Meeting Notes 1 8 09 - Hospital Ship Mercy

Hi All!

Welcome back from our 3 week hiatus since the Christmas Party. John Boivin got us going today with a Groaner about a Marine and some of his friends on an airplane, then Moses Atwood brought dignity to the meeting with a beautiful prayer for the New Year, our New President-Elect, and all Rotarians. Bill Sheffield then lead us in the Pledge to our Flag, and Jay Overman lead the 4-Way Test. Thanks, guys!

I started off the Happy Dollars with a celebration of the New Year, but Laura Snow topped me with 5 happy dollars at her relief that we won't have poker games at the dog track. There were several other happy dollars, including a set of 5 from Huntley, who made us all laugh as only he can do!

As Laverne Baker came up to introduce our visitors and guest, I thanked everyone for their cards and emails and for attending Bill Henderson's funeral. It was a great SubWest turnout (Ted, Jerold, Ferd, Tom J., Bob Stone, Fritz, Bill Spain, Mike and Sam Marshall, and probably some others I've forgotten - just email me and I'll add you in). The Air Force Color Guard did a beautiful job as did the preacher. I'll do a separate blog entry on Bill with some of the photos we used in the Celebration of Life brochure we passed out at the service.

Laverne introduced our 2 visiting Rotarians; Tom Vaughn form Gulf Breeze and Jerry Black for Spruce Pine, NC and Courtney Peterson's guest; Scott Harding.

Charlie Peppler then gave us an update on Guiliana and the International Project that Trisha and he are leading the way on. They need about 100 pounds of school supplies to add to the backpacks she is soon taking to Costa Rica. Contact Trisha directly to get you contribution to her. She's also like toothpaste and brushes and I think some of our SubWest dentists have been asked to contribute.

We got the official word today that the District Simplified Grant for this project has been approved, for $2,100! As a result of the grant application process, we will also receive $1,380 in SubWest District Designated Funds (DDF) PLUS 3 other clubs are giving us some of their DDF money! The other clubs are; Panama City Beach with $1,000 (wow, thanks!), Pace Rotary $620 (thanks Ed Carson if you see him!), and Tri-Cities Rotary with $200 (much appreciated!). We really owe Christine Isham a lot of thanks from both a club and district perspective. She made the whole thing happen for the district, and a a result, many people will receive much more help through Rotary projects than anticipated this year. Good Job, Christine!

Skip Dennis then did the Wolley and basically found a way to collect from all of us. Good job - Skip! Fast and efficient!

Bob Stone won the drawing and with only 21 cards remaining, had a chance at the $510 in the pot, but pulled the 10 of clubs and generously contributed his $10 consolation prize back to the foundation.

John Stein then introduced our guest speaker, Lt. David Deikus (sp?) who told us about his experiences offering medical missions of Mercy aboard the hospital ship. He had photos of the countries he visited and some of the folks they helped along the way. A wonderful mission and nice first-hand description of what life is like on one of these deployments.

John, thanks for another great program! I can't wait to see you all again next week...BC.