Pledge: President Keith
Prayer: Gerri Lewis
Song: Bill McLaughlin
Brents Card Game Winner: Andy Anderson
Sergeants Report: Lee David
Welcome Guest Kevin Wright from New York
Raffle Winners: Walter Osborne, Keith Wescovich and Paul Moore
Happy Bucks: John was happy he has secured the first host family so far for our incoming exchange student, Bill Bernard was happy about his shipment of donated clothing going to Kenya.
Announcements
Bill Bernhart: The Chester Rotary Club is having their annual Lobster Fest on Sept. 12.
Pres. Keith: Following the regular meeting, the Foundation Board and the Board of Directors will be meeting
Gerri: As ADG, Gerri informed the club of visits she has been making to other clubs. She has visited Essex, Deep River and the Chester Club and every 3rd Wed, goes to New Haven. The club picks up her expenses and the club is eventually reimbursed by the district. PETS (Training for incoming club Presidents) this year is Jan. 2010. There will be a membership seminar/workshop for Middletown and New London areas. See Gerri if you are interested in attending. RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) will be held at the Bridgeport Holiday Inn on Nov. 13, 12 and 14. The cost is $235 per student.
John Donnelly: The District Foundation Seminar will be held on Sat. Sept. 26 at 7pm at the Deep River Cong. Church. This seminar will show you how to obtain matching grants and working with RI to fund projects. John needs help setting up.
Program: John Donnelly
Johns program dealt with looking at the problem of literacy in our area. RI has been at the forefront of this problem for many years. The greatest areas of illiteracy is Africa and Asia particularly among women. RI has worked to reduce barriers that hold people back. RI has 6 area coordinators who work with the International Reading Association. There are 300,000 educators in over 100 countries. Do we have a problem locally? 4.5% of the children in our region come from homes where the primary language isn't English.There are 11 different language-speaking students at the Middle School. Its important that as a club, we work with existing programs and help out. Our dictionary program is one way. The Interact Club can be a potential source of help as well. Gerri has been a volunteer for several years now.
Sept. 8 is Literacy Day and March is National Literacy Month.
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