November 9th, 2011: Sandra Schipul - Paul Harris and the Inception of Rotary
The weekly Scituate Rotary Meeting was convened at The Scituate Country Club at 6:30 with President, Jamie Gilmore, presiding.
Scituate Rotary Club Members present were Dietrich Bilger, Lambert Brandes, Lois Brandes, Janice Brown, Jeannie Durkee, James Gilmore, Walter Heller, Michael Johnson, John Miller, Bart Nuboer, Joan Powers, Judy Price, Robert Price, Robert Schipul, Sandra Schipul, Janet Schmitz, Jack Stebe, Ben Summers, Lisa Tompson, Howard Tufts, and Bernie Westerveld.
Our esteemed honorary member, Connie Mitchell, was in attendance. Two young women students from Scituate High School, Chloe Ewanouski, and Hannah Clougherty, graced our meeting to find out about the mission and service of Rotary Clubs.
Jack Stebe led The Pledge to The American Flag.
Ben Summers gave the Invocation.
Jamie Gilmore led the speaking of The Four Way Test.
Ben Summers presented Words of Wisdom.
Walter Heller, Sergeant of Arms, collected Happy/Sad Bucks.
Jamie Gilmore introduced our new chef. We applauded him for the delicious dinners he is creating for us at our Wednesday night meetings. A lovely dinner was then enjoyed by all.
Jack Stebe gave a report on the efforts of "The Marshfield Pioneers". The working meetings on the cross booklet are a success. The next breakfast meeting is being planned for Thursday, November 1, at 8:00 AM at The Marshfield Tavern.
Joan Powers spoke briefly about the Scituate cross book effort. She is looking for volunteers. Please speak to Joan to offer your services.
Jack Stebe spoke about the status of the Giving Tree Project. He encouraged members to sign up for times at both Marshfield and Scituate locations on the two sheets circulated to all present.
Janet Schmitz had the winning number for the Queen of Hearts, but alas, she did not find the queen.
Ben Summers dropped off an article promoting our Giving Tree Project to both The Scituate and The Marshfield Mariners. Thank You, Ben, for your help with this.
We were delighted to have two young women students, Hannah Clougherty, and Chloe Ewanouski, from Scituate High School as our guests. They were visiting in fulfillment of a civic class requirement.
Janet Schmitz and Bart Nuboer were chosen to meet with them and answer their questions because of their world-wide expertise and long faithful service to Rotary. Thank You, Janet and Bart, for all that You do!
Our topic of the evening, Paul Harris and the Inception of Rotary, was brilliantly presented by our own dear Sandra Schipul, Vice-President. The Remarkable Paul Harris could have been the poster person for the achievement of The American Dream. His young life was spent in poverty, to the extent that he and his siblings had to be cared for outside their family. As a youth, he drifted, and moved around a great deal; however, his personal gifts of relating to others, caring about them, exceptional communication skills, and strong moral values, made him extremely successful in all that he put his hand to do. It could have stopped there, but it didn't. Paul was a man with vision, purpose, and mission. He saw the need for like-minded professional and business people to come together for friendship and fellowship that was clean and free from corruption. In 1905, he organized the first Rotary Meeting in Chicago. In 1908, the second club was formed. He married a Scottish Lass in 1910, and in 1921, he organized the first international club in Edinburgh, Scotland. The progression of Rotary International since that time has been nothing short of extraordinary. Sandi began and ended her presentation with the words, "I call that remarkable." Sandi, you are remarkable, and you added so much CLASS to our meeting. Thank you for your love of history, and your appreciation of Paul Harris and the remarkable legacy he has given to the world.
Our next meeting will be Wednesday, November 16, at Janice Brown's house. It is Million Dollar Night. Remember to bring a dish to share.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Lois Brandes
