Rotary Club
of Grand Island, NY

Volume 1 | Issue 18 (10/26/2019)

 
GI Rotary Bulletin  
What GI Rotarians are thinking 
and talking about!
No Meeting this Week 
Make Sure You and the Kiddos
Have a Cheerful, and Safe, Halloween!
On Wednesday, concentrate on laying in candy bars (or maybe even healthful apples) for the onslaught of Trick or Treaters Thursday.  Please don't eat all of them yourself.
 
 Remember, we have an important breakfast meeting, Wed. Nov 6, as we welcome our District Governor, Bob Artis for a visit.  Many great things happen at the District level, see Sherry's report on District Youth Conference below, and come hear a first-hand story of District activities from DG Bob.  It is important both to hear DG Bob's message about District efforts, and also tell, show DG Bob that we in Grand Island Rotary are moving forward.
 
Our Nov. 20 Dinner meeting at the Launch Club will feature Grand Island's veteran service to Grand Island and the nation, plus the developing Veterans Memorial at the crossroad of Baseline and G I Boulevard.  In addition to hearing of the Memorial from Dan Drexelius, a leader in that Veterans Memorial Project, we would like to honor all our veterans.  If you are a veteran, please Email Mike Billoni and tell him of your service - and by the way, tell him you are coming!
 
As you come to the Nov. 6 Breakfast meeting, and the Nov. 20 Dinner meeting, please remember to bring a few cans, bottles or boxes of food staples - spaghetti, both sauce and pasta, peanut butter, tuna fish - the kinds of staples Neighbors Foundation so eagerly uses in their supply to Grand Island folks in emergency need of food.  The Foundation (remember it was started by Rotary 45 years ago) could really use the additional stock as they approach their most busy season, both Holiday giving and the inevitable cold weather time when families utility, heating bills go up, yet income stays same - must they save on food, how can they? ?
 
Further ahead, be prepared for an excellent Breakfast meeting on Dec. 4, as we hear from Faheen Mojawalla (and son Yussuf) of 'The Spa of Shipping on G I' aka Island Ship Center. Remember we will be deep into the Holiday Gift Season, which these days means receiving (maybe even returning) numerous shipments from Amazon and others.  Hear from Faheen, directly involved, about the modern phenomenon of Amazon and shipping in the modern purchasing world.
 
Great Program Last Week
Vital Books for Youth Mental Health
Anthony Zuiker, Creator of TV's CSI, Crime Scene Investigation, captivated the large group at Wed. evening's Launch Club meeting.  He described his life story, from tough youth years, a devotion to writing and a break into TV drama writing, leading to that great series.  As a 'Second Act', Anthony and his wife Michelle (native of Buffalo), have helped real youth authors create books that schools and parents can offer to help students understand, cope with, these modern subjects.  They have created books using realistic 'kids narratives' to help today's youth with today's problems - Divorce, CyberBullying, Body Image, Racism, School Shootings. Now these books are being distributed, free of charge, in schools, including Buffalo & G I.  To keep the books free for schools, Anthony is seeking donations from individuals, organizations or corporations.  Mike Billoni brought us this tremendous program, thank you Mike.
Upcoming Events for Grand Island Rotarians 
Include in Your Plans!
Event
Club Breakfast Mtg, DG Visit
District Grant Seminar
Club Dinner Meeting
Club Breakfast Meeting
Salvation Army Bell Ringing
Club Dinner Meeting (Party?)
Date
November 6, 7:15 AM
November 16, 9:30 - 2 PM
November 20, 6:15 PM
December 4, 7:15 AM
December 7, 8, 11, 14, 15
December 18, 6:15 PM
Place
Burger King, Round-about
Protocol Rest., Transit Rd
Buffalo Launch Club
Burger King, Round-about
G I Tops Market
Buffalo Launch Club
District Grant Management Seminar
On Sat., Nov 16, the District will hold a Grant Management Seminar, a chance to review the steps, goals and outcomes of  grant writing, submitting and possibly receiving, grants from the District fund.  District Matching grants provide an 'easy' way to increase our resources in a project such as aiding with a Well in The Congo.  But 'easy' still means work, it starts with attending a Grant Management seminar to fully understand the guidelines and significance of the Grant process.  We must have attendees, if we are to follow thru on plans such as Major Celestin's.  We must also go to neighboring Clubs with the message for help, but we must show the District we are organized for the effort by attending this seminar.
District Youth Conference -
Seeing the Power of Rotary Involved Youth
President Elect Sherry attended the conference last week, here is her report: 
The first Annual Youth 7090 District Conference held October 19th was filled with inspiring testamony, special program streams and exchange of ideas. Matt Falcone, UB Rotaract President President (2017-18) shared his Rotary story from challenges leading the club to his journey to help bring water to poor countries like Tanzania.  Rotary Youth Exchange presentations spanned generations if short and long exchanges and the impact on their lives. The Club Liaison track provided opportunities to share with other clubs regarding service projects, joint fundraising, and building membership.  It was an excellent day. 
Leadership Spots in 2020/21
President-Elect Sherry Miller will be President in 2020/21, you knew that.  Please help her fill out a Leadership Team for that year (starting July 2020, AKA just 8 months away).
 
Please consider taking the Pres. Elect post in 2020 /21, as a prelude for Presidency the next year.  Sound like TOO much of a challenge?  Perhaps as a team, Co-VP's then Co-President in 2021/21.  Sure, it's a challenge, but many have done it, rewards and satisfaction follow. Talk to Sherry.
 
There are also a Director position (a 3 year slot) and Secretary position to fill.  In addition, Director Mary Haggerty needs at least one Member to join her on the Scholarship selection committee.  Those High School scholarships are a very important feature of our support to youth - join in the process of selecting outsatanding service-oriented youth.
December is Coming
That means Salvation Army Red Kettle Bell Ringing
 
Check our calendar above, you see that Saturday & Sunday Dec. 7 & 8, plus 14 & 15, and a midweek day, Dec. 11, primarily for our Interact, EarlyAct partners will be dates for bell ringing at our G I Tops.  Check your schedules and other commitments now, please free up time one -  no several  - of those days, be prepared to sign up and help.
 
Grand Island Rotary Club Officers and Directors for 2019 - 20
 
President - Dick Earne
President Elect - Sherry Miller
Treasurer - Dan Flaim
Secretary, Bulletin Editor - Hank Kammerer
Director, Membership Chair - Mary Haggerty
Director - Brian Graham
Director - Christine Learman
Director - Kyle Clayton
Scribe - Mike Billoni
POD Leader, Oct thru Dec. - Mike Billoni
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