MINUTES by KEN KISH
PHOTOS by DON CARNAGHI
Well dressed as always, President Larry Neal rang the bell to start the meeting promptly at 12:15. Cecilia Moloney led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the national anthem with piano man Gary doing his usual good job.
Nancy Dedenbach gave the pre-meal prayer and Gloria Murray started us off on “The Four-Way Test” but without our banner, which is in for repair, we were a little slow on the recitation.
Nancy D. also introduced our guests which included her granddaughter Luca. Others were Jacob, Jonah and Emmet Pierson, guest of father Eric; Antonio Cihar and Phyllis Grillo, guests of Gloria; and Liz Vogel, a former member of our club now with the Grosse Pointe Rotary.
The guests led us to the luncheon buffet: soup, rolls, pasta, green beans, Caesar salad and a mixture of sausages, onion and green pepper. There was cake for dessert.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Larry's update included Ryan "Doc" Murphy filling a board vacancy prior to our fall election. Let Larry know if you have interest in seeking a board position. He also thanked Sam D'Angelo for hosting the most recent board of directors meeting where it was decided to start a review of club bylaws and policies, which would need majority vote of members before implementation. Members will also soon be provided with minutes from board meetings and annual budget information. A posting of upcoming events will also be at our greeting table.
FLOWERS & SONGS
Ken Steele was on flower duty, mentioning birthdays for Patti Kaufman, Ed Mastry and Rob Sogge. Rob was absent so we sang Happy Birthday to Patti and Ed, who also received flowers. Ken had no trouble selling the remaining flowers: Larry for Sam's hosting of board meeting, Sam for Liz Vogel; Ed Mastry for Jeff Furest helping him on a project, Patti for Gloria's guest, Glenn Burton for President Larry and Nancy D. for her granddaughter. Sam selected our songs for the day which were "That Rotary Wheel" and "When You're Smiling."
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President Larry honored Gloria Murray as Rotarian of the Week and she mentioned how much she looks forward to the weekly meetings and the resulting new friendships. She also did a great job heading the speakers' panel the past year.
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Sam, who as immediate past president heads the foundation board, asked members for any suggestions for honorees for funds at next year's Spring Zing. All letters of application will be reviewed by board members.
RECOGNITION
Eric Pierson was on recognition and with some extra time everyone present was fined for something.
Sam paid $5 for a mug left at the boat outing; Jeff Furest agreed to up his fine to $10 for giving Eric a pipe and then smoking all the tobacco for which Eric's son provided a replacement. Al Zuccaro and Patti K. were hit for not being present for their perfect attendance awards. Patti agreed to pay Al's fine for his 21 years. Other individual fines went to Beth Pryor for a boat outing photo, Amanda Oparka for her now four-month-old son, Nancy D. for a new car and Glenn B. for arriving to the meeting hauling a boat.
Eric's recognition then went to the dogs, literally and litterly. He quizzed each table with "do you know that dog" question. Some of the mutts dated to the 1930s and he kept going until every table paid something.
Guest speakers were our own Glenn Burton and Nancy Dedenbach, who traveled to Haiti for a report on the Joan Rose Foundation, which has received funds from our Spring Zing and District 6380.
PROGRAM
The Joan Rose Foundation was started in 2010 by Burton relative David Palmer. It is a nonprofit working to meet the needs of impoverished children in Haiti. Originally, the project was centered in the Dominican Republic city of Esperanza but was forced to move to Haiti because of political turmoil.It is now in Jacmel, the first city in Haiti to have electricity. The foundation has built 12 structures in the city and provides education to 78 students who study art, music, English and math. It also runs "Good Threads," with women of the community hand-weaving beautiful belts that are then sold. A single belt finances 36 meals.
The Joan Rose Foundation, named after David Palmer's grandmother, operates on a $90,000 annual budget with money raised through fundraiser and donations.
Student and educators at Troy Athens High Schools donated $80,000 from a one-day event.
Glenn and Nancy's presentation included photographs and videos of the buildings, children attending classes and women working on the belts.
It's a remarkable effort started by a University of Colorado graduate who witnessed conditions in Latin America while a student and decided to help.
Finally, the 50/50, worth $27, was won by visitor Liz Vogel.
Happy Birthday!
7/27 Mary Kay (Rob) Sogge
8/3 Patricia Kaufman
8/4 Edward Mastry
8/9 Rob Sogge
