Meeting Highlight:  Lisa Chandler introduced Karen Gershman, who is returning to the club as a member.  Karen is the Executive Director of Development at CHKD where she been of the development since 1988.  She brings back a wealth of experience to our club – we welcome her return.

 

The Program: President Bryce introduced our Area 14 Assistant Governor Clenise Platt who was introduced to Rotary through a Group Study Exchange to England.  She is a member of the Rotary Club of Hampton Roads, having served as President, and has served in various District offices since.  She is the Staff Development Director for the Virginia Beach Public Library and served in many other volunteer position.   She addressed the club on the structure of Rotary – “Rotary Inspired”.  She shared a message that was based on the following quote: “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.”  Thus the essence of Rotary.  She encouraged participation in the upcoming District Conference (September 23-25) in Newport News.  And also suggested all would benefit from attending the Rotary International Convention next July in Atlanta with a theme of “Loose ourselves in service to others.”

 

After thanking Clenise for her words of wisdom and presence, President Bryce reviewed his experiences of his trip to the Rotary International Convention in Seoul, Korea.  He traveled to Seoul by way of Hawaii and Japan, having some time en route to also experience these two very special places.  There were 43,000 Rotarians attending the conference in the 5^th largest city in the world.  Both his convention experience and that of being a tourist in a new land were exciting to hear.  Speakers from Ban Ki-Moon (Secretary General of the United Nations) to a surprise conversation with a virtual Paul Harris to the friendship made were fascinating.  Of note, we now know through Bryce’s experience that Rotary is the only non-country to have a seat at the United Nations.  He was inspired from his experience which resulted in infectious enthusiasm by his presentation. 

 

The Meeting: President Bryce struck the bell to open the meeting.  Eleanor Schoonover, accompanied by Frank Whitman, led the club in the singing of “R-O-T-A-R-Y”.  Following the Pledge of Allegiance, we recited in unison the Four Way Test.   Bob Heely then offered a thoughtful Invocation in light of the disturbing events of the past week.

 

The School of the Week was Sherwood Forest Elementary.  Steve Schultz then gave the Visitation Report.  There were no visiting Rotarians. 

 

Visitors:  Lisa Chandler introduced her guest – Maureen Grover from Southern Bank.  Skip Burton then introduced his grandson and son of our esteemed President, Bryce Burton.  Ben Mason was proud to introduce his daughter Reilly.  President Bryce also welcomed Clenise Platt, our Area District Governor, who address the club.

 

Announcements and Club Business.  

President Bryce announced that there was a card to sign from the club expressing our gratitude to our fellow Rotarian Chief Michael Goldsmith for his remarkable, strong leadership during these most challenging time in Norfolk and our country.  Also, Jane Dembert has Rotary ball caps that were ordered for pickup.

 

President Bryce encouraged all members to pay their dues and meal charges which have been invoiced.  He then announced that the club had again attained EREY (Every Rotarian Every Year) for the Rotary Foundation for the 2015-16 year.

 

Bryce then presented four awards that were attained by the club and its members that were presented by the District.  Former President Sally was recognized for her superb year as the District’s Outstanding President – WELL EARNED, SALLY.  Jim Kitts accepted the Community Service Award for the club.  On behalf of Norfolk Collegiate, Will King accepted the award for the best Interact Club in the district.  And Bryce announced that the club also received a Silver Presidential Citation.

 

Fines and Happy Bucks. 

·         George Compo happily announced the birth of his second grandchild.

·         Walt Sobczyk thanked the club for all the support he received and also announced his new job. 

·         Win Lewis contributed happily to Harry McCoy’s upcoming significant birthday, as well as “coming clean” that he left his pin on his coat in his car. 

·         Lynne Berg then fessed up to her cell phone going off, as well as contributing some additional bucks for a wonderful trip to Wyoming. 

·         Dan Schaffer also admitted being without a pin and was happy to contribute for his significant birthday. 

·         Sharon Laderberg paid happily for her appearance on TV. 

·         Rotations Chair Pam Tubbs thanked all of her trusty scribes for their past and future service, including those who had recently been notified of their prestigious selection to join the ranks of scribe. 

·         And former President Sally contributed to the cause in thanks of President Bryce’s great award nomination packages for the District Awards.

 

Only limited by time, President Bryce moved on to the Raffle after announcing that four tables had 100% attendance.  George Campo had the winning ticket which garnered him the daily pot of $16.  The Big Pot of $565 lived to see another day.  Following the announcement that next week’s presentation will be by the REACH Program, President Bryce struck the bell to adjourn.