President Harrington recognized Howard Pell for his time and effort in producing, editing and submission of the Video to Rotary for competition. The video placed third in the group. She also recognized Darren Sweeney for wearing his Rotary pin while meeting with a client.
Guests for Monday's meeting were: Prospective member Neil Swayze, guest of Howard Pell, Carolyn Martindale guest of Dave Martindale, our Speakers Jay & Linda Eastman, and our inbound exchange student Saeko Oshima, and outbound student, David McCrae.
Paul Van De Kamer introduced our two speakers, Dr. Jay and Linda Eastman, members of the Rotary club of Rochester, Michigan and founders of a health and literacy organization in Guatemala.
Dr. Jay indicate that they have been involved with this program since 2006 when they came to realize the tremendous need and that they could make a difference if they worked at one effort at a time. Over the years they have involved others in their effort including our club which has assisted with the health and the literacy effort by providing money for books and other services. There has been a combined effort of $475000 by our club and other clubs to support the Health Promoter and literacy programs.
Linda has actively been working at identifying and seeking support for the literacy program especially the current teacher training efforts. She was able to organize and offer a “Motivating Children to Read” workshop on May 13 to 15. Teachers have no state training and are mainly grade 12 graduates that start teaching with no training, minimal and occasionally no pay and few resources.
Through Linda’s efforts a book company, “Artemis Edinter libr”, and a group that has been reading to children on the streets have joined Linda’s efforts to improve the skills of the teachers and provide resources. Through Linda’s efforts and training in Early Childhood Education a curriculum has been created and a variety of different teaching techniques have been taught as part of the teacher training program. At the end of the workshop a large number of books have been generously provide to the teachers by the Book company partner. All in all a very successful program.
Karen Redman thanked the Eastmans for both their very enthused and passionate presentation and also for the great contribution they are making to the people of Guatemala.
Paul Rostrup reminded members of the KidsAbility Fun Day on Saturday June 13. A couple more volunteers are needed for the afternoon, please contact Paul or Melissa Tummon if you are available.
Louise Gardiner let us know that she has added to her tan thanks to time spend in Mexico. In addition, while playing euchre she experienced being dealt the perfect euchre hand.
Paul Rostrup was happy to be making members aware of the Kid’s Ability day on June 13 as well as inviting others to join the group of helpers that have already volunteered.
David and Seiko, our “Out and In” Exchange students expressed their mixed emotions about the past weekend, the final district 7080 get together for the year. For David, it is the anticipation of the year in a new country and for Seiko it is leaving the many people that have become her friends.
Everyone who wore a Rotary pin this week and/or talked to a nonmember about Rotary other than at a Rotary meeting was asked to submit a ballot into the quiz envelope.
