After calling the meeting to order President Dale Chilcote brought Homer Nye up for the Invocation. Maurie Allen led us in song and Sid Van Slyke introduced our visitors and guests.
We met Taylor Weclhstein and John Pupel, two wonderfully engaging students from TC Central, who were introduced by AutumnSoltysiak.
President Chilcote shared his affection for THE SPARTANS…thereby dividing the affections of half the club, by showing, not once, but twice, their shocking victory over the Wolverines of last weekend. Just wait…there’s always next year! GO BLUE! Just sayin’.
He also called for a big thank you to our exchange students for running the meeting the previous week.
Susan Kraus announced there will be a Curling Event at ICE this November for all to get some brooming on! Susan also announced the Christmas Party plans for this holiday season. It will be held at the Yacht Club, for a change of pace, with Mike Richmond managing the food stations.
Al Bonney announced a Honduran Mission trip this winter for 10 days Leaving the 25th of February with a March 5th return.. Contact Al if you are interested in joining the group that will be going.
Doing good here in Traverse City or in the many locations we’ve worked in over the years, is what Rotary is really all about. The Rotary Foundation, the charity arm of Rotary International, has developed a powerful model for making our dollars count for far more than we have to begin with.
By committing to “Every Rotarian, Every Year” we are able to in turn multiply our gifts to the Foundation over a three-year period where each dollar grows, and is subsequently returned and matched by numbers far larger than our original investment. We may not see it right away, but the monies grow, come back to us and then are regranted here and throughout the world. This year we are likely to see $30,000 from the Foundation to support our projects like the Hermes Rainbow Trust in Africa, a Hospital project in Peru, a School and Clean water Project in Haiti. Just some of the places we affect.
Roy Pentilla and Bill Donberg of Elk Rapids Rotary were the presenters of the day. Roy gave an overview of the Foundation and the Paul Harris points that are gained by committing to the “Every Rotarian, Every Year” program. Additionally, he spoke of the direct dollars going to the projects and not lost in administrative cost. The six areas that are supported by the Foundation are: Peace and Conflict Prevention and Resolution, Disease Prevention and Treatment, Water Sanitation, Maternal Child and Health, Basic Education and Literacy, and Economic and Community Development.
Donberg gave us a review of the Haitian water project in Trianon Haiti that has grown dramatically over the last few years of our areas’ involvement aiding many more people than when we first began work there. The goal to bring health and hope to Haitians in dire need of clean water and sanitation. We have worked with the Pure Water for the World a key NGO, that has helped Rotary and our clubs in particular make a significant difference. The work continues and so does the need.
As you think about the “Every Rotarian, Every Year” campaign and what you may be able to do to be a part of it, keep this simple statement in mind.
“[Our] duty is to lay the foundation for those who are to come, and point the way.” - Nikola Tesla
Health and Humanitarian Outreach Projects (HHOP), a Rotary organization made up of four
West Michigan Rotary Clubs, is hosting a work trip to Honduras from February 25 to March 5, 2016. The trip is open to all Rotarians, Interact Club members in 11th and 12th grades, and Rotaract Club members.
This 10 day trip will fly from Grand Rapids, Michigan to San Pedro Sula, Honduras. We will work with the Merendon Rotary Club delivering books, that we take with us, to a school library they support. We will also deliver school uniforms to this club for them to distribute to needy families.
Then we will travel by chartered bus to El Ayundante (EA), a Christian mission outside Comayagua. EA has bought and installed several hundred bio-sand water filters from HHOP. We will install new water filters, inspect and repair previously installed filters, and build latrines.
The trip will round out with a bus ride to Copan Ruinas, a lovely Spanish Colonial town near the Copan ruins. A guide will take us through the ruins. We will connect with the Copan Rotary Club, and if time allows, visit some of their community projects to gain a better understanding of what Rotary is accomplishing in Honduras.
After spending a night in Copan Ruinas, we will return to San Pedro Sula and depart from there Saturday morning.
The price for this 10 day trip includes air fare from Grand Rapids, all meals, all rooms, all transportation, and entrance with a guide to the Copan ruins. Additional money would only be needed for personal shopping, such as souvenirs and alcohol at meals. The total cost is $2250. The trip is limited to 20 people. If you desire to fly out of a different city than Grand Rapids, please call Gail Ringelberg for land costs and help with flight arrangements.
$100 deposit is needed to hold a place on the trip. This check should be made out to HHOP and mailed to: Gail Ringelberg, 16 Lafayette Ave, Grand Haven, MI 49417. Please send by the end of October so air plane tickets can be bought. Please include with the check: full name as it appears on passport, passport number, passport expiration date, date of birth, address, phone number, email address, and emergency contact information.
Please do not hesitate to contact Gail Ringelberg with any questions: 616-402-4190
We met Taylor Weclhstein and John Pupel, two wonderfully engaging students from TC Central, who were introduced by Autumn Soltysiak.
Additionally, he spoke of the direct dollars going to the projects and not lost in administrative cost. The six areas that are supported by the Foundation are: Peace and Conflict Prevention and Resolution, Disease Prevention and Treatment, Water Sanitation, Maternal Child and Health, Basic Education and Literacy, and Economic and Community Development.
