# 156 Henrico North Social

Dr Joe and wife donated two gifts to the event

President David, member Amber (event coordinator) Welcome all

Harvey, talks about what drives Rotarians to service above self

Hosts of the event Peter and Victoria Sickinger

This was a fantastic event to introduce individuals to the club at the beautiful 2300 Club in Richmond. The social was hosted by member Peter Sickinger and his wife; member Amber Neversby coordinated and planned the event.  Members mingled with guests and shared their love of Rotary.  Bringing like minded individuals together for good food, wine and prizes is always a winner.  It was a special treat for me to get to know many of the members. A raffle gave winners; dinner at the 2300 Club, Cosmetic Facial services from Dr Joe, and gift cards to several shops and services. 

#155 Falls Church

With Dennis Laymua

President Joe (Arlington Club), Dennis and President Joe (FallsChurch)

I have tried to schedule this club a couple of different times, as I wanted to be there when IPDG Horace and his wife and 2 time IPP Carlotta were in attendance, but their work has them traveling out west frequently.  So I choose today, as the featured speaker was speaking on schools in Tanzania which is supported in part by a matching grant and eco-safari trips to the same area.  Apparently word spread about this speaker as there were more visitors than club members. I will point out that there were two other events that club members were taking part in, one was a fund raiser at George Mason University, for the Rotaract club and the other, "Empty Bowls" for the food bank.  With that said, the club had seven members in attendance and nine visitors.  Meeting at the Harvest Moon restaurant, we had a family style meal consisting of a variety of asian  foods, all very good.  Of the seven members there, several were familiar with my quest, as well as the visitors who were from clubs that I have already presented to.  The Falls Church club sponsors the Rotary Times television program, which I taped in December, although I don't know when it aired since I don't have access to that channel in West Point.

The speaker, Dennis Lyamua talked about the need for education of children in East Africa and the program set up with the Asante Africa Foundation.  The program was set up after it's founder saw the need while on a safari trip.  I have seen schools in different parts of the world, and they all fulfill the need to educate the students to prevent the cycle of poverty.  The cost of educating the students varies greatly.
I won my 2nd 50/50 today, $13.

Meal: $11
50/50: $13

# 154 Woodbridge

Trash can for Trash Talk

Spin the wheel if you are late.

I thought this club met at a golf club, so I was surprised when I drove up to an adult home.  After being miss-directed to the wrong room, a helpful staff member guided me through the maze of corridors to the correct room.  Even with the room error, I managed to arrive prior to other club members.  President Charlene was so welcoming and AG Dave Mercer also visited the club today, always nice to see his smile.

So, club # 154, and I saw two new traditions here.  First, trash talk...yes another name for Happy Dollars, but they use a trash can to collect the funds.  Second, was the late wheel, which the latecomers must spin  publicly to reveal their fine. Today two members were quite tardy and spun the wheel.  All was done in good fun.  One member was spring cleaning at her home and came across an annual fruit sales award, a plastic orange atop of a small shelf, with the year and name of the high sellers, it was extra incentive draw of the day (I think others may have looked at it as the white elephant gift), either way it was good fun.
The featured speaker was from VDOT and we learned about the major highway programs in the works or soon to be coming to the northern Virginia highway corridor.  The meal was very good consisting of a choice of fish or chicken.  I won the 50/50 draw, which I haven't done in some time.

Meal: $13
50/50: $33

#153 Culpeper

PE Hobson and President Brian except the 200 Challenge Certificate

This 7:00 am club meets at the Best Western, and as Culpeper is 2.5 hours from west Point, I decided to stay in Culpeper the night prior to the meeting. I was informed this was a small club that was having difficulties capturing new members.  They recently changed the meeting date and time to better fit the schedules of its members.  They were a Monday evening club and now they are a Thursday morning club. I must say the meeting had a high attendance this day as every seat was filled.  I was delighted to meet Scott Mills, the AG for this area, since I missed him at several other clubs and/or events. As we move in our Rotary life we meet Rotarians who inspire us, Scott is one of those individuals for me, I have great respect and admiration for his commitment to Rotary.

The members were very pleased to see the work in India by Rotarians and more pleased to learn that 5 members from District 7610 went to take part in the experience.  Several mentioned that it was important for others like myself to bring the message back to the clubs, not only of what Rotary is doing, but what needs to be done and how we can make a difference.  Rotary is making a difference in the lives of so many in India and around the world.

Meal: $13

# 152 Stafford

Happy 106th Birthday Rotary!

President John accepts the Certificate of Appreciation


Happy Birthday Rotary!  Stafford was ready to celebrate today.  The tables were dressed with ballons and the cupcake dsiplay was beautiful.  I have been looking forward to this club, as I know several members and was happy to see several of them.  The members were quite surprised by the scope of my challenge, most find it hard to fathom visiting so many clubs. Especially when many have a hard time making a meeting once a week.
Today the featured speaker was Dr. David Sam, who is the president of Germanna Community College and also president of the Orange Rotary Club.  It was nice to get a presentation on all the school offers.  I have already visited the Orange club so David was well aware of my challenge.
The Stafford club offers a great meal and several options at the Cannon Ridge Golf Club for lunch.  They are already working on their big fundraiser, Wings and Wheels which will take place in October.

