Rotateller Rotary Club of Owego, NY
Tuesday, July 22, 2008 Gary Williams, Editor

The most important human right is the right to dream.

This is not a typical bulletin. I wasn’t sure how I was going to present what Mike shared, but Carolyn has forwarded his slides. That is not really his presentation, but it provides information which may be useful or you may be able to help someone by passing it on.

It may have been the most emotional Rotary meeting that I have attended, starting with the story of Joao’s send-off, Alice’s generous contribution to the club and comments, and capped by what Mike shared.

FINES: Merl fined people for not participating.

Highlights of the July 17, 2008 Owego Rotary board of directors

• June attendance: 73%; 100% attendance: 24 members, with six of those members less than one year; roster at end of June = 59 members.
• Correspondence received: thank you from Carol Pierson for the club’s memorial donation to Rotary Foundation for Jan Pierson; thank you letter and commencement program from Newark Valley High School for the award to their Newark Valley graduating student; thank you letter from Bob Bassett for support of the Charles H. Bassett Youth Foundation “Good Guy” Breakfast event.
• Club Officers: Laura Costello was unanimously elected President Elect, with her term as president beginning July 1, 2009. In ongoing discussion of officers for the future, names of possible candidates turned up a number of eligible and interested people. Carol Cavataio, next highest vote getter in recent club elections, has agreed to assume Laura’s two-year term ending June 30, 2010.
• Strawberry Festival: Matt gave a preliminary report, with profits appearing to be some $2900, less the cost of booth, banners and sales tax. It appeared that cheesecake netted some $400, minus booth rental. More accurate figures will be presented when all bills are paid, but it was another successful year. Matt agreed to chair the event again next June.
• Matching club funding of member donations to the Rotary Foundation: It was agreed to match members’ donations to the Rotary Foundation during this year, up to $100 per member (with funds from the Owego Rotary Community Fund), for the first Paul Harris Fellowship.
• Requests for funding:
• Tioga County Boys and Girls Club for summer activities: donate $500. The check will be presented when director Don Curtis presents his program to the club during August.
• Tioga Business Show October 2, 2008, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Agreed club would participate in show and rent a “non-profit” booth. Maria Dixson will again donate a basket for the raffle.
• Tioga Center’s Pumpkin Festival September 27, 2008, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Agreed to purchase a “sponsor” ad, at a cost of $90 for one-fourth page, as support for the activity and the area. It will be discussed at a later date whether to actively participate in the festival.
• The treasurer presented the balance sheet as of June 30, 2008, showing about $15,140 in total assets, total liabilities and equity among all accounts, not counting scholarships recently awarded.
• Committees:
• Youth Services – looking for host families in Newark Valley and Owego for inbound students.
• Membership – Jody set the new member goal as a net of two and striving for up to 10% increase.
• Programs – Al Bingley agreed to oversee monthly program chairpeople.
• Next meeting Thursday, August 21, 2008 at 7:30 a.m. at Owego Treadway Inn. All are welcome to attend.

Carl and Mike Ebbers have agreed to step in to the Youth Services Committee which enables Laura to become president. She (and we all) thank them.

There were many happy dollars today. It is wonderful to hear so many friends being happy!

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