June 13, 2013 – Meeting Roundup
Larry Schultz, President of Community Alternatives to Violence, and Carolyn Zdziera, Executive Director, gave us a video and a talk about the organization. Larry talked about his personal experiences with domestic violence, which led him to become a facilitator for CAV as well as president. He emphasized that domestic violence is primarily a men’s issue with women being the victims. CAV needs donations, but it also needs more facilitators. Right now there is only one in Berkeley County.
Mike Hornby Being Installed
The Installation Banquet is one of the highlights of the Rotary year. It’s a chance to reflect on the past year and look forward to what the next year will bring. It is also a chance to bring your spouse to an excellent dinner and company that is unsurpassed. So this week, we’ll have an Installation Banquet. The evening will begin at 5:30 with a Paul Harris Reception for Paul Harris Fellows and their spouses. The reception will feature Hors D’oeuvres and an open bar. The dinner, which starts at 6:30, will be preceded by a reception for the rest of the membership.This year’s slate of officers will see Mike Hornby installed as President, Chris Johnson move up to President-elect, Kevin Knowles becoming Vice President/Program Chair, Doug Arndt continuing as Secretary, and Mike Hite installed as our new Treasurer. Pam Wagoner gets the most coveted title of all—Immediate Past President.
Mike will have a tough act to follow. President Pam had a very successful year as president. She started us repeating the 4-Way Test, which was a good addition to the beginning of our meetings. She took us on a field trip to the Dillon Farm Museum and several trips to the Purple Iris where we enjoyed desserts. But those weren’t the important things that were accomplished. During Pam’s year we had a tremendously successful Taste of the Panhandle under the guidance of Herman Dixon. Doug Arndt helped bring the Harlem Ambassadors to Hedgesville and that event helped raise an additional $4,000. We also raised money at the Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast. We raised money for Shelter Boxes and became number one in West Virginia in this effort. We helped out at the Youth Fair and had a successful Bob Elmer Sports Breakfast during the Apple Harvest Festival. We gave every third grader in Berkeley County a dictionary, which for many was the first book they ever actually owned. However, Mike has already established a track record with his Pancake for Polio Memorial Day breakfast, so it looks very promising for as successful, if not even more successful, year. He will preview what he hopes to accomplish this year.
Paul Harris Fellows are reminded to wear their medallion Thursday night.
Due to the banquet, a noon meeting will not be held this week.
Cogwheels
Answer to last week’s question:
You would have be a long time member to know that Janice Christopher, an assistant superintendent with Berkeley County schools, was our first female member.
This week’s question:
Who was our first female president?
Matt Kradel, a former exchange student and a financial advisor for First United, was our lone visiting Rotarian. Matt is a member of the Martinsburg Sunrise club and former member of our club. Alex Mooney, a former state senator in Maryland, was a guest of Jerry Mays.
We have now reached 60% participation and are within $1,000 of our monetary goal for The Rotary Foundation. If you haven’t donated yet, bring your check this Thursday evening to the Installation Banquet. Ross or Pam Curtis will be happy to accept it.
Our next Program Chair, Kevin Knowles, is actively looking for programs. If you know of one, or have recently seen one you thought was great, let Kevin know.
Buzz Poland has taken over as chair of the exchange student committee and really needs a host family for our female exchange student from Argentina. If you can host her, or know a family who would be interested in hosting her, please let Buzz know. She will be arriving in August. If you are hesitating, talk to Rich McCune. He ust finished hosting Jun Ogata and said it was an experience his whole family benefitted from and will never forget.
Steve Christian, chair of the Buddy Ring Golf Tournament, announced that the tournament will be August 26th with a picnic following. Mike Hite is in charge of the picnic. More details will follow.
Summer is here and our attendance begins to drop due to vacations and golf. Remember, though, that if you are on vacation, you can still do a make-up. It’s a great way to meet other Rotarians and get new ideas.
There will be a separate 50/50 this week and then Tom Belfield will sell tickets on June 27th. With only 50 cards in the deck, finding the Four of Diamonds should be easy.