Rotary Club of Owego, NY ROTATELLER
Tuesday, May 03, 2005 Gary Williams, Editor

Opening:

Judy Kip, our president, opened the meeting in the Starfire East Room. We recited the pledge and sang, “America The Beautiful.” Laura Costello gave the invocation.

Guests:

Andres and Jose, who both had school and weekends, but nothing much to report. Our speaker, Bill Cadwallader, Jr. was the only other guest.

Birthday:

Bernie Banker

Song:

“Good Night Ladies” was sung in honor of our mothers.

Announcements:

May anniversaries were announced. Paul Stear took the prize for the longest member beginning in 1977.

Orv (also known as Erv) Wright gave highlights of the past board meeting.

Highlights of the April 28, 2005 Owego Rotary Board of Directors meeting

• March attendance was 75%, with 25 members having 100% attendance.
• Approval for leaves of absence to cover Duane Pelkey, in the process of moving from the area, and Barbara Fink, who must be away often because of her husband’s medical difficulties.
• Approval given for membership application received from Karen Demetros. Karen is program coordinator for Rehabilitation Support Services, a board member of the Tioga County Rural Ministries and a 2003 graduate of Tioga Leadership. She is also the volunteer coordinator for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign. Karen’s sponsor is Gwen Smith. There is a one-week comment period.
• On-line approval given to give $200 to the Owego Lions Club for advertising support for the OwegoOpoly game, which is a fund-raiser.
• Up to $100 approved for expenses for lunch to be provided by Owego Rotary for the May 14 Bike/Walk event. John Spencer is the lunch coordinator.
• Approval granted for one additional person to attend the District 7170 Conference to clear up a numbers mix-up.
• Permission given to begin a new committee. The new group will be an ad hoc committee formed to consider ways of honoring community people who provide dedicated service but seldom get recognition.
• Reimbursement of $44.40 approved for flood damage repairs made by Karl Tieman at the skateboard area at Marvin Park.
• A $240 grant approved for the 4-H summer camp for sponsoring needy campers.
• A request for funding for recreation equipment and supplies was received from Waterman Center. The Center will be running the summer day camp this year. It was agreed to list the desires and to collect gifts in kind from club and community members and then see what remains on the list. Merlin Lessler will be collecting the listed desired items. The issue will be revisited at the next meeting.
• Support for Owego Little League, Teener League and the billboard at Hyde Park was renewed at a cost of $600. Rotarians are invited to join the parade this Saturday, forming at 8 a.m. at the Owego Police Station.
• Approved, under Centennial projects, an expenditure of up to $3000 to purchase and install permanent plantings at the entrances to the village.
• Approved funding of up to $1200 for two portable basketball hoops for Marvin Park.

The next board meeting will be Thursday, May 19, at 7:30 a.m. In addition to present board members, the newly elected representatives, whose terms begin July 1st, should be in attendance. All club members are always invited to attend, and it is also a regular meeting time of the breakfast group

Reminders were given about the District Conference this weekend, painting of the railings, The Paul Harris Dinner, and Birthday Party for the Exchange Students.

Board Member Voting:

Orv Wright passed out ballots and our members voted on 3 new board members. The Thursday morning breakfast club will also vote. Then a decision will be announced at our next meeting.

There will be an induction of Karen Demetros at our next meeting. She is sponsored by Gwen Smith.

Fines:

Faye Rafferty fined us on our knowledge of walking and biking.

Speaker Introduction:

Carolyn Galatzn introduced our speaker. Bill Cadwallader is from the Cortland Club. He has held various District offices, including the District Governor in 1982-83. He has visited Puebla, Mexico.

Our Speaker:

Bill Cadwallader continued in Faye’s question and answer mode. He questioned us about Polio Plus – 1982 the goal was set to eradicate polio in 2005. It still exists in 12 countries and has cropped up again in Yemen. $600 million has been given to Polio Plus. Polio Plus is one of the examples of beneficiaries from the Rotary Foundation. The Philippine Islands was the first place to become polio free due to Rotary intervention.

The Rotary Foundation was started in 1917 with $26.50 from the Kansas Rotary Convention. The first gift given was $500 to the Crippled Children’s Society in 1930. After Paul Harris died the members were urged to contribute to a fund in his honor to make a world wide impact. The money is held for 3 years and then it is all spent. The interest from the 3 years is used to cover overhead expenses. Ambassadorial Scholar was established in 1957 with 18 students. We now have 1000 per year. Group Study Teams were established in 1964. 1973 saw the establishment of the 3 H’s.

In the 1990’s a Permanent Fund was started. Members are encouraged to donate $10,000 or higher while living or as a bequest.

50/50 was won by Karla Johnson.

Wilma Betcher,
Substitute Note Taker

I am still chugging through Bill Clinton's autobiography. I am up to the California earthquake. I find the presidency interests me more than his childhood.

Back to Meetings