Needham Rotary Club Bulletin

July 14, 2009

Opening: Pledge of Allegiance- President Ryan, 'God Bless America', and Reverend Darrell led us in Prayer.

Guests:  Joy Spencer, Scottsdale AZ Rotarian; Thomas Gilet, a college student visiting Needham from France, who is a RYLA scholar back in France. Thomas is looking for an opportunity to 'shadow' someone at work for his college studies. If you want to meet a nice student from France, please call him at 617-678-0393 or gilet05@orange.fe .

Announcements:

Ryan clarified the process for obtaining speakers. First, Erica volunteered to be the coordinator for individuals who are responsible for individual months. So far they are

-July Ken Davis

-August Deb Donovan

-September Deb Donovan

-October Greg Cronin

-November John Hirliman

So, if you know of someone who would be a great club speaker, let one of these folks know, and they can make the arrangements. Better yet, volunteer for a month of responsibility. It is not that hard !

-The club is going to see the Brockton Rox on August 4^th, for a 6:05pm game. This will be in lieu of a normal Tuesday lunch. Let Ryan know if you want to go.

-Ken Davis discussed the upcoming Glover (a/k/a BID-Glover) Hospital tour to be held on Tuesday July 28. We will meet at the hospital (exact location to be given later), and we will have lunch on campus and then a presentation by Dr. Jeff Leibman, President

-July 26 the home at the corner of Brookline Ave. and Bancroft St. will be dedicated by the Interfaith Council and Habitat for Humanity at 3 pm.

-August 18^th we will visit Wingate Nursing Home for a cookout at noon, instead of the Sheraton. Bill Swartley, who just turned 102, will recount some of his experiences as President of Boston Rotary. We anticipate that Bob Day will be there as well, as they are Wingate roommates!

-George Hoffmeister read us a thank you letter from Michael Boris-Chris, who was a Rotary Scholarship winner several years ago, and is attending Colby college where he has been on the Dean's list for both semesters; played in the college Jazz Band, and has his sights on going to VeterinarianSchool.

Habitat for Humanity : Dan Tibma has volunteered to receive training from Habitat for Humanity; people will be asked to participate in helping to build another residence in Needham. The date will be in late December or in January 2010 - on a Sunday for our build date.

Humor: Joy Spencer recounted her High School date prank where she and her sister traded dresses mid-date and fooled the respective dates, who were brothers as well. At the 10 year high school reunion, her date could not remember who he had taken out or which one Joy was!

  50/50: Joy Leverbeau had the successful ticket (last meeting while visitng luck ?), but came up short on pulling the correct card. There is $ 480 in the pot, with only 28 cards remaining!!

Happy Dollars: Most Happy Dollars were for the DG's visit, and: Darrell for his son adopting a baby, making Darrell an official Grandfather ! Joy Spencer for her last visit (this year) to Needham Rotary, and, Erica for the wonderful summer (imagine that) weather.

Birthdays: Scott MacFarlane whose card read "Cool never goes out of style". Get it ?

Guest Speaker: Our District Governor for 2009/2010 Carol Toomey from the Acton-Boxborough club was our guest speaker. She had met with the BOD prior to the Club meeting, and was brought up to date on the club status, and made a number of recommendations to Ryan and his team as to how to improve our club.

She provided everyone present with a 2009/2010 lapel pin and presented the club with a new banner for 2009/2010 which highlights President Jack's theme of 'The Future of Rotary is in your hands'!

Carol talked about the Rotary Leadership Institute, a program which meets on three days throughout the year to train and develop Rotarians to be leaders within our clubs. I am sure that our club will pay the admission fee for anyone wanting to go. See Ryan or Karen Wetmore.

She reminded us of the Polio Plus program, started in 1987, with a goal of eradicating Polio and 5 other childhood diseases from the face of the earth. We have 4 countries remaining: Pakistan, India, Afghanistan and Nigeria. Remember, that Oct. 4^th of this year is 'Polio Immunization Day'.

She echoed Pres. Jack's theme, and talked about the U.N. Day coming in October, as well as the District Conference in May, and the RI Convention in Montreal next year.

Carol said she loves Rotary. She is not one to want to '..sleep in the sand..' on Rotary projects, but wants to contribute and being DG is her way of giving back.

She is doing a great job and we should be grateful she is our DG! Thanks Carol!!