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President's Report – February 2014

Ok this is not funny anymore. It’s March for goodness sake, and we still have snow on the ground. On a positive note, we did save some $ because of the cancelled meeting. I hope you saw the last issue of the Rotarian featuring our exchange student and Sunrise Rotarian Matt Kradel. His story on how we changed his life is a testament to the work we are doing in our community and internationally. Winter is coming to end so the news should pick up, but I can report Mike Hite is still limping and Doug Arndt has not grown any new hair on his head.

Looking Back

The board of directors approved a $1,500 donation to Community Alternatives to Violence, a $500 sponsorship of James Rumsey’s Robotics team, and a $242.80 donation to the Berkeley County Humane Society this past week. February saw our first weather-related cancellation of a meeting for the year. We also had a visit from the 2013 State Championship Volleyball Team from Musselman High School.

Looking Forward

March is Literacy Month on the Rotary calendar, and we are planning on installing our little libraries if the weather gets warmer. Herman is in need of some able-bodied volunteers to help with installation. This is your chance to be a doer. With 16 weeks left in the Rotary year, we have almost $4,000 still to raise to reach our Foundation goal. We are truly able to change tens of thousands of lives with our yearly donation. We have about 70 members attend each meeting and with a one time $50 donation per active member between now and the end of the year we will achieve our goal. So dig deep and donate that extra $25 or $50 with your next dues payment. On April 12th we are hosting the 29th Annual Community Wellness Screening at Berkeley Medical Center. This is your chance to take advantage of deeply discounted wellness screenings. A full blood analysis and check-up is available for $40. An optional PSA Test is $35. It is also your chance to ensure the club continues to get the $1,500 donation from University Healthcare.

Club Snapshot 

Vocational Service

• No report.

Club Service

• We are in search of committee members to join the membership committee. With that in mind April we will be offering FREE lunch to any of your guests you invite to a meeting. The last Thursday in March will be our club assembly and our new member orientation. If you have not attended an orientation, then please plan to attend the March 27th 10am orientation.

Youth Service

• The newly founded Spring Mills Interact club was our program on the 27th of last month where we presented their club with a $1000 check.  Their officers had a average GPA of over 4.4 which compared to our officers……. well let’s just say we fell a few…… ok a whole lotta points short.
• March is Hedgesville month for our student guests.

International Service

• Great News – Pancakes for Polio is back on the schedule for Memorial Day. Starting at 8am we will be serving a FREE breakfast to the community at War Memorial park. The committee has expanded the menu and decided to designate all donations earned to Polio Plus. Please mark your calendars and try to attend. If you can’t attend please at least make a donation to the Rotary International Polio Fund. We are so close to eradicating this crippling disease so every dollar counts. (Plus your donation will also go towards your Paul Harris Fellowship)

Community Service

• The board has approved moving forward with a “Pick Your Own Charity LUAU” scheduled for June 13th at 6pm at the Purple Iris. A host of local charities will be selling tickets to the event, and Doug Frye is the man selling the tickets to the membership. PLEASE purchase your tickets early as we don’t want to SELL OUT and leave any members out. This event will feature an authentic Hawaiian menu including pig roast, welcome cocktails, lei greeting, live entertainment with Polynesian dancers and a fire show. We will also be raffling off an all expenses paid trip to Maui. MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW.

Yours in Service ,
President Mike

304-851-7461