Aug. 31 President's Message

Thursday, August 27, Janet and Tom Kolepp gave their presentation on "Rotary Connects the World" in the context of their June, 2015 family vacation to South Africa. The thread of connection started with Bill Jahn leading a District 7430 Group Study Exchange (GSE) team to South Africa and continued with the GSE return trip led by Jaap Steyn. Jaap changed Carl Kolepp's Rotary Exchange trajectory from India to South Africa. After visiting MSR's 2013 Inbound Exchange student Retief van der Lingen and his family in Johannesburg, they visited three of four of Carl's host parents in Klerksdorp: the Bothas, Hymans and Jacobs.

 

 

They finished their tour at Jaap and Kim Steyn's farm in Viljoenstroon.

 

During the trip, they also visited a school in Swaziland supported by a local Rotary Club and learned that Tom's Shoes are distributed by local Rotary Clubs. Throughout their slides, they interspersed photos of landscapes, wildlife and wine lands.

 

Our 25^th Anniversary 5K/10K race is quickly approaching. The ‘Bag Stuffing’ event is only two weeks away. The Race Committee is holding weekly planning meetings (see Events!) and asking for everyone's help in soliciting sponsors for the race. Marketing efforts are exploding with rack cards distributed throughout the area. Communication from Essroc indicates they will strive to meet their goal of 250 participants this year! Sponsorship form and information in the Downloads section. Please reach out to businesses, organizations, friends, family and colleagues.

 

Please join us this Thursday when Greg Heller-LaBelle, CEO of The Colony Meadery, will discuss their mission to produce the boldest and most innovative meads in the world.

 

Special thanks to Past President Tom for covering the meeting last week.