Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Stafford Rotary Highlighter for May 24, 2006
Stafford Rotary Meeting May 17,2006
President Randy Burdette presided and welcomed guests: PDG Sandy’s guest Cheryl Beagle, Stafford County Budget Director; John Lynch, guest of Mark Osborn—John moved here from Fairfax County; Carole’s guests were Meaghan and Cleo; Ralph Sutton’s guests was from Heritage Press.
Quiz:
PDG Sandy discussed how gifts to the Rotary Foundation are held for three years. Joan announced that we are only 2 members short of having a 100% Paul Harris Fellow club.
Announcements:
Mark Steele reminded us that the May 24 meeting will be held at the Bowman Distilery.
The May 31 program was to have been Robin Sutton classification talk, but Robin has suffered a serious dog bite (an eye injury), so she will be unavailable for a few weeks.
Shirley gave a Relay for Life update. For the first time, this year's relay will feature a teddy bear lap. Everyone who walks in the teddy bear lap should carry a bear, which will be donated to hospitals for child patients.
Mark Smith reminded us of the May 20 party before the Relay for Life begins.
AG Carol reminded us of the District Awards Banquet on Sunday, June 25 at Fredericksburg Country Club.
Program:
Our speaker was the Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, Bill Howell, an honorary member of our club. He explained the problems that the House and the Senate are wrestling with in trying to set the budget during this very long session.
The Senate and Governor Kaine want to raise an additional billion dollars in tax revenues for transportation projects. The House wants to avoid new taxes and find other sources of revenue for transportation. He said he wants to reorganize the way the transportation issue is managed. Transportation is perhaps the most important issue facing Virginia. Speaker Howell has three goals:
Reform VDOT—perhaps by creating some regional transportation authorities.
Coordinate development between local governments and the Commonwealth.
Create a new income stream—including increased fines and penalties for bad drivers.
During the Q&A sessions Speaker Howell discussed the importance of rail development and the issue of affordable housing. Joan wanted to know why VDOT can’t make better use of the HOV lanes?
Are You Reading the Bulletin?
When did Rotary International officially begin to encourage clubs to exchange banners?
The answer can be found on our club webpage www.staffordrotary.org.
Happy Cup
Carlos fined everyone brought twenty dollar bills and only bought 3 tickets.
Ann was happy about an announcement that REC was making. Check http://www.myrec.coop/ to read the Thursday press release.
Mary was happy about her reward.
AG Carol was happy little Cleo visited. Jack has begun physical therapy.
Jeff Davis was happy about May birthdays—he and Carole. We sang Happy Birthday.
Carole said she was happy that Cleo was visiting her for a week.
Cheryl was happy to visit and happy to have met Sandy.
Pastor Fred was happy about Bill’s program. He joked that some friends bought an air conditioner from T, and it’s still working!
Nicolette thanked Ann and Shirley for all their work organizing the Relay for Life teams.
Mark Osborn was happy about Bill’s program and Mr. Lynch’s visit.
Joan reminded us that our big drawing is next week.
PE Aric was happy about Joan’s successful work as Foundation chair this year. His wife Carol’s boss is allowing her to work remotely from Canada for three months so she can be there with Aric Christian.
Nelda read some happy thoughts from Kim Stuller, who was our Employee of the Quarter.
Nelda was also happy about Bluemont concerts moving to Porter Library this year.
President Randy thanked Speaker Bill for his program.
New Member Corner
No Personal
Privileges
Frequently, friends ask whether Rotarians receive special business benefits from their Rotary membership. Should Rotarians expect a special discount or some preferential service just because they are dealing with a fellow Rotarian?
The answer is clearly
“no?’ The RI Manual of
Procedure expressly states the Rotary position on this matter. The policy, originally approved by the RI Board of Directors in 1933, is that in business and professional relations “a Rotarian should not expect, and far less should a Rotarian ask for, more consideration or advantages from a fellow Rotarian than the latter would give to any other business or professional associate...Any use of the fellowship of Rotary as a means of gaining an advantage or profit is contrary to the spirit of Rotary.”
On the other hand, if new or increased business comes as the natural result of friendship created in Rotary, it is the same normal development that takes place outside of Rotary as well as inside, so it is not an infringement on the ethics of Rotary membership.
What Are You Reading?
Lincoln’s Melancholy: How Depression Challenged a President and Fueled His Greatness by Joshua Wolf Shenk
Abe the Emancipator, argues Washington Monthly contributor Shenk, struggled with persistent clinical depression. The first major bout came in his 20s, and the disease dogged him for the rest of his life. That Lincoln suffered from "melancholy" isn't new. Shenk's innovation is in saying, first, that this knowledge can be illuminated by today's understanding of depression and, second, that our understanding of depression can be illuminated by the knowledge that depression was actually a source of Lincoln's greatness. Lincoln's strategies for dealing with it are worth noting today: at least once, he took a popular pill known as the "blue mass"—essentially mercury—and also once purchased cocaine. Further, Lincoln's famed sense of humor, suggests Shenk, may have been compensatory, and he also took refuge in poetry. Unlike Americans today, Shenk notes, 19th-century voters and pundits were more forgiving of psychological and emotional complexity, and a certain prophetic pessimism, he notes, was appropriate to the era of the Civil War. Sensitive history, with important implications for the present.
