Newsletter for February 10, 2015
Needham Rotary Club
Tuesday: February 10, 2015
Location: Needham Sheraton
Pledge of Allegiance: Glen Davis
Song: God Bless America; Led by Bob Cocks
Prayer: Led by Reverend Darrell Minnich
Today’s Speaker: Our speakers today were from ‘School the World’, a Boston based group who works with high school students in Central America to build and equip schools, with the understanding that: “171 million people could be lifted out of poverty if all students in low-income countries left school with basic reading skills.”
The 4 NHS students who were with us today will all travel to Guatemala during April vacation with the plans to:
-Help them construct a new school
-Equip that school
-Teach the teachers how to engage the students
-Engage the parents in how to be actively involved with and the importance of their participation in their children’s education.
A total of 11 NHS students will be going to Guatemala, and working in this school.
School the World matches $5 to $1 donated from the Guatemala government and parents, to build this school and equip it. (during the first year). Second year it is a 4 to 1 match; 3rd year 3 to 1, etc. though 5 years.
They are a wonderful group of students, all excited and enthusiastic about going there during vacation. Each student is required to raise $3500.
When asked why this group of students wanted to go, they said:
“Because of the importance of education, and to share the opportunity.”
“I value parents participation in their children’s education.”
“Education will help these students lift themselves out of poverty.”
“To help that community.”
A very sincere and enthusiastic group of students. Go to www.sharetheworld.org to learn more.
•Ted Shaughnessy reported that Gift of Life’s child has just arrived from Central America and will be operated on in the Maine Medical Center.
•Roberta Seligman has submitted her resignation.
•NEF will be hosting a pancake breakfast the first Saturday in March, and Needham Rotary will assist! If you can spend some hours there, please alert Glen and sign up.
•HELP THOSE WHO HAVE HELPED US! Buy a couple of tickets to dinner and Beatles music on Sat, March 7th to help PluggedIn, the Needham youth band program. Our music event was greatly aided by the sponsors of PluggedIn!
Guests:
Paula, second time visitor who works for Salem 5 Bank, friend of Bill Paulson.
From our guest speaker group, ‘School the World’, Alana Flanagan, Communications and Outreach Manager; Mrs. Ronnie Schauer, mother of Tori Schauer, one of the NHS students; Olivia Curran; Grace Ward; Meghan Stevens.
Happy dollars: Rich Forte for the snow(???); Greg Cronin celebrating the return of our President from sick call; Jim Brown GTBH; Doug for the smiley faces and sun; Ken Davis for our guests; Libby for our guests; Andy for GTBH; Chuck who is looking forward to more snow; Kathy looking forward to a good safe trip to Spain; Guest Paul for not having to shovel; Bob Cocks and Darrell for GTBH; Darrel added $10 for more snow; Guest Ronnie for us all to be safe in the snow.
Birthday: We sang Happy Birthday for Bob Cocks and (in abstentia) George Hoffmeister, who both share Valentine’s Day as their birthday.
50/50 drawing: $978 in the pot with now 4 cards only left. No winner this week despite Darrell having the right number!
Joke of the day: Some actual Al Gore statements from Ken Davis:
“I am not part of the problem, I am a Democrat.”
“We’re going to have the best educated American people in the world.”
“I stand by all the misstatements that I’ve made.”
“A low voter turnout is an indication of fewer people going to the polls.”