Rotary File - June 10, 2014

Posted by Mark Patton 
 

The meeting was opened by President Casey Cook at 7:10.

He immediately called upon Chris Knapp to lead us in song

Sergeant-at-Arms  report:  Guests:  Newman Abuissa of CIVIC and Tanya Daniel Lujanskaya of Moldova (with whom we exchanged banners as she is President of the Rotary Club there), Greg’s daughter Erin who is heading off to Chile,  Ann Romanaski was a guest of Bryan Clemons.

Dr. Ciro de Quatros, who helped eliminate polio in Latin America and the Caribbean, was remembered.

Rotarians in the News:  Brad Langguth, Dave Parsons, the Knapps, and Casey were all captured in a photo which appeared in the local newspaper.

Announcements:  Roger mentioned a need for washing dishes. 

Peggy urged volunteers to sign up for year-ender.

June 10th auction was moved to the passing gavel ceremony on June 28: each member is encouraged to bring one item (you may deem worthless but is valuable to someone else).

June 26 is the board meeting at Waterfront Hy-Vee early in the morning (6:45 a.m.)

Happy Bucks: Karin Franklin was happy to go visit Australia; Peggy D and Tom Novak were happy for the Arts Festival; Nan was happy for West High making it to the soccer finals and seeing Tony Bennett LIVE; Rick Dobbins was happy for the return of his daughter and son-in-law to teach in Iowa City; Mike Messier was happy to eat up on some roof top restaurant; Liz Nichols gave $30 for their 30th anniversary; Hazel celebrated a milestone, but unnamed, birthday; Vernette, Jack, Deb O were happy; Jean B. was happy to attend an “over the top” wedding in Texas; Dave Parsons was happy to attend a Banjo jam convention; Casey was happy to be going to Italy and Croatia this next week; Newman (guest) said this had been the happiest morning he had spent in years; Tanya (guest) invited everyone to Moldova to taste the wine in their deep caves.

Program:  Myrene introduced Fireside Chat Part II

  1. Karin Franklin described the history of Iowa MOST (Miles of Smiles) which was first brought together in 2004 by Bill Olean, Gary Pacha and others who had previously gone on RotarPlast trips to El Salvador.  They started in Quequetenango, Guatemala in 2006 and have returned every year since.  Average team is about 35 members, with the project lasting 4.5 days.  Major work is cleft palate surgery on children where they average between 40-50 children during the week they are operating.  Karin emphasized that you did not need any medical training to participate on the trip.  The project is supported by District 6000 as well as Johnson/Johnson.
  2. Nancy Pacha spoke about Interact, the high school Rotary organization.  It was organized in Melbourne, Florida in 1962 and there are now +10,000 clubs worldwide in 100 countries. There are 13 clubs in District 6000 with Des Moines Roosevelt being the most recent to have been started. Past advisors in our club include Joan Garrity at City High, Margie W. at West High, and Nancy P (current at West High).  Nan Mercier is joining the District Committee for Youth.  Interactors do lots of projects including Peer Tutoring, serving at the Ronald McDonald House, Dance Marathon, CROP Walk, sponsoring a child from Guatemala, hosting a new teacher welcome each year, hosting Dance for Humanity (for Habitat), putting on a Music Festival, and UAY.  Our club supports youth with two sponsored spots to RYLA and World Affairs Institute in Wisconsin.  We publicize their efforts and support them in any way we can.
  3. Liz Nichols explained the Youth Exchange program.  She recognized the Knapps for their District Youth work for the past 20 years.  She emphasized it is important to have host families for the visiting youth (need some for this coming school year).  Deb Galbraith will be counseling this year’s student.  Whether we are able to host students after next year will be dependent on having the student going outside the Iowa City school district, until such time as the new high school is open.

The meeting adjourned at 8 a.m.

Rotary Files are available on the club's home page: www.icamrotary.org. 

Respectfully submitted by Mark Patton,

Rotary Club of Iowa City A.M.