Founded in 1914 in Virginia

Doing Good in Hampton Roads and the World

Posted by Ann Sullivan on Nov 15, 2016
 
 
The Program:
Two former presidents, Mark Shaw (l) and John Lynn (r) , spoke about the Rotary Foundation.  Started 100 years ago, contributions to the Foundation support Rotary’s worldwide humanitarian efforts.  After three years, one-half of the District contributions come back to the District for distribution to support local charitable needs.  The other half is used by the Foundation to support Rotary’s global initiatives.
 
Every Rotarian, Every Year (EREY) slogan continues.  Our club’s average contribution in 2015-2016 was $207.  The District average was $211.  Let’s beat the District average this year!  Our club joined with three other Hampton Roads clubs this past year to provide over $20,000 to REACH, our reading project for children in transitional housing.
The Rotary Peace Scholar is sponsored by the Rotary Foundation.  It sponsors Master Degree programs for 25 or more scholars.  Our club sponsored Ross Wood, a local student, who is now in England studying after serving in a Sudanese refuge camp.
 
We continue our fight against polio.  Only two countries have active cases of polio, Afghanistan and Pakistan.  Pakistan has 15 active cases.  It is a mobile country and is hard to inoculate.  The vaccine is provided in railroad stations to capture the transient people. 
 
The Norfolk Rotary Endowment Fund
The Norfolk Rotary Endowment was established by our club 24 years ago to provide permanent funds for our local community charitable needs.   The Hampton Roads Community Foundation now handles the tax, accounting, and investments.  Distributions from the Endowment are available on an annual basis for local charitable needs.  Since 2000, the Norfolk Rotary Club has withdrawn $94,618 from the Endowment for grants to our community.  For the past year, our Club provided $25,161 to 23 area nonprofits ranging from the Boys and Girls Club of Southeastern Virginia, the Hurrah Players, St. Mary’s Home, to the Slover Foundation as part of a $5,000, five year grant.   The Endowment funds available this year for our Club’s local charitable efforts are $21,990.  The Norfolk Rotary Endowment balance is $990,710.
 
The Meeting:
The meeting was opened with a beautiful rendition of Let There Be Peace on Earth and Shine on Harvest Moon with Bob Heely and Pam Tubbs on piano.  Pam Tubbs then led us in George Washington’s Thanksgiving prayer.   The school of the week was Bayview Elementary. 
 
Visitation Report: Jim Baker offered the visitation report.  Bill Gresham is recovering.  Cynthia Carter-West’s husband is doing well.  Gene Justice is still recovering.  Harry Gustin had a bout of illness.
 
Visitors:  Chick Robinson introduced Rotarian Lisa Clarke of Bar Harbor, Maine.
 
Announcements and Club Business:
  • Judge Marc Jacobson was inducted as the most recent member  into the Club.  His sponsor is Lynwood Beckner.   Judge Jacobson’s accomplishments includes the following: Norfolk Circuit District Court Chief Judge, retired; Trustee of the City of Norfolk Employees’ Retirement System; Past president of the United Tidewater Jewish Foundation; Past president of Temple Israel; Fellow of the Virginia Law Foundation; Recipient of the Brotherhood Award of the National Conference of Christians and Jews; Member of the Board of Visitors of Old Dominion University; and Honorary Doctorate from Old Dominion University.  
  • The 2017-2018 slate of officers and directors was announced and the election will be held at the December 6, 2016 meeting.
  • The NIT tour and Million Bulb Walk were great successes!
  • Dues and meals invoices have been emailed.   If you did not get the email or need a printed invoice, please contact Jane Dembert.
 
Happy Bucks and Fines:
·         Lois Kercher was in New York City visiting her friend, Hillary Clinton.  She was interviewed by the international press.
·         To honor the Monarch win, Bob Latimer paid some happy bucks.
·         Guest, Ms. Lisa Clarke gave some happy bucks to honor John Lynn and Bob Powell.
 
Raffle:  Jim Kitz was the winner of the raffle.  He will probably donate his winnings of $11 to charity!