Tuesday, February 28, 2006
On a Dark, Difficult Night, We Saw the Light of a Caring Community
On a Dark, Difficult Night, We Saw the Light of a Caring Community
While We Waited For A Plane That Never Came, Caring Community Members Softened The Blow.
The following article was published on the op-ed page of the Free Lance Star on February 28, 2006. Carol and Linda have agreed to have it republished on our club web log.
YOU CAN LIVE in a community for years and never realize how important people are to one another--until tragedy strikes. Last Wednesday night we lost some very dear friends in an airplane crash. We saw and experienced firsthand the grief of this tragedy, but we also observed heroism, selflessness, compassion, and a true sense of community emerge.
Four of our friends had traveled to Winston-Salem for a Wake Forest basketball game. Rick Potter, Buck Jacoby, and Graham Green were all members of Stafford Rotary. Mike Pappas, Graham's friend, had come along, too. Flying a light plane over 200 miles for a sporting event wasn't unusual--it was the kind of adventure these men loved.
Carole Green, Graham's wife, arrived at the Stafford airport at about 11:45 to pick up the men. But the plane wasn't there. As the minutes ticked away, it became increasingly clear that something could be amiss. Carole called us for support, especially since one of us is a pilot. We called a friend who works with the Federal Aviation Administration, waking him from a dead sleep. He sprang into action, phoning his office, and collecting and relaying what information he could--the first of what would be a long line of community members who responded to the crisis, sharing their expertise, their energy and their hearts.
By the time we arrived at the airport at 1:30, airport manager Ed Wallis was opening up the terminal. Ed was accompanied by his son, David. David is a member of the Stafford Rescue Squad and had just come off a long shift. He was tired and hungry. No one would have thought less of him if he'd gone to bed, but he didn't. He immediately climbed into his truck to head to the airport because people needed help. David wants to be an emergency medical technician and he certainly proved that he has the compassion and dedication for that job.
Ed and David never stopped that night--helping the Sheriff's Office interpret the radar information and triangulate the area where the plane might be; donning boots and searching the perimeter of the airport in the dense fog; and heading out at 3 a.m. to find an open grocery store to buy crackers and fruit because one of the waiting family members suffered from low blood sugar.
In the wee hours of the morning, Ed's wife, Jane, arrived carrying a teakettle and a box of mint tea, with the words "I figured you folks have had all the caffeine you could handle." Jane didn't know any of the wives waiting there, but it didn't matter to her. She stayed there the rest of the time, dispensing tissues, hugs, and kindness. The Stafford Airport and the community have a real treasure in this family.
Deputies dispatched
The airport staff are certainly not the only people who deserve mention. Deputy Amy Barthold was the first deputy on the scene and never left. Soon more deputies arrived, including Sgt. Gregory Barnes, who immediately went into emergency mode. Everyone from Sheriff Charles Jett on down was called out, and the mobile command center deployed. Deputy Barthold assumed duties as liaison with the families, a role later assumed by Deputy Christine Hammond. Both were absolute godsends. No one could have been more attentive to the families. No errand was too small for them to take on; no question too insignificant. When the families expressed a desire for privacy, Barthold and Hammond were fierce in their protection. Other deputies brought in coffee and doughnuts for everyone.
Deputies called Rick's wife, Glenda, and Buck's wife, Libby. Libby was sound asleep, so an officer was dispatched to her house to wake her up and bring her to the airport. Meanwhile, Stafford called the Fredericksburg Police Department to ask them to do the same for Mike's wife, Amy. At all times, the deputies' main concern was for the safety and support of these women. They were simply outstanding.
As Sheriff Jett's officers took charge, they were impressive. Sgt. Gregory Barnes was such a sharp young man and so dedicated to his mission. He constantly explored innovative ways to locate the plane and the missing men. We assume that the Stafford Sheriff's Office had not dealt with a plane crash before, but they did everything possible to find the plane, including tracing all the cell phones and monitoring the frequency of the plane's emergency locator transmitter. They had deputies on ATVs and on foot searching the surrounding area. It was a cold, wet, and foggy night, but when the deputies were told that they needed to search a marshy area on foot, there was not one word of dissent. They simply headed out to do their jobs, thinking only of the missing men and their families. They were totally professional, all of them, and we were so impressed with their creativity and tenacity.
As the night wore on, other emergency responders came to the airport. Rescue squads, the Civil Air Patrol--to a person, everyone was kind and considerate. When the state police arrived on the scene, we saw no evidence of the type of territorial posturing one hears about in this type of situation. The two agencies worked together as one team in a coordinated effort. The state police seemed to be aware that the deputies had a special bond with the families and respected that relationship.
Care and compassion
During the ordeal of waiting, the families' pastors stood watch with them. We were joined at the terminal by the Rev. Larry Haun from Fredericksburg Baptist Church, the Rev. Allen Fisher from The Presbyterian Church in Fredericksburg, and the Rev. Fred Donohoe, a retired Lutheran pastor who is also a member of Stafford Rotary. It's easy to say, "Well, that's their job, they're pastors," but these men really cared and actively supported the families.
Throughout the night, the Stafford Sheriff's Office and the state police ensured that the families were kept informed of the progress of the search. Initially, the sheriff met with the families every few hours to brief them. He was later joined by Sgt. Frederick L. Tyler of the state police. Even if there had been no progress in the search, they still made sure the families were informed. The families always knew that they had all the information available.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Sgt. Tyler has been extremely supportive of the families. He kept them informed of the progress of the investigation and ensured that they had the opportunity to visit the crash scene, a visit that was very important to many of the family members.
The shock of this loss will reverberate for a long time in the lives of those who knew Rick and Buck and Graham and Mike. But in the depths of the dark grief of loss, there is a light. We live in the best community. In the face of tragedy, the love and compassion of friends and strangers cushions the blow. Community is love in action, a bulwark against the worst life can throw at us--worth building in the good times, for the bad ones are sure to come.
You take these community service people for granted. But when you see them in a situation like this, you realize how valuable they are. They will always have our deepest gratitude.
LINDA BURDETTE is a licensed pilot and a resident of Dogwood Airpark in Stafford. CAROL FOLEY is past president of the Stafford Rotary Club and a resident of Stafford.
Date published: 2/28/2006
While We Waited For A Plane That Never Came, Caring Community Members Softened The Blow.
The following article was published on the op-ed page of the Free Lance Star on February 28, 2006. Carol and Linda have agreed to have it republished on our club web log.
YOU CAN LIVE in a community for years and never realize how important people are to one another--until tragedy strikes. Last Wednesday night we lost some very dear friends in an airplane crash. We saw and experienced firsthand the grief of this tragedy, but we also observed heroism, selflessness, compassion, and a true sense of community emerge.
Four of our friends had traveled to Winston-Salem for a Wake Forest basketball game. Rick Potter, Buck Jacoby, and Graham Green were all members of Stafford Rotary. Mike Pappas, Graham's friend, had come along, too. Flying a light plane over 200 miles for a sporting event wasn't unusual--it was the kind of adventure these men loved.
Carole Green, Graham's wife, arrived at the Stafford airport at about 11:45 to pick up the men. But the plane wasn't there. As the minutes ticked away, it became increasingly clear that something could be amiss. Carole called us for support, especially since one of us is a pilot. We called a friend who works with the Federal Aviation Administration, waking him from a dead sleep. He sprang into action, phoning his office, and collecting and relaying what information he could--the first of what would be a long line of community members who responded to the crisis, sharing their expertise, their energy and their hearts.
By the time we arrived at the airport at 1:30, airport manager Ed Wallis was opening up the terminal. Ed was accompanied by his son, David. David is a member of the Stafford Rescue Squad and had just come off a long shift. He was tired and hungry. No one would have thought less of him if he'd gone to bed, but he didn't. He immediately climbed into his truck to head to the airport because people needed help. David wants to be an emergency medical technician and he certainly proved that he has the compassion and dedication for that job.
