Oct 28, 2009 Bulletin

The Bulletin -- October 28, 2009 (#1014)

Club Member Al Sweenor trades business cards with Dave Malone from Verizon Wireless .

Program: Dave Malone, The Future of Communication as Verizon Sees It.

“We are all interested in making ourselves and our workforce more efficient,” said David Malone from Verizon Wireless. New technology is the future of communication and industry is constantly pushing the envelope through difficult economic times to develop tools that make communication more efficient. Mobile Broadband Connect has become a universal tool. It allows mobile phones to be tethered to personal computers, laptops and Netbooks allowing worldwide access to the Internet. Malone highlighted other technology developments coming down the pike.

This summer has seen the construction of Mobile WI-FI hotspots that allow up to five laptops to connect to the Internet. Malone said, “A device the size of a credit card can be carried in a purse or wallet and with a click of the button, you and four others can be connected to the Internet via the mobile network.”

What’s happening with the network? The fatalities on Northway (I-87) initiated an expansion of cell service that has made significant progress. Three new towers have been constructed, and more are on the way. Developments in network speed include an upgrade from 3-G (the speed at which connections are made. 3-G is the current standard) to a 4-G connection. LTE, or Long Term Evolution, is where the technology is headed. It will double the speed that exists presently and allow more expansive coverage.

Malone announced that the pilot program was being tested in a few schools in Texas. Whereas many students do not have access to computers or laptops in their homes, many of them do have phones. This educational program gives students one-on-one experience with PDAs in the classroom. The phone, text messaging and other distractions are turned off. It is a data-only tool that allows teachers to send assignments to the phones and kids send back the work for grading. Early results from the program show a decease in behavioral issues and a general excitement about their school projects. Because students have access 24/7, they apply time management skills to their work. Verizon is looking for partners in New York state to continue to develop the program.

This Week:

Bob Parks received a $500 check on behalf of the Press-Republican for its “Newspapers in Education” program. The Press-Republican puts papers in the classrooms and provides teachers with educational tools to help teach subjects such as current events.
John Bernardi received a $1,000 check on behalf of the United Way. John is pleased to keep the long standing partnership between Rotary and the United Way going strong.

Visiting Rotarians: Dave Malone (Watertown)

Guests: Courtney Chandler (Brian Hammond), Kristi Spooner (Ellen Bouchard), Ron Whitson Guests Cont. (Colin Read), Amanda Palmer (John Prim), Kathleen Garenani (Maryanne Bukolt-Ryder), Steve Kende (Bob Smith).

Announcements:

Trick or Treat at Safety Street is this Friday, Nov. 30, 5—8 p.m. Volunteers should wear your blue Rotary shirts at the event.
First Thursday is Nov. 5 at Anthony’s starting at 5 p.m.
The Board Meeting is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 15 at the CCC Dining Hall. The meeting will include the Strategic Planning session.
New Member Orientation is Friday, Nov. 20 at 8 a.m. at West Bay Financial, Margaret Street., Plattsburgh
Saturday, Nov. 28 is the Salvation Army bell ringing at Walmart. A sign-up sheet will be going around for volunteers next week.
The Board of Directors agreed to take Wed. Dec 30, off. There will be no meeting that day. Happy Holidays!
Chuck Paepke and his wife are proud to announce the birth of their first grandchild—a boy, Charles Ryan.
Alice Recore announced that Mountain Lake Journal is hosting a special election edition which includes a roundtable discussion among those running for Congress in the 23rd Congressional District. There will be segments of the congressional debate tonight (Nov. 28) and last week’s Clinton County Treasurer’s debate along with a feature on Proposition One. The congressional candidates debate, held in Syracuse, will be broadcast on Mountain Lake PBS on Monday, Nov. 2 at 8 p.m.

Bonnie’s Bucks:

Marsha Cook had $20 for being a Rotarian for 20 years.
Peter Cadieux donated a dollar in honor of the Literacy Program at the “Plattsburgh Republican” (last week’s speaker error in reference to the Press-Republican).
Anne Hansen announced that the congressional candidates will be debating at 5 p.m. in the E. Glenn Giltz Auditorium, Hawkins Hall, at SUNY Plattsburgh, which is sponsored by the League of Women Voters.

Another Candle Burning For: Anne Hansen (11/6) and Brian Hammond (11/7).

50/50: The pot is worth $871 and Stephens Mundy drew the Six of Clubs. There are 45 cards left for next week and we are looking for the Two of Hearts.

New Member Talk - Bob Kidwell

Bob Kidwell was born in Texas in a small town near San Antonio. In 1972, he moved to Houston. He met his wife, and in 1978, they moved to Utica where they raised a son. He remembers a night not long after their move to Utica—Thanksgiving night 1978, to be exact. It snowed and was Bob’s first true experience with snow. He said, “What my wife and in-laws didn’t tell me was that when I woke the next morning the snow would still be there. And the day after. And the day after…” Though he’s not in love with snow anymore, he’s in love with what he does. He works in restaurant management and has been in the restaurant business since he first started working. He began working for the Ground Round in 1995 and has enjoyed projects over the years such as Woodstock ’99. He was selected as General Manager of the Year in 2002. In 2006, Bob’s wife passed away from heart disease, He heard about a small franchise north of Utica that was doing new and innovative thingsand in 2009 Bob made the move north to that successful franchise here in Plattsburgh. One of the things that strikes Bob is the caliber of the work force in this area. They have great attitudes and work ethic. In July, Bob met a new sweetheart, made friends through Rotary, and finally feels at home.

The following people have been proposed by our Membership Committee and our Board of Directors. If there are no objections registered with the Club Secretary or President within 10 days, they will be asked to join our club:

Name: Doug Kashorek
Business: Church of Christ
Position: Pastor
Classification Clergy
Membership: Active
Previous Rotary Membership: N/A
Proposed by: Steven Frederick
Additional Info: Doug is a volunteer at CVPH where he serves as a clergy. Other club members who know Doug are Vicki Marking and Maria Alexander.

Name: Kathleen Garenani
Business: Champlain Valley Transportation Museum
Position: Director of Fundraising and Membership
Classification Membership and Fundraising
Membership: Active
Previous Rotary Membership: N/A
Proposed by: Brian Hammond
Additional Info: Kathleen is a recent graduate of SUNY Plattsburgh. She had been a volunteer with the museum.

Name: Leigh Mundy
Business: North Country Cultural Center for the Arts
Position: President of the Board of Directors
Classification Arts—Management
Membership: Active
Previous Rotary Membership: N/A
Proposed by: Bob Parks
Additional Information: Leigh is past co-chair of the Heart Walk, chair of the Arms and Legs Auction and is a member of the Foundation CVPH Event Committee

TRIVIA
Did you know…?
RYLA originated in Australia in 1959 as a festival of youth celebrating Queensland's centennial and a visit from British Princess Alexandria. Local Rotary districts continued the idea, and its popularity grew nationally and internationally. RYLA became an official RI program in 1971.