TODAY'S SPEAKER: Emily Talentino, Executive Director of Give and Surf in Bocas Del Toro, Panama. Emily first joined Give & Surf as a volunteer in 2013 while living in MA and working at the Attleboro YMCA. She moved to Bocas Del Toro in 2015 and took the position of Executive Director. Emily also co-founded the Rotary Club of Bocas Del Toro in May of 2019. Give & Surf provides preschool and kindergarten programs, after school programs, summer camps, school lunch programs, english classes, and university scholarships.
Emily spoke to the Attleboro Rotary Club about Global Education and the negative effects that COVID has had on students education globally and specifically in Panama. At the height of COVID there were 1.9 billion students out of school that either had no opportunity for education or had to attend remotely. The problem with poorer area's are that there aren't internet connections and most students in Panama could not attend virtually. Some were given papers to take home, but the average education of an adult in Panama is 4th grade. So students fell behind. When school resumed those same students were pushed ahead to the appropriate aged grade, which meant they were two full years behind.
Over half of the children in Panama live in poverty. Only 50% of children aged 15-17 are in school. Only 35% will reach any sort of reading proficiency, according to UN standards, in their life. 87% of Panamanian children do not have the appropriate supports (financial, technical, and supplies) in order to achieve education goals. As a Rotarian we can support programs that currently exist, either financially or with physical donations.
ROTO 
: Joan Ricci.....but drew the 9 of hearts
GUESTS: Tom Morin, guest of Ed Casey.
VISITING ROTARIANS: None
HAPPY BUCKS:
1. Don Pierce - Great golf tournament, and wanted to thank Jeff for taking a picture of his group on Monday at the golf course....and he appreciated Jeff's selfie that ended up on his phone.
2. Alissa Hall - Her son's team won its basketball tournament this past weekend!
3. Deb Kirby - She was thrilled that Tom Morin was in attendance....who was someone (and his brothers) that she used to babysit.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. The Rotary/YMCA Golf tournament was a success. 80 golfers/20 foursomes - great raffle items and silent auction items. The tournament should raise close to $38,000 to $40,000 to be split between both organizations.
2. Membership Initiative Drive, sponsored by Matt Flanagan and Amanda Adams. The contest will run from 8/17/23 through the installation night in June 2024. The goal is to increase membership by encouraging Rotary members to bring others to a meeting. One ticket will be entered into a drawing for each guest that a member brings to a lunch meeting. To be valid, a guest must be eligible to be a member, not be an immediate family member, and a max of 3 meetings per guest may be entered into the drawing. The grand prize will be a $200 gift certificate to a local restaurant. If any guest becomes a member during the year, the sponsoring Rotary member will receive a $25 gift certificate to a local business.
3. An apparel order form will be sent around where any member can purchase Rotary gear - hats, shirts, etc. Every member will be receiving a "Rotary at Work" shirt. Please let Amanda Adams know your shirt size.
4. The Rotary Board meeting took place on 8/16 at 7:30am. The 2023/2024 budget was approved unanimously by the Board. The club will also be purchasing an inflatable Rotary Logo to be used at events.
9/8 - YMCA Rooftop Party at 6:00pm - tickets are now on sale. They are also accepting donations of wine and craft beer.
9/23 - Empty Bowls program from 11 - 2
10/21 - Just for the Health of It at the Capron Park Zoo 9am-1pm, sponsored by Sturdy Health.
10/25 - BETA's 50th Anniversary reception at the Attleboro Art's Museum from 6pm-8pm.
10/26 - Old Colony Habitat for Humanity Wine Tasting Event
.png)