Ed and David never stopped that night--helping the Sheriff's Office interpret the radar information and triangulate the area where the plane might be; donning boots and searching the perimeter of the airport in the dense fog; and heading out at 3 a.m. to find an open grocery store to buy crackers and fruit because one of the waiting family members suffered from low blood sugar.
In the wee hours of the morning, Ed's wife, Jane, arrived carrying a teakettle and a box of mint tea, with the words "I figured you folks have had all the caffeine you could handle." Jane didn't know any of the wives waiting there, but it didn't matter to her. She stayed there the rest of the time, dispensing tissues, hugs, and kindness. The Stafford Airport and the community have a real treasure in this family.
Deputies dispatched
The airport staff are certainly not the only people who deserve mention. Deputy Amy Barthold was the first deputy on the scene and never left. Soon more deputies arrived, including Sgt. Gregory Barnes, who immediately went into emergency mode. Everyone from Sheriff Charles Jett on down was called out, and the mobile command center deployed. Deputy Barthold assumed duties as liaison with the families, a role later assumed by Deputy Christine Hammond. Both were absolute godsends. No one could have been more attentive to the families. No errand was too small for them to take on; no question too insignificant. When the families expressed a desire for privacy, Barthold and Hammond were fierce in their protection. Other deputies brought in coffee and doughnuts for everyone.
Deputies called Rick's wife, Glenda, and Buck's wife, Libby. Libby was sound asleep, so an officer was dispatched to her house to wake her up and bring her to the airport. Meanwhile, Stafford called the Fredericksburg Police Department to ask them to do the same for Mike's wife, Amy. At all times, the deputies' main concern was for the safety and support of these women. They were simply outstanding.
As Sheriff Jett's officers took charge, they were impressive. Sgt. Gregory Barnes was such a sharp young man and so dedicated to his mission. He constantly explored innovative ways to locate the plane and the missing men. We assume that the Stafford Sheriff's Office had not dealt with a plane crash before, but they did everything possible to find the plane, including tracing all the cell phones and monitoring the frequency of the plane's emergency locator transmitter. They had deputies on ATVs and on foot searching the surrounding area. It was a cold, wet, and foggy night, but when the deputies were told that they needed to search a marshy area on foot, there was not one word of dissent. They simply headed out to do their jobs, thinking only of the missing men and their families. They were totally professional, all of them, and we were so impressed with their creativity and tenacity.
As the night wore on, other emergency responders came to the airport. Rescue squads, the Civil Air Patrol--to a person, everyone was kind and considerate. When the state police arrived on the scene, we saw no evidence of the type of territorial posturing one hears about in this type of situation. The two agencies worked together as one team in a coordinated effort. The state police seemed to be aware that the deputies had a special bond with the families and respected that relationship.
Care and compassion
During the ordeal of waiting, the families' pastors stood watch with them. We were joined at the terminal by the Rev. Larry Haun from Fredericksburg Baptist Church, the Rev. Allen Fisher from The Presbyterian Church in Fredericksburg, and the Rev. Fred Donohoe, a retired Lutheran pastor who is also a member of Stafford Rotary. It's easy to say, "Well, that's their job, they're pastors," but these men really cared and actively supported the families.
Throughout the night, the Stafford Sheriff's Office and the state police ensured that the families were kept informed of the progress of the search. Initially, the sheriff met with the families every few hours to brief them. He was later joined by Sgt. Frederick L. Tyler of the state police. Even if there had been no progress in the search, they still made sure the families were informed. The families always knew that they had all the information available.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Sgt. Tyler has been extremely supportive of the families. He kept them informed of the progress of the investigation and ensured that they had the opportunity to visit the crash scene, a visit that was very important to many of the family members.
The shock of this loss will reverberate for a long time in the lives of those who knew Rick and Buck and Graham and Mike. But in the depths of the dark grief of loss, there is a light. We live in the best community. In the face of tragedy, the love and compassion of friends and strangers cushions the blow. Community is love in action, a bulwark against the worst life can throw at us--worth building in the good times, for the bad ones are sure to come.
You take these community service people for granted. But when you see them in a situation like this, you realize how valuable they are. They will always have our deepest gratitude.
LINDA BURDETTE is a licensed pilot and a resident of Dogwood Airpark in Stafford. CAROL FOLEY is past president of the Stafford Rotary Club and a resident of Stafford.
Date published: 2/28/2006
Sunday, February 26, 2006
We Mourn and Celebrate Our Lost Friends
During the last minutes of Wednesday night, February 22, a plane carrying four friends returning from to Fredericksburg from a Wake Forest basketball game crashed, killing all four men. Three of them were our dear fellow Rotarians with whom we had met, broken bread and laughed at our Wednesday noon meeting:
G. Graham Green, III., past district governor of Rotary District 7610 and founder and charter president of the Rotary Club of Stafford.
Albert H. "Buck" Jacoby, a charter member of the Stafford Rotary.
Richard "Rick" Lee Potter, treasurer of the Stafford Rotary.
Also on the plane was Michael Gus Pappas.
We Rotarians have been privileged to know these men. Their deaths are a terrible loss to all of us. They were good friends, faithful Rotarians and community leaders.
March 1 Meeting Canceled
Our meeting for Wednesday, March 1 has been canceled.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Correction
The notes from the January 4 meeting incorrectly stated that Kybecca Wines provides wines to Augustine's restaurant. Augustine's does not purchase any of the wine on its wine list from Kybecca.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Stafford Rotary Highlighter for February 22, 2006
Meeting of the Rotary Club of Stafford
February 15, 2006
Guests:
President Randy presided and welcomed guests D.J. McGuire, guest of PDG Graham Green, John Freeze, guest of Ralph Sutton, Helen Vanderland, guest speaker, Dondal Duckworth, guest of PDG Sandy Duckworth. Visting Rotarians were Don Mohr from the Fredericksburg Rotary and Jim Herrera from the Rappahannock Rotary.
Program:
Vicki Lewis introduced our guest speaker, Helen C. Vanderland, CPA, Internal Audit Director, University of Mary Washington. Helen was a member of the Group Study Exchange Team that went to northern Germany in 1999. Since Helen has two daughters who were quite young at the time she asked to stay with German Rotarian families with children. GSE was an opportunity for her to build lasting friendships with families in Germany.
She became quite close to one of her host families. They sent their two daughters for a three week visit with Helen in Virginia. As the girls grew they went to school in Maine and spent holidays with Helen’s family in Virginia. In 2002 another of her host families came to Virginia to visit. These visits inspired Helen’s younger daughter to study German in high school. Last summer she spent three weeks in Germany with Helen’s friends from GSE.
Helen’s husband had not been interested in foreign travel before Helen joined the GSE team. After so many exchanges with people in Germany he agreed to a family vacation in Europe. They met Helen’s GSE friends and toured Austria and Germany and gained a new perspective on the world.
At the end of the meeting PE Aric distributed Valentines with free doughnut certificates for everyone and special prizes for several lucky Rotarians.
The meeting concluded with the Four Way Test.
Are You Reading the Bulletin?
Why do our badges have our first names in much larger type than our last names?
The answer can be found on our club blog http://www.staffordrotary.blogspot.com/
What Are You Reading?
Rick Potter recommends reading Bloody Point by Linda White.
After her agent-husband is murdered, young FBI agent Cassie McKenna takes a leave from the Bureau to try to find serenity on her sailboat that's moored on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay. But serenity is the last thing she finds. Breakneck twists follow the chilling realization that a series of strange events are anything but a coincidence, and if Cass' hunch is correct, there's more at stake than she ever dreamed. Linda White is the assistant editorial page editor of The Freelance Star. She has won awards from the Virginia Press Women and won the 2002 Amy Award. Linda's husband, Larry, has been a television producer/director at the FBI Academy in Quantico for more than 20 years. He and many other experts at the Academy helped her research Bloody Point.
New Member Corner
The Role of Assistant Governors
The office of assistant governor was created in 1996 as a key element of the District Leadership Plan, the organizational structure for all districts that was adopted by the RI Board in an effort to help district governors better support their clubs. Assistant governors are appointed by the district governor to assist in the administration of assigned clubs. These key Rotary leaders help incoming club presidents plan for their year and for the governor’s official visit, advise clubs on strategies to achieve goals, and visit their assigned clubs at least four times a year.
