Meeting Recap - December 13, 2010
Rotarians and guests were welcomed today with a rousing chorus of familiar holiday tunes performed by the Salvation Army brass band. Many dropped off contributions for our annual “Toys for Tots” drive and the barrels were over-flowing. The season of giving was in full force and holiday cheer was in the air. Phyllis Guillory provided the thought for the day, and after the pledge, we were introduced to the RYE students. It’s always a treat to have the exchange students spend a little time with us each year and thanks to those of you who have hosted and supported Rotary exchange students. After a plea from President Scot and Thom Gilbert, many members stepped up to contribute funds so that Elias from Austria could purchase a Folsom High School letter jacket, where he is attending school this year. Thanks to your generosity – not only were there sufficient donations for the jacket, but also about an additional $100 will go to “Toys for Tots.”
President Scot then shared with us the names of the 2011-2013 board members and they are: David Cohen, Ted White, Leesa Fons, Jeff Curcio & Ruth Blank. Also announced was Hal Shipley as Board Secretary & Club Executive Director (Interim),
Doris Pyles as Treasurer, and Robyn DeLong as Sergeant-at-Arms. Past President Wes Yee then took the podium to announce the newly selected President Elect-Elect – Peter Dannenfelser II. Congratulations to Peter and the board members…. a great team to lead us through changing times!
If your social calendar wasn’t full enough, several committee chairs made announcements about upcoming events including: a festive Fireside on Thursday, Daughter’s Day next Monday (please sign up w/ the office), ski & snowshoe trip in February, and a reminder that if you forgot to bring a toy, the committee will gladly accept cash. PP Skip encouraged us to donate blood before the holidays with a reminder that it needs to be “on the shelf” to be helpful in times of need.
David Lowe introduced our speaker of the day and former member of our club, Scott Syphax, President & CEO of the Nehemiah Corporation of America. Their website states their commitment to “providing innovative, socially responsible programs and services that expand opportunities for homeownership, economic and community development, and education for diverse populations through their family of companies.”
Scott shared good news, and kudos, about the resilience of our community and how we have stretched our hands across the region to help many. A hybrid organization, the Nehemiah Corp., is a “social enterprise” that combines a traditional non-profit with the business excellence of the private sector. Their for-profit activities allow them to reinvest revenues into non-profit ventures. Since their inception in 1994, with public and private funding, they have generated $1 billion to help Americans secure the dream of home ownership. Their largest project to date is “Township 9” which is a 65-acre site that will include nearly 3000 dwellings along with a business park and retail outlets that will be well connected to transportation hubs. Twenty-two acres are devoted to parks and an urban parkway; office buildings and retail spaces that will provide jobs; and pedestrian walkways throughout the site will connect to our light rail system. A portion of the site will also boost an outdoor amphitheater with park spaces that can enjoy an unobstructed view of the river.
Locally the Nehemiah Corp. has helped provide funding for projects in Oak Park, helped the local synagogue, damaged by fire several years ago, to rebuild and have a leadership program for young, emerging leaders in our community.
Go to Club website, click on "Photo Albums" (at top) for more pictures & view in slide show.