Cindy Scoda is writing this week, sitting in for Patrice, who is traveling home with Bo from Jordan after visiting their beautiful family there.

Tonight’s meeting got off to a slow start as we were missing many of our technical gurus. Nonetheless, we persevered and Liz started the meeting off with the Pledge, followed by Jack leading God Bless America and Sue’s beautiful invocation.

Joining us tonight were guests Sharon, Jill Hotelling, DG Ralph Brandt, our speaker IPDG Janet Tenreiro and her husband Kim Tenreiro.

The first announcement tonight concerns our next meeting, Monday February 6^th, which will be moved to Brews & Brats at noon. The Redwood is closed that week. Our Rotary exchange student Raul and his parents will be joining us. Let’s have a great participation then to welcome his family to Naples!

Sue announced that the Rainbow Trout Derby committee has begun planning for April 1^st. Sue will send an email soon looking for volunteers and donations for prizes. Plans include returning to some of the traditions of the Derby from prior to Covid days.

Tim thanked Naples for the invitation and invited us to the Canandaigua Rotary First Friday Social, this week at Laguna Grande starting at 4:30 but come any time. They will be selling tickets for a meat raffle there, with $500 and $250 meat prizes.

Liz thanked the group for flexibility with meeting time changes in January. She also asked for ideas for speakers for dates this summer.

Janet spoke about Rotary International’s efforts to end worldwide Polio with the Polio Plus Program. The history of Polio in the US began in 1894 with an outbreak in Vermont, killing 18 and paralyzing 132 people. In 1905 it was recognized as a contagious disease that is spread from person to person, sometimes without any symptoms. A 1916 outbreak killed over 2000 in NYC with 6000 dying across the US and thousands more paralyzed. It took until 1929 for the iron lung invention to be able to save lives. The first vaccine against Polio developed by Jonas Salk was proved safe and effective in 1955. And in 1960 the oral Polio vaccine developed by Albert Sabin was licensed.

Rotary International’s involvement began in 1979 with a goal of immunizing 6 million children in the Philippines. In 1985 it expanded to PolioPlus partnering with international public health groups to raise $120 million for the effort. With the World Health Organization in 1988, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative began. Since 1995, millions of children around the world have received the oral vaccine and Polio cases are now down by 99% since 1988! Rotary’s fundraising efforts exceeded $1 Billion in 2011!

Today there are two countries that still have Polio outbreaks: Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Gates Foundation pledged $1.2 Billion in October 2022 to worldwide eradication efforts.

Unfortunately, several cases of Polio occurred worldwide in 2022, particularly in NYC area, in unvaccinated people. This outbreak was the first in decades and highlights the need for continued vaccination and vigilance as we aim to eliminate Polio worldwide.

The Plus in PolioPlus is a goal of adding other help to areas that are receiving vaccine. That includes additional medical help such as malaria and yellow fever prevention, clean water and better nutrition. Rotary’s PolioPlus Society is a commitment to donating $100 per year to PolioPlus. Jo and Cindy are members of PolioPlus and receive pins from Janet. She encourages others to join as well. Joining is easy online and can be made in one payment or automatic monthly.

Upcoming schedule includes Rotary Lite on Wednesday 2/8 at 6 pm. The topic will be Clubrunner help from Bo. The location will be determined and emailed by Liz.

Janet highly recommended Rotary Leadership training (RLI) in Johnson City on March 4^th 8am – 3 pm. The cost is $80. Email info is coming soon. An online version is available 3/1-3/2, 6-9pm via RLINEA.org.

Ralph reminded us that Pre-PET is free and online soon. Links will be sent from the district.

Jack had the winning Ace of Hearts ticket but pulled the Ace of Spades instead!

Happy Bills included the PolioPlus presentation, congratulations to the Grove brothers, Charlie and Grady for their awards at swimming championships. Also, Happy Birthday to Clyde!

Liz received a Woman in Rotary Pin from Janet celebrating her President Elect position.

Liz gave a Rotary Moment with a newspaper article: “White House Honors Naples Rotary Club”. President George H. W. Bush citation as a “Point of Light” came during the Presidency of Nancy Linehan. It recognized the club’s many successful projects including students working on blight resistant American Chestnut trees, a nature center at the Elementary School, a high school greenhouse and lighting of a cross at Rose Ridge Cemetery.