Last week we welcomed our newest member, Michelle Heberling, to Moline Rotary! Michelle is the Community Relations Director at Two Rivers YMCA. She thanked the members for this opportunity, and is looking forward to meeting everyone and getting involved in our projects.

 

Gary Francque reported that it is time to move Rotary Exchange Student Joao Miguel to his second host family in conjunction with the Rotary International model. Another host family is not available now, so it has been decided that long time Youth Exchange volunteer and current Youth Exchange Officer / Coordinator Gary Francque will host Joao. Since local coordinators are prohibited from hosting students by U.S. Department of State regulations, Gary Francque has resigned his position as club YEO and Melinda Urban will take up the YEO flag. At last week's meeting club President Mark Carlson officially appointed Melinda Urban to serve as Youth Exchange Officer for the club, effective immediately. 

 

Jim Nelson, President & CEO of Parr Instrument Co., Moline reported that the company is celebrating 125 years in business this year! Jim credited much of the company's success to his mentor, and fellow Rotarian, Mike Stephenson.

 

Scott Lohman reported on a volunteer service project that he and wife Pam Lohman participated in.  The Lohmans recently volunteered at Give Kids the  World Village, an 89 acre nonprofit storybook resort in Kissimmee, Florida where children with critical illnesses and their families are treated to weeklong cost-free vacations. The project is staffed by over 1000 volunteers. Scott reported that it was an amazing and rewarding experience and recommended that fellow Rotarians consider the opportunity. 

Our next group starts March 11th.