President Harold Bauer called the meeting to order.
Invocation/Words of Inspiration:
Brad Weiss shared his words of inspiration, with a quote from John Paul II: “Love is never defeated and the history of Ireland proves it.”
Announcements:
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Steve Goranson reported on the goal of supporting the Rotary Foundation. We have $18,000 in the Annual Fund. The Annual Fund is the primary source of funding for Rotary Foundation programs. We also are contributing to Kristin Brown’s bicycle trip and have pledges of $2,700 for her, with a total pledge needed for Kristin of $2,900. You can either make a donation on our website or give Steve a check. Please donate for these worthy causes.
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Marv Edelstein announced that he attended a RYLA meeting last weekend. The money we have donated for RYLA is incredibly worthwhile. The kids are just terrific. As an example, one is starting her own Internet club. Their expectations, confidence, and ability to listen are exemplary.
Harold Bauer introduced Elizabeth Manganic, Belmont Rotary Zimbabwe, and Mike Faris, Rotary One. They discussed their involvement in Vanavevhu. Vanavevhu is an organization that helps youth who become heads of households how to become entrepreneurs. They have taught more than 21 young people how to run their households and give them the skills to succeed. And, they have helped more than 150 people with their program.
Mike Faris, the former President of Rotary One, told us about visiting Zimbabwe and visiting the Belmont club. He mentioned there are great differences between the beginning of the project, and how things are now. It’s a great program, and they have had great success helping youth there to function at a high level.
Sergeant: Roasts and Boasts
Ann Searles shared the Rotary article in the New York Times about Rotary that it’s a great organization for retirees.
Mike Feely is working at the Evanston Township High School at the Rotoract Club.
Harold Bauer told us he paid Brad Weiss for 2 tickets for the Northwestern and Michigan game. It turned out to be a double overtime game. Karen Bauer, Harold’s wife, who attended talked about the great game, and really enjoyed going to it.
Ken Green asked his excellent questions, and managed to stump us, as usual.
Program
Presentation on the Lagonjon Community Well Project
Yves Lassere, as his usual dapper self, discussed his visit to Haiti for the Haiti Water Project. Gary Peterson and Yves went to Haiti in mid-February to participate in the inauguration of the well sponsored by The Evanston Lighthouse Rotary Club in partnership with the Mid-Town Rotary Club of Minneapolis.
Yves’ presentation was a report on the project and the organization – Haiti Outreach - constructing water wells. Yves is a board member of Haiti Outreach.
The presentation included:
- A few historical facts about Haiti.
o The name Haiti came from the Taino language: Ayiti Boyo Kiskeya - Land of High Mountains
o Declared Independence on January 1, 1804
o First and only successful slave revolt
o Haiti’s contributions include the participation of Haitians in the American Revolution and the War of 1812.
- Yves joined Haiti Outreach as a desire to participate in the development of his native land, Haiti. Haiti Outreach is focused on water in its development model. Water is a building block of life and is the most basic way to connect and engage communities.
- - Haiti Outreach was founded in 1997 as an NGO in Haiti and a 501 (c) 3 in the US. It is based in Minneapolis and in Pignon (Haiti). Its vision is to be part of the process of developing Haiti. Its model of a community managed water system is based on these points:
1. H.O. receives a request with support from at least 80% of the community members.
2. Local Water Committee is elected by community.
3. Local Water Committee is trained to organize and manage water supply system.
4. Subscription/pay system for water is critical.
Each community owns and manages its water supply, resulting in a sustainable solution.
- The Lagonjon project was inaugurated on Feb. 18, 2015. Yves shared pictures of the inauguration and reviewed all the steps followed to ensure sustainability of the project.
Yves told us Haiti Outreach is using the water access standards established by the WHO (World Health Organization) to map out and survey the various departments of Haiti to prioritize future work.
Visitors and Milestones
Visiting Rotarians:
Elizabeth Mhangani, Belmont Rotary Zimbabwe
Mike Faris, Former President, Rotary One
Interact Guests:
Mike Pagdanganan
Dave Feeley
Olasumbo Babalola
Grace Newcomb
Ben Osterlund
Irene Antonelli
Lucia Antonelli