The Rotary Foundation News
Annual Giving Saves Lives
The Malawi Children’s Village (MCV) has meant the difference between life and death
for more than 28,000 people, including 3,000 children orphaned by AIDS.
Rotary Foundation Matching Grant projects have helped provide MCV with everything from clean water, food, and medications to blankets, sewing machines, and a windmill. Supported locally by the Rotary Club of Limbe, the program places up to two children with families in more than 37 villages in Malawi.
“Before the program started, it wasn’t uncommon for a family to be caring for up to 18 children,” says Frank Wargo, past governor of District 7890 (parts of Connecticut and Massachusetts, USA), who helped develop a Matching Grant. “With little food, no health care or
help from the government, many children died not of AIDS but neglect.” Kevin Denny, of the Rotary Club of Canandaigua, New York, USA, and Chakunga Sibale founded the program in 1997. “[MCV] has had a very great effect to relieve the suffering of children in my country,” says Sibale, director of the program. “It’s very rewarding to realize that the project has made a crucial difference for thousands of people,” adds Denny.
The Foundation’s Annual Programs Fund is extending Rotary’s compassionate reach to people around the globe. Whose life will your next Foundation contribution help save or change?
Other Dates to Remember
Upcoming Programs
May 24— Field Trip to A. Smith Bowman Distillery.
May 31 - John Lafley-Classification Talk
June 7 -Janice Lancaster of the Image Studio.
June 14— " Sabine", a motivational speaker and singer who won the Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2004.
June 21 - Martha Crimmons, owner of the Spooner House bed and breakfast.
June 28— Tracy Coleman, cake designer and owner of Let Them Eat Cake.
Bluemont at Porter Library
The Bluemont summer concerts in Stafford will be presented on the grounds of Porter Library at 2001 Parkway Blvd.
The first concert will be held Friday, June 30.
The Stafford Rotary has volunteered at these events many times. This is a fun event. Sign up to volunteer.
President Randy Burdette presided and welcomed guests: PDG Sandy’s guest Cheryl Beagle, Stafford County Budget Director; John Lynch, guest of Mark Osborn—John moved here from Fairfax County; Carole’s guests were Meaghan and Cleo; Ralph Sutton’s guests was from Heritage Press.
Quiz:
PDG Sandy discussed how gifts to the Rotary Foundation are held for three years. Joan announced that we are only 2 members short of having a 100% Paul Harris Fellow club.
Announcements:
Mark Steele reminded us that the May 24 meeting will be held at the Bowman Distilery.
The May 31 program was to have been Robin Sutton classification talk, but Robin has suffered a serious dog bite (an eye injury), so she will be unavailable for a few weeks.
Shirley gave a Relay for Life update. For the first time, this year's relay will feature a teddy bear lap. Everyone who walks in the teddy bear lap should carry a bear, which will be donated to hospitals for child patients.
Mark Smith reminded us of the May 20 party before the Relay for Life begins.
AG Carol reminded us of the District Awards Banquet on Sunday, June 25 at Fredericksburg Country Club.
Program:
Our speaker was the Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, Bill Howell, an honorary member of our club. He explained the problems that the House and the Senate are wrestling with in trying to set the budget during this very long session.
The Senate and Governor Kaine want to raise an additional billion dollars in tax revenues for transportation projects. The House wants to avoid new taxes and find other sources of revenue for transportation. He said he wants to reorganize the way the transportation issue is managed. Transportation is perhaps the most important issue facing Virginia. Speaker Howell has three goals:
Reform VDOT—perhaps by creating some regional transportation authorities.
Coordinate development between local governments and the Commonwealth.
Create a new income stream—including increased fines and penalties for bad drivers.
During the Q&A sessions Speaker Howell discussed the importance of rail development and the issue of affordable housing. Joan wanted to know why VDOT can’t make better use of the HOV lanes?
Are You Reading the Bulletin?
When did Rotary International officially begin to encourage clubs to exchange banners?
The answer can be found on our club webpage www.staffordrotary.org.
Happy Cup
Carlos fined everyone brought twenty dollar bills and only bought 3 tickets.
Ann was happy about an announcement that REC was making. Check http://www.myrec.coop/ to read the Thursday press release.
Mary was happy about her reward.
AG Carol was happy little Cleo visited. Jack has begun physical therapy.
