Rotary Bulletin #46 for the Week of Thursday, May 14, 2009
Pledge, Prayer and Song
President Aaron led the pledge, Kevin Rachford prayed, and Captain Russ, aka Bucket, led the singing.
Visiting Rotarians and Guests of Rotarians
Tim Kelly, Assistant District Governor, was visiting our club and brought with him the visiting GSE team members, Robert Nsibirwa, Benedict Nsana, and Gilbert Kansime. George McFaddin introduced his wife, Audrey or as some know her, Rotary Annie. Visiting from the El Centro Elementary School District with Bob Pletka were, Juan Cruz the Principal of Kenney Middle School and from Sunflower Elementary, Principal Spencer Wavra.
Announcements & Upcoming Events
2009 District Conference – Temecula Creek Inn, Temecula, CA (May 14-17). President Aaron and Bobby Brock will be attending the conference and representing the amazing, one-and-only Rotary Club of El Centro!
Highway Cleanup – Frank Miranda reminded Rotarians about the upcoming Highway Cleanup happening on Saturday, May 30th. Volunteers will meet at 7:00am in the In N Out parking lot. A signup sheet will be passed around at the next meeting.
2010 District Conference – Pres. Aaron invited Rotarians to signup for the 2010 District Conference scheduled for May 13-16, 2010 at the Barbara Worth Golf Resort. And, to make a good showing of support at the 2009 District Conference, members of the Club were encouraged to pre-register at the meeting so that we can show strong favor and representation at next year’s event. The Club was willing to foot the bill to get members the early rate, and those that accepted the deal are going to reimburse the Club. The early rate was $150 prior to May 14th, and is now $180. Registration information is available at www.5340.org.
Jennifer Thomason thanked the campout committee and gave each member of the committee an embroidered souvenir hand towel.
Past President Lee informed the club membership of that the annual dinner (kickout) would be held on June 11 at the Mirage Room at the NAF. Please sign-up.
Eusebio thanked all of the club members who participated in the strategic planning session.
GSE Team
Welcome to the 2009 In-bound GSE Team from District 9200. Members of the GSE Team from Uganda were Rotarian Team Leader Robert Nsibirwa, Benedict Nsana, and Gilbert Kansime. The GSE Team consisted of educators from Uganda that were here to visit Rotary Clubs and San Diego and Imperial County schools and sights. Experiences shared by the team consisted of feeling very welcome and appreciative of the hospitality they’ve received, the realization that Americans love their dogs and are very patriotic. Impressed with the overall emphasis on education in the Imperial Valley, team members noted the differences in available resources such as textbooks, notebooks and pens, not too mention computers, desks and chairs between the US and Uganda. Thanks to local coordinator Tim Kelley and the other host families of Dr. Don Barniske & Sue Giller, and Dr. Victor Jaime for housing our guests and showing them a great time in the Valley.
Program
George McFaddin introduced Mr. Carlos Flores, Executive Director of the San Diego Regional Center (SDRC). The SDRC serves people with developmental disabilities in San Diego and Imperial Counties. In the Imperial Valley alone, SDRC provides services for over 1,200 residents. SDRC is a private, nonprofit 501c3 whose goals are to: 1) Enhance a network of supports to assure consumers have quality health care, 2) Create more services for persons with autism, and 3) Increase the number of consumers in competitive and supportive employment. Once a consumer has been approved to receive services in one regional center, they are eligible for services at any other regional center throughout the State of California (21 regional centers). Thank you to Mr. Flores for a terrific and important program. And, thank you for the great work that the SDRC does for our family members and loved ones.
Drawing
It goes without saying that Bill Thomas and his poker-table won the drawing. Dan Williams represented the “table.”
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