Newsletter Date: Jan. 5, 2020
Meeting Date: Dec. 16, 2019
Reporter: Sharon Garland
 

INSPIRATION - Rob Brewster

Do your work as though you have a thousand years to live and as if you were to die tomorrow.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS, Etc.
President Geoff reported that the final piece of the very successful Literacy Gala is ready. Gift  baskets, including a framed  photo and a thank you letter with tax information, will be delivered to Gala sponsors.

 

Pres. Geoff presented holiday gratuities to the Marriott's fine kitchen and wait staff members and exchanged flags with Rotarian Ryoichi Murakami from Japan.

 

Anthony Hollingshead reported that a recent guest (hopefully, a future member) was so impressed by the dictionary project that he has offered to assist members with delivering dictionaries to the Providence schools. Contact Anthony for more information.

 

Jim Gilcreast wishes happy holidays to all!

 

Barbara Kenerson is happy to have found for a great Rotary Club in Florida that she will attend while she’s away for four months - “Rotary’s the best!”

 

Wendy Marcus for the service the Marriott staff provide to the club each week

 

Barry Fain for Peter Loescher’s idea to see Bob Dylan perform in Providence. Barry also saw a great production of It’s a Wonderful Life at the Gamm Theatre.

 

Pete Brock is not worried about the Patriots!

 

PDG Kris David reviewed some of the public service projects that have had an international and local impact since Rotary’s founding in 1905. Initially Paul Harris and the businessmen who started Rotary were motivated by networking opportunities and their desire to contradict Chicago’s notorious gangster reputation. The initial public service project they undertook in Chicago was putting the first public restrooms in downtown!

 

Since that time the span of Rotary’s humanitarian efforts have reached around the world. A cornerstone of public service is Rotary’s Polio Plus initiative that has successful spearheaded vaccination efforts to eradicate polio in all but a few countries. 

 

Providence Rotary has sponsored international projects including sending a team of Rotarians to work on clean water and literacy projects in the Dominican Republic. Locally, the club supports literacy in Providence schools, makes grants to social service agencies working with children and holds events to offer kids an opportunity to enjoy socializing with Rotarians at the annual fishing derby and Christmas party.

 

Rotarians seek to engage youth in Rotary programs by providing financial support and personal involvement with youth programs including the international youth exchange and leadership development programs for high school and college students.