In addition to providing more responsive support for clubs, assistant governors also form a pool of well-trained district leaders from which to select future governors. The assistant governor serves as an important resource for both the clubs and the district governor, helping to ensure that everything runs more smoothly within the district.
Carol Foley is the AG for our area, which includes the Rotary Clubs of Fredericksburg, Rappahannock/Fredericksburg, Stafford and Caroline County.
RI President Dissolves Nominating Committee
PDG Sandy Duckworth brought to the club’s attention the fact that although Don Osburn of Maryland had been nominated to be the next RI President , RI President Stenhammar appointed a new nominating committee because a club in England filed a complaint of improper electioneering. The new committee chose a Canadian as the President Nominee for 2007-2008, rather than Mr. Osburn.
This appointment of a new nominating committee was a violation of the RI Constitution. Nominating committees for the position of RI President are supposed to be chosen by the clubs, not the president. Many local clubs are sending a resolution to RI to review this process and reverse the decision. This will probably be voted on at the International Convention.
At the meeting our club voted to support this resolution.
We have been unable to find any official announcement of this incident in Rotary publications. We will keep the club membership informed as this story develops.
February Is World Understanding Month
Hope for Hill Tribe Children
For years, the Akha people lived a quiet, simple life as subsistence farmers. But in the last half-century, modern problems have crept up into the hills where they make their homes, threatening their traditional way of life and the safety of their children. Today the Akha hill tribe, an indigenous group of about two million people spread out over five Asian countries, including Thailand, is among the region’s most disadvantaged minority groups.
Just outside of Mae Suai, a town not far from Thailand’s border with Laos and Myanmar, is a place where Akha children receive opportunities unavailable to the generations before them. The Akha Training Centre, operated by an Akha woman and her Australian husband and supported by Rotarians from five countries, is home to more than 400 children from 27 villages. The children come to the center to get an education and to learn the skills necessary to survive – and prosper – in modern Thai society
Rotary Leadership Institute
The Rotary Leadership Institute is a recommended unofficial affiliate of Rotary International, but not an official program of R. I. nor under its control. Clubs and districts looking to train Rotarians as leaders at local levels can now access online a wide array of resources developed by the Rotary Leadership Institute. Established in 1994 to assist in improving the Rotary knowledge and leadership skills of the future leaders of clubs and districts, the Rotary Leadership Institute is a multi-district program already functional in Zones 31 and 32 in the United States, and is forming divisions around the world. The institute offers a training program in three full-day sessions, followed by graduate seminars. Trainers are carefully selected from among Rotarians with outstanding leadership abilities.
RI Director David Linett, international chair, said leadership development programs are critical for the continued success of Rotary clubs and the achievement of the Global Quest goals. "Rotary is blessed with members of high quality, but all Rotary clubs depend on outstanding leadership to harness the talents and skills of our membership to high levels leadership every year," he said. "Only through excellent education in Rotary and leadership skills can we develop the quality leadership we need to keep Rotary in the forefront of world service organizations."
According to Linett, membership growth is dependent in large part on the quality of Rotary clubs, as clubs with good leadership are more likely to involve their members in exciting service activities and programs and, consequently, to retain their members and attract new ones. "Quality education can best be presented on a multi-district basis," he said. "Through the dedicated efforts of our officers, executive committee and faculty, the Rotarians of our member districts have a unique opportunity for quality Rotary education. We invite all clubs of our member districts to join with us."
Upcoming Programs
Feb. 22- Linda White, from the Free Lance Star
March 1 TBA
March 8 Dr. Jean Murray, Stafford Schools Superintendent
March 15 Meeting at Brooke Point High SchoolWorld Rotaract Week-UMW
March 22 Blue - Gray Brewing Company Field Trip
March 29 Eric Weidner, Classification talk
Announcements
Carole Green announced that we have asked to be hosts for the GSE team. She hasn’t received any details yet. The team this year will be from the Rotary district that is in Poland-Belarus-Ukraine.
We are considered a host club for the district conference. It is important that we all attend.
Jim Herrera announced that our club is sponsoring an outgoing exchange student this year. He needs host families for two incoming Rotary exchange students.
Other Dates to Remember
February Is World Understanding Month
February 23— Cocktail Party, 5:30, Princess Anne Building
March 10-11 Virginia PETS
March 12-18, 2006 – World Rotaract Week
Saturday, March 18 – 8 p.m. -Family of Rotary Event
An Evening with the Fairfax Symphony -Concert Hall, George Mason University
Parking: Parking Lot/ Street / Garage (Next To Concert Hall)
Price: $25.00 Make checks payable to Fairfax Symphony and send to Gwen Cody AG Carol Foley.
March 25– Rotary Leadership Institute
April Is Magazine Month
April 8, 2006 – Club leadership Training Seminar
April 27- 30, 2006 District Conference Holiday Inn - Fredericksburg, VA
June Is- Rotary Fellowships Month
June 11-14, 2006- Rotary International Annual Convention, Malmö, Sweden and Copenhagen, Denmark
June 25 District Awards Banquet
Set-Up and Take Down Assignments
February 22
Don Uppercoe, Vicki Lewis, Nicolette Ward, Mark Smith, Shirley Heim
March 1
Mark Steele, Kathy Belcher, Dan Bender, Rusty Cowper, Eric Widener
March 8
Alethtea Cruz, Sandy Pratt,
Mike Torosian, Anne Truong, T Campbell
March 29
Carlos Melendez, Elaine Farmer, Joan McLaughlin, Nicolette Ward, Keith Dudley
Please take your assigned turn. If you can’t make the meeting that day, arrange for a substitute
The Rotary
Foundation Facts
Group Study Exchange (GSE). These annual awards are made to paired Rotary districts to provide travel expenses for a team of non-Rotarians from a variety of vocations.
Rotarian hosts organize a four- to six-week itinerary of educational and cultural points of interest. Since 1965,
more than 52,000 individuals (almost 12,000 teams) from 102 countries have participated at a cost of more than $88 million. In 2004-05, 404 teams traveled abroad. Program awards were $3.4 million.
Meeting Makeups Schedules
MONDAY: Culpeper, Holiday Inn, 6:30 p.m.
TUESDAY: Orange, 7:30 A.M. Cape Porpoise Lobster House at 182 Byrd Street (Business Route 20)
WEDNESDAY: Rappahannock-Fredericksburg,
Fredericksburg Baptist Church, 7:30 a.m.
THURSDAY:
Caroline County, Aunt Sara’s, 7:30 a.m
Fredericksburg, Fredericksburg Country Club, 6:30 p.m.
Warrenton, Fauquier Springs Country Club, noon
Woodbridge, Westminster Retirement Community, 12:15 p.m.
ANYTIME: E-Club, On-line:http://www.rotaryeclubone.org/
http://www.rotaryeclubny1.com/
http://www.rotaryeclubsouthwest.org/
http://www.rotaryeclub3310.org/index.asp
http://www.rotary-eclubd3450.org/en/
Rotary Speech Contest a Success!
Dear Fellow Rotarians:
I would like to report that the Stafford Rotary Club Speech Contest for 2006 held last night at Gayle Middle School was a great success! Three out of four student entries competed for top honors and prize money. The three students represented the following area high schools: North Stafford High, Stafford High and Fredericksburg Academy. The theme for the contest was Rotary's "Four-Way Test" and Eric Liard (North Stafford) placed 1st, with Gabrielle March (Stafford High) and Ben Bilodeau(F'burg Academy) placing second and third respectively. Each student received a signed, framed certificate suitable for mounting along with a voucher for their prize money and a gift card from Borders. Should you bump into one of these fabulous young adults please extend congratulations to them--they truly deserve it. A special thanks to the following Rotary Volunteers who assisted me and made this speech contest a positive experience our young adults: Joan McLaughlin, Shirley Heim, Brenda Gibbs, Jeff Davis, Ralph Sutton, Carol Green, and Carol Foley, you truly modeled "Service Above Self" and made this fun for all participants. For those of you who weren't able to make it --you missed a great fellowship opportunity with your fellow Rotarians and youth who make us all proud.
