Meeting Highlight
A special presentation of a $22,000 grant was made to Reading Enriches All Children (REACH). Accepting the grant on behalf of REACH were Lori Miller, executive director, and Leslie Clarridge, volunteer and program coordinator. Utilizing a $20,000 District Grant supplemented by $500 grants from four local Rotary Clubs (Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, and Town Center), the funds will be used by REACH for literacy outreach to children in homeless shelters. Additionally, the four clubs will provide volunteers to read to children.

The Program

District Governor Diane Hagemann was introduced by Area Governor Clenise Platt. DG Diane spoke on the state of the district. There are 64 clubs in our District for which she plans to visit, some multiple times. There are 2,800 Rotarians in our district, and ours is among 540 districts in the world. There are 1.2 million Rotarians. DG Diane stated that our district is strong is in the top tier of Rotary Foundation donations with an average of $200 per member.

 

In her remarks she emphasized several major points:

 

Public Image - Everyone should find ways to promote the Rotary story. Among efforts underway are improvements to the district website and social media.
Membership - Everyone is encouraged to seek qualified potential members -- particularly young professionals -- and invite them to come to lunch or an outing to get to know Rotary and our members. 
This is a special year -- 2017 is the 100-year anniversary of our Rotary Foundation, which originated in Atlanta. DG Diane encouraged everyone to attend foundation training, celebrate women in Rotary at the 30th year anniversary of their being able to join, attend conventions, encourage and celebrate Rotary. DG Diane is proud Rotary’s involvement in the eradication of polio in countries where it remains – $1.4 billion dollars donated for 2.5 billion doses of polio vaccine.

DG Diane presented a flag from Rotary International President John Germ to President Bryce.

 

The Meeting:  Pam Tubbs led us in song with The 4-Way Test and Rotary’s a Grand Old Name with Frank Whitman on the piano. President Bryce Burton led us in the pledge of allegiance, and Dr. Jim Baker offered a thoughtful prayer/invocation with gratitude to our district governor, officers and directors, members, and those who prepared our meals. Our school of the week is Tidewater Park Elementary School.

 

Visitation Report:  The visitation report by Dr. Bill Gough included an update on Dr. Roger Flagg, who is expected to return to our meetings soon. 

 

Visitors:  Jean Owens (birthday girl), introduced our guests including Rotarians Robin Samuel (Chesapeake Club), Sandy Cartwright (Chesapeake Club) and the club presidents attending for the grant presentation. Also attending was Rev. Glenn Porter (Queen Street Baptist Church), and the two REACH representatives.

 

New Paul Harris Fellow:  Police Chief Mike Goldsmith was presented his Paul Harris Fellow pin by District Governor Dianne Hagemann for donating a cumulative $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation. 

 

One Year:  Lorna Cochrane, Lisa Chandler, Dr. Steve C. Jones,  Walt Sobczyk, Joey Rothgery, and Barbara Lipskis.                             
Two Years:  Pamela Tubbs, Jerry Friedman, and Joe New.                                                                 
Three Years:  Sally Hartman and Marty Raiss                                
Five Years:  Bernie Cohen and John Padgett                            
Six Years:  Will King                                      
Seven Years:  Greg Sutton                                   
Eight Years: Sigur Whitaker                              
Eleven Years: Collins Gooch                             
Twenty-three Years:  Steven M. Jones                
Twenty-four Years:  Bill McInnis                      
Thirty-four Years: Bob Powell and Barry Kesser
Thirty-nine Years:  Chip Vogan                                  

Recognized for having attended all the meetings since they joined in the last year were Kelly Stefanko and Anthony Mia                           

Experimental new lunch program:  President Bryce let us know that we are going to try a monthly lunch entree rotation to help save on our budget. The first luncheon of the month will be a standard meal, the second lunch will be a salad and sandwich, and the third will be soup and sandwich.

 

 

*Sally Hartman offered a donation for her oatmeal cookies winning first prize in The Virginian-Pilot's baking contest. They will now be submitted to the Virginia State Fair for judging.
*Chip Vogan offered a donation for an article in The Virginian-Pilot and a video about his children’s book collection hobby.
*David Brandt offered a donation for taking his son, Lucas, to Costal Carolina University for his freshman year.
*Cynthia Carter-West offered a happy buck for the return of Bob Latimer.
*Bob Latimer offered a happy buck. Go Monarchs!!
*Karen Gershman offered $28 in happy bucks for her 28th anniversary working at the Children’s Hospital of The King's Daughters.
*Rev. Win Lewis offered happy bucks for his travels to England, his daughter’s new job in D.C., and not wearing a Rotary pin at which time President Bryce Burton fined all Rotarians without a lapel pin.

September birthday Rotarians were announced and serenaded:

 

Name                     Birthday           
Lynne Berg             09/22
Lisa Chandler          09/29
Walt Grandy           09/18
Bill Gresham           09/18

Julie Keesling          09/17
Shep Miller             09/01
Jean Owens            09/06
Joey Rothgery         09/07
Pamela Tubbs         09/12

 

Meeting Conclusion:  President Bryce presented a book in honor of District Governor Diane Hagemann, which will be placed in the library at Tidewater Park Elementary School.

 

Bill McGinnis conducted the weekly raffle.  The winner was your scribe Barry Kesser -- $17 on a make-up ticket.  (Make-up is worthwhile!).