Weekly Meeting News - 4 Mar and 11 Mar

 4 March 2013

Members present  -  13

Board met at 4:00  -  Board determined that there had been inadequate preparation for the Chowder CookOff event and it was, therefore, cancelled for 2013.  As a result, there will be no donations made until further notice.  Treasurer's Report was completed by Secretary Rose for the months of January and February.  Review of attendance over the past several months indicated that average attendance is 65.7% compared to 60.4% same period last fiscal year.  Nevertheless, attendance at last four meetings was 50% or less.  Edgar Morales' leave ends on 11 March - we will be reaching out to him.  Cal will also be reaching out to some folks who attended the "meet and greet" night to follow up with their potential to join the Club.  International Night will be 22 April at White's of Westport.  Bob Elmer volunteered to contact Principal Ruscito to select our 2013 RYLA student and, in the meantime, the RYLA application and payment was completed and forwarded to RYLA chair.

11 March 2013

Members present  -  10

Guests included WHS Principal Ruscito,  March Student of the Month Monique Walmsley and Guest Speaker Mike Smiles from the New England Science & Sailing Foundation (NESS).

Announcements:

The Rotary Youth Leadership Award is in process with huge thank you to Past President Bob Elmer.  Principal Ruscito's selected student may possibly attend the April 8th dinner meeting prior to attending the conference on April 19 to 21 at the Cape Cod Sea Camps in Brewster, MA.  Students spend three days at the camp "where they learn valuable leadership skills that will aid them in their futures."  This program is run by Rotarian advisors and previous RYLA alumni.  Our Club is sponsoring one student from WHS.

International Night will be on April 22, 2013 - 20th Anniversary of this event - to celebrate the Exchange program for high school students.  As in the past, it will be at White's of Westport.  Sign up sheet will be available next week.  Individual tickets are $45 per person or $350 for a table of 8.

Group Study Exchange Team is coming from France this year from 12 May to 17 May.  If our Club decides to host a day, as we have in the past, we must find  suitable businesses for them to visit.  The Team members are Chloe Oswald, Marketing Assistant; Cedric Staudt, nuclear electric power plant engineer; Thomas Huguin, CEO/Consultant in Biodynamic agriculture; Augustin Burkel, Commercial technician in thermocouple energy.  Team Leader is Rotarian Kirsten Gorg.

District 7950 Conference will be in Plymouth, MA on 17 May to 19 May.  Registration information and forms are available at the District's website.

                                   CELEBRATIONS

        Happy Birthday to  Helen Nigrelli (Mar 4) and Mike Smith (Mar 14)

                              Club Anniversary:  Mike Smith  (Mar 16)      

President Cal's Thought for the day came from Benjamin Franklin:  "Most miss opportunity because it shows up in overalls and looks a lot like work."

MARCH STUDENT OF THE MONTH

Westerly High School Principal Steven Ruscito introduced his March selection, Monique Walmsley, a really special young lady fluent in French and Italian.  She has volunteered numerous hours to two projects:  a program for third and fourth grades for which she taught French and Italian and fundraising for a non profit organization called, Love 146, to combat child trafficking and exploitation.  Monique plans to further her language studies at Providence College with the goal of teaching secondary education.  She said that the Westerly High School teachers have inspired her to accomplish her goals and to give back.  She also volunteers at the Westerly Library.

   President Cal with Monique

PROGRAM  -  J. Michael Smiles of New England Science & Sailing Foundation

Mike was a former member of the Mystic Rotary Club and has recently become involved with "NESS", which is located on Water Street in Stonington Borough.  The non profit organization's core purpose is "to inspire individuals (from age 4 to adult) to discover themselves through the enjoyment of the sea."  The staff includes "experienced marine science, adventure sports, and sailing instructors to provide exceptional hands-on experiences."  Over 100 instructional courses are offered and watercraft include kayaks, windsurfers, stand-up paddle boards, power boats, surfboards and sailboats.  NESS has partnered with US Sailing and Connecticut Schools with sailing "as a platform to advance Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) based education  through their Science Center classrooms and the Atlantic Ocean.  Mike provided a wonderful video showing the program in action.  For further information, go to www.nessf.org, call 860.535.9362 or visit them at 70 Water Street.

    President Cal and Mike Smiles

FOUNDATION MOMENT  -  Rotary news by Arnold R. Grahl

A Rotarian-led team of hydrologists, engineers, geologists, and other experts traveled to the Thane district in Northwest India in October, 2012 to help local Rotarians and their international partners design a global grant project to bring clean water and sanitation to more than 1,800 villages.  The Project Enhancement Process was designed to enlist the help of Rotarians experienced in the areas of water and sanitation so that clubs could put together large-scale, sustainable projects.  After assessing the needs of local wells and problems, the team formed its recommendations such as rainwater-harvesting structures, trenching and diesel pumps for irrigation.