In addition, another Stafford Rotary Club sponsored event was the Essay Contest for our 7th & 8 grade students from area middle schools. Our Club solicited English Dept Chairs at the schools and Teachers for student entries. When all was said and done we received 31 essay submissions which were each hand-typed and saved to disc by students. Bear in mind, this was taking the top 3 from each class from teachers who gave this to students as a classroom assignment; otherwise, we would have had close to 200 entries. Again, the theme for the contest was Rotary's "Four-Way Test" and how it applies to a student's life experience (school, sports, etc.). The thought that went into these submissions from the kids for some at college level---very impressive. Stay tuned for the results of the contest which are forthcoming from the District Level. I think our Club will have the winning entry !
Nicolette Ward
Vocational Service Chair
Rotary Club of Stafford
February 15, 2006
Guests:
President Randy presided and welcomed guests D.J. McGuire, guest of PDG Graham Green, John Freeze, guest of Ralph Sutton, Helen Vanderland, guest speaker, Dondal Duckworth, guest of PDG Sandy Duckworth. Visting Rotarians were Don Mohr from the Fredericksburg Rotary and Jim Herrera from the Rappahannock Rotary.
Program:
Vicki Lewis introduced our guest speaker, Helen C. Vanderland, CPA, Internal Audit Director, University of Mary Washington. Helen was a member of the Group Study Exchange Team that went to northern Germany in 1999. Since Helen has two daughters who were quite young at the time she asked to stay with German Rotarian families with children. GSE was an opportunity for her to build lasting friendships with families in Germany.
She became quite close to one of her host families. They sent their two daughters for a three week visit with Helen in Virginia. As the girls grew they went to school in Maine and spent holidays with Helen’s family in Virginia. In 2002 another of her host families came to Virginia to visit. These visits inspired Helen’s younger daughter to study German in high school. Last summer she spent three weeks in Germany with Helen’s friends from GSE.
Helen’s husband had not been interested in foreign travel before Helen joined the GSE team. After so many exchanges with people in Germany he agreed to a family vacation in Europe. They met Helen’s GSE friends and toured Austria and Germany and gained a new perspective on the world.
At the end of the meeting PE Aric distributed Valentines with free doughnut certificates for everyone and special prizes for several lucky Rotarians.
The meeting concluded with the Four Way Test.
Are You Reading the Bulletin?
Why do our badges have our first names in much larger type than our last names?
The answer can be found on our club blog http://www.staffordrotary.blogspot.com/
What Are You Reading?
Rick Potter recommends reading Bloody Point by Linda White.
After her agent-husband is murdered, young FBI agent Cassie McKenna takes a leave from the Bureau to try to find serenity on her sailboat that's moored on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay. But serenity is the last thing she finds. Breakneck twists follow the chilling realization that a series of strange events are anything but a coincidence, and if Cass' hunch is correct, there's more at stake than she ever dreamed. Linda White is the assistant editorial page editor of The Freelance Star. She has won awards from the Virginia Press Women and won the 2002 Amy Award. Linda's husband, Larry, has been a television producer/director at the FBI Academy in Quantico for more than 20 years. He and many other experts at the Academy helped her research Bloody Point.
New Member Corner
The Role of Assistant Governors
The office of assistant governor was created in 1996 as a key element of the District Leadership Plan, the organizational structure for all districts that was adopted by the RI Board in an effort to help district governors better support their clubs. Assistant governors are appointed by the district governor to assist in the administration of assigned clubs. These key Rotary leaders help incoming club presidents plan for their year and for the governor’s official visit, advise clubs on strategies to achieve goals, and visit their assigned clubs at least four times a year.
In addition to providing more responsive support for clubs, assistant governors also form a pool of well-trained district leaders from which to select future governors. The assistant governor serves as an important resource for both the clubs and the district governor, helping to ensure that everything runs more smoothly within the district.
Carol Foley is the AG for our area, which includes the Rotary Clubs of Fredericksburg, Rappahannock/Fredericksburg, Stafford and Caroline County.
RI President Dissolves Nominating Committee
PDG Sandy Duckworth brought to the club’s attention the fact that although Don Osburn of Maryland had been nominated to be the next RI President , RI President Stenhammar appointed a new nominating committee because a club in England filed a complaint of improper electioneering. The new committee chose a Canadian as the President Nominee for 2007-2008, rather than Mr. Osburn.
This appointment of a new nominating committee was a violation of the RI Constitution. Nominating committees for the position of RI President are supposed to be chosen by the clubs, not the president. Many local clubs are sending a resolution to RI to review this process and reverse the decision. This will probably be voted on at the International Convention.
At the meeting our club voted to support this resolution.
We have been unable to find any official announcement of this incident in Rotary publications. We will keep the club membership informed as this story develops.
February Is World Understanding Month
Hope for Hill Tribe Children
For years, the Akha people lived a quiet, simple life as subsistence farmers. But in the last half-century, modern problems have crept up into the hills where they make their homes, threatening their traditional way of life and the safety of their children. Today the Akha hill tribe, an indigenous group of about two million people spread out over five Asian countries, including Thailand, is among the region’s most disadvantaged minority groups.
Just outside of Mae Suai, a town not far from Thailand’s border with Laos and Myanmar, is a place where Akha children receive opportunities unavailable to the generations before them. The Akha Training Centre, operated by an Akha woman and her Australian husband and supported by Rotarians from five countries, is home to more than 400 children from 27 villages. The children come to the center to get an education and to learn the skills necessary to survive – and prosper – in modern Thai society
Rotary Leadership Institute
The Rotary Leadership Institute is a recommended unofficial affiliate of Rotary International, but not an official program of R. I. nor under its control. Clubs and districts looking to train Rotarians as leaders at local levels can now access online a wide array of resources developed by the Rotary Leadership Institute. Established in 1994 to assist in improving the Rotary knowledge and leadership skills of the future leaders of clubs and districts, the Rotary Leadership Institute is a multi-district program already functional in Zones 31 and 32 in the United States, and is forming divisions around the world. The institute offers a training program in three full-day sessions, followed by graduate seminars. Trainers are carefully selected from among Rotarians with outstanding leadership abilities.
RI Director David Linett, international chair, said leadership development programs are critical for the continued success of Rotary clubs and the achievement of the Global Quest goals. "Rotary is blessed with members of high quality, but all Rotary clubs depend on outstanding leadership to harness the talents and skills of our membership to high levels leadership every year," he said. "Only through excellent education in Rotary and leadership skills can we develop the quality leadership we need to keep Rotary in the forefront of world service organizations."
According to Linett, membership growth is dependent in large part on the quality of Rotary clubs, as clubs with good leadership are more likely to involve their members in exciting service activities and programs and, consequently, to retain their members and attract new ones. "Quality education can best be presented on a multi-district basis," he said. "Through the dedicated efforts of our officers, executive committee and faculty, the Rotarians of our member districts have a unique opportunity for quality Rotary education. We invite all clubs of our member districts to join with us."
Upcoming Programs
Feb. 22- Linda White, from the Free Lance Star
March 1 TBA
March 8 Dr. Jean Murray, Stafford Schools Superintendent
March 15 Meeting at Brooke Point High SchoolWorld Rotaract Week-UMW
March 22 Blue - Gray Brewing Company Field Trip
March 29 Eric Weidner, Classification talk
Announcements
Carole Green announced that we have asked to be hosts for the GSE team. She hasn’t received any details yet. The team this year will be from the Rotary district that is in Poland-Belarus-Ukraine.
We are considered a host club for the district conference. It is important that we all attend.
Jim Herrera announced that our club is sponsoring an outgoing exchange student this year. He needs host families for two incoming Rotary exchange students.
