Cogitator Feb 12, 2014

Posted by George Cooper 
on Feb 12, 2014
 

Happy Birthday, President Lincoln*

 

 

VISITING ROTARIANS 

None.

GUESTS 

Carlos Figueroa, a Chilean wine importer and distributor, was a guest of Jane Boynton. 

BIRTHDAYS 

The club offers this week very happy birthday wishes to Bob Sloan (Feb 2nd), Ed Neff (Feb 7th), and Bob Miller (Feb 15th). 

ROTARY ANNIVERSARIES 

Five Rotarians celebrate induction day anniversaries this week:  Soozie Sundlun, 16 years on February 5th; Past President Richard Waterman, 19 years on February 8th; Past President Bob Miller, 44 years(!) on February 9th; Bonnie Sauer, 3 years on February 9th; and Vin Meola, 31(!) years on February 16th. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

-March 22nd is the date for the Rotary Leadership Institute, which will be held this year at Amica Insurance in Lincoln, RI.  This event is open to everyone, but is especially recommended for incoming officers and club leaders. 

-The District 7950 Rotary Winter Ball will be held on Saturday, March 1st, at the Holiday Inn in Mansfield, MA.  Cocktail hour begins at 6pm, dinner will be at 6:45pm, the Downcity Band will be playing hits from the 40’s as well as top 40 hits, and it will be black tie optional.  Also, there will be a special auction to benefit the Rotary Foundation, and the winning bidder will take part in an African Photo Safari. 

-Rotary’s ‘End Polio Now’ efforts continue as strongly as ever, while the Rotary Foundation is pleased to report that India is now 3 years ‘polio free,’ with its last case surfacing in 2011. 

-Congratulations to Karen Taylor and the Literacy Committee for some great press coverage in the East Greenwich Pendulum last week for its work at London Bridge Child Care Center!

ROTARY FOUNDATION MOMENT 

John Wolcott, Rotary Foundation Chair, noted that polio exists today in only three countries—Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Nigeria.  The world is so close to eradication, yet the dreaded disease stubbornly won’t go away. 

For five years, from 2013 to 2018, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will match every donation, $2 for every $1, up to $35 million per year, to ‘finish the job.’  All in all, about $5 billion is needed for the Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan. 

Years from now, in our lifetimes, the world will likely hail the ultimate defeat of polio, while we as Rotarians will be able to quietly, happily, and proudly say, ‘We played a part in that.’

CHOOSE TO MATTER 

Bill TenEyck was happy that East Greenwich High School’s Assistant Principal, Tim Chase, did a fine job as guest speaker two weeks ago.  Also, the important ‘Choose to Matter’ event was able to attract special guests such as Jack Reed and Debbie Gist, not to mention several Rotarian volunteers. 

HAPPY BUCKS 

-Birthday celebrants Ed Neff and Bob Miller chipped in a couple of bucks.

-Bill TenEyck is having a great time this year watching the Toll Gate girls’ basketball team.

-Steve Lombardi thanked Stan Reuter and Allegra Printing for their fine work on the East Greenwich Chamber of Commerce ‘Welcome to East Greenwich’ booklets. 

-Dave Iannuccilli was proud to announce that his son Jason is now a full partner at RI Medical Imaging. 

-Stan Reuter, along with wife Joan, spent a couple of wonderful January weeks in Maui and Kauai, Hawaii.  Stan was also pleased to announce that a new granddaughter is on the way!

 

CLUB ASSEMBLY 

President-Elect Ron Winde, after doing another fine job of running a Wednesday meeting, opened up a club discussion about our club’s charity/project funds. 

Today was actually a follow up to last month’s evening meeting at the United Methodist Church.  Ron will host a third meeting for this important topic on Thursday evening, February 27th, again at the United Methodist Church. 

Ron thought it was important to analyze smaller net profits from charity events in recent years, which have led to decreases in funds we can distribute either through Community Service, International Service, or Vocational Service.   

It’s a good time to ask:  Are we doing enough?  Could we be doing more?  Could we find a way to ‘work smarter?’  Should we alter our current charity events?

John Wolcott mentioned that many charitable organizations are going through the same thing, scaling back and learning how to spend, say, $80,000 per year versus $100,000 per year.    

Chuck Sauer, Community Service Chair, wondered if we’re ‘getting into a bad groove, or a decline’ when it comes to raising Community Service funds.  Chuck also said we should always reach for ‘loftier goals.’

Treasurer Ed Neff gave some historical perspective, noting that the Phonebook peaked at $55,000 seven to eight years ago, while we’ll clear around $30,000 this year.  Also, Citrus campaigns have been fairly steady at $8,000 to $12,000 per year recently, and Wine Tasting/Taste of the Town has nicely bolstered project charity funds over the past several years.    

Past President Ken Colaluca suggested that we ought to collectively keep our heads up, since the club in its 51st year continues to do amazing things while making a true difference in our community. And, our 50th Anniversary Gala last year was a terrific celebration of our great club. 

Several other members weighed in as well…and offered some valuable insight. 

More to follow on February 27th!  Please be there, if you’d like to participate in this conversation about the direction of our club’s project/charity efforts and funding. 

 

(*President Abraham Lincoln, February 12, 1809-April 15, 1865.)