We welcomed special guest, former president, Anne Pardee, visiting for a week from her new home in Berkeley, California. Great to have her back.
The Rotarian Magazine
President John Beal opened the meeting with a slide show of the photographs that won prizes in The Rotarian Magazine, photographs submitted by Rotary members to illustrate some of the work being done by Rotary Clubs around the world. You can see them by going to this link:
First prize: Children at a nonprofit school supported by the Rotary Club of Castle Rock High Noon in Colorado. The school is run by Transafrika Cultural Institutes. The graffiti on the wall says “Peace wanted alive.”
Honorable mention: By an Ambassadorial Scholar from St. Andrews, Scotland working at Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi, India where a workshop educates young people and teaches essential skills.
Honorable mention: Kevin Jenkins of the Rotary Club of Rhinelander, Wisconsin with a photo of Sacred Heart Secondary School.
Honorable mention. Dyah Kartikawening, Rotary World Peace Fellow, from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with a photo of work following Hurricane
Honorable mention: Daniel Wherry, Rotary Club of Lincoln, Nebraska. with a photo of the Sons of Thunder orphanage, the beneficiary of a matching grant with District 5650 from Iowa; Nebraska, and the Rotary Club of Livingstone, Zambia.
Honorable mention: Nick Phillips, Rotary Club of Eshowe, South Africa with a photograph of work done by Rotary to help the families of the Mhlathuzana community in South Africa rollowing a wildfire.
Announcements
Saturday, Sept. 19 – parking at the Shelburne Farms Harvest Festival
Wednesday, Sept. 23 – Dr. Philip Ades, speaker
Thursday, Sept. 24 – board meeting
Saturday, Oct. 24 – District meeting at Randolph High School
Saturday at the Harvest Festival
Bill Root said he needs more volunteers for the 9 to noon shift and for the afternoon shift. Everyone will wear Rotary vests and hats – and Bill will wear the honorary Shelburne Farms cap presented to him by Dave Jonah.
This project is both a community support effort and a trade for use of the Coach Barn for the Car Raffle in October.
Sergeant at Arms
Don Condon levied one birthday fine – from Rosalyn Graham
Happy fines:
Sue McLellan – a fun evening at the South Burlington Art Hop and the Rotary tent
Ric Flood – a great bike ride in Massachusetts
Jim Spadaccini – happy to see Anne Pardee visiting
Steve Dates – enjoyed breakfast with former guest speaker Jon Aldrich, the IBM conservation programs director, who said how much he had enjoyed our meeting, and made a donation of $10 for Rotary
Kris Engstrom – for Anne’s visit – and leaving for vacation in Maine
John Hancock – for the Red Sox win
Trafton Crandall – for his daughter’s wedding on the weekend
Eric Hanley – for his daughter winning a part in a play
Rosalyn Graham – for Anne’s visit
Dave Jonah – for son Will’s first football game in Middlebury
Tom Glaser – for the Cowboys’ win
Gary Bergeron -- for the Patriots’ win
George Ewins – going to Scotland for several weeks’ vacation
Anne Pardee – happy to be here – California is a “Vermont wannabe” she said – being back she really appreciates Vermont as a really special place – thanks for the work done by Rotary to beautify the entrance to the Museum – the Museum is thrilled she said.
Lucky draw: George Schiavone’s ticket was drawn but he chose the wrong card. The pot is over $500 – and that should encourage everyone to buy multiple tickets.
Reminder
The Car Raffle is coming in October and everyone is encouraged to start selling Pumpkin Raffle tickets which give buyers the opportunity to spend $10 for a chance to win a $250 ticket for the event – a ticket which gives a 1 in 100 chance to win a Honda Fits.
Guest Speaker
Kathleen Wilson and John Beal
Kathleen Wilson has been Executive Director of the Women’s Rape Crisis Center for ten years. She described the many roles of the WRCC which she said are not limited to helping women, provide help in cases of sexual violence to all ages.
Some statistics:
Support advocacy and referrals for 511 survivors of sexual violence and their loved ones between July 2008 and July 2009
WRCC has seen a 21% increase over the past three years
WRCC handled more than 2558 hotline calls during the year.
An agreement with Fletcher Allen Health Center and the police provides support for survivors as WRCC staff accompany them through examination and treatment
Support groups provide help for current victims and many who are dealing with issues from violent incidents in the past
New laws on minimum sentences for sexual violence mean more trials – WRCC provides advocacy
19,000 people have partcipated in public outreach programs
Service is provided in Chittenden County – part of a state-wide coalition
People with mental and physical disabilities are 70-times more likely to be assaulted and WRCC works with the Howard Center to provide service to this community. The homeless and substance abusers are also especially vulnerable
Funding is 60% from federal funds, 20% from private foundations and the balance from public supporters. Their budget is $500,000.
Note
SPECIAL NOTE FROM SERGEANT AT ARMS DON CONDON: Don is crusading to get up-to-date information about everyone in the Club Directory – and he’s getting tough. He’s planning to levy $1 fines for anyone who doesn’t have a bio and photo in the directory. Check out your status and save yourself a dollar!! And if you need a photo, check with Rosalyn at the meeting – she always has her camera.
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