May 15, 2013

There was widespread frost a few days before the May 15 meeting, and a few days after it feels like summer. But though tradition may be short in the comings-and-goings of The Weather, President James has held pretty steady on opening our meeting with a recitation of the Four-Way Test. Gary Ferguson took the honors of leading the group this week.

The Best Advice feature — also a tradition in the term of President James, with a bow to program maestro Gary Stewart — this week came from Larry Baum. Larry recalled that back when he opened his business, Dave Flinn helped by advising Larry to get involved; join the Chamber, and join Rotary. Solid advice from Mr. Flinn to Mr. Baum. And from Mr. Baum to his fellow Rotary members: "You can never thank people enough for doing business with you."

Derek Burroughs was tapped for the Thought for the Day. Don't, Derek said, let fear of failure keep you from trying. And then as if to codify that thought, Derek quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson: "When a resolute young fellow steps up to the great bully — the world — and takes him boldly by the beard, he is often surprised to find it comes off in his hand, and that it was only tied on to scare away the timid adventurers."

JoEllen Hedlund introduced visitors and visiting Rotarians.
 

Ron Provus reminded everyone that the big, dual-district conference at Turning Stone is only two weeks away (ten days by now). There is still room, so get your registration in today! And that's not all! Spots were still available for the golf tournament on Friday. Still not convinced? All attendees will be given a welcome bag of goodies donated by Rotarians, and your product can be part of this treasure. If you want to donate something, get 300 pieces of your item to Ron right away.

Carol Travis outlined the itinerary for the GSE team visiting from Brazil, May 28–31. They have a full, three day schedule, and then they're off to the district conference.

Coming up June 13 is the Ithaca Sunrise Rotary dinner and dance benefit for the Club's Youth Exchange Program. Chicken BBQ buffet and dancing to the live music of the 60's-80's rock band, YUMPITY. $25.00 per ticket, with proceeds going to the Youth Exchange Program. At Oasis on Danby Road, South Hill, 5:00–8:00 p.m.

On behalf of Janet Steiner, Dale Johnson thanked all those working Wednesday night for Books for the World. A call went out for more people to help out this past Saturday evening.
 

Jean McPheeters introduced the day's speaker, TC3 President Carl Haynes, whose presentation was entitled "Educating Workers, Enriching the Economy". Carl has been on staff at TC3 since 1969; he started as a teacher, then moved to Dean of students, and Dean of financial affairs, and finally named President in 1994.

TC3 had its largest graduating class ever this year, even with an overall enrollment decline of about 2% due to financial aid regulations and recent increase in academic requirements. Tuition for in-state students is about $4,200 per year, and room and board is around $4,500 per semester. Add in fees and books and the total annual cost to attend rounds out to $12,000–$14,000.

TC3 offers career-focused AAS degree programs and prepares students to transfer to 4-year colleges. The school has 21 transfer programs, and by far most of their students transfer to Ithaca College, Cornell, Wells College, and SUNY Cortland. They recently introduced two new degree programs, sustainable agriculture and culinary arts.

TC3 also offers non-credit education, and provides customized training for 35-plus businesses in the community. They have received $90,000 in grants to support that program.

On the horizon, TC3 is expanding its study abroad programs, and has recently had a $7 million master plan approved by the state that will address infrastructure, resulting in a redesigned front entrance to the college.
 

Ambassadors: Dalva Hedlund, Ithaca Sunrise
Visiting Rotarians: None
Students: None

Workers:
  • Thought for the Day, Derek Burrows
  • Greeter, Sean Iddings
  • Introductions, JoEllen Hedlund
  • Kettle, Dave Barr
  • Cash Collection, Philip Snyder
Set-Up: Ron Provus, Scott Russell, Philip Snyder
Chief Club Service Facilitator, Dave Barr

Bulletin Reporter: Kelly Buck
Photos: Mike Brown
Bulletin Editor: Ted Schiele
 

May 22, 2013, Holiday Inn, downtown Ithaca:
Lt. Colonel Craig Wiggers, The Military Leaders of Tomorrow

  

The Ithaca Rotary Club continues to collect used books for shipment to countries where they are in high demand.  The Books for the World project is a hands-on international project, where Rotarians and community partners select, pack and arrange for shipment of K-12 surplus textbooks and used books suitable for public libraries.

Since the fall of 2010, our club has collected over 26,000 books, which, when packed, taped, labeled and stacked, is the equivalent of one shipping container of books. With the help of other community organizations for funding, physical labor and loading dock facilities, our club has taken the lead in District 7170, with the most books collected of any Rotary Club in the upstate New York region.

The first event is scheduled for Saturday, May 18 at 6 pm at the Friends of the Library booksale site, 509 Esty Street. We will work in teams of two, selecting children’s books and adult reference books, packing and taping 24 cartons. We will need eight – ten volunteers for this date.

The second event is scheduled for Wednesday morning, May 22 from 9 – 11 am at the booksale site.  We will select enough books to fill 48 cartons. Eight to ten volunteers would be optimum for this event.

We look forward to the fun and fellowship that this hands-on project brings to all of us. Sign up by contacting Co-coordinators Janet Steiner or Edward Kokkelenberg, janetsteiner@gmail.com