Please greet Andy Sherry of Middlesex Bank who is close to being a new member of Needham Rotary.

MINUTES FOR THE OCTOBER 7TH MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF NEEDHAM:

Guest Speakers:

1.  Susan Neckus from the Needham "Step Up Program" which provides mentor tutoring to low income-eligible Needham HS students briefed club members. Needham Steps Up is seeking financial support (dispensing some $25,000 a year), and is always looking for people to volunteer their time.

2. Our frequent visiting Rotarian from the Lakewood Washington Club, Charles Haberli, spoke to us about our duties as citizens.  Chas is a retired Colonel in the U. S. Army, and runs the Citizenship project.

The Citizenship project is a non-profit organization incorporated in the State of Washington.  It is non-partisan and the only special interest it has is the "people's interest."  It is a charter member of the National Alliance for Civic Education and a partner in The Character Education Partnership and Communities in School.

The mission of The Citizenship Project is to enlighten citizens and inspire them to make a nation that is really of, by, and for the people. It serves the public as a non-partisan non-profit organization.

The program the Citizenship Project uses to train citizens is called "You the People."  It is a group process that lets people experience the principles and ideals of a democratic republic and trains them to accomplish the duties of its highest office--Citizen. It focuses on the local level.

It is used in 1700 Secondary Schools nationwide, the U.S. Job Corps, and a number of youth leadership programs.  The Lightspan Study Net has given it their Award of Excellence.  The program motivates citizens to do their jobs regularly, rationally, and responsibly.   Chas made the point that being a Citizen is the highest office in the land.  We are the ones the politicians work for.

Since citizens are the base of power in democratic forms of government the main focus is citizen awareness and training. It promotes the idea that the most important thing each citizen should know how to do is to fulfill their most critical responsibility--the election of people of knowledge, wisdom, ability, and high moral character to represent them.

Chas has worked very hard in this group since he retired from the US Army, and he does a great job of reinforcing the core beliefs of citizenship, patriotism and the belief that democracy is not a spectator sport.

For more info on the organization's work, see:  http://www.citizenproject.org/index.html

OTHER MINUTES FOR THE WEEK:

Thanks to our volunteers:

Pledge of Allegiance:  Glen Davis

Song:  God Bless America, led by Bob Cocks

Prayer: Led by Darrell Minnich

Announcements:

- Gary Zeller has submitted his membership application and is being reviewed for membership.

-Reminder of the 10/22 bowling party at the Bowlaway on Chestnut St Needham, next to Harvey’s Hardware. Starts at 6:30pm!

- Erica has graciously agreed to once again host the holiday party at her home on Friday December 12^th at her home.
- Our ‘Social’ committee is also planning a progressive dinner for this year as well.

Guests:   Susan Neckus from ‘Needham Steps Up’, Charles Haberli our guest speaker, and soon to be member Gary Zeller.

Happy Dollars:  Lois for a sweet new year, Chuck for the Pats game, Jim for his trip to California, Roberta went to California as well, Rick Davis for his day sailing with Bill and Kathy Whitney, Tom for his son’s marching band finishing first in the New England Scholastic Band Comp., George on getting back from 3 weeks in Spain, Louise for the Celtics, Greg for booking the Great Hall on 1/24 for the music awards night.

Lois’ presidential minute: This weeks "secret president" was the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin. He may not be that popular outside of Russia at this moment, but he is admired in Russia.

50/50 drawing: The 50/50 pot is $649.  Libby got the winning ticket but not the winning card (Queen of Hearts).  She picked the three of diamonds.

Humor: The Husband and Wife Stores!

A store that sells new husbands has opened in New York City, where a woman may go to choose a husband. Among the instructions: You may visit this store ONLY ONCE! There are six floors and the value of the products increase as the shopper ascends the flights. The shopper may choose any item from a particular floor, or may choose to go up to the next floor, but you cannot go back down except to exit the building!

So, a woman goes to the Husband Store to find a husband. On the first floor the sign on the door reads:

Floor 1 - These men Have jobs. 
She is intrigued, but continues to the second floor, where the sign reads:

Floor 2 - These men Have jobs and love kids.
"That's nice", she thinks, "but I want more."

So she continues upward. The third floor sign reads:

Floor 3 - These men Have jobs, love kids, and are extremely good looking.
"Wow," she thinks, but feels compelled to keep going.
She goes to the fourth floor and the sign reads:

Floor 4 - These men have jobs, love kids, are drop-dead good looking and help with housework.
"Oh, mercy me!" she exclaims, "I can hardly stand it!"

Still, she goes to the fifth floor and the sign reads:

Floor 5 - These men have jobs, love kids, are drop-dead gorgeous, help with housework, and have a strong romantic streak.She is so tempted to stay, but she goes to the sixth floor, where the sign reads:

Floor 6 - You are visitor 31,456,012 to this floor. There are no men on this floor. This floor exists solely as proof that women are impossible to please.