The Rotary Club of Hillcrest - District 6630

Hillcrest Rotagram - April 22, 2008 Meeting

BULLETIN EDITOR:
Bill Burcham

NEXT WEEK: Our next meeting is Tuesday, April 29th, when we will have a mystery guest.

GUESTS: We welcomed Debbie Majher, who heard about our club from our website, Steve W., Elizabeth Vernick, and Steve Kenyon for the last time since he will be inducted into membership next week.

HAPPY/SAD BUCKS: Scott Mills is happy about the great news from his employer, National City Bank. It's good for the employees and good for Cleveland. George Schumacher woke up with indigestion this morning and is very happy that his doctor assured him that it was not his heart. Gail Sinito is very happy that she and Tony have been married 41 years. Rob Previte was pleased to see that we had a greeter at today's meeting (Scott Mills) and that our meeting began a little earlier. He had suggested both in his report last week. Joe DeLibero reminded us that tomorrow is Administrative Professionals Day. It used to be called something else. Ted Bilton was very happy that he got to spend last weekend in Delaware having a great time with family. Lynda Rossiter is happy with the great weather and the pretty spring flowers. Mike Johns, Jr. is pleased that one of our guests came as a result of seeing our website. Georgia Tucholka spent a great weekend with friends from Buffalo.

BOARD MEETING: This Thursday is the regular monthly Board meeting. It will be at 6:00 at the Mayfield Heights Walmart, and Ed Andrews will be supplying the food and drink.

GSE ACTIVITIES: Our District's Group Study Exchange Team is leaving for Germany and the team from there will be arriving here soon. We will make an effort to get them here for a meeting, but one sure way to see them is to attend the District Conference.

CONTESTED NOMINATION: Our District Nominating Committee has named Stu Buchanan to be our District Governor for 2010-11 the year following John Bosco's term. That nomination has been challenged and has nominated Marsha Pappalardo instead. If five or more clubs vote to endorse the challenge's nominee, the nomination process will be resolved through a vote of all the clubs. Our club voted to approve the challenge.

DISTRICT CONFERENCE: Mike Johns, Jr. listed the many activities besides meals that will take place at this year's conference May 16th - 18th.

CHANGEOVER PARTY: The date of July 12th may change.

VOCATIONAL AWARDS DINNER: The 30th annual awards dinner will replace our normal meeting on May 6th. Hopefully, all members will be there. Be sure to sign up. John Wilson says he has enough sponsors but is disappointed in the small number of boosters.

SPECIAL ED LUNCH: Our annual picnic in the park will be on May 20th. Joe DeLibero will ask us to sign up next week or let him know by phone or email if you plan to attend and whether you want fish or filet. He needs help either to cook or help with the kids from Lander School. Volunteers should report by 10:30 that morning.

CONTACT TOM: Let Tom Mugridge know if you plan to participate in South Euclid's Memorial Day Parade. Also give him your nominations for Rotarian of the Year.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS: Jackie Minotas reminded us that the Special Olympics Bowling we sponsor will be on Sunday, April 27. Sessions are scheduled to begin about 9:00 and 1:00. More helpers are needed for the afternoon session.

CHILDREN OF THE DUMP: Our speakers were Roger Cram, a Rotarian and professor at Hiram College, and Julie Janosko, a student at Hiram and John Wilson's stepdaughter. They showed slides and recounted the improvements that have been made in the lives of those living around the dump in Nicaragua. Rotary has been very involved in many of those improvements.

Their slides showed the beauty of the country which is dotted with volcanoes. It is quite primitive and only one city, Granada, even has street names and house numbers. Seventy five per cent of the population lives on less than $1 per day. Over the years 2,000 children have been enticed to leave the dump and attend school by being offered a free meal each day if they did so. Roger described the students as excited about education and their curriculum as very advanced.

In addition to the elementary school, the area now has a high school and a vocational school. Rotary also showed people how to build houses and the villagers subsequently constructed a village which they named Rotary Village.

It all goes to show the value of contributing to the Rotary Foundation from which come many of the funds used for these improvements.

ROTABUCK WINNER: Bill Burcham