Alex David - Totality or Bust

 

Alex, who appreciates astronomy, discussed the upcoming solar eclipse on April 8, and reflected on the ways that the eclipse, and the cosmos in general, put our place in the universe in perspective.

Tent Dinners Clarification.

Money raised from tent dinners exceeded the amount needed to support the Ghana Water Grant 23-52766.  We pledged to contribute $900.00 plus a 5% service fee of $45.00.  We will include the names of members who donated to the dinners when the money is sent to the foundation.  There were 187 clubs from 8 countries who pledged to support the total budget of the grant which was $239,000.

 

The remaining funds raised from the tent dinners will be used for a future international project for the club’s International Committee, which will be starting to plan future projects and activities.  If you would like to join the International Committee, please contact Kris David.

 

This Saturday morning is the District training assembly at New England Tech in East Greenwich.  All incoming officers are encouraged to attend.

 

April 20, at White’s of Westport from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, there will be a workshop to help clubs prepare their goals for the coming Rotary year in the area of membership.  The workshop will focus on storytelling, engaging audiences, and taking action.

 

The food packaging project will be held in the morning on April 27 at the Nuesto Mundo Public Charter School located at 17 Gordon Avenue in Providence.

 

Sign up for Rotary Day of service which is May 18.

 

District conference is May 3-5.  Three districts will be involved. 

Kris David introduced the speaker, Major Stephen Lopes of the Salvation Army. 

 

The Salvation Army began in England during the industrial revolution.  At this time in London, there was forced labor in mines and factories.  Generally, there was silence, but a young Methodist minister named William Booth felt called by God to make a difference outside of the Church.  By the 1860s, the Congregation became frustrated with Rev. Booth and with his activities and promotion of societal change in contrast to their views that pastors belonged inside the church.  Rev Booth resigned from the Methodist Church, and along with his wife Catherine, they began a grassroots effort, working directly with people on the streets.  Gradually, the budding organization accumulated new volunteers.  Maj. Lopes likened Rev. Booth’s leadership to MLK’s leadership in the American Civil Rights movement.  In 1865, the Salvation Army was born, then known as the Christina Mission Society. 

Elijah Shirley then began the groundwork for the Salvation Army in the US.  The work of the Salvation Army in the US began in 1880.

 

Today, the Salvation army is in 132 countries, with 14K churches, 105 hospitals, 1,382 medical clinics, with 467K inpatients and 747K outpatients.

They work around the world, in both the developed and developing worlds.

 

Ray Kroc, founder of McDonald’s, was impacted as a young boy when a Salvation Army officer gave him a pair of ice skates.  Kroc bequeathed $2B to the Salvation Army, and now there are 26 Kroc Centers in the US.

 

In Rhode Island, over 10K families are served, over 28K individuals are served, 77K meals are served, and 28K nights of shelter are provided.

Salvation Army is sometimes called “The best kept secret in the US.”   Major Lopes clarified that the Salvation Army, although faith-based, serves people of all backgrounds and demographics.  

Art Norwalk, chair of the Literacy Committee, sent the following:

 

Our Literacy Partner schools have invited Rotarians and friends to read to their students when they celebrate Reading Weeks in April and May. Volunteers will spend about 45 minutes reading to children, who will really appreciate it. The schools will provide books appropriate to the grade you'll be visiting, or you can bring your own favorite children's book.

 

Please check out the schedule below and send the date(s) and time(s) you're available to artnorwalk@gmail.com

The schools will confirm your time or suggest another if the one you requested is not available.

 

Getting to know the students we support through the club's Literacy Initiative is a great experience.