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Rotary Club of Lombard
Newsletter
The Lilac Rotarian
July 17, 2008
Volume Fifty One, Number 7
Rotary Corner - The Internet has come to a small island
off the coast of Haiti thanks to an international Rotary club effort
and an Interact fundraiser.
Three Rotary clubs - Port-au-Prince, Haiti; San Juan, Puerto
Rico; and Skidaway Island, Savannah, Georgia, USA -- and the Commonwealth
School Interact Club of San Juan partnered to fund construction
of a library in Matenwa on the island of La Gonave, Haiti. A Rotary
Foundation Matching Grant helped furnish the library with laptops,
books, and furniture.
The new library built by an international Rotary club effort. Photo
courtesy of Rotary Club of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Even though the
island has no electricity or running water, solar panels on the
library roof power laptops, which connect to the Internet through
satellite. Every week, 236 students at the adjacent Matenwa Community
Learning Center use the library, which also serves as a resource
for La Gonave's more than 7,000 residents, who live in extreme poverty.
"We were looking for a project where we could build relationships,"
explains Wells Hood, of the Skidaway Island club. "This was
a great opportunity for us to make a lasting legacy." Hood
paid a visit to San Juan in 2005-06, during which he and then-San
Juan club president John Richardson hit it off, discovering their
clubs had much in common. "We outlined a multicountry strategy
that identified Haiti as one of five countries where we wished to
make an impact," Richardson said. Caribbean focus After two
other projects together in the Caribbean, the clubs turned their
focus to Matenwa. The San Juan club had previous community service
experience in Haiti, and the Interact club it sponsors holds a fundraiser
for Haiti each year, which the club matches. The Interact members
collected more than US$7,000 in 2006-07. About that time, Richardson
met Chris Low, co-director of the Matenwa Community Learning Center,
who explained her community's desire to build a library. The Port-au-Prince
Rotary club served as host club for a $13,500 Matching Grant to
equip it. "Wells and I complemented each other enormously,"
Richardson says. "He was able to outline the strategy, while
I put together the grant." Members of the project team made
a site inspection and certification visit in November. "From
the moment we set foot in Port-au-Prince to the second we boarded
our returning flight, I had the opportunity to meet Haitians, Rotarians,
humanists, and leaders from all walks of life," Richardson
says. "It was the sense of dignity, pride, and purpose that
the people of Matenwa shared with us that really stood out. My life
is forever changed as a result of this experience." The clubs
are hoping the library will serve as a model for other schools on
La Gonave.
July Board Meeting Highlights - See the secretary.
Welcome To Our Speakers: On June 26th, our speaker
was Past District Governor, Ted Arey. Ted did a wonderful
job of installing the new officers for the upcoming year at our
installation dinner. On July 3rd, our speaker was John BB,
who handled yet another Blue Ribbon Discussion on how we develop
acquaintance as an opportunity for service. July 10th, I
wasn't there, so, no report. On July 17th, JBB again was
our speaker and John spoke on how we are living in the healthiest
time ever, living longer, crime is at historic lows and how we have
much to be thankful for.
Honored Guests: On July 3rd, our guest was Jean
Johnson. On July 17th, our guests were, Dan from Copy Kat
Copiers and Josh from GEHS.
Fines and Happy Fines: On July 3rd, yet another fellow Rotarian
will be brutalized for another year as he takes over the Finemaster
position. So we get to honor Brian for the next twelve months. (Still
looking for a nickname, so if you have any ideas, let me know).
He started out slow but caught Jim B. and Jim I. sneaking in late.
Kathy and Patrick paid their pin fines. And the happy fines came
in as Rick was happy to have Brian (Ming the Merciless) on board,
Bob H. enjoyed the article on the library (heard rumors he read
it on line), and was touched by the speakout article on Rick. Steve
was happy about his daughter's 2nd place finish in diving and was
happy that the installation dinner went well and thanked Greg and
Maury for all the hard work they did with the past years finances.
JBB was happy that his daughter Maggie is off to Texas Christian
in the fall, but is off to London first. We had a birthday today
and we all sang happy birthday to Kathy. On July 17th, Rich,
Kathy and Pat were caught without their pins, Jean started the meeting
3 minutes late and was fined for her tardiness. Rich had a phone
call and paid up. Jean was happy that she made it through her first
Board meeting. And since it was Rich's birthday, JBB gave an OLD
dollar in his honor. Picture fines went out to Doc Arndt and Rick.
We had 3 birthdays today for Yvonne, Doc and Rich.
Announcements: On June 26th, Steve thanked everyone
in club for his wonderful year as President and wished Jean well.
On July 3rd, Steve announced the passing around of the speakers
list for the upcoming year. Dennis also passed around a sheet for
those Rotarians who want to visit our bed ridden members. He also
updated us on the Wells in Haiti and due to the unrest there, future
drilling is being put on hold. Our 3rd and 4th wells are operating
though.
Object of Rotary - or Be Reminded: the first regular (Thursday)
meeting of every month is "Food or $5" as members will
have the choice of bringing a food item to help supply for the Food
Pantry or pay a $5 fine of to support First Things First. When a
speaker is not scheduled on the first Thursday of each month, the
time will be spent in quality fellowship and member to member interaction.
Weekly Raffle - On July 3rd, Bob W.'s table had the
winning ticket and Bob picked the 6 of hearts. On July 17th,
5 cards are left, Rick's table had the winng ticket and Rick pulled
the 9 of clubs. We're getting into Dennis territory now.
Birthday Celebrations: Recent and upcoming birthday celebrations
of note include.
July 11: Paul Arndt
August 19: Jim Blanche
July 12: Rich Gallicchio
August 22: Bill Wingstedt
July 17: Yvonne Invergo
July 17: Bob Whitacre
July 20: Gary Smit
July 24: Ralph Schweppe
July 26: Chuck Richardson
Mark Your Calendars:
Check the Website: Take the time to visit the newly revised
www.lombardrotary.com to see the latest edition of this newsletter
as well as other information relating to our Club. If you have any
additional features that you would like to see posted, please send
it my way….thanks!
Board Meeting: The next Board Meeting is August 21st
@ 11:15 a.m. @Casey's Restaurant
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