Santa Barbara North Rotary Club
Date: 5/16/18 meeting led by Our Rotary President, Ken Oplinger
Pledge ,Invocation, and Reporter John Engstrom
Song Leader and Song “ It’s a Small World” led by Blas Garza
Rotary Guests: Sister Maria, Mary Garza, Alexander Krainy. Also Mikail Rakov, distinguished Ukrainian scientist-scholar now retired at the Samarkand.
Announcements: May 30th no meeting.
Friday June 1st - afternoon recognition of Adams School volunteers
Megabucks:
Derek Carlson Trip to New York 1MB
Donna Honor of Ukrainian Team 1MB
Roberto “ 1MB
Gil Garcia “ 1MB
John Engstrom “ 1MB
Barry Schulman “ 1MB
John Holehouse “ 1MB
Blas Garza Family Relationship in Prussia 1MB
Ken Oplinger Wife’s return from trip 1MB
July 5th Meeting was a Business Meeting
PROGRAM The Ukrainian Visiting Team was introduced by Julia from the DACA office as follows: Marta Levchenko,Natalia Kupnianova, Maksym Shemet, Oksana Bokalo, Viktoria Kontsedailo, and Oksana Semenyshyn – facilitator.
Each member of the team worked in the areas of child welfare, adoption and extended care. Each member gave a brief review of their work with the help of Alexander Krainy interpreting.
1. Marta is from Western Ukraine and heads an organization that has helped over 300 children and impacted 40,000 people. She visited Mother Teresa and was inspired to set up a shelter for young mothers.
2. Vicky from Central Ukraine has set up a boarding school and has promoted foster home care.
3. Natalia has helped orphans , families in crisis and has sponsored children. She also has initiated the “One family—One church” program
4. Oksana has organized help for 106,000 orphans and families with some government assistance.
5. Maksym is from the Eastern area of Ukraine where the fighting continues. He has set up SOS children villages and has distributed financial assistance to over 2000 children.
6. A very impressive team who truly live out the Rotary “Service above Self” values. Thanks to the hosts from our club who provided wonderful hospitality for the group. Also thanks to Tim Bigelow for helping coordinate the visit.
Marti won the fruit basket ! No winner of the “pot”
Meeting adjourned
