Don Gwinn reminded members that invoices for the current quarter should have been received and are now due.  He also indicated that payment through PayPal can be done on the Member Login site.

 

Don Gwinn also pointed out that sign-up sheets for the April “Rebuilding Together” program were placed on each table.  Volunteers are needed for the weekend of April 24-26, but that the bulk of the members’ efforts would be on Saturday, April 25.

 

Harold Bauer made an announcement on behalf of Elaine Clemens that Hilda’s Place soup kitchen would take place on Friday, April 24, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.  Several members indicated that they would volunteer to help out.  Anyone else interested in volunteering should contact Elaine.

 

Bill Glader thanked the club for some significant prizes that have been donated for the club’s fundraiser on June 14 at the John Evans Center, Northwestern University.  In addition to the prizes, Bill also indicated that sponsors have also been lined up for the tents to be used on the grounds of the Center.

 

Steve Goranson reminded the club about the District 6440 conference at the Westin Hotel in Itasca from April 10-12.  He encouraged members, especially board members, to attend.  District Anniversary pins are still available. Steve also reminded members of the annual giving drive for the Rotary Foundation.

 

Marv Edelstein announced that the next Club Service meeting would be at Harold Bauer’s house on Tuesday, April 14, at 7:30 p.m.

 

Harold Bauer announced that Ilana Seligman has donated two tickets to pianist Lang Lang’s recital on Saturday, May 9.  The tickets, valued at $159 each, will be auctioned off.

 

Joan Post presented a banner from a Rotary Club she visited in California.

Bob Teska boasted the University of Wisconsin for coming in second in the Men’s NCAA championship basketball game against Duke University.

 

Neal Gambow boasted his granddaughter who will be going to Pasada, Bolivia, for her junior year as a part of Rotary’s Youth Exchange Program.

 

In the absence of the Sargeant-at-Arms, Harold Bauer encouraged members to contribute a dollar to the collection basket for the questions they would have gotten wrong anyway.

The program was a presentation by three members of the Northwestern University Rotaract Club--Aishwarya Pastapur. Stacy Sanchez, and Jasmine Tseggai--who travelled with other members of the NU club to Guatemala for an alternative spring break to work on several projects in Guatemala.

 

The group worked through a non-profit organization known as “Small Change 4 Big Change,” which was founded in 2012 to help rural communities in Guatemala connect with donors who want to support sustainable enterprises and alleviate poverty.

 

The group spent the week working on a variety of projects, including a Tilapia pond, local weaving workshops, mushroom farming, teaching English to local people, working on a women’s garden, and helping to build a greenhouse.

 

In addition to working on these projects, the group was able to tour a macademia farm and visit Hermano Pedro, a residential facility for disabled children staffed primarily by volunteers.

 

The students talked about the insights they gained through the experience: the importance of donating time instead of just money; the need for sustainability; recognizing how smart and engaging the children are, and the power of relationships.

 

Our speakers thanked the club on behalf of the entire Northwestern Rotaract Club for our financial and in-kind contributions which made the trip possible.

 

 

 

Stacy Sanchez, Northwestern University Rotaract

Tom Markes RC Portland, Oregon 

Gregg Gibowey  RC West Linn, Oregon

Dwayne Rae RC West Linn, Oregon

Bob Gibron Lincoln Center, Oregon

Stew Martin RC. Sensita, Oregon 

Paul Palandech RC Milwaukee, Oregon

Danette La Chapelle RC Greater Clark County, Oregon

Renee Campbell RC Salem, Oregon