ROTARY CLUB OF NEEDHAM

NEWSLETTER

October 13, 2009

OPENING:

Ryan opened with the pledge of allegiance, Ron led us in a confusing rendition of "God Bless America," and Daryl offered a prayer.

GUESTS:

Debbie Cerra, from Condon Realty.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Pancake breakfast-Gary announced that everything is ready to go for Saturday's Pancake Breakfast.  On Friday at 5:00, Jim's truck will arrive from Dictronics to unload supplies for the event at the school.  Gary also told us that he is hoping to set up a projector to project the logos of event sponsors.  Gary still needs a few volunteers to help deliver pamphlets at Saturday morning sporting events. 

Ryan added that at the breakfast, the club will be collecting donations for Rotary's Purple Pinky Polio-Eradication initiative.  

Lois and Ron sold tickets to the Panckae Breakfast at Roche Brothers, along with a number of other Roarians. See attached picture.

George's Car-George discovered, when he answered his phone in the middle of the meeting, that his car is ready to be picked up.  Great news!

Thanksgiving Dinner-Daryl announced that he is making preparations for the Thanksgiving Dinner, now 6 weeks away.  He will be distributing sign up sheets in the upcoming weeks. 

Gift of Life- Ted shared with us the first Gift of Life newsletter.

Library Gala-Lois told us that there are still tickets for Saturday night's Library Gala.

Bills- Tom let us know that he is just starting to process the $50 donations people made to the Rotary foundation.  If you made the payment directly to the foundation or to the Needham club, your payment will appear on your next statement.

50/50:

Chuck had $137 to win, but he lost. 

SPEAKERS:

Bill Burke, headmaster of St. Sebastian's, spoke to the club about lessons he's learned and dispensed as headmaster.  His thoughts focused primarily on relationships and trust.

At last year's graduation, Bill told the students, "I cannot provide you lives free from illness, sorrow, but I can promise you good lives.  For this, you must have respect for God and for each other."

In a speech he made during a faculty member earlier this year, he shared his thoughts about the importance of trust in the lives of young people.  He said, "The theme of trust speaks to what is, what can be, and what should be.  Every parent and every teacher feels the same-the young in our lives need us, to count on us, to trust us."  But the need for trust is shared in the relationships in a school; the students need to trust the faculty just as much as the faculty needs to trust the students.  "Our students need us and we need them, a truth that becomes more and more abundantly clear when we continue this noble conquest of teaching."

He recently wrote a letter to every member of the class of '05, just as they were graduating from college.  In it, he emphasized the importance of relationships.  "Your commitments to each other," he wrote, "are eternal."  He also offered three pieces of advice.  First, pray to God that he can put you in a place where you can best serve him.  Second, be tireless in your pursuit of the good and beautiful.  And lastly, choose your mentors wisely.