Weekly Speaker Report

The guest speaker at the meeting of November 19 was Sandra M De Verney, B.S.W., case worker at the Lee & Beulah Moor Children's Home (http://www.leemoor.org), who explained what the home is and gave an overview of its history since its 1959 inception.  Sandy received the Speakers' Award from club president, Sandra Blanco.

 

Sandy De Verney accepting the Speakers' Award from Pres. Sandra Blanco

Jackie Morgan Picks the Joker

New Game Begins 

The meeting of July 8, 2008 was "Lucky Wednesday" for former District Governor Jackie Morgan, when she picked the joker out of the deck to claim half of the $253 pot. When asked to comment on her windfall, Jackie said, "I got an anonymous phone call this morning telling me that the jackpot was going to reach $250 today. The caller suggested that I might want to show up. So, I did, and I bought a few more tickets than I normally do. Now I've got some extra scratch to take on the Rotary cruise this fall." Congrats, Jackie. A new game with a full deck begins on July 15. 

  

Jackie Morgan picked through the deck until she found the joker 

At the meeting of December 4, Norman Brown got yet another chance to pick a card from the deck, hoping to draw the joker to win 1/2 of the $243.00 pot. Alas, this wasn't his lucky day, as the joker was not revealed. Better luck next Wednesday. Until then, Norm, you're the "Loser-of-the-Week." 

 

Norman Brown, Loser-of-the-Week for December 4

GSE Wants YOU!

The Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange (GSE) program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for businesspeople and professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 who are in the early stages of their careers. The program provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits in paired areas of different countries. For four to six weeks, team members experience the host country's culture and institutions, observe how their vocations are practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas.

In a typical four-week tour, applicants participate in five full days of vocational visits, 15 to 20 club presentations, 10 to 15 formal visits and social events, two to three days at the district conference, three to four hours per day of cultural and site tours, and three to four hours per day of free time with host families.

For each team member, the Foundation provides the most economical round-trip airline ticket between the home and host countries. Rotarians in the host area provide for meals, lodging, and group travel within their district.

Although the 2008 Brazilian GSE was completed just a short time ago, the District GSE Committee must now begin the selection process for the GSE team members who will be going to Colombia in the Spring of 2009. Here's what the Committee is looking for:

Potential GSE Team Leaders:
We are looking for Spanish speaking Rotarians with good health and a sense of adventure to apply to be the leader the 2009 GSE Team to Colombia.  The one-month professional exchange will be from April 20th to May 20th, 2009.  All past participants agree that the GSE program changed their lives for the better.   If you believe in the international mission of Rotary, please consider applying for this special opportunity.  Team Leader applications are due by August 29th and all the requirements and information are available on the District web site (rotary5520.org).  Please consider participating in this rare opportunity to see Colombia from the inside, guided by local Rotarians.
 
Potential GSE Team Members:
We also need Rotarian’s help in encouraging sharp, young professionals (between 25-40 years of age) to apply for a team member position.  Four lucky people will travel with the Rotarian Leader to Colombia to meet with peer professionals to share information and ideas about how each handles their responsibilities in their respective home countries.  Both Team Members and the Team Leader will live with Rotarian host families for a month, attend social and cultural activities, and share in exciting - but exhausting - experiences. Team Member applications are due by September 17th.  If you know of a potential candidate, please have them visit the District web site (rotary5520.org) for additional information and an application form.

New Member Inducted

After sitting next to her husband, Norman, at the weekly meeting check-in desk for the last two years, Sharon Brown changed her Rotary status from "Honorary" to "Active" when she was inducted into the club during the meeting of May 7th. Sharon was pinned by her sponsor, who happens to be her favorite Rotarian, husband Norman. We are pleased to welcome her as the newest member of our club. 

New member Sharon Brown