February 2, 2009 Club Bulletin #269

Posted by Sara Fitzer-Huston 
 
 

Week of February 2, 2009 --Groundhog Day, Phil says 6 more weeks of winter!

 

Today's Program:   Jeff Armstrong, from MCC speaking about the MCC exchange with India

 

Song Leader for February: Ann Meeker

 

In Case You Missed It

Last week's presenter was Bret Olson, Executive Director of Muscatine Community Y.  Bret shared information on the Y's programs including; Aquatics, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Character Development, Family Programs, Health Promotions, and Special Olympics.  The Y has 9,100 members which is about 1/3 of the City of Muscatine's population.  Scholarships are available to those who cannot afford membership or to participate in Y programming.  This year Bret's goal is to raise $75,000 to fund scholarships and other Y activities.  To learn more about the Muscatine Community Y visit their website at www.muscatiney.org

 

January 26th Guests

  • Liz Shropshire, guest of Keith Porter
  • Mike Hartman, guest of Keith Porter
  • Julie Vantiger-Hicks, guest of Ann Meeker
  • Chris Nienhaus, Assistant Principal at MHS, accompanied our student guests; Kayla Rowe, Kate Phillips, Hanna Porter, and Rachel Price
  • Zana

January 26th Club Announcements

·          Rotary youth exchange calendars are still available for $5.

·          Marilyn Smith asked Rotarians to please save the date on May 7th for "Party on the Pearl".  Guest speaker will be Gavin Jerome the "Morale Mechanic". 

·          Keith Porter announced that on January 19th three Kosovo students left without notice.  Two of the students are former Rotary Exchange students, now attending MCC through Muscatine Kosovo Project, the third is our current exchange student Perparim.  The students are believed to be traveling together.  All efforts are being made by Rotary and law enforcement to locate the boys.  If you have additional questions please speak with Keith Porter or Marilyn and Norm Smith.

·          Rich Dwyer provided an update on the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation matching grants.  The Gates were so impressed with Rotary's efforts that they have pledged an additional 255 million, making the total pledge $355 million to eradicate Polio!  So far Rotary has raised 73 million of the first 100 million in matching.  Our new goal is to raise 200 million by 2012.

·          First reading for membership:

o    Greg Kistler, President of Central State Bank, proposed by Dennis McDonald

o    Doug Schnoebelen, Director of Lucille A. Carver Mississippi Riverside Environmental Research Station, proposed by Jane Daufeldt

If you have any concerns about these potential members please speak with a Board member.

·          Please welcome new member Stacy Kiser Willey sponsored by Kelly Garvin.  Stacy was a previously a Rotarian in Washington, Iowa.  Stacy works at Bickford in Muscatine. 

·          Please welcome new member Bret Olson, Executive Director of Muscatine Community Y.  Bret is sponsored by Dave Utley.

  January 26th Happy News

·          Becky Furlong is happy to be a new grandmother!

·          Norm Smith is happy that the Illini are in the top 25 in basketball.

·          Roger Lande and Pete Pohlmann enjoyed attending a Hawkeye wrestling meet.

Coming Up.

Program Chair for February: Mark Mather

 

Program on February 9th: Community Reading Project, Paul Mayes, Jill Goldsberry, Dave Bakke, and Betty Collins