Other Dates to Remember
February Is World Understanding Month
February 23— Cocktail Party, 5:30, Princess Anne Building
March 10-11 Virginia PETS
March 12-18, 2006 – World Rotaract Week
Saturday, March 18 – 8 p.m. -Family of Rotary Event
An Evening with the Fairfax Symphony -Concert Hall, George Mason University
Parking: Parking Lot/ Street / Garage (Next To Concert Hall)
Price: $25.00 Make checks payable to Fairfax Symphony and send to Gwen Cody AG Carol Foley.
March 25– Rotary Leadership Institute
April Is Magazine Month
April 8, 2006 – Club leadership Training Seminar
April 27- 30, 2006 District Conference Holiday Inn - Fredericksburg, VA
June Is- Rotary Fellowships Month
June 11-14, 2006- Rotary International Annual Convention, Malmö, Sweden and Copenhagen, Denmark
June 25 District Awards Banquet
Set-Up and Take Down Assignments
February 22
Don Uppercoe, Vicki Lewis, Nicolette Ward, Mark Smith, Shirley Heim
March 1
Mark Steele, Kathy Belcher, Dan Bender, Rusty Cowper, Eric Widener
March 8
Alethtea Cruz, Sandy Pratt,
Mike Torosian, Anne Truong, T Campbell
March 29
Carlos Melendez, Elaine Farmer, Joan McLaughlin, Nicolette Ward, Keith Dudley
Please take your assigned turn. If you can’t make the meeting that day, arrange for a substitute
The Rotary
Foundation Facts
Group Study Exchange (GSE). These annual awards are made to paired Rotary districts to provide travel expenses for a team of non-Rotarians from a variety of vocations.
Rotarian hosts organize a four- to six-week itinerary of educational and cultural points of interest. Since 1965,
more than 52,000 individuals (almost 12,000 teams) from 102 countries have participated at a cost of more than $88 million. In 2004-05, 404 teams traveled abroad. Program awards were $3.4 million.
Meeting Makeups Schedules
MONDAY: Culpeper, Holiday Inn, 6:30 p.m.
TUESDAY: Orange, 7:30 A.M. Cape Porpoise Lobster House at 182 Byrd Street (Business Route 20)
WEDNESDAY: Rappahannock-Fredericksburg,
Fredericksburg Baptist Church, 7:30 a.m.
THURSDAY:
Caroline County, Aunt Sara’s, 7:30 a.m
Fredericksburg, Fredericksburg Country Club, 6:30 p.m.
Warrenton, Fauquier Springs Country Club, noon
Woodbridge, Westminster Retirement Community, 12:15 p.m.
ANYTIME: E-Club, On-line:http://www.rotaryeclubone.org/
http://www.rotaryeclubny1.com/
http://www.rotaryeclubsouthwest.org/
http://www.rotaryeclub3310.org/index.asp
http://www.rotary-eclubd3450.org/en/
Rotary Speech Contest a Success!
Dear Fellow Rotarians:
I would like to report that the Stafford Rotary Club Speech Contest for 2006 held last night at Gayle Middle School was a great success! Three out of four student entries competed for top honors and prize money. The three students represented the following area high schools: North Stafford High, Stafford High and Fredericksburg Academy. The theme for the contest was Rotary's "Four-Way Test" and Eric Liard (North Stafford) placed 1st, with Gabrielle March (Stafford High) and Ben Bilodeau(F'burg Academy) placing second and third respectively. Each student received a signed, framed certificate suitable for mounting along with a voucher for their prize money and a gift card from Borders. Should you bump into one of these fabulous young adults please extend congratulations to them--they truly deserve it. A special thanks to the following Rotary Volunteers who assisted me and made this speech contest a positive experience our young adults: Joan McLaughlin, Shirley Heim, Brenda Gibbs, Jeff Davis, Ralph Sutton, Carol Green, and Carol Foley, you truly modeled "Service Above Self" and made this fun for all participants. For those of you who weren't able to make it --you missed a great fellowship opportunity with your fellow Rotarians and youth who make us all proud.
In addition, another Stafford Rotary Club sponsored event was the Essay Contest for our 7th & 8 grade students from area middle schools. Our Club solicited English Dept Chairs at the schools and Teachers for student entries. When all was said and done we received 31 essay submissions which were each hand-typed and saved to disc by students. Bear in mind, this was taking the top 3 from each class from teachers who gave this to students as a classroom assignment; otherwise, we would have had close to 200 entries. Again, the theme for the contest was Rotary's "Four-Way Test" and how it applies to a student's life experience (school, sports, etc.). The thought that went into these submissions from the kids for some at college level---very impressive. Stay tuned for the results of the contest which are forthcoming from the District Level. I think our Club will have the winning entry !
Nicolette Ward
Vocational Service Chair
Rotary Club of Stafford
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Stafford Rotary Highlighter for February 15
Meeting of the Rotary Club of Stafford
February 8, 2006
Guests:
President Randy presided and welcomed guest Glenda Potter. The guest speaker was Larry White and he brought his son Matthew to assist him on the computer during the presentation.
Induction of New Members
John Lafley and Robin Sutton were inducted into membership. They were both sponsored by Fred Donahoe. Good work, Pastor Fred.
Program
Larry White is a Federal Government employee whose job is as a television producer and director for training FBI agents. The topic was when the use of Deadly Force is warranted. He consolidated a 17 week program to 30 minutes for us. He said this is a serious topic, but we're going to have some fun with it. We set up in a separate room with an interactive video display. The display screen could read infra-red images from the participant. Larry played out 6 different video scenarios in which a Rotarian participant would need to make a decision of whether to use Deadly Force (shoot a gun) in playing out the scene. Two scenes were inside a convenience store--one with a hostage, and one a robbery. There was also a scene of a pre-dawn raid, two different house-arrests in daytime, and a remote (rural) arrest of a Spanish speaking lady. Eric Widener won the marksmanship award, with Glenda a proficient second place. Several Rotarians did not choose to shoot, which in some cases was the correct decision. Larry the presenter was very good in his comments about the difficulty in split-second decision making in many of these scenarios, and it was a very good "high-tech" program.
Are You Reading the Bulletin?
What are the two types of Rotary membership?
New Member Corner
First Names or Nicknames
From the earliest days of Rotary, members have referred to each other on a first-name basis. Since personal acquaintanceship and friendship are cornerstones of Rotary, it was natural that many clubs adopted the practice of setting aside formal titles in conversations among members. Individuals who normally would be addressed as Doctor, Professor, Miss, the Honorable, or Sir are regularly called Joe, Bill, Mary, Karen, or Charley by other Rotarians. The characteristic Rotary club name badge fosters the first-name custom.
In a few areas, such as Europe, club members use a more formal style in addressing fellow members. In other parts of the world, mainly in Asian countries, the practice is to assign each new Rotarian a humorous nickname which relates to some personal characteristic or which is descriptive of the member’s business or profession. A member nicknamed “Oxygen” is the manufacturer of chemical gas products. “Trees” is the nickname for the Rotarian in the lumber business, “Building” is the contractor, “Paper” is the stationery or office supply retailer. Other members might carry nicknames like “Muscles’ “Foghorn’ or “Smiles” as commentaries on physical characteristics.
The nicknames are frequently a source of good-natured fun and fellowship. But whether a Rotarian is addressed by a given first name or a nickname, the spirit of personal friendship is the initial step that opens doors to all other opportunities for service.
Happy Cup
Sandy Duckworth and Randy were happy for the cruise.
Shirley got one set of bunk beds thru $200 donation from Ralph Sutton & others. Heim also went with Mark Smith to pick up donated bedroom suite donated from our new member Robin Sutton.
John Lafley was happy to be a new member.
Carol Foley was happy that Jack is in a walking cast, as were the Greens since Megan is also back to walking cast.
Karen McCormack was happy to be walking around in shoes two sizes too big (had some foot surgery 2 weeks ago).
Pastor Fred's prayer was for Shirley Campbell & T.
