Club Business
Sang Ho Lee, one of our most esteemed past presidents, filled in for current president Jim Cartner, who is on special assignment and greatly missed. Cliff Parker led the invocation and the pledge of allegiance to the US flag. Sang introduced visiting Rotarian, Stephen Taylor, from the Graham Rotary Club. He was on hand for the Rotary Reads presentation made by his wife, Tracy. Sang also welcomed Cathryn Hartwell, our club’s newest member. She was sponsored by Dick O’Donnell. Paul Mauney introduced his guest and boss, the Executive Editor of the Times-News, Rich Jackson.
Anyone who wishes to attend the District Conference April 26-28 should contact Katie Dukeshire right away cine the registration deadline is April 8. Sang also encouraged us to make our annual contribution to the RI foundation, if we have not previously done so this year.
District Governor Elect, Randy Perkins, gave a brief report regarding last weekend’s President Elect Training Seminar in Greensboro. Mary Thomas Gilbert attended from our club. Randy told us that 650 incoming presidents were on hand for the three-day event. Incoming Rotary International President Mark Maloney spoke at several sessions.
Cliff Parker introduced Sean Quinn, the faculty representative who works with the Interact Club at Western Alamance High School. Cliff told us that three years ago Ed Woodall, Sang Ho Lee, and he met with the administration at WAHS to set in motion the launch of their Interact Club. Two years ago Rotary International chartered the group, which has been under Sean’s oversight since.
Sean told us that he is amazed at the amount of work their students have invested in making their club a huge success. Currently their membership of 78 has put in close to a thousand hours of volunteer time, cooperating with the town of Elon in various local events. Sean took advantage of our meeting to congratulate and thank the outgoing leadership, who gave two years of service to help the club achieve its current level of success. He also acknowledged the incoming team.
Next week Chief Smythe has the program.
Click here to see all scheduled program dates and responsibilities.
March Birthdays and Anniversaries
11 | Matt Patel | 8 | Francois and Andrea Masuka |
20 | Ben Wooten | 27 | Joseph and Susannah Williams |
30 | Susan Watson |
Happy Dollar Announcements
- Chuck Stedman happily paid a dollar to remind us that his alma mater, UT, is in the Sweet 16.
- Randy Perkins acknowledged the presence of Western Alamance High School’s Interact Club.
- Dick O’Donnell welcomed our newest member, Cathryn Hartwell, whom he sponsored.
- Sang Ho Lee also referenced the WAHS Interact Club, and especially his son, William, who is the incoming president.
Club Member Providing Today’s Program: Chuck Stedman
Chuck has been a member of our club since 1981. He is married to Vicki and is sets up shop at Stedman Law Firm. He is also a Paul Harris Fellow.
Program: Tracy Taylor – Rotary Reads Program
Tracy Taylor is the Media Specialist at North Graham Elementary School. She is also the wife of past president of the Graham Rotary Club and current District Foundation Advocate, Stephen Kent Taylor. Tracy told us that the seed for the Rotary Reads program was planted in 2009 when the Graham Rotary Club invested $500 to purchase of library books in their pursuit of Rotary International’s literacy focus. In 2010 they also offered to read to North Graham Elementary School students as well as contribute the money. In 2011 Tracy became NGES’s librarian. She asked the Graham Rotary Club to please keep sending readers to North Graham Elementary, which is a Title One school, qualifying for 96% of the students to receive free lunch.
The next year the Graham Rotary Club officially launched the Rotary Reads program, which is this year has been opened to all area Rotary clubs, including our own.
Tracy told us that many of these kids lack positive role models. The simple act of reading aloud to the children and putting books they enjoy into their hands greatly increases their likelihood of developing a greater level of reading proficiency, a huge marker in their journey toward lifelong success. This year Rotary Reads’ goal is to give away 2800 books to local elementary school children. Club and district money combined with the proceeds for an ongoing raffle will provide the funds. 100 tickets are being sold for $100 each for a chance to win a dream vacation for two. Club members were encouraged to purchase and sell chances in this worthwhile endeavor.
In addition to raising money to fund this initiative, Tracy told us that many volunteers are needed to read aloud to students at the various elementary schools in the area. Her husband, Stephen, recently sent an email to all area Rotarians with the links and information necessary to apply to be a reader and enroll in specific spots. She encouraged us to get started in the enrollment process, since it takes a while to vet participants. Each reader will receive a volunteer card allowing access to students. Each school has its own sign up page and contact person. It’s easy to volunteer, but you have to get started. Don’t miss this opportunity to support our community, our club, and Rotary Reads.
Conclusion
Sang presented our speaker with a book to donate to an individual or institution of her choice in support of literacy. Tracy plans to give hers to her school library. Carolyn held the winning ticket in our weekly raffle, but failed to draw the Queen of Diamonds. Only 50 cards left! Sang adjourned the meeting by leading us in a recitation of Rotary’s four-way test.