Meeting of February 28, 2008

Next Meeting Time & Place: Thursday, March 6, 2008 @ Rotary Scout and Community Center.  Special Events: St. Patrick’s Day celebration- Ginny Dulany

Song: A riveting, physically interactive song led by Bob Brown called “If you’re Happy and you know it, Clap your Hands!”.  It was inspiring. 

Pledge:  President Marion Keenan

Prayer:  Bob Lawrence

Head Table:  President Marion, Gary Mackes and guest speaker, Chuck Rousseau

Guests:  Tom Taylor, a volunteer with the Scout Troop 185 that was planning to use our building, was a guest of Matt Maciarello

Announcements: Mike Abercrombie spoke about the Rotary International Polio Plus program and the $633 million it has raised and the need to continue efforts to eradicate polio in Nigeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, the last four nations where polio is known to exist.  Mike encouraged members to make contributions through the Paul Harris Fellow program.  RI has a goal of $1,000 per club per year for three years, certainly a goal the Rotary Club of Salisbury can achieve.

Simpson Dunahoo reminded members about this coming week’s meeting where we will pay homage to the saintly guy named Patrick.  Good food, green dessert, and free-of-charge green beer will be served.  Regular meal price will be charged during this special event.

April Clyde, head of the Four Way Test Committee, reminded members about the search for nominees for our most prominent award to non-club members.  Nominees should be sent to her by March 12.  The recipient will be announced on March 27 at our meeting at Dove Pointe.

Tom Wieland encouraged members to exercise and to join him on Saturday mornings for running, walking, or cycling.

John Burkett said the GSE Committee has been working to accommodate a Belgium team next month.  His group is planning a local vocational day.  The Belgium group will be at our meeting on April 17.

Main Program:  Chuck Rousseau, manager of the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center, spoke about the center and its many contributions to our community.  He said this Wicomico County-owned facility has a county per capita taxpayer subsidy of $3.79 and strives to be free of taxpayer dollars.  Chuck indicated that the building creates an infusion of $15.5 million per year to the local economy.  About 800 events are held in the building annually.

In the larger county Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism, where the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center is housed, there are 60 full time employees, 500 part time workers, and more than 1,2000 volunteers.

Interestingly, the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center was built after World War 2 as a living memorial.

50/50 Winners : Marie Calafiura and Simpson Dunahoo

       Enjoy Rotary!