Notes by Tammy.
Zoom Meeting
Announcements
Guy attended the Annual Meeting for District 5950 this past Saturday, as the delegate for our club. It was a short online meeting but there was one important vote which was for ‘District 5950 Representative to the RI Board Nominating Committee for our Bi-Zone area’. For this position there were 3 candidates [unlike the other positions where there was only one nominee]. The three candidates were Holly Callen, Irene Kelly and Tim Murphy. Guy shares that Tim won the position.
Another topic that came up was a report that within our district 85% of the clubs are continuing to meet with virtual meetings. Three new clubs have been added this year – the Veteran’s Club, Passport Club, and a Human Trafficking Club that is in process. The Echo Club was formed last year, so membership is up in the district!
Finally, it was encouraged that each club do strategic planning in the coming year. Guy has created a modified version he will be presenting to our club members and hopefully everyone will participate in answering a few questions and providing some feedback / input. This will be sent out in June.
Guy will be sending out his list of Board members for 2020-21 for a club vote / approval in the near future. Tammy will count votes and share results – onward and upward!
CELEBRATIONS:
No Anniversaries this week – however – a big 77th BIRTHDAY for Paul Bierhaus, May 19th at 11:59 PM. If you see the fireworks you will know what is going on J
HAPPY BUCKS:
Jim B is keeping is eye on the art installation for Westwood Nature Center and reports things are moving along. He has reviewed 22 art submissions, 8-10 of them were impressive enough to consider. He is unsure of how the final decision will be made – he will keep us updated. … Side note: The SW Corridor (light rail) is on schedule – or ‘on track’ as we could say J
Guy finally finished his ‘sea shell’ table [it’s been in his mind since at least 2014]. It looks great and will bring back memories of vacation time.
Rod finds out he is getting a grandson to carry on the Shilkrot name! Love those girls, but this is special, too!
Bob will be happy if the Twins truly get to play this year – Paul isn’t too invested – the unemployment is a nice replacement right now . . . . .
Amanda is happy that the Bridgewater has gotten some much needed loans and is ready now to re-employ!
VOCATIONAL TALK:
Rod gave his vocational talk.
What is the Amity Program?
“Over 57 years of building international friendship and cultural understanding through teaching exchange”
- Carlos is a 24 year old Spanish/English/French language teacher from Columbia. He lives in the capital, Bogota. He has been in MN since August 2019
- He is interning with the Spanish teachers at the SLP Middle school, assisting them in whatever way will help the students to learn Spanish. He also acts as an interpreter for students and parents.
- The application process to come to the USA takes a long time – filling out applications, multiple interviews, and language exams – and then it may take another year before they are placed / chosen.
- It was difficult to learn the US system - ‘a process’
- In March when the distance learning began, they were not really prepared for that. Students got laptops or ipads if they did not have one and classes are carried out with Zoom or on a Google platform. Teachers prepare the lessons, he assists via emails and videos and communicating via texting – he is reading books for students, translating and assisting with homework. It is a challenge.
- In Bogota there are 8 M people, they also were not prepared. It has been very difficult for them to continue teaching. The government provides some financial support and food. There are not enough computers – texts are brought to students at home. Just very difficult to keep the schools going.
- He was supposed to go home mid-June but his flight has been canceled, the airport in Bogota is closed. He will continue to help out in SLP schools as long as they need him.
- He gets room and board and a stipend for his year of work here in the States.
- Paul D and family have hosted Carlos since January
- Carlos states there are 150 Amity teachers in the US