We started the meeting with a warm welcome from our Club President Allison Beers.
Presentation of Colors by 4 United States Coast Guard Servicemen
Our Thoughts of Gratitude and Reflection today was given by Homer Nye
MUSIC today is being presented by David Millross
A Hymn for each service (Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard & My Country Tis of Thee). We asked present and past servicemembers to stand when their service song begins and remain standing until the end of the hymn.
INTRODUCING VISITING ROTARIANS and GUESTS was Sarah Kime
A friendly reminder, if you are sitting at the table with our youth exchange students, please introduce them Daniela, Jules, Singto, Valeria
CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Dale Chilcote -Christmas Baskets- First ask the envelopes will be on tables
Next week is our last Coat drive date
Kurt Rivard - Foundation
PROGRAM INTRODUCTION
Tom Haase introduced LCDR Alan West and LT Erin Nolan form the United States Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City
Christmas Baskets – Again this year our club will be adopting dozens of families this Christmas. Because of your generous giving, we will be able to help brighten the Christmas of nearly 400 people. Most importantly we’ll let them know that there are people in our community who care about them. If you have not done so please make a contribution either at next week’s meeting or my letting Kathy know you wish to contribute. If you want to be a shopper please contact Dale Chilcote, Dan Rickard or Steve Wade.
For the past 10 years, Rotary has fielded a team of around 100 riders to raise money to eradicate polio during a road ride called the Tour de Tucson. Over the years these Rotary riders have raised (with the match from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) over $45 Million. Last year alone they raised $10 Million. This kind of money provides enough health workers, training and vaccine to immunize three-million children, building a robust fire-wall in over 36 at-risk countries. By denying the polio virus a human host, the virus will die in the wild.
Certification of eradication requires zero new cases for three consecutive years. This can be done. It will cost $1.5 billion. Nations and organizations have pledged $900 million. Rotary, with the Gates Foundation, pledged an additional $450 Million. Now we must make good on these pledges.
I will be a member of the Rotary Riding Team this year. Our goal is to raise $10.4 Million, including the Gates Foundation match. I have personally given $100 towards my pledge of $2,000. I am asking my fellow Traverse City Rotarians for a similar donation which, thanks to the Gates Foundation match, will actually be $300; enough to immunize 100 children.
You have been wonderfully generous in the past when I have asked for your help. Several of you have already donated and I thank you for that. Please join me in supporting this cause. While you are welcome to send me a check payable to the Rotary Foundation, the easiest way is to donate online. CLICK HEREand go to my personal funding page.
The need to eradicate polio is real and success is just around the corner. Eradication, however, is not possible without funds to get the job done.
Thank you. The children and families who will never suffer from this disease thank you, too.
Get into your closet and clean it out. We need Coats, Hats, Gloves, Sweaters, and Sweat Shirts for adults and children. Go to your businesses and ask fellow employees to get them to get you their unused Winter items and bring them into Rotary on November 13th and 20th
In 1999, Rotary Charities donated $2.5 million to the Community Foundation to establish the Rotary Endowment. The Endowment connects the shared work of Rotary Charities and the Community Foundation of promoting philanthropy to enrich the quality of life in our region. Today, the Rotary Endowment provides an opportunity for individual Rotarians and local Rotary Clubs to have their philanthropic support matched by the Community Foundation.
The partnership between the Community Foundation and Rotary Charities is reflective of the quality of philanthropic intent and integrity that makes this a wonderful place to live, work, and give.
Match forms need to be signed by you and the non-profit and turned in to the Rotary office byDecember 1st deadline.
