There was NO MEETING ON AUGUST 2nd due to the River Bandits game on August 4th.

 

Rotary August 9, 2010

Today's program is the Rotary Foreign Exchange Program

 

July 26 Guests

Brian Chapman, Holiday Inn General Manager

Rick Ray, Salvation Army, Transferring Rotarian from Galesburg

 

July 26 Announcements

Mike Ruby led the meeting for Tom Ward who was at RAGBRI.

 

Barb Krall gave the invocation and Paul Kraushaar was the song leader.

 

There was a second membership reading for Sarah Trokey, Manager of SunnyBrook.  Please see a member of the board if you have any concerns about this potential member.

 

There was a first membership reading for Brian Chapman, Holiday Inn General Manager.  Please see a member of the board if you have any concerns about this potential member.

 

Paul Kraushaar announced that new Rotarian, Mary Odell and her husband owned a home on Lake Delhi so asked us to keep them in our thoughts.

 

The Rotary Moment was on the Polio Plus Movement.  Many may not realize the precursor to polio plus program was started 5 years prior in the 1979-1980 Rotary year when the Rotary  project was to immunize 6 million Philippian children - this later turned into Polio Plus movement that we know today.

 

Pam Collins will be the new Muscatine Rotary treasurer replacing Randy Ludke as he has resigned after 15 years of service.

 

Keith Porter challenged all Rotarians to donate $1 if Tom makes the pitch to home plate without bouncing the ball at the game on the 4th.

 

Happy News

Bret Olson from the Muscatine Y announced Jason Miller's Spec Olympics crew of six brought home many metals from the games last weekend.

 

Caren Luke announced that she and Larry are great grandparents!

 

Kelly Garvin announced her youngest daughter, Alexa, who is 6 won first in the talent show and will be performing at the State Fair!

 

Jeff Miller was happy about the successful season for the softball teams.

 

Norm Smith announced the Muscatine Club will welcome a young man in August from Belgium (French speaking section).  He will study at MHS as a senior for the 2010-2011 school year. His name is Jeremy HEINESCH . Jeremy is 17 years old.  His home town is Gozee, Thuin.  He is a good student and has studied English, Dutch and Latin as well as French.  He has played soccer since he was five years old. He also plays a lot of tennis. His father is a manager for AG insurance Belgium. His mother is an ergotherapist in a senior center.  He is soliciting for host families for a period of 3-5 months each. Questions contact Norm Smith or any member of the Committee if you would be willing.

 

July 26 Program

Snackers2 - Goodwill of the Heartland by Jeff Nock, Iowa City Rotarian, and Tina Wilson, Snackers2 employee.

 

Jeff and Tina brought cookies for everyone to take on their way out (YUM).  In 2004 Snackers was brought back into operation as Snackers2.   It offers workers with disabilities the opportunity to learn food preparation skills, restaurant operations, and customer service skills. Managed by Goodwill workers, Snackers2 features daily lunch specials, homemade soup and sandwiches, and freshly baked, homemade cookies.

 

Our guest Tina Wilson and 15-18 other individuals that work in store.  Tina shared her story with us.  She told us that when she first started couldn't read menu or anything.  Now she reads the menu, waits on customers, helps cook and makes the cookies.  Tina shared that she has come a long way since starting at Snackers2.  She has terrible claustrophobia and is terrified of elevators due to childhood trauma.  Tina now makes deliveries all over town often using elevators to get to businesses.  Tina's favorite part of her job is waiting on the customers and providing good customer service.

 

Jeff shared that Tina won an annual award at a Goodwill banquet that she received in front of 600 people and has done a great job representing Snackers2.  Jeff explained that they do not open more locations because of the lack of funding.  Snackers2 can't stand on its own without the Goodwill Store backing - but the program is great training for people with disabilities. 

 

In recognition of Tina and Jeff's presentation, the Muscatine Rotary Club will donate a children's book to the Musser Public library with their names inscribed in the front of the book.