Volume XXI
Number 16

Tuesday
Aug. 23, 2005

ANNUAL BBQ
FOR OUR TEACHERS
By Jim Haslip
 

BILL WORD Club President 2005-2006

August 16, 2005 - Teachers make a difference. President Bill Word read a Letter to the Editor that emphasizes that teachers make students wonder about the world around them, write perfect essays, read to understand, and use their hearts as well as their brains. They use their own money to buy supplies, forgo lunches, stay up late to correct papers and prepare the best lessons possible. They continue to study and learn. Many have given up higher paid jobs in order to make a difference.

In his invocation, Jim Haslip acknowledged that teachers are the best exemplars of the Rotary motto of "service above self."

During the luncheon at Crane Park, the Rotarians circulated to renew friendships and to offer words of support and encouragement as teachers prepared to greet their students the next day and begin a new school year.

Mike Smith introduced his former basketball coach, teacher, and current friend as the latest award of a Paul Harris Fellow, Gordon Anderson. It was noted that the award is made to acknowledge a donation to the international work of Rotary. Its importance was highlighted by the statistic that the donation provides the equivalent of polio vaccine for 2,000 babies or 2,000 school textbooks.

Bob Andreae provided an update on the new park that Rotary Foundation is building in front of Vintage Hall.

Superintendent Alan Gordon thanked the club, on behalf of all teachers and staff, for the Vintage Hall project and the BBQ luncheon. He noted that St. Helena is a "world class community with world class schools and teachers."

Phil Toohey made the arrangements for this event. The food was catered by Silverado Brewing. The next Rotary meeting will be at the Grace Church hall.

NOTES ON SIBERIA
By Jim Haslip
 

August 9, 2005 - By the end of the meeting, we were all out of breath from our simulated whirlwind tour of Siberia. Allison Gooch, who recently returned from her Rotary Group Study Exchange, retraced her trip that followed in the footsteps of the Siberians who came to Napa County last year on the same program. Using many photographs, she showed why parts of Siberia could be the next great tourist destination "except that it takes so long to get there and it's only available a few weeks of the year!" She noted that paintings of Yosemite reminded the locals of the Siberian mountains.

Among the Rotary projects that Allison visited included the celebrating of birthdays at an orphanage; setting up classes for computers, camping, arts and crafts, sewing, and woodworking; providing handicap-access at a gym; and arranging a marketing seminar. She attended the District Conference and described the Siberians as warm and hospitable, with many enjoying spirited singing and dancing.

Allison is helping establish a TB clinic in Siberia and is seeking $7,000 for the project. We have been invited to participate through the Foundation.

JERRY MCQUIDDY

Jerry McQuiddy was back for a visit and led the flag salute. Servaas Mes provided the inspirational message, noting "it is only through the heart that we can see rightly." President Bill gave each of us a pin with the theme for the year, "Service Above Self."

The District Governor is coming on September 6 at which time there will be a ceremony for the new Paul Harris Fellows. Current Fellows are asked to wear their "regalia" for the ceremony.

JIM HASLIP

Jim Haslip announced the creation of an annual Ryan Collins Organ Donor Drive to honor the attempt by his family to share life with others despite their personal tragedy. It will be held for 3 weeks, from Sept. 20 through October 4. This first year, we will do a survey of our membership for the number of current donors (including family) so that we have a baseline number to show growth in this program. To sign up, please go to the website: www.donatelifecalifornia.org.

ALLISON GOOCH with PRESIDENT BILL Rotary Group Study Exchange (Siberia)

HENDRIK SMEDING

Jeff Epps continued his new avocation as Nicaraguan coffee distributor. The money will help support the Rotary project.

Hendrik Smeding has agreed to be our Youth Exchange Officer.

Al Albright brought back the club flag for Crescent City. (Al, if you send them Napa wine, make sure we get smoked salmon in return!)

Our meeting room will be painted soon so that the meeting of August 23 will be held "on the street" (Episcopal Church Hall).

Rotary Membership Moments

Week 7 – August 14-20, 2005   Involvement grows when you learn more about you club and how it operates. Find out when the next board meeting will be held and plan on attending.  Learn how the club functions, what is planned for the year, and how you can become an active participant. Look out side the club and attend a District function, an assembly, foundation event or workshops. Rotary has a vast array of opportunities that can lead to adventures around the world. Consider planning a trip to an International Rotary Convention held once a year in some part of the world. The 2006 Convention will be held in Denmark and Sweden the first convention held in two countries then in 2007 it's on to New Orleans. Grow your Rotary knowledge and let Rotary grow in you. Week 8 – August 21-27,2005   Consider hosting an Exchange student from a different county. This is a wonderful opportunity for a Rotarian family to have a young student in their home sharing cultures. If we involve our families in Rotary they will come to understand the opportunities that Rotary has to offer and they will understand your commitment to the organization. Education and involvement will make us better Rotarians and we will want to share in this unique organization.  What better way to world peace and understanding?

 

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