The Bulletin -- Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008 (971)

Program:

Captain Larry Goodman of the Salvat-ion Army accepts a check from Plattsburgh Rotary Club President Steve Frederick.

Club members load the truck with gifts for the Christmas Bureau.

Pres. Steve handed out a check to Larry Goodman of the Salvation Army from our Gifts Committee. Larry acknowledged the giving culture of the North Country and thanked us as a club and as individuals. He also presented a check to Carmen Carpentier on behalf of the Christmas Bureau who told us about a story which motivated Adirondack Bank to the level they are today in collecting gifts for children in our region.

Pres. Steve thanked all who brought in the Christmas Bureau gifts filling the entryway. PPBrian will be assisting Vicky Marking with the load-out! If you forgot to bring your gift today, drop it off in the Mall at the Christmas Bureau Wrapping Station.

Ange La Mariana thanked us for the $1500 he received from Treasurer Marsha Cook for the Nursing Home presents he will be procuring for the residents this week.

We held our collection for the Elks Club wait and kitchen staff...a total of $780 is going to make their holidays happier!

Pres. Steve complimented members on the number our new members and today Jon Cooper welcomed Roger Ahrens as our newest club member. Jon is now fine-free for the Rotary year and he received his ‘Sponsor’ pin. But, Pres. Steve did a ‘gotcha’ with Jon’s cell phone, but, being fine-free, there was no negative financial impact!!

Pres. Steve read the names of the 12 members who still have 100% attendance...congratulations!

Today was our Annual Meeting.
Our first bit of business was electing a slate of officers and Board Members for the July 2009-June 2010 Rotary year. PPTony rolled his way to the podium and presented the slate. PPJack motioned to close nominations. After having the Secretary cast one vote for the slate presented by the Nominating Committee, next year’s officers will be:

The new class of Board Members for the 2009-2012 term will be: Ellen Bouchard, Cornelia Forrence and Don Moore.

Announcements:

• Elle Berger reminded us that she should go away more often! In her absence, not only did we meet our monthly goal, but had a spectacular fundraiser which is (at this point) over $3500 for the Interfaith Food Shelf! She thanked Jon Cooper not only for the idea, but executed and completed it before her return! On average, the Interfaith Food Shelf feeds 20 families a day and over 500 households a month—they truly need this money. She also brings greetings from the Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Rotary Club where she spent Thanksgiving Day! She will be sending them our banner soon.
• Cathy Forget, our Rotary Store Manager, told us that there are 2 different flag pins, Service Above Self pins, blue lanyards and more than you can dream of! She had a one-day only Holiday Season Sale today and PPMarty got his ‘Secret Santa’ gifts—so watch out!

Guests: Amy Page (Ellen Bouchard), Scott Hayden (Kristin Shives), Jim Carpenter (Allen Racine).

Visiting Rotarians: None.

Auction Item:
PPJack had a White House Christmas ornament donated by Bob Parks who brought it back from the White House when he escorted his wife to the Tree Gathering for the artists who adorned the White House tree. He got $55 out of Ellen Bouchard.

Pres. Steve just opened his last barrel of maple syrup and had a large jug ($12 value) which he auctioned off to Sonia Long for $32. He then gave a jug to Anne Cutair for selling his Chamber raffle tickets for him last week!

Happy Thoughts:

• PPTony had $10 to let us know that his prostate cancer removed with the DaVinci surgical equipment and thanked all at CVPH, physical therapy and all members for fellowship, friendship and support through this. He promises to be skiing this winter and the Ironman in July.
• Elle Berger had $5 for the 5 countries that she recently visited and also reminded us there WILL be a Food Shelf collection at Lake Forest next week.
• Peter Cadieux told us this Friday will be “Santa Night” stopping at various restaurants/bars to collect money for the Christmas Bureau—last year they raised over $14,000. Also, next Tuesday night at 6pm there will be a Christmas Concert at the Plattsburgh United Methodist Church (opposite Meron’s) on Beekman Street in which he is performing a solo! Admission is a food item for the Interfaith Food Shelf.
• Bob Parks expressed his pride of traveling to the White House with his wife and had some names to present for Presidential Pardon (PPKevin Killeen, PPPhil Green, PDGRod Giltz, Bill Rowe, Jon Cooper, Paul Sands and Cornelia Forrence) but he didn’t get to see George W.

50/50: The pot today was $2,107 and Hope Coryer drew the 8 of Hearts. The Ace of Spades and two Jokers are still in the deck!

International Convention at our Doorstep:
Did you know that the RI Convention in June of 2010 will be in Montreal? Right now, our District is looking for volunteers in all aspects of the week-long event. Housing international Rotarians in our homes, greeting attendees in the Hospitality House, assisting with paperwork or transportation, taking attendees on walking tours of Montreal—you think of it, there’s a volunteer opportunity for you! See VPBonnie for a Volunteer Form—it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

POLIOPLUS Efforts in Switzerland:
Swiss Rotarians used their creativity and numbers to join the thousands of Rotary clubs who have raised funds for Rotary's US$100 Million Challenge.

More than 200 Swiss Rotary clubs pooled efforts for Swiss National Polio Day on 13 September, raising $643,000.
Working with local political leaders and regional health officials, Swiss Rotarians set up bright yellow booths, decorated with a colorful sunflower design, on sidewalks and city squares in 200 cities and villages across the nation.

On the day of the event, booth volunteers donned yellow vests used during polio immunization campaigns to sell small packets of 10 sunflower seeds for 75 rappen (about 64 cents), roughly the cost of a single dose of oral polio vaccine. Each packet bore the Rotary emblem and the words “With only 75 rappen you are in!” to demonstrate how even the smallest contributions toward polio eradication can make a difference in a child’s life. Can you think of a unique way our Club could raise funds?