Jeff Davis was happy about May birthdays—he and Carole. We sang Happy Birthday.
Carole said she was happy that Cleo was visiting her for a week.
Cheryl was happy to visit and happy to have met Sandy.
Pastor Fred was happy about Bill’s program. He joked that some friends bought an air conditioner from T, and it’s still working!
Nicolette thanked Ann and Shirley for all their work organizing the Relay for Life teams.
Mark Osborn was happy about Bill’s program and Mr. Lynch’s visit.
Joan reminded us that our big drawing is next week.
PE Aric was happy about Joan’s successful work as Foundation chair this year. His wife Carol’s boss is allowing her to work remotely from Canada for three months so she can be there with Aric Christian.
Nelda read some happy thoughts from Kim Stuller, who was our Employee of the Quarter.
Nelda was also happy about Bluemont concerts moving to Porter Library this year.
President Randy thanked Speaker Bill for his program.
New Member Corner
No Personal
Privileges
Frequently, friends ask whether Rotarians receive special business benefits from their Rotary membership. Should Rotarians expect a special discount or some preferential service just because they are dealing with a fellow Rotarian?
The answer is clearly
“no?’ The RI Manual of
Procedure expressly states the Rotary position on this matter. The policy, originally approved by the RI Board of Directors in 1933, is that in business and professional relations “a Rotarian should not expect, and far less should a Rotarian ask for, more consideration or advantages from a fellow Rotarian than the latter would give to any other business or professional associate...Any use of the fellowship of Rotary as a means of gaining an advantage or profit is contrary to the spirit of Rotary.”
On the other hand, if new or increased business comes as the natural result of friendship created in Rotary, it is the same normal development that takes place outside of Rotary as well as inside, so it is not an infringement on the ethics of Rotary membership.
What Are You Reading?
Lincoln’s Melancholy: How Depression Challenged a President and Fueled His Greatness by Joshua Wolf Shenk
Abe the Emancipator, argues Washington Monthly contributor Shenk, struggled with persistent clinical depression. The first major bout came in his 20s, and the disease dogged him for the rest of his life. That Lincoln suffered from "melancholy" isn't new. Shenk's innovation is in saying, first, that this knowledge can be illuminated by today's understanding of depression and, second, that our understanding of depression can be illuminated by the knowledge that depression was actually a source of Lincoln's greatness. Lincoln's strategies for dealing with it are worth noting today: at least once, he took a popular pill known as the "blue mass"—essentially mercury—and also once purchased cocaine. Further, Lincoln's famed sense of humor, suggests Shenk, may have been compensatory, and he also took refuge in poetry. Unlike Americans today, Shenk notes, 19th-century voters and pundits were more forgiving of psychological and emotional complexity, and a certain prophetic pessimism, he notes, was appropriate to the era of the Civil War. Sensitive history, with important implications for the present.
The Rotary Foundation News
Annual Giving Saves Lives
The Malawi Children’s Village (MCV) has meant the difference between life and death
for more than 28,000 people, including 3,000 children orphaned by AIDS.
Rotary Foundation Matching Grant projects have helped provide MCV with everything from clean water, food, and medications to blankets, sewing machines, and a windmill. Supported locally by the Rotary Club of Limbe, the program places up to two children with families in more than 37 villages in Malawi.
“Before the program started, it wasn’t uncommon for a family to be caring for up to 18 children,” says Frank Wargo, past governor of District 7890 (parts of Connecticut and Massachusetts, USA), who helped develop a Matching Grant. “With little food, no health care or
help from the government, many children died not of AIDS but neglect.” Kevin Denny, of the Rotary Club of Canandaigua, New York, USA, and Chakunga Sibale founded the program in 1997. “[MCV] has had a very great effect to relieve the suffering of children in my country,” says Sibale, director of the program. “It’s very rewarding to realize that the project has made a crucial difference for thousands of people,” adds Denny.
The Foundation’s Annual Programs Fund is extending Rotary’s compassionate reach to people around the globe. Whose life will your next Foundation contribution help save or change?
Other Dates to Remember
Upcoming Programs
May 24— Field Trip to A. Smith Bowman Distillery.
May 31 - John Lafley-Classification Talk
June 7 -Janice Lancaster of the Image Studio.
June 14— " Sabine", a motivational speaker and singer who won the Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2004.
June 21 - Martha Crimmons, owner of the Spooner House bed and breakfast.
June 28— Tracy Coleman, cake designer and owner of Let Them Eat Cake.
Bluemont at Porter Library
The Bluemont summer concerts in Stafford will be presented on the grounds of Porter Library at 2001 Parkway Blvd.
The first concert will be held Friday, June 30.
The Stafford Rotary has volunteered at these events many times. This is a fun event. Sign up to volunteer.
// posted by Virginia Blogger @ 7:09 AM 
