Charlotte-Shelburne Rotary - Newsletter

Steve shared a Rotary Moment from the Rotary Foundation Thoughts - #46 “Matching Grants and how one project brought clean water and hope for a better future.”

Matching Grants assist Rotary clubs and districts in carrying out humanitarian projects with clubs in other countries. A recent Foundation Matching Grant allowed Rotarians in India to provide 36 hand-pump wells to rural villages in Andhra Pradesh state where there is a severe shortage of water. Access to clean water will improve the quality of life for those living in these villages by helping to prevent disease and alleviate poverty. Every Rotarian, every project, and every contribution makes a difference every year.

Announcements

Pancake Breakfast

Eric Hanley thanked those who volunteered to help the Pancake Breakfast at the Shelburne Community School on Sunday, April 5. Over $1,000 was collected toward the 2010 school band trip to Disney World. Eric mentioned that the group has brought in $20,000 within the last two weeks.

View photos from the event.

Bowl-a-Thon

Ric Flood announced that the date will be determined by the next meeting. Also give your name list to Ric for the letters.

Group Study Exchange

Steve announced the GSE – incoming Taiwan team will be here May 8 – 17. See Steve if you are interested in this.

CharlotteSenior Center

CSR received a thank you from the Charlotte Senior Center for the lunch provided two weeks ago.

Polio Plus Benefit

Richmond-Williston Rotary club will host a Polio Plus benefit April 17 at the Old Brick Church. Atlantic Crossing and Heather Morris Dancers 5:00pm. $8.00 ($5.00 for seniors and under 12).

Ski Challenge

CSR received a thank you from the Williston Rotary club for the participation in the Ski Challenge.

Future Programs

April 15 – speaker – Jon Aldrich – “IBM Energy Conservation”

Upcoming Events

April 18 (Sat.) – District Assembly at DHMC. Register on-line.
May 14 – 17 – Basic Harbor District Conference. Register on-line.

Sergeant at Arms

Kris Engstrom shared a joke with club members. John Beale was Kris’ assistant. Kris announced that there is $186 in the pot.

Happy fines:

Sue McLellan – birthday
Jimmy Fayette – birthday
Bob Sanders – anniversary
Michele Lash - pin fine
Kris Engstrom – pancake breakfast and the “I Love Lucy Moment” with Terrell
Ric Flood – slept through the pancake breakfast – he forgot
John Hammer – pancake breakfast – for the wonderful SCS employee who continuously helped
Eric Hanley – thank you for all the pancake breakfast helpers, for the Hockey Cats and for his daughter with him
Steve Dates – the Hockey Cats
Dennis Webster – son inducted into honorary society
Sue McLellan – vacation in Florida
Pat Sokoloski – daughter accepted in to Pratt Institute (with a scholarship)
Jim Spadaccini – saw Ric’s spirit at the pancake breakfast (even though Ric was not there)
Terrell Titus – learned that pancake batter makes a good face mask
Don Condon – forgot the breakfast
Carole Obuchowski – attended the Quebec maple syrup event
John Dupee – paid his taxes so probably won’t get a seat on the Obama administration

Drawing: “Ron Cline” picked ticket. Bruce Willitts was the winner but drew the wrong card.

Presentation

Steve Dates introduced club member, Michele Lash. Michele holds the titles of ED, ATR, CMHC, BCIA-C and talked about how to ‘Reverse the effects of stress with Tools, Techniques & Technology any time, any place, 24/7’. Michele’s certifications include: Licensed 1 on 1 HeartMath Provider; Licensed Resilient Educator Instructor (HeartMath); Certified in Biofeedback and Psychophysiology; Stress & Anxiety Management; Optimal Performance; Test Anxiety; Thrive Under Pressure.

Michele presented a power point and gave a handout to all members on ‘De-Stress Kit for the Changing Times’. Reading this will give further understanding and exercises on how to help you handle your emotional stress better. A timely subject for all of us!

A few highlights of her talk:

People are experiencing extra stress due to the current lifestyle, economic challenging times, and personal challenges. People are so stressed, they are not learning to recover or to be resilient. How people respond to stress depends to a large degree on their emotional memories. (An example of this was given about when a person was bitten by a dog when he was a young child and the emotions and images evoked when the adult sees a frightening dog. Suggestion was given to positively help get through this type of memory.)

How can people change perceptions during these stressful times?

Create positive emotions to help with: increased longevity, increased resilience to adversity, improved problem solving, improved memory, increased happiness, increased job performance and achievement, etc.

Neutral (breathing) is a short term response: must shift to a positive feeling to get to resilience; what makes your heart come alive; what makes you feel good; remember a special place; the appreciation for someone, something in nature, anything that makes you feel good; don’t think it – feel it.

Heart-focused breathing to reduce stress and anxiety.

One of Michele’s power point slides was on Emotional Landscape. High energy and high arousal emotions include anger, fear, worry leading to low energy/low arousal - depression anxiety, sadness. Countering these emotions were high energy/high arousal – enthusiasm, appreciation, joy, love to low arousal, low energy/low arousal – peaceful, calm, content. The slide delivered the message of how to offset the negative emotions with the positive and calming emotions.

More information on the HeartMath tools for stress relief is available on the handout and Michele’s web site is: www.michelelash.com