Interesting Olympic Facts
The Official Olympic Flag
Created by Pierre de Coubertin in 1914, the Olympic flag contains five interconnected rings on a white background. The five rings symbolize the five significant continents and are interconnected to symbolize the friendship to be gained from these international competitions. The rings, from left to right, are blue, yellow, black, green, and red. The colors were chosen because at least one of them appeared on the flag of every country in the world. The Olympic flag was first flown during the 1920 Olympic Games.
The Olympic Motto
In 1921, Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games, borrowed a Latin phrase from his friend, Father Henri Didon, for the Olympic motto: Citius, Altius, Fortius ("Swifter, Higher, Stronger").
Real Gold Medals
The last Olympic gold medals that were made entirely out of gold were awarded in 1912.
The Olympic Oath
Pierre de Coubertin wrote an oath for the athletes to recite at each Olympic Games. During the opening ceremonies, one athlete recites the oath on behalf of all the athletes. The Olympic oath was first taken during the 1920 Olympic Games by Belgian fencer Victor Boin. The Olympic Oath states, "In the name of all competitors, I promise that we shall take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by the rules that govern them, in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sport and the honor of our teams."
The Olympic Creed
Pierre de Coubertin got the idea for this phrase from a speech given by Bishop Ethelbert Talbot at a service for Olympic champions during the 1908 Olympic Games. The Olympic Creed reads: "The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well."
The Olympic HymnThe Olympic Hymn, played when the Olympic Flag is raised, was composed by Spyros Samaras and the words added by Kostis Palamas.
The Olympic FlameThe Olympic flame is a practice continued from the ancient Olympic Games. In Olympia, a flame was ignited by the sun and then kept burning until the closing of the Olympic Games. The flame first appeared in the modern Olympics at the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam. The flame itself represents a number of things, including purity and the endeavor for perfection. In 1936, the chairman of the organizing committee for the 1936 Olympic Games, Carl Diem, suggested what is now the modern Olympic Torch relay. The Olympic flame is lit at the ancient site of Olympia by women wearing ancient-style robes and using a curved mirror and the sun. The Olympic Torch is then passed from runner to runner from the ancient site of Olympia to the Olympic stadium in the hosting city. The flame is then kept alight until the Games have concluded.
February Is World Understanding Month
Rotary International World Peace Scholarship
Don’t we all share the dream of achieving world peace? Now, through a relatively new program, the RI World Peace Scholarships, your club can take that dream one step closer to reality. Rotary World Peace Scholarships provide the leaders of tomorrow a two-year masters level degree or certificate in international studies, peace studies and conflict resolution at one of the seven Rotary Centers for International Studies.
Here’s How It Works: RI awards 70 scholarships annually on a worldwide competitive basis for two-year master’s level study at one of the seven Rotary Centers around the world. Our District will submit one candidate who demonstrates a commitment to world peace and conflict resolution, strong leadership skills, foreign language proficiency and 3-5 years professional experience. Applicants must be sponsored by their local Rotary Club where they live, work or study. They cannot be related to a Rotary member or employee of RI. More detailed information is available at the Rotary Web site, www.rotary.org
What We Need You To Do: Spread the word in your club, to your local press, cable providers, radio stations, college/University newspapers as well as to organizations who may be resources for qualified applicants (i.e. Departments of international studies, international relations, government agencies such as Dept. of State or The World Bank).
Time Is of the Essence: Applications are now available for 2007-2009. Your club selection process and interviews must be completed by May 7th. The deadline for receiving your club recommendation is Saturday, May 14th.The WPS committee members are ready to help you in promoting this program. We also have a seven minute video available for you to borrow.
If you need more information, please contact me by e-mail: sallylay@center-for-the-arts.com, phone (703) 330-2787
Other Dates to Remember
February Is World Understanding Month
March 12-18, 2006 – World Rotaract Week
Saturday, March 18 – 8 p.m. -Family of Rotary Event
An Evening with the Fairfax Symphony -Concert Hall, George Mason University
Parking: Parking Lot/ Street / Garage (Next To Concert Hall)
Price: $25.00 Make checks payable to Fairfax Symphony and send to Gwen Cody AG Carol Foley.
April Is Magazine Month
April 8, 2006 – Club leadership Training Seminar
April 27- 30, 2006 District Conference Holiday Inn - Fredericksburg, VA
June Is- Rotary Fellowships Month
June 11-14, 2006- Rotary International Annual Convention, Malmö, Sweden and Copenhagen, Denmark
Upcoming Programs
Feb. 15- Helen C. Vanderland, CPA, Internal Audit Director, University of
Mary Washington. She
will talk about her experiences with Rotary Group Study Exchange to Germany.
Feb. 22- Linda White, from the Free Lance Star
March 1 TBA
March 8 Dr. Jean Murray, Stafford Schools Superintendent
March 15 Meeting at Brooke Point High SchoolWorld Rotaract Week-UMW
March 22 Blue - Gray Brewing Company Field Trip
March 29 Eric Weidner, Classification talk
Set-Up and Take Down Assignments
February 15
Carol Foley, Rick Potter, Harrison Simpson, Sue Gibbs, Nelda Mohr
February 22
Don Uppercoe, Vicki Lewis, Nicolette Ward, Mark Smith, Shirley Heim
March 1
Mark Steele, Kathy Belcher, Dan Bender, Rusty Cowper, Eric Widener
March 8
Alethtea Cruz, Sandy Pratt, Mike Torosian, Anne Truong, T Campbell
March 15
Graham Green, Carole Green, Buck Jacoby, Rick Potter, Sandy Duckworth
March 22
Fred Donahoe, Mary Rose, Nelda Mohr, Joe Howard, Tim Baroody
March 29
Carlos Melendez, Elaine Farmer, Joan McLaughlin, Nicolette Ward, Keith Dudley
Meeting Makeups Schedules
MONDAY: Culpeper, Holiday Inn, 6:30 p.m.
TUESDAY: Orange, 7:30 A.M. Cape Porpoise Lobster House at 182 Byrd Street (Business Route 20)
WEDNESDAY: Rappahannock-Fredericksburg,
Fredericksburg Baptist Church, 7:30 a.m.
THURSDAY:
Caroline County, Aunt Sara’s, 7:30 a.m
Fredericksburg, Fredericksburg Country Club, 6:30 p.m.
Warrenton, Fauquier Springs Country Club, noon
Woodbridge, Westminster Retirement Community, 12:15 p.m.
ANYTIME: E-Club, On-line:http://www.rotaryeclubone.org/
http://www.rotaryeclubny1.com/
http://www.rotaryeclubsouthwest.org/
http://www.rotaryeclub3310.org/index.asp
http://www.rotary-eclubd3450.org/en/
District Conference Information
The 2006 District Conference will be held at the Holiday Inn Select in Fredericksburg, VA, April 27-30, 2006.
Registration for the District Conference is a one or two-step process depending on whether or not you plan to stay overnight at the Holiday Inn Select.
STEP ONE, registration for attendance at the conference is accomplished by either filling out the form on the district web site and e-mailing it to Jim Peterson, or print out the form and sending it by USPS mail to Jim Peterson. His e-mail address is: jimp@videoprovirginia.com, and his USPS address is: Jim Peterson, 716 Highland Avenue, Charlottesville, VA 22903, (both of which are at the top of the registration form).
In order to encourage attendance, the deadline for conference registration is April 15th. After April 15th an additional fee of 15% will be charged for late registrations. Payment by cash or check only will be accepted from “walk-in” attendees on site. Every effort has been made to keep costs to a minimum for our conference. We attempt to meet a goal of “break even” for the expenses of the conference. Please understand that once registrations have been made commitments are made to the hotel for meals and other considerations. Therefore, refunds will be made for last-minute cancellations under exceptional circumstances only.
STEP TWO, for those attendees who plan to stay overnight at the Holiday Inn Select during the conference, you must make your own hotel reservation. Conference registration, step one above, does not include your hotel reservation.
The sleeping room rate for conference attendees is $99 plus tax (10%) for a total of $108.90 per night. You may make your reservation by calling 1 800 Holiday for the world wide Holiday Inn reservation system or 1 800 682-1049 for the Holiday Inn Select in Fredericksburg reservation operator. When making your reservation, the caller should mention the Group Code “RI 1” (are eye one) for our special group rate of $99.
