Today's Chair: President Kevin Sixbey called the meeting to order and led us in the pledge, national anthem and the 4-way test.
Invocation: Amy Rohler gave a thoughtful prayer for hope, asking for renewed capacity for hope.
Visiting Rotarians and Guests: Cheri Krull introduced Sydney Wendel, Exchange student to the Czech Republic in 2019-20 who is also daughter of today’s speaker. Jake Schrantz, Fiscal Officer of CRCF. Joanna Dahlbeck’s husband Gordon. Prospective member Max Eimiller of Slone Melhuish.
Announcements: President Kevin reminded us that the Social Committee and Fall Fundraiser are still in need of leadership. Please help out your Rotary!
Kevin passed on the challenge from RI President, Shekhar Mehta, who announced his membership goal, to raise membership from 1.2 to 1.3 million, using the call to action “each one bring one.” Each Rotarian to introduce one person to Rotary.
Golf Tournament is August 30. Deadline for registration or sponsors is August 20. Remember, we count on this money to fund out projects in Jamestown and in the world! Here’s an opportunity for “each one bring one”. Introduce someone new to Rotary through a fun tournament that funds important projects.
The Golf Tournament needs someone to run the 50/50 at the dinner. Contact Kevin or Sharon Hamilton for more information.
Randy Sweeney. Sunday night at 6:30 is the Bonfire with the Resource Center campers at Camp Onyasa. Adam Rohler and Tim Edborg will be providing music. Please come.
Ruth announced that the first meeting of the DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) Committee will be Thursday, August 19 at noon at the Jackson Center. Anyone interested is welcome to join us.
50/50 Drawing: Andy Goodell $55 for 50/50 to Bill Larson!
Sargent at Arms Doug Conroe. Kirk fined for his radio interview concerning enrollment issues at JCC. Resource Center people paid up for Denise’s picture in the paper for the 25th annual Golf Classic. Tim Edborg covered the debt. Vince Horrigan accurately answered that on this date in 1974 Gerald Ford was inaugurated. Anyone who did not attend the Rodeo or the Cruise-In was fined.
Happy Bucks. Joni is going to Portland Maine for her daughter’s engagement party. Tory asked anyone with a red name badge with “2019” on it to please trade it in for a blue one. Randy Sweeney and Russ Diethrick are celebrating a successful season of the Tarp Skunks and that Babe Ruth World series starts on Saturday. Sue and Greg Jones are thrilled to report Eliza, their 1st great-granddaughter, was born this morning. Sydney gave multiple bucks for being able to study and travel abroad thanks in part to Rotary. Jake Shrantz-Gail Donus for her donations to Rotary International and the club.
Greg Jones spoke of the relevance of Rotary in the world.
He started with an interesting history of vaccinations. There have been 5 important vaccinations in history.
1. Small Pox in 1796. (This is the only disease that has been eradicated)
2. Measles, mumps and rubella.
3. T-dap vaccine. Tetanus Diphtheria Pertussis
4. HPV. Papillomavirus
5. Polio vaccine. Since 1979 there has been no new case in US. In 2018 there were only 33 cases worldwide. Thanks to the international focus Rotary has placed on this disease that strikes the young and is transmitted person to person, through contaminated food and water.
In addition to providing the vaccinations, the “plus” in the Rotary Plus campaign represents funding that supports equipment, water, food and supplies including soap. A 2010 study showed that the vitamin A given at the same time as the vaccine prevented 1.2 million deaths from a range of diseases.
Greg concluded, Yes, Rotary is relevant!
Paul Harris. Due to Covid, today Gail Donus was presented her 7th and 8th Paul Harris pins.
In the late 1970’s Gail’s husband Dan Maginnis joined Jamestown Rotary. It was only after he joined that they became aware of the Polio Plus campaign and the worldwide impact that Rotary has. They have been recognized as Major Donors to the Rotary Foundation and as level 4 members of the Rotary Bequest Society.
Gail spoke of the significance of Rotary in her life. Their 1st Rotary Convention was in Toronto where they were amazed to find 30,000 people who share their values. She and her husband realized they could make a bigger impact through gifts to the Rotary Foundation and became benefactors. They were confident the funds would be used wisely and found the process transparent. Daniel Maginnis Endowed Fund provides support between the World fund and District Designated fund. Gail said, “We felt this way we could make the biggest difference in the world.”