President Earl opened the meeting at 7 am, the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by Craig followed by Carol leading the members in the invocation.
Guests
Shanley Crane (East Wenatchee Rotarian) brought John Carey who is looking at different clubs. Zach Pauw was also a guest again and if you haven't had the opportunity to get to know him, be sure to spend some time with him at the changeover dinner!
Announcements
Holmbergs: 2017 Broadview North (Wenatchee)
Stage Kids performance: Grace City - 277 Melody Lane (North on Easy Street from highway 2; take the first left).
John McD reported that Saturday's parking for the parade netted $275.
John S. gave an update of the Board minutes. In addition to a lot of what was already discussed:
- Still exploring ways to improve the service club sign at the north end. Robin is following up with the city.
- Went over our club goals for the coming year.
- Discussed 11 Challenge Scholar applicants (all from WestSide High School.)
Rotary Moment
Kevin highlighted this month on the Rotary Calendar - Fellowships month, not to be confused with Funlowship Month! This might just catch on! (Or not, who knows! Ok, we probably all know, sheesh.)
Rotary Fellowships are international groups that share a common passion. Being part of a Fellowship is a fun way to make friends around the world (especially if you don't call them Funlowships, which let's admit, they really are), explore a hobby or profession, and enhance your Rotary experience. See https://www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/more-fellowships for more information.
Brags and Confessions
Kelly claimed to be 60, but no one knows how that could be. Probably just trying to make Alan feel better. Go Kelly!
Kathleen is heading out of town to Delaware to see her mom and sisters. Then off she's off to see the Wizard in Orlando or at least to meet up with Steve and go to Disneyworld!
Ruth performed live in front of a real audience; it's great to start getting back to normal! A treat for them to hear her play the piano for sure.
John Schapman's daughter had two pictures in the latest Foothills magazine as a St. Joe's student. If you've never seen what she looks like, well, this isn't a good time either. It was back when they had to wear masks, but she's famous now and we're counting it!
They added two more to the list this week (Ancient Lakes and Iron Bear) and now are in the 80's.
And why didn't they stay together on the trail; haven't they heard of the buddy system?!
Rebecca connected through Zoom with many of the other Rotary Exchange students from her year in Germany (1979-1980). They are all over the world now and it was really fun to catch up with all of them. Her parents are going to be coming on Thursday so she won't be able to go to the Wizard of Oz and offered her tickets to anyone to use, but wouldn't say no to someone donating the cost to the club.
Program
daughters are the property of their father. When they get married, they become the property of their husband and if their husband dies, the widow is discarded property; the husband's family gets all of their possessions and home.
Sister Connection provides four pathways to self-sufficiency for widows:
- Homebuilding - provides shelter, safety, and stability; and it only costs $750!
- Sponsorship - $35/month provides enough for food, clothing, medicine, and more.
- Vocation Training - jobs require skills; goal is to develop Burundians to be the trainers.
- Microenterprise - ability must be met with opportunity. Loans average $150 and to date the over 2400 loans have been paid back at a 98% rate.
One of the key programs is “in3”. 3 years, 3 steps to financial independence. $1,500 pays for her needs including a home, as well as vocational training and Microenterprise funding.
When they build a home, it's not about building and leaving. The widow uses the program to hire local Burundis and source local materials which reconnects the widow to the community and returns a sense of worth to the widow not only in herself but in the eyes of her community. The homes belong to the widow and they can sell them to move or leave to their children. They build about 125 homes per year and have built almost 2400 brick homes to date.
Helping a widow typically helps three children as well. There are between 2200 and 2300 widows helped, but also around 8000 children. Sponsoring a widow makes the difference for children to be able to stay in school rather than work for survival.
Lake Tanganyika has swelled over its banks and flooded towns and due to changes in weather is not expected to return to previous levels. This has displaced thousands of people in this densely populated country. Many have left, many have stayed. People risk both disease and crocodiles; people have nowhere to go. There are some relief camps, but disease runs rampant. There are no real government resources in this poor country.
Craig hasn't seen Shelter Boxes there yet, but has seen UNICEF. His ask was to support relocating widows at a cost of $770 each. John McDarment offered to pay the first $500 for a sponsorship if the club would cover the rest and the board said they'd review it. Good luck Craig!
Raffle
Somehow Robin's ticket was drawn and she wasn't even present; see how easy it is! Alas, she picked up the lavender marble. She didn't win, but I bet she has wonderful smelling breath!
Closing
Earl quoted Napoleon, no not that one, the other one - Hill. "Do not wait: the time will never be 'just right'."
Earl adjourned just after 8 am. See you all tonight or Friday night!
Or Saturday morning or next Tuesday! Or maybe I'm watching you right now and you just don't know it! Ok, got a little creepy there, apologies. Have a great week and remember, Service Above Self.
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