Meeting of January 10, 2008

Next Meeting Time & Place:  January 17, 2008.   RSCC Program: Delmarva Discovery Ctr., Brian Garrett and Don Haldren

Song: “I Walk the Line” led by Matt Maciarello (on bongos!) ably assisted by John Aukward (on guitar!!) and John Burkett (on castanets!!!). 

Pledge:  President Marion Keenan

Prayer:  Dave Morgan

Head Table: President Marion, John Burkett, George Whitehead, and guest speaker, Robin Neely.

Guests:  Kay Hickson, Bill Quinn, Barbara Smullen, Gary Howell

Announcements: 

• Club Calendars for January and February are available.
• Thank you letters from children who received dictionaries were distributed around the tables. Chris Peek initiated round of applause to Past President Allen Brown for organizing the giveaway.
• Thank you, Mike Bloxham, for donating your (belated) birthday cake to tonight’s dessert!
• Regular meeting of January 24th at RSCC will be an OYSTER ROAST.  Dinner for $15.00 includes all the oysters you can eat, as well as pork BBQ and various side dishes. Sign up sheet will be available next week.
• Don’t forget upcoming Valentine dinner “East of the Bay and West of the Ocean” on February 14^th Bill Cropper will have sign up sheet available starting next week.
• President Elect Henry Vinyard informed members that this year’s District Conference will be held April 24^th – 25^th in Annapolis.
• President Marion sent John Burkett’s name to DG Judy Friis as our selection for President 2009.
• Barbra Smullen, graphic artist, who has donated her professional services to design our Directory, was presented with a copy of the Four Way Test.
• Chris Layton reminded interested Rotarians that January 19^th has been reserved for a pheasant/quail hunt @ Owens Station, Greenwood DE (www.owensstation.com).  For additional information, contact Chris.  Cell #443-359-0571; e-mail chris@easternshorekitchens.com.
• PAC 14 Home Town Heroes is featuring Rotary’s Service By Youth programs.
• April Clyde gave her “two minute talk”.  April is a Pittsburgh native and a rabid Steelers fan.  A Registered Nurse, she also owns Delmarva Pet Resort and breeds dogs.  She is also, “… a vicious Texas Hold’Em Player”!

New Member Installation:  President Marion inducted Gary Howell.  Hank Engster introduced Gary to the Club.  Welcome Gary!!  Get ready for your two minute speech!

Program:

George Whitehead introduced Robin Neely, representing Maryland Mentoring Partnership.  The program began in 1988 as Project Raise to combat drop out rates in Baltimore City.  It grew into providing statewide services for local mentoring programs.  She cited that although 52,000 youth are in mentoring programs in the state (1,700 on the Easter Shore), the need is far greater.  She challenged everyone to consider what positive impact we can have on young people.  Rocky Burnett, who is a mentor, commented about how positive the experience has been.  George Whitehead is a member of the Mentoring Advisory Council which is strategizing how to expand on the Shore.  Anyone interested in joining the effort can contact George or Robin Neely.

50/50 Winners :  Gary Mackes and Bob Lawrence - $12.00 each.

       Enjoy Rotary!