A plethora of past presidents exhorted the members to support The Rotary Foundation (TRF). Every year in November Rotarians celebrate the founding of TRF a few short years (1917) after the establishment of the first club (1905). John Lynn briefly introduced the topic and then turned the podium over to Mark Shaw, president of our club in 1991-92, who helped established our club’s own endowment with 13 other Rotarians. They each contributed $1,000 to start the fund. It is and has been managed by the Hampton Roads Foundation (disclosure: President Sally works for this entity). At this time the endowment, which we use to augment our annual collections and to meet community needs, is valued at approximately $536,000. One of the original founders, Charles Woodard, bequeathed a portion of his estate to our endowment, which we received in 2009. We honored his memory by establishing a Woodard Fellowship if you contribute $1,000 over time to the endowment.

 

Past president John Padgett recounted the story of how he gained a mentor at his law firm. This mentor, Howard Spainhour with his late wife, Nancy, recently contributed through their estates to our endowment. John presented a $10,000 check from the Spainhour Trust. Mr. Spainhour was a major supporter of literacy, which has been a signature project of our club.

 

Past president Jim O’Brien then proceeded to explain the “cloud” which is TRF. Donations go into the fund and are managed by the Rotary staff in Evanston for three years. The interest is used for overhead. Three years later 50% of our donations return to our District 7600, which are allocated to clubs for community grants. We have received many grants over the years—most recently for helping to fund computers for Title I schools in Norfolk and support the Elizabeth River Project. Jim also pointed out that the other 50% goes toward the major projects of TRF. These projects tend to lengthy commitments as well as to efforts to build peace and global connections. Our club recently sponsored a local student, Ross Wood, who is finishing his Peace Fellowship at the University of Bradford in the United Kingdom. This fellowship is valued at over $60,000.

 

It is easy to contribute to TRF: you can do it online, you can set it up to automatically charge your credit card on a monthly or quarterly basis, or you can hand a check to our Executive Secretary Jane Dembert, who will send it on to the foundation. While gifts of any size are welcome, Jim pointed out that there are a number of generous individuals in our club who are Paul Harris Society members who contribute $1,000 every year.

 

Past president Rick Coradi volunteered that TRF is ranked by Charity Navigator as among the highest and most consistently managed charitable foundations on its list. He also noted that every president of our club has had the chance to attend a Rotary International convention. At these conventions one can experience the diversity in Rotary but also the shared values that bring us together. Our club is fortunate to have a large number of past presidents still active in membership who appreciate the importance of TRF.

 

Past president Shep Miller then exhorted everyone to cough up donations ASAP. He said he gets tired of talking about EREY (Every Rotarian Every Year) and even more tired listening to it. So get in the contributions now and don’t drag it out until the end of the Rotary year in June!!!

 

President Sally turned over the singing to Pam Tubbs who also handled the accompaniment. After the Pledge, Jim Kitz offered an invocation by Henri Frederick Amiel which focused on the season of Thanksgiving: “Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.” A fitting reminder for this season.

 

Bob Powell noted that Bill McGinnis had cataract surgery, but he was back at his place selling raffle tickets already. Walt Grandy is doing well. Bob Latimer is improving but not yet ready for prime time. Jerry Adamson, age 88, is on his way to a trip to the Far East with his friend.

 

John Padgett introduced our newest member Anthony Walters, vice president of the YMCA of South Hampton Roads. President Sally presented Anthony with his pin and a challenge to uncover the past president who fits a lengthy description. President Sally handed out a sponsorship pin to Angela Kerns for recently sponsoring Kelly Stefanko. Walt Sobczyk received his blue badge.

 

President Sally reported on the recent district foundation gathering; we are one of 32 clubs in the district to obtain EREY status for last year for contributing to The Rotary Foundation. (Thanks go to everyone!).

The Holiday Party December 3 at the Norfolk Yacht Club.

 

Jim Kitz asked for an addition 12 people to sign up for the Foodbank on Saturday, Dec. 5. There is an online signup which will speed things up on that day.

Barbara Lipskis exhorted everyone to fill in the survey so we can have a club “expertise” guide. Barbara has also sent out email requests with links.

Finally, President Sally pointed out that all months have three (3) lunch meetings and one makeup event for perfect attendance purposes.

 

Chuck Spence celebrated his 19th wedding anniversary. David Brandt celebrated his daughter’s upcoming graduation from Sweet Briar College. Ed Lilly celebrated an athletic victory of Randolph Macon over Hampden-Sydney (on which Shep Miller also weighed in). Lisa Chandler was happy about a niece at Norfolk Academy who is a tennis champion. Cy and Edith Grandy celebrated their 35th anniversary. Bernie Cohen was upbeat about George Washington beating UVA. Winston Whitehurst was ecstatic about his granddaughter, Michelle, who has attended our meetings, and who got a job with the Urban League. Linwood Beckner was indeed pleased that his son, Lyle, was promoted at USI Insurance Services. Jim Kitz announced that his son has passed the Texas bar exam.

 

But the biggest news was that Ben Mason got engaged in Key West! President Sally opined that a Tuesday Rotary Meeting would be an excellent venue for the wedding. Great food! Good companions! How would you improve on that?

After the program, President Sally presented John Lynn with a book for Campostella Elementary School. Dona Overstreet won the weekly raffle. Immediate Past President Sigur received her winning check from last week’s raffle and promptly announced that it was all being donated to The Rotary Foundation and our club’s endowment. And lucky Table 13 was 100% and earned free raffle tickets for the next meeting.