Cogitator Nov 13, 2013

GUESTS

President-Elect Ron Winde was joined by wife Loretta who is recovering well from recent hip surgery.  Chuck Sauer invited Greenwich Bay Manor’s Anne Marie Charland.  Anne Marie is preparing for her fireside chat after being approved for membership.  Bill Sequino, former East Greenwich Town Manager, was a guest of Andy Erickson.  President Jodi Gladstone’s neighbor and wine importer Carlos Figueroa was with us once again. 

BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES

Happy wedding anniversary this week to Matt (and Sherrie) D’Agenais who celebrate 10 years together on November 15^th. 

ROTARY ANNNIVERSARIES

Cheers to two Rotarians celebrating their induction day anniversary:  Past President and current Treasurer Ed Neff came into the club 11 year ago on November 13^th; and, Literacy Chair Karen Taylor joined East Greenwich Rotary 9 years ago on November 17^th. 

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

The club’s Nominating Committee has presented its slate of officers for the 2014-2015 Rotary year:  

-President, Ron Winde

-President-Elect, Bonnie Sauer

-Secretary (drum roll please…), Jim Essex! 

-Treasurer, Ed Neff

-Assistant Treasurer, Jonathan Soule

-Sergeant at Arms, Bill Winter

Our club’s official Election Day will be on the last Wednesday meeting in December, 2013.  Any other nominations are welcome until then and on Election Day as well.  And thanks in advance to future officers for their service above self…

COMMUNITY SERVICE

The board of directors approved two distributions at the last board meeting: $50 for the Rose Parade Rotary Float (make sure to proudly watch for our float on New Year’s Day); and $5,000 for the East Greenwich Rotary Scholarship Fund. 

FLYERS FOR CHARITY

The board also OK’d passing out flyers for other fundraisers and efforts of other charitable organizations.  If you’d like to announce an event, you may leave brochures or flyers at the Sergeant at Arms table during Wednesday lunches. 

MILLION DOLLAR MEAL

On Wednesday November 27^th we’ll travel to Temple Torat Yisrael on Middle Road.  Former Rotarian and recent guest speaker Rabbi Amy Levin will host the club for our second Million Dollar Meal.  Make sure to mark your calendars!  Million Dollar Meals Chair Bill Winter is organizing a delicious kosher meal to be catered on-site.

PRESS COVERAGE

President Jodi thanked Public Relations Chair John Wolcott for his work in getting some great Citrus press in this month’s East Greenwich Magazine.  Nice work, John!

CITRUS UPDATE

Speaking of Citrus, Bonnie Sauer urged everyone to get going with sales since we’re only 2 weeks away from our order cutoff date, and we’re only a third of the way to our goal.  Jane Boynton will oversee the Citrus phone-a-thon at the Coldwell Banker office on Main Street, Thursday, November 21^st.  Also, please see Bonnie or Jane if you’d like to help out on Friday, December 6^th putting together terrific custom baskets for this year’s delivery day.     

PAST-PRESIDENT’S MINUTE

Past President Bob Sloan (2001-2002) was raised by a long-time Rotarian, and his dad heartily encouraged Bob to join East Greenwich Rotary upon receiving a personal invitation from John Wolcott.  Bob said he’s still amazed at how much one receives through one’s giving, via Rotary.  He added that he is ‘still surprised’ that such a fine community-minded group could elect him to its presidency.  ‘It was a great year!’  And it remains a year for which Bob is proud to have served.

PHILIPPINES RELIEF EFFORTS

Community Service Chair Chuck Sauer is in touch with district leaders considering aid to the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan’s devastation.  More to follow in the weeks ahead…

HAPPY BUCKS

-Chuck Sauer was happy to announce a charity auction at the United Methodist Church. 

-Bob Sloan thanked President Jodi for inviting him to offer a ‘Past President’s Moment.’

-Vin Meola noted that since the World Series club’s Yankee fans have been conspicuously absent.  Dave Iannuccilli was still in the Dominican Republic, Dr. Bob Miller missed this week’s meeting, and George Popella…moved to Florida! 

-Jane Boynton enjoyed a New York City business trip, especially the after-hours festivities!

-Ron Winde was happy to have Loretta at his table for lunch, and he was really happy to have seen his grandchild, Quinn, while attending his niece’s shower last weekend. 

-President Jodi was glad to see Carlos Figueroa on hand for lunch. 

-Soozie Sundlun took some time during Veterans’ Day to visit Bruce Sundlun’s gravesite at the RI Veterans’ Cemetery in Exeter last Monday.  Soozie also said she had to shake off ‘a little rust’ recently, but ended up having a great time taking care of her grandchild!

SPEAKER/PROGRAM

Ann Sliney, Registered Nurse and Chief Nursing Officer for the Clinton Health Access Initiative

The Clinton Health Access Initiative was founded by Bill Clinton, after the past president’s careful consideration upon leaving the Oval Office as to how to best use his influence in helping those in need. 

Clinton noted then, ‘A problem cried out for organizational and entrepreneurial skill…for a small amount of money, we could have a great impact’ throughout the world.  Today, they have over 800 employees working in 26 countries fighting to ‘ease hunger, prevent disease, and treat those with diseases’ such as tuberculosis, AIDS, and malaria. 

AIDS drugs in the United States cost approximately $15,000 per treatment annually.  And, the large pharmaceutical companies wanted little to do with discounting costs in a worldwide effort such as Clinton’s.  After negotiating with generic drug companies in India, the Clinton Health Access Initiative was able to purchase AIDS drug treatments for only $138 per year for those in need in places like Africa and Asia. 

Early AIDS treatments are especially needed for innocent children who have contracted the virus.  The Health Initiative works with governments to develop national plans for education and treatment.  Most treatment is nurse-based and is extremely effective.

While 10% of the world’s population carries 24% of the world’s disease burden, the Health Initiative continues its good works in the following areas:  national policy development; financial commitments; political commitments; diagnostics; drug treatments; adding health care providers; and, increasing access to good health care. 

Ann Sliney spends a good deal of time in Rwanda, working with the Rwanda Human Resources for Health Program.  She acts as a liaison between American universities and Rwandan nursing leadership.

http://www.clintonhealthaccess.org/

Guest speaker, Ann Sliney, from the Clinton Health Access Initiative