Rotary File for June 23, 2015

 

Usha Balakrishnan—IC Noon

Julia Julstrom-Agoyo and Joshua Larabee—Rotaract

 

Myrene Hoover officiated at today’s meeting.  She talked about some symbols of freedom that all are celebrated in June.  The Magna Carta was signed on June 15, 1215.  It has stood as the declaration of rights for English people for 800 years. Juneteenth has been celebrated on June 19 as the African American Emancipation Day since 1865.  Flag Day is June 14 and commemorates the adoption of the American “stars and striped” flag in 1777.

 

 

Remember that there will be no morning meeting next Tuesday, June 30, and instead we will meet at 6 p.m. at NorthRidge Pavilion for our Year-Ender.  Those wishing to have wine should bring a bottle to share.  Sue Cronin brought maps for those who needed help getting to the Pavilion.  Those people traveling up 12^th St. will be directed to a detour to Holiday Rd. because of the road work being done.

 

The AM Rotary Board will meet at 6:45 a.m. at Waterfront Hy-Vee Club Room on Thursday, June 25.  All members are welcome to attend.  The incoming board members are particularly invited to get a head start on their attendance.

 

The next group of FAMSCO work days will be June 28, July 13 and July 26 from noon to 3 p.m.  The warehouse is near Theisen's in Coralville.  FAMSCO must be out of the warehouse by the end of July.

 

Jim Peterson brought back flags from three Rotary clubs visited during the inspection tour of the water project in Paraguay.  He said that the clean well is bringing life-changing results for the recipient community.  They are, for example, now growing fruits and vegetables they could never grow before because the water was polluted.  Once Nenu Piragine has returned in September she and Jim will organize a program on the Paraguayan experience.

 

 

There were many, as usual, including Deb Pullin-VanAucken to celebrate the improvement of her husband’s health; Ron Logsden’s celebration of his own improved health; Nancy Stensvaag’s birthday, anniversary and imminent birth of a grand-child.  Various members have returned from trips-- France for Casey Cook, Brazil for the Ockenfels and the Knapps, and South Dakota also by the Knapp's (where they survived a wreck of their truck.)  We are all thankful that they are ok!

 

 

Deb and DG John Ockenfels showed spectacular pictures of their trip to Manaus, Rio and Iguazu Falls, as well as Sao Paulo.  Particularly spectacular were their pictures of the Falls, a feat of Mother Nature that totally eclipses Niagara.  In the jungle they were able to get up close and personal with various species of monkeys and had to keep coatis from stealing food out of backpacks and purses.  In Rio they took the tram to the top of the mountain overlooking the City to see the famous Christ Redeemer statue and to enjoy the beautiful vistas.

 

As far as the Conference goes the venue was, frankly, sub-par, and attendance was low as a result.  District 6000 was well represented in attendance and participation in project displays.  The Ponseti Method project had a booth in the Hall of Friendship and led a well-attended session on the method.  There was also a station set up to package food with Stop Hunger Now. 

 

There will be many opportunities for members to attend future RI annual conferences.  Next year the event will be in Seoul, Korea. John indicated that Seoul is well set up for a conference of the expected size of next year's RI Conference of 45,000.  In 2017 the Conference is in Atlanta, and then in subsequent years in Toronto, Hamburg, Germany, Honolulu, Taipei, and Houston (in 2022).  Lots of chances for AM Rotarians to attend a conference in a great location!

 

Submitted by

Nancy Pacha and Liz Nichols