Regular Maating, November 17, 2010

(Sarah Shann and Dr. Dave Watkins of the MTU Chapter of Engineers Without Borders.)

Attendance: 25 including guests Linda & Dave Grahek (Breckinridge Rotary), Marie Busch (Hancock Rotary), and Sarah Shann and Dr. David Watkins of Engineers Without Borders, MTU.

President Tim reminded members of upcoming important dates:

Dec 3: Bell ringing for the Salvation Army. We need a few ringers. Contact Tim and 337-2000.

Dec 14: Keweenaw County Courthouse. 9-12, to help with Sheriff Lahti's No Kid Without a Christmas.

February 15: The Visioning Program

March 11: Community Spaghetti Dinner

The program: Sarah Shann, a senior Civil Engineering student at MTU and Dr. Dave Watkins, Advisor, rose to tell us about the MTU chapter activities of Engineers Without Borders. There are about 60 active members of the chapter representing a variety of disciplines all of which are necessary in any given project. In addition to fund-raising, the chapter is involved in university services, conferences, grant writing, and especially the projects themselves. For example:

Project 1: A Nutrition and Day Care center in El Porvenir, Honduras. The project designed a community and day care plan and engineering drawings on a given site.

Project 2: In Bolivia, in conjunction with the Rotary Etta Project, a hygienic composing toilet to replace the pits and unsanitary methods in use.

Project 3: In Guatamala, a clean water project, named the Copper Country Guatamalen Accompiament Project in which sanitary wells are constructed along with hand pumps and health information instruction. One example, is a coloring book for youngsters to help them know and practice good health standards.

An interesting and vital program for 3rd world development. Further information can be obtained from the EWB-MTU President, Stephanie Tuck, stuck@mtu.edu, or Vice President Sarah Shann at sshann@mtu.edu.

See you next week.

Regular Meeting, November 10, 2010

Today, we met at the new Garden View Assisted Living and Memory Care and were hosted by the Director, Janice Vivian.

Attendance was 21 including guests Linda & David Grahek, Chuck Wicker with roses from the Hancock Rotary Club Fund-raiser, and Betty Kilpela. The roses are beautiful and only $50 per dozen all to the benefit of benefit of Rotary. They are still available at Kathy's Country Flowers.

In addition, Karen King represented the CLK schools.

Jim Lowell, who presided, reminded everyone of the meeting from 9-12 on December 14 at the Keweenaw County Courthouse to work on the Sheriff's Annual Christmas Presents.

The rest of the meeting was devoted to honoring our Veterans. Andy Murtaugh played a moving music video entitled, A Pittance of Time, written and performed by Terry Kelly of Newfoundland. Andy reminded us of a Veteran's Day tradition in Canada: at 11 a.m. on the 11th day of the 11th month, the entire country stops for 2 minutes in remembrance of all veterans.

In addition, Andy ordered a cake decorated with "235" honoring the United States Marine Corps 235th birthday. He presented it to former Sgt. Don Kilpela who shared it with the group.

Kilpela, a noncom, says he was gratified to be in the company of so many retired officers and salutes them all as well as all veterans everywhere.

Following this, the meeting adjourned and Janice took everyone on a tour of the brand new facility. Speaking for the group, it is a warm and interesting home where everyone should feel very comfportable, The sleeping rooms are large and the recreation areas and dinner spaces very pleasant. All in all, it is a wonderful home for our elderly.

(Members on tour through the Garden View Assisted Living and Memory Care in Calumet.)

Business Meeting, November 3, 2010

(Jim networks after the meeting with Amy and Sandy.)

Attendance today was 19 and included 1 guest, Linda Grahek.

Ad hoc President Jim Lowell brought the meeting to order and after lunch and a round of happy dollars, worked his way through the agenda.

First on the agenda was the traditional lusty salute to November birthdays, namely Joel, Phil, Amy, Babette, and Scott.

Financial Report: Sandy delivered the Financial Report showing a "Total on Deposit of $11,104.90." Motion to accept the report was seconded and passed.

Attendance in October was 59% with perfect attendance by Tim, Patsy, Dan, Jim, Dick, Tom T., and Peter.

Upcoming Programs:

November 10: Our luncheon meeting will be held at the new Garden View Assisted Living.

November 17: "Engineers Without Borders"

November 24" "Choices" presentation

Bell Ringers: There are several unfulfilled time slots for the December 3 Salvation Army Bell Ringing assignment. All are welcome to help out the Army.

Committee Reports:

Education/Choices/scholarships: Training for the next Choices program at Lake Linden High School on December November 11, 12 will be help Monday Evening (November 8) at p.m. in

Spaghetti Dinner: No report

Visioning Program: Chairman Dick Schaefer reminds everyone that the program will be held at the Irish Times on February 15, 2011, from 5-9 p.m. This important work session will deal with our future as a viable Rotary Club. Accordingly, everyone is encouraged to attend. Happily, Dick reported that almost everyone is signed up at present. There will be no luncheon meeting on February 16.

Italian Hall Luminaries: Prior to placing the candles, Jeff will look into purchasing a candle (or other source) that will burn longer and resist the weather better.

Foundation 5 X 5 Club. Amy reported that she is considering awarding the 5x5 fellowships at the visioning program in February. She also mentioned that there is still a space available on one of the clubs.

Provisional Membership: The board requested that the club review our Provisional Membership policy. Much discussion followed with the sense of the meeting seeming to favor eliminating the provision. A motion to discontinue provisional membership with the proviso that the two members taking advantage of it, namely Jim Lowrie and Babette Tikkanen, be grandfathered and allowed to remain as provisional members. The motion was discussed thoroughly and passed with a split decision.

Raffle: Won by Patsy. Unfortunately. Patsy had left by the time we got around to the drawing so Dan accepted the money on her behalf and gave it to Tom T. to give to Patsy.

In closing, Jim reminded everyone that the Board Meetings are at the Range Bank Conference Room at 4 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month. Next one is on November 16.

(Lisa Ronan of the Irish Times and CLK Rotarian Janice Vivian share a moment after the meeting. They have been close friends for many years. Janice will host our next meeting at the Garden View and Lisa will cater it.)