December 19, 2011, Club Bulletin # 401

December 19, 2011 Program for Today: At MCC Bob Roach Little Theatre... MCC Singers !!

December 19 Invocation by: Caren Luke

Guests December 12: Sarah Ott, United Way, Judy Ward wife of Tom Ward, Justin Allee, potential new member, guest of Jim Sturms, and Claudio Vitale, potential new member, guest of Jim Nepple. Claudio was presented for the first reading of his name for membership.

We were delighted by our own Rotary Quartet singing Christmas Melodies: thank you to Harvey Albee, Marilyn Smith, Ann Meeker and Paul Kraushar.

Help Muscatine become a Blue Zone by signing up at http://www.bluezonesproject.com/citizens/signup or texting "BZP" to 772937

No meetings on December 26th or January 2!! Happy Holidays!!

January 9, 2012 we will be meeting at the Button Factory Restaurant Upper Deck. This is a trial run to see how it goes. Should be plenty of parking and an elevator to get to the room.

Mike welcomed our newest members who have completed their New Member Orientation: Nathan Mather, Steve Jameson, Jane Caes, Todd Poci, Emily Conn, Holly Peterson, Brian Chapman and Bob Albee.

Tom Ward presented the Club Service Award to Jay McKee for his years of leadership in organizing the 3.0 Senior Luncheon and selecting the scholarship winners. Thank You and Congratulations....Jay!!

Mike made the "big check" presentation to Rick Ray and Tim Nelson for $1477.06 for the club challenge to the Salvationa Army with a member's match of $1000 to the Army and $1000 to the Rotary Polio Plus Fund!!

Mike Ruby, Judy Ward and Mary Wildermuth presented Tom Ward with a well deserved Sustaining Paul Harris Award...Kudos Tom!!

Happy News:

• Keith Porter is in disbelief that his daughter Hannah is turning 21 and yes she will be home for Christmas!!
• Sarah Lande encouraged our participation in the Blue Zone Ugly Sweater Walk on Saturday, December 17, 2011.
• Kip Fisher was happy that is alma mater had beat that other Iowa team!!
• Tim Nelson asked us to Ring Bells for the Red Kettle Campaign... this week!!
• Scott Ingstad was very happy for many things... the Quartet, Tom Ward's Sustaining Paul Harris Award, not such a big deal to beat that other Iowa team this year..
• Paul Kraushar glad Iowa beat Iowa State in wrestling, bell ringing for Salvation Army and the Quartet!!

Program for Today: Rose Mary Boesen and Sarah Ott from United Way provided an informative update on the organization in Muscatine and told us about themselves since both have just come to Muscatine since July! Rose Mary is very proud of the "Day of Caring" activities in our community since the volunteer participation has doubled since the origination year from 400 to 850 !! United Way is in need of persons to serve on program allocation committees this winter/spring..see them if you wish to help!!

Rose Mary has been with United Way for over 20 years. Sarah reminded us of the Volunteer Engagement Services she coordinates through United Way. You can go to VolunteerMuscatine.org and sign up to arrange for volunteers to help your organization. If you wish to serve on the allocations committees and the Community Investment Process you can contact sarah@unitedway.org or call!! Funding will be allocated to over 14 agencies who serve persons in our community through the areas of health,education, income or housing.

Rose Mary reminded us that 99% of the funds raised in Muscatine stay here!! The goal this year is to raise 3% above the 1.26 million previously raised.