworth for all of the calls, notes and cards; Amy Remmert, Greta Williams and Barb Walters for the success of the Group Study Exchange; Ed Sackley for his daughter's graduation from college; and PP Jack Hopkins for the generosity of the Polzins.

Program for the Day:

Rotarians were presented with a rare treat; the Group Study Exchange team visiting from Argentina each gave a brief description of their life back home and their experience in Kalamazoo over the past two weeks. 

Amy Remmert introduced team leader Fabian Fitzsimons, who is an attorney, farmer and father of three.  He believes the Group Study Exchange is a great program to learn about and experience other cultures.  Miguel Angel Ojeda is a lawyer and is enjoying living real life here: the food, activities and meeting many new people.  He has enjoyed playing racquetball and running, and thinks that WMU's track is amazing.  Maria Olivera is an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher who is married with two children (one who speaks English well, and one who does not), and teaches English to young children through adults.  She is thankful for the kindness and care of the team, loved the symphony, and is struck by how our cultures are not so different.  Evangelina Szczpta is also an ESL teacher, but has her own school.  She has a daughter and lives next to her parents who help with caring for her daughter.  This has been the most beautiful and memorable experience of her life.  Micaela Mendez is a speech therapist and music teacher who enjoys singing in the shower and doesn't want to go home.  She sang a memorable version of "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" in Spanish, and then filled in with her beautiful voice when the video presentation about Argentina experienced technical difficulties. 

The entire team has been surprised by how similar our cultures are, although Evangelina expressed amazement about the size of American meals - particularly breakfast!  Thank you to Amy and the GSE team from Argentina for providing such a wonderful program, and for all of the other Rotarians who have helped make this program so successful!