Members present: Dietrich Bilger, Janice Brown, Candace Cramer, Sue Heller, Walter Heller, Beatriz Hurwitch, Nancy Jacobs, Michael Johnson, Joe Kelley, Joan Powers, Robert Schipul, Sandra Schipul, Lucille Sorrentino, Mimi Svenning, Bernie Westerveld and Debbie Wheeler.
Guests present: DG Russel Bertrand, DGS Karen Bertrand, the ADG and Peter Rhoten.
Sorry guys/girls, I will have to meet with Bernie again as to how to publicize the meeting minutes in a professional way. I did find the piece of paper on which the instructions were scribbled after the party at Walter & Sues' house but after a grueling week of office work I did not want to refocus on this now too but to make sure you are getting the report without further delay.
We had had the pleasure of District Governor Russell Bertrand and his wife Karen meeting with us on August 10, accompanied by Assistant Governor Jean Sullivan.
President Sue will report to the Club on the board meeting which featured her report to the District Governor, including the Club goals for this Rotary year.
Russ gave us an overview of his Rotarian life which began in 1999 when he joined the Wakefield Club in Rhode Island, and took him though various chair positions there, the Presidency during the 100th year of Rotary, and then Assistant Governorship of District 11, where he distinguished himself such to be asked to accept his nomination for District Governor. DG Russ spoke about his DG training in San Diego which he attended with his wife and the goals announced for Rotary this year.
Polio has been pushed back to two remaining countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan. The civil war there hampering the complete eradication in the region. DG Russ will also have to oversee the introduction of regulation voted on by the Council of Regulation for this year. To catch up on those regulations members are urged to attend District functions to stay informed. Of course DG Russ urged participation at the (Multi) District Conference in Providence, RI, which will be attended by RI President John Germ (Apr 28, 2017 – Apr 30, 2017) and the RI Convention in Atlanta, GA (Jun 10, 2017 – Jun 14, 2017).
First Lady Karen spoke charmingly about her role in this function and invited our Club to help raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House, home away from home when families have to spend weeks/months away from their homes to get medical treatment for their children. Finally it being the 100th anniversary of the Rotary Foundation, this is the year to achieve the goal of every member to make a contribution to the Rotary Foundation (The goal suggested by our President is $26.50/member)
Yours in Rotary,
Dietrich (Club Secretary)