The deadline to receive our special discounted $99 room rate is March 28th. After March 28th, room rates at the hotel will revert back to whatever the market demands for that time of the year. Rates for that period may range from $139 to $149 plus tax, so our discounted rate represents substantial savings for Rotarians. If you delay making your room reservation until after March 28th, you will not receive the $99 rate.
The District Conference program promises to be interesting and fun and one which will be enjoyed by all Rotarians. Plan to attend and enrich you experience in Rotary.
Monday, February 06, 2006
Stafford Rotary Highlighter for February 8, 2006
Meeting of the Rotary Club of Stafford
February 1, 2006
Guests:
President Randy Burdette presided and welcomed guest Glenda Potter, guest of Rick Potter, and visiting Rotarians John Atkins and Jim Lewis from the Rappahannock Rotary.
Induction of New Member:
President Randy inducted John Chapman as the newest member of our club. John was sponsored by Mike Torosian. He is a retired policeman from prince William County who now lives in Stafford and works as a loan officer. He and Mike have mutual friends in Woodbridge. John is married and has three children. He and his wife also care for foster children.
Program:
Our scheduled speaker did not arrive. President Randy stepped up to the plate and presented a program on what is happening with the Virginia Department of Aviation. Here’s some of the basic information from the department website.
The Virginia Department of Aviation is a state transportation agency along with the Virginia Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles, Department of Rail and Public Transportation, Motor Vehicle Dealer Board, and Virginia Port Authority.
From 1928, through July 1, 1979, the former Virginia Division of Aeronautics was a Legislative Branch Agency under the State Corporation Commission. On that date, legislation transferred the Virginia Department of Aviation to the Executive Branch of State Government reporting directly to the Secretary of Transportation.
The mission of the Department is to:
Cultivate an advanced, market driven aviation system that is safe, secure and provides for economic development;
Promote aviation awareness and education; and
Provide executive flight services for the Commonwealth Leadership
Visit their site to see what keeps our club president busy when he’s not at Rotary.
http://www.doav.virginia.gov/
Randy said he monitors bills that effect aviation and keeps legislators informed of the impact of proposed legislation. He said that Governor Kaine has proposed an amendment to the Virginia Constitution that will guarantee that special funds such as the Commonwealth Transportation Trust Fund cannot be raided for the general fund.
The Q & A session touched on the impact of the D.C. no-fly zone on general aviation in our region. It has greatly decreased traffic in Northern Virginia and Maryland, but has caused Stafford air traffic to increase.
When asked how big Stafford Regional Airport would get Randy said they can add 1,000 more feet of runway, but no more. So, it will never be a cargo hub, but more and more businesses are expected to use it for corporate jets.
New Member Corner
Types of Membership
There are two types of Rotary club membership — active and honorary. An active member is one who has been elected to membership in the club under a classification of business or profession and enjoys all the obligations, responsibilities, and privileges of membership as provided in the RI constitution and bylaws. Active members may hold office in their clubs and serve RI at the district and international levels. They are expected to meet attendance requirements, pay dues, and bring new members into Rotary.
Honorary Rotary membership may be offered to people who have distinguished themselves by meritorious service in the furtherance of Rotary ideals. An honorary member is elected for one year only, and continuing membership must be renewed annually. Honorary members cannot propose new members to the club or hold office and are exempt from attendance requirements and club dues.
Many distinguished heads of state, explorers, authors, musicians, astronauts, and other public personalities have been honorary members of Rotary clubs, including King Gustaf of Sweden, King George VI of England, King Badouin of Belgium, King Hassan III of Morocco, Sir Winston Churchill, humanitarian Albert Schweitzer, Charles Lindbergh, composer Jean Sibelius, explorer Sir Edmund Hillary, Thor Heyerdahl, Thomas Edison, Walt Disney, Bob Hope, Dr. Albert Sabin, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and many of the presidents of the United States.
Are You Reading the Bulletin?
In what year did Rotary International adopt the gear wheel as our official emblem?
How many cogs and how many spoke does it have?
Happy Cup
Jim Lewis announced that this was their 42nd anniversary, and Rotary lunch was their anniversary meal.
Vicki explained that she has to catch an afternoon flight because she’s teaching a class up north this week.
Rick flew another angel flight this week. It was a sad case, because the patient was terminally ill, but Rick was happy he was able to take her home to be with her family.
Carlos flew as his co-pilot.
Nicolette has 26 entrants for the Rotary Essay contest. She has enough volunteers for the Rotary Speech Contest.
Pastor Fred was happy to have lunch with John and Eric because he didn’t know who his insurance men were since Jim and Vicki sold the company to John.
Mary had a fabulous week in Puerto Vallarta. It is a wonderful place to vacation.
Mike was happy to welcome our new member. He said he was glad that Ford Motors bought Volvo and is using Volvo construction in their cars. Helen was in a bad wreck last week, but sustained no injuries.
Joan McLaughlin laughed about all the moms who personally delivered essay entries to the ERI office. She is happy that the Rotary Foundation report is mostly up to date. She reminded everyone to give to the Foundation so we can be a 100% sustaining club.
On a serious note Ralph announced that T. had taken his wife Shirley to Houston for cancer treatment. Please remember Shirley and T in your prayers. The Davis family went on a cruise and three-year-old Nathan won first place in the children’s talent contest. He was the only child on the ship who could sing all the words to “America”.
Ralph told a joke about Jim Lewis and Buck in an helicopter.
President Randy is happy for the great flying weather.
Joan also was happy that her company has celebrated its 15th anniversary.
What Are You Reading?
Praying for Gil Hodges : A Memoir of the 1955 World Series and One Family's Love of the Brooklyn Dodgers
By Thomas Oliphant
When I mentioned I was reading this book to one of our younger club members a few weeks ago his response was, “Who is Gil Hodges?” After I recovered from the shock of that question I explained that Gil Hodges was the star first baseman of the Brooklyn Dodgers.
This book is a memoir that tells of Oliphant’s childhood in Brooklyn in the 1950s and what the Dodgers meant to his family and to the city of Brooklyn. (It may be a borough of New York City, but Brooklyn remains a city unto itself.) The focal point is the seventh game of the 1955 World Series, one of the breathtaking memories of my own childhood.
What Are YOU Reading?
February 1, 2006
Guests:
President Randy Burdette presided and welcomed guest Glenda Potter, guest of Rick Potter, and visiting Rotarians John Atkins and Jim Lewis from the Rappahannock Rotary.
Induction of New Member:
President Randy inducted John Chapman as the newest member of our club. John was sponsored by Mike Torosian. He is a retired policeman from prince William County who now lives in Stafford and works as a loan officer. He and Mike have mutual friends in Woodbridge. John is married and has three children. He and his wife also care for foster children.
Program:
Our scheduled speaker did not arrive. President Randy stepped up to the plate and presented a program on what is happening with the Virginia Department of Aviation. Here’s some of the basic information from the department website.
The Virginia Department of Aviation is a state transportation agency along with the Virginia Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles, Department of Rail and Public Transportation, Motor Vehicle Dealer Board, and Virginia Port Authority.
From 1928, through July 1, 1979, the former Virginia Division of Aeronautics was a Legislative Branch Agency under the State Corporation Commission. On that date, legislation transferred the Virginia Department of Aviation to the Executive Branch of State Government reporting directly to the Secretary of Transportation.
The mission of the Department is to:
Cultivate an advanced, market driven aviation system that is safe, secure and provides for economic development;
Promote aviation awareness and education; and
Provide executive flight services for the Commonwealth Leadership
Visit their site to see what keeps our club president busy when he’s not at Rotary.
http://www.doav.virginia.gov/
Randy said he monitors bills that effect aviation and keeps legislators informed of the impact of proposed legislation. He said that Governor Kaine has proposed an amendment to the Virginia Constitution that will guarantee that special funds such as the Commonwealth Transportation Trust Fund cannot be raided for the general fund.
