Rotary Rag April 3, 2013

Rotary Rag. April 3, 2013 Sunrise Rotary club 

Absent: Jerry Goldberg, Linda Hopkins, Sandy Ladd, Frank Larkin (excused leave), Jack Mann, Jason Pasternak, Michelle Pong, Neil Senior, Ellen Smith, Jeanette Smuts, Barbara Sontag,Tristram Toleno, and Linda Torinski. 

Turner Lewis was the greeter.

President Sandy Shriver opened with an inspirational quote, from Eddie Cantor: "It takes 20 years to become an overnight success." 

 The greeter next week will be Bob Fagelson.

Introduction of guests

 Marker Ethier introduced his daughter Davie, a 5th grade student at St. Michaels' School in Brattleboro. He introduced Jim Rumrill, member of the Ludlow club, coordinator of the Youth Exchange Program. Todd Murcheson introduced Tom McRea of Edmund Jones and his daughter. 

President Sandy said there will be a Board meeting tomorrow to vote on the membership of Tom McRae. It was the beginning of the month and time for the Rotarian of the Month Award: It went to Dan Dietz. There are only 2 more months for the Rotarian of the Month award (or until all the rare collector's item Rotary Symbol flasks are used up) 

 

Announcements 

Tristam Johnson said the noon club sponsored collection of laptop computers for the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, 17 were refurbished and provided by Todd Murcheson. The School nutrition project is serving all 3 communities. 

 Toni Sewing said it was the responsibility of all members to introduce themselves to student Rotarians and sign their attendance sheets. They will only be here until June. Members not signing will be fined. Present today were Brattleboro High School students Carrie Meddon and Sam Sherlock

Ali Barry got signatures for Bowl for Kid's Sake, a fund raiser. 2 lanes reserved for our club for 2 PM on Saturday, April 6, 2013. 

Ross said there was a free leadership training course on May 31, 2013, for nonprofits sponsored by IBM and World Learning. It is posted on the United Way website. 

Will Shakespeare said the potential new member breakfast was only attended by one person due to inclemency of the weather. Peter asked if the use of the word "inclemency" was correct in this context, rather than the word "inclement" - and does "inclement" mean the opposite of "clement"? There was some discussion on this issue which entertained us for a few minutes. 

Dan Dietz invited the club to participate in the Noon club project of handicap access ramps at the end of the month - this is presumed to be physical work, although some jobs for on site directors may be there. 

Josh Traeger reported on what Student Rotarians at his table, Sam and Carrie are doing. Spring break is coming up Sam is checking out playing fields for colleges in Chicago, Cincinnati and Pittsburg. Carrie is checking out Durham, NC. The Student Rotarians gave a report. The high school quarter ending this week, boy's Lacrosse game is coming up. There was a band concert last night. 

 Card drawing. Ed Dews said there no winners. 

 Birthdays: Frank Larkin not here - on leave. 

 The Bowl of Life: "I used to get paid for jumping off cliffs." (It was not Jon Secrest.) Jon guessed Carmen. It was not Carmen. It was not Jill. Todd Murcheson was the right guess. He is an ex ski instructor and expert skier, has skied all over the world in various capacities. In this process broke his neck and back, but his knees are still in good shape. 

Brags: Bob Fagelson bragged for Eddie Cantor, a great vaudevillian performer. Booie Fagelson bragged for Toni Sewing, who gave her a speaker providentially. Kevin Yaeger bragged for both his Alma Mater men's basketball teams: The Franklin Pearce Ravens and the Orangemen. Sadie bragged for the great trip she and Evelyn had, Jill asked for participation in the March of Dimes for babies, on Saturday, April 27, 2013 through the Brattleboro Retreat. The URL is http://www.marchforbabies.org/s_team_page.asp?seid=2050207. Ali bragged for Jason who saved her from a leased vehicle that cost too much. She leased a highlander and Jason noticed she was driving a scratched and dented vehicle. He gave her a new lease for $170 less a month for a red Subaru Imprezza. 

Speaker: Jim Rumrill from the Ludlow Club, spoke about foreign exchange students. He spoke to the Surise Rotary club last July trying to get a student placed in 3 weeks, the student ended up being placed in New York State. The Rotary District has 15 inbound students from 15 countries. (formerly16 students, but one dropped out). They are going to New York City next month; and going on a Bermuda cruise for a District Conference. Our Rotary district has 16 students all over the world, in a one year supported exchange. This provides valuable life experience in the last years of High school or year between high school and college. He is looking for 3 clubs to host students next year. We are sending 20 out and need to host 20. The Rotary Club must set up a committee to look in local high schools and recruit. They must set up a minimum of 2 families to host staring the third week of August. He said "Youth exchange is like a box of chocolates and you never know what you will get." Exchanges are not done with Australia, New Zealand or England, due to a policy made a long time ago not to exchange with English speaking countries.

Marcy Caulkins spoke about the power of creating bonds across country and religious boundaries, exchanges due to her own experience with Philippe from Brazil, sponsored by the Bellows Falls club years ago. Philippe's family hosted a student from India after he had his exchange experience in the US. Living with a person from India made him realize that barring culture, religion and language, they are really alike.

 President Sandy closed the meeting at approximately 7:40 AM.

(Due to technical difficulties, this bulletin may not be formatted properly - please notify sender of any errors -  Thank you. Judith Brownlow)