Program for Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Our program last week was a Club Assembly, a program dedicated to educating club members about Rotary, the state of Club #14 and the goals and plans for this year. After celebrating Club #14’s 98th birthday with Phil Heckman singing a robust version of “Happy Birthday”, President Cathy Lang outlined the club goals for 2008-09, which appear on page 3 of the directory. There were presentations about The Rotary (International) Foundation, our Lincoln Rotary Club #14 Foundation, the Service Fund, and the work of the Project & Grant Evaluation Committee.

The Rotary Foundation Chair, Ken Koop, gave a presentation on the broad goals of The Rotary Foundation. He reported that RI has spent $638 Million since 1985 to eradicate Polio worldwide. Sustaining Members for the current Rotary year were recognized with a label affixed to their badges.

Bill Schmeeckle, current President of our Club #14 Foundation, provided an update and some history. Organized in 1997, Roger Ludemann, whom he called “a marketing guy with passion”, was instrumental in its formation. As of June 30, 2008, the fund stands at $975,000.

Susan Ugai, Project & Grants Evaluation Committee Chair provided information on Service Fund grants and donations. Club members that made contributions to the Service Fund on their recent dues statement were recognized with a new Lincoln Rotary Club #14 lapel pin.

Notes and Announcements!

Auction — As you know, the Auction Committee is hard at work making plans for La Soiree Francaise at Lincoln Station on Friday, October 10. The excitement is starting to build and much remains to be done.

Silent Auction Chair Art Knox reminds everyone that we have just a few days left to submit items for the Silent Auction. If you haven’t done so, now is the time. In order to be included, all items must be submitted no later than August 29th.

— Art Knox, 477-3088, akek@knoxasscs.com

Mini Auction Chair Frosty Critchfield continues to entertain and provide great mini items for auction at club meetings. The term “mini” certainly does not refer to the size or quality of the item, only to the short duration of time to bid. Last Tuesday, he sold airline miles to Steve Letts and bottles of top shelf alcohol purchased by Dan Vokoun. I’m not sure what is on the auction block for next week, but it’s sure to please!

Raffle — Can’t you see yourself in this picture, strolling along the Seine? For just $20 you can have a ticket for the raffle, which will result in one lucky person winning round trip airfare for two, plus hotel accommodations for six nights in the City of Lights. The travel dates are May 9 to 16, 2009. The drawing will be held at the auction on October 10. Proceeds will benefit Lincoln Literacy Council, The Rotary (International) Foundation’s campaign to end polio, and Boys and Girls Clubs of Lincoln. For those receiving this via email, this “pitch” is included in the cover for you to easily forward to friends and family to provide them the opportunity to buy a chance for this fabulous trip and support the auction. Share the excitement - pass it on!

— Frosty Critchfield, 434-2727, frostys@alltel.net

WHY I AM A ROTARIAN – MAY 30, 2006

a service of Rotary Global History Fellowship - www.rotaryhistoryfellowship.org or www.whyiam.org

Our Dental Mission team was four and we traveled by dugout canoe on the Kruta River. We worked in two different villages from sunup to sundown. The line of patients never finished. Our working conditions were terrible. All of us were tired all the time but at the same time it was very satisfying, as what we were doing was certainly needed.

When we returned to Puerto Limpura, a town of only perhaps 1500 and a dirt runway for our military C-47, I spent some time with the resident physician who while meeting with me while doing his required duty to his country. He was frankly not very interested in our work.

Then I asked him while making polite conversation “Do you have any Polio in Honduras?”

“NO” he said, “we had a program called Polio Plus and now no more Polio — It’s wonderful.”

I said, “I know Polio Plus because I am a Rotarian.”

This stranger of a few minutes ago, put his arm around me and with tears said, “Gracias mi Hermano” (Thank you my Brother).
This was one small, but profound moment for the Doctor and I. Yes, I now have a brother in Honduras because Rotary cares.

- Dave Fihn DDS, PDG Dist 5580 1985-86, Rotary Club of Detroit Lakes, MN Noon

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