The Q & A session touched on the impact of the D.C. no-fly zone on general aviation in our region. It has greatly decreased traffic in Northern Virginia and Maryland, but has caused Stafford air traffic to increase.
When asked how big Stafford Regional Airport would get Randy said they can add 1,000 more feet of runway, but no more. So, it will never be a cargo hub, but more and more businesses are expected to use it for corporate jets.
New Member Corner
Types of Membership
There are two types of Rotary club membership — active and honorary. An active member is one who has been elected to membership in the club under a classification of business or profession and enjoys all the obligations, responsibilities, and privileges of membership as provided in the RI constitution and bylaws. Active members may hold office in their clubs and serve RI at the district and international levels. They are expected to meet attendance requirements, pay dues, and bring new members into Rotary.
Honorary Rotary membership may be offered to people who have distinguished themselves by meritorious service in the furtherance of Rotary ideals. An honorary member is elected for one year only, and continuing membership must be renewed annually. Honorary members cannot propose new members to the club or hold office and are exempt from attendance requirements and club dues.
Many distinguished heads of state, explorers, authors, musicians, astronauts, and other public personalities have been honorary members of Rotary clubs, including King Gustaf of Sweden, King George VI of England, King Badouin of Belgium, King Hassan III of Morocco, Sir Winston Churchill, humanitarian Albert Schweitzer, Charles Lindbergh, composer Jean Sibelius, explorer Sir Edmund Hillary, Thor Heyerdahl, Thomas Edison, Walt Disney, Bob Hope, Dr. Albert Sabin, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and many of the presidents of the United States.
Are You Reading the Bulletin?
In what year did Rotary International adopt the gear wheel as our official emblem?
How many cogs and how many spoke does it have?
Happy Cup
Jim Lewis announced that this was their 42nd anniversary, and Rotary lunch was their anniversary meal.
Vicki explained that she has to catch an afternoon flight because she’s teaching a class up north this week.
Rick flew another angel flight this week. It was a sad case, because the patient was terminally ill, but Rick was happy he was able to take her home to be with her family.
Carlos flew as his co-pilot.
Nicolette has 26 entrants for the Rotary Essay contest. She has enough volunteers for the Rotary Speech Contest.
Pastor Fred was happy to have lunch with John and Eric because he didn’t know who his insurance men were since Jim and Vicki sold the company to John.
Mary had a fabulous week in Puerto Vallarta. It is a wonderful place to vacation.
Mike was happy to welcome our new member. He said he was glad that Ford Motors bought Volvo and is using Volvo construction in their cars. Helen was in a bad wreck last week, but sustained no injuries.
Joan McLaughlin laughed about all the moms who personally delivered essay entries to the ERI office. She is happy that the Rotary Foundation report is mostly up to date. She reminded everyone to give to the Foundation so we can be a 100% sustaining club.
On a serious note Ralph announced that T. had taken his wife Shirley to Houston for cancer treatment. Please remember Shirley and T in your prayers. The Davis family went on a cruise and three-year-old Nathan won first place in the children’s talent contest. He was the only child on the ship who could sing all the words to “America”.
Ralph told a joke about Jim Lewis and Buck in an helicopter.
President Randy is happy for the great flying weather.
Joan also was happy that her company has celebrated its 15th anniversary.
What Are You Reading?
Praying for Gil Hodges : A Memoir of the 1955 World Series and One Family's Love of the Brooklyn Dodgers
By Thomas Oliphant
When I mentioned I was reading this book to one of our younger club members a few weeks ago his response was, “Who is Gil Hodges?” After I recovered from the shock of that question I explained that Gil Hodges was the star first baseman of the Brooklyn Dodgers.
This book is a memoir that tells of Oliphant’s childhood in Brooklyn in the 1950s and what the Dodgers meant to his family and to the city of Brooklyn. (It may be a borough of New York City, but Brooklyn remains a city unto itself.) The focal point is the seventh game of the 1955 World Series, one of the breathtaking memories of my own childhood.
What Are YOU Reading?
Is Your Name on This List?
Rotary Foundation Chair Joan McLaughlin reminds us that our goal for the club is 100% sustaining members of the Rotary Foundation, in keeping with Rotary International’s goal of “Every Rotarian, Every Year”. If each Rotarian makes a gift of at least $100 each year to the Rotary Foundation Rotary can do so much more throughout the world and here in our own district.
Here are the club members who are currently sustaining members. If your name isn’t on the list and you think it should be talk to Joan.
Kathy Belcher
President Randy Burdette
Alethea Cruz
Ralph Davis
PDG Sandy Duckworth
Elaine Farmer
AG Carol Foley
Chris Franklin
Shirley Heim
Joe Howard
Vicki Lewis
Karen McCormack
Joan McLaughlin
Carlos Melendez
Nelda Mohr
Rick Potter
Sandy Pratt
Mary Rose
Ann Smith
Mark Smith
Ralph Sutton
Mike Torosian
Anne Truong
President Elect Aric Wagner
Nicolette Ward
Eric Widemer
February Is World Understanding Month
Majla Custo was only four when hell descended on Bosnia-Herzegovina. She lost her grandfather and many friends to the three-year war, which destroyed her hometown of Mostar and sharply divided the Muslims and Croats who had lived there in peace.
Today, at 17, Custo is a rising star who exceeds in academics, music, and sports, and volunteers frequently. A year as a Youth Exchange student in a small town in southeastern Michigan, USA, gave her the chance to discover a different culture, to focus on her studies without the distractions of postwar Bosnia — and to occasionally relax for a few hours as a carefree teenager.
"Rotary Youth Exchange is going somewhere to a place you don't know for a year and trying to become a part of that community and that new surrounding. It gives you relationships and friends that you will have your whole life. I think my Youth Exchange year will help build bridges once I go back home." – Majla Custo
Upcoming Programs
Feb. 8 - Larry White, Video director for FBI training
Feb. 15- Helen C. Vanderland, CPA, Internal Audit Director, University of
Mary Washington. She
will talk about her experiences with Rotary Group Study Exchange to Germany.
Feb. 22- Jimmie McGlone, Director of emergency response for DOE (Department of Energy)
March 1 TBA
March 8 Dr. Jean Murray, Stafford Schools Superintendent
March 15 Meeting at Brooke Point High SchoolWorld Rotaract Week-UMW
March 22 Blue - Gray Brewing Company Field Trip
March 29 Eric Weidner, Classification talk
Set-Up and Take Down Assignments
February 8
Ralph Davis, Joan McLaughlin, Brenda Gibbs, Ken Clayman, Karen McCormack
February 15
Carol Foley, Rick Potter, Harrison Simpson, Sue Gibbs, Nelda Mohr
February 22
Don Uppercoe, Vicki Lewis, Nicolette Ward, Mark Smith, Shirley Heim
March 1
Mark Steele, Kathy Belcher, Dan Bender, Rusty Cowper, Eric Widener
March 8
Alethtea Cruz, Sandy Pratt, Mike Torosian, Anne Truong, T Campbell
March 15
Graham Green, Carole Green, Buck Jacoby, Rick Potter, Sandy Duckworth
March 22
Fred Donahoe, Mary Rose, Nelda Mohr, Joe Howard, Tim Baroody
March 29
Carlos Melendez, Elaine Farmer, Joan McLaughlin, Nicolette Ward, Keith Dudley
Other Dates to Remember
February Is World Understanding Month
March 12-18, 2006 – World Rotaract Week
Saturday, March 18 – 8 p.m. -Family of Rotary Event
An Evening with the Fairfax Symphony -Concert Hall, George Mason University
Parking: Parking Lot/ Street / Garage (Next To Concert Hall)
Price: $25.00 Make checks payable to Fairfax Symphony and send to Gwen Cody AG Carol Foley.
April Is Magazine Month
April 8, 2006 – Club leadership Training Seminar
April 27- 30, 2006 District Conference Holiday Inn - Fredericksburg, VA
June Is- Rotary Fellowships Month
June 11-14, 2006- Rotary International Annual Convention, Malmö, Sweden and Copenhagen, Denmark