Meal $12

# 151 Henrico East

This is the first US club that I have visited that was chartered as an all womens club, although there are men in the club now.  The members are full of Rotary spirit, all wearing multiple pins.  The club focuses on service, working hands-on with several events. In addition to my presentation, the Interact advisor came to visit the club and update the members on the students' projects.  Meeting at a grocery store the members pick up  something from the breakfast buffet, although today they brought in a breakfast pizza.  The club is small in size but big in heart and I very much enjoyed my visit.

#150 Norfolk

President Ben and Mayor Fraim take questions

Lorna giving information for the upcoming Auction

A member adresses a question to the Mayor

I was over an hour early for this club, not knowing how traffic would be or the parking situation.  So I find a meter spot across from the venue (I did not know there was parking at the actual site).  While I am getting my things together, a man who was behind me, knocked on my window and told me he had paid my meter for the next 2 hours along with his own.  How nice was this, I saw him walk back to a restaurant, which he appeared to work at given the chef's attire.  Needless to say, when I left later, his meter was fully charged.

Executive Secretary, Page was the first to arrive and was expecting me.  Shortly thereafter Lorna arrived to set up the room, with time on my hands, I offered to help.  Well I am a little too short to hang the banners but I was happy to put the song books and the seating charts on the tables....Yes you heard right, we have assigned seats here.  With membership hovering around the 150 mark, it would be easy for members to sit with the same people each week.  So they rotate the seating every couple of months, allowing the  members to meet each other.
Before I get into the actual meeting I want to showcase the club's auction that will be held on March 26th.  The proceeds will benefits the club's literacy programs which are a hallmark of the club.

Date:	Mar 26, 2011 6:00pm
Event Fee:	$50.00
Location:	Norfolk Masonic Temple
	7001 Granby Street Norfolk, VA 23505

The lunch offered two salads, cheeseburger soup (really) and Chicken a la King. The soup was quite tasty. The agenda was full today, so I was very brief, and hope to go back to offer the full presentation in the summer.  Norfolk City Mayor, Paul Fraim was the featured speaker and while I am not up on the happenings in Norfolk, everyone was sympathetic to the apparent failings of a project that would have benefitted the community.

Meal $13

# 149 James City County

two members and myself after the meeting.

This club starts at 7:00am set in a room overlooking the James River at Kings Mill.  Ron was my helper today and I appreciate him operating the computer, as I did not have the remote.  The typical breakfast fare with delicious sausages.  The club has an auction upcoming on March 27th, this is a major fundraiser where all members participate in helping to make it a success.  The club was very gracious and interested in the work in India, with several asking for more information about next year's trip.

At the conclusion of the meeting one of the wait staff came up to me and thanked me for the presentation (all of the members were gone by this time).  What the club does not know is that this gentleman, goes to the Dominican Republic to do service work, with medical personnel and others treating people in the rural areas, building wells and other projects.  He said he understood the feeling when you look into the eyes of another, who is saying thank you for helping them.
I asked him if he had ever shared with the club members what he does in the Dominican Republic to which he replied no.  They know now.

More about the Auction:

The Rotary Club of James City County will host its twelfth annual Charity Auction on Sunday, March 27, 2011 at the Marriott Hotel, 50 Kingsmill Road in Williamsburg from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm.

The primary charity benefiting from our auction is CASA, the Court Appointed Special Advocates program. Colonial CASA recruits, trains, and supports community volunteers who serve as court-appointed special advocates for abused and neglected children.  The organization’s mission is to promote the best interests of these children by advocating for safe, timely, and permanent placements for them – the most helpless of victims.  

You can contact the club by going to it's website:  jccrotary.org

Thank you for the mug!

Meal: $13

# 148 RLI Norfolk

DG Jayne address the group.

Alone one can build something very good

Team work Building something "Bigger, Better Bolder"

Class of Norfolk 2011 with Bob Stallworth & Jim Probsdorfer

I love RLI and this was like a homecoming, I knew more than 50% of the participants and we had one of the largest events with two sessions for both Part I & II, Part III had nine graduating on this date.  I didn't make it down the night prior to the event due to getting home late from my earlier meetings, so I left early as I always do with the tunnels.  As it happened I was on the bridge going into the tunnel when both lanes were closed.  After sitting for almost 30 mins we were on our way, I still had plenty of time to spare and it was a beautiful morning sitting watching the boats as the sun rose.
 I had 3 classes to facilitate including the two hour Leadership, where I used my trademark Legos, it was a hit and several came up to let me know how much fun the class was.  I did my job right then!  I also facilitated Membership Recruitment and Creating a Service Project.  The day was smooth and seemed to fly by  Lunch offered the normal selection of luncheon meats and a great corn chowder.

# 147 West Point

Okay so I had stopped including my own club, but I added this meeting as it was my meeting to be in charge of.  My speaker was Jennifer Curtis of the International Hospital for Children, which was perfect for World Understanding Month.  I wanted to have this organization talk to our club after meeting at the Mechanicsville club.  The IHC was started by a Rotarian from the South Richmond Club, I especially like that it showcases how Matching Grants are helping those in greatest need and that one Rotarian can bring an idea together with the club and beyond to make a difference for so many lives.  I will also say that our new caterer Melissa makes the best breakfast hands down.  So please come visit the West point Club on Thursday morning.
I was also in charge of the pledge, invocation and incentive prize.  The pledge I heard at another club and brought it to our club.  As for the incentive, I brought in a beaded handbag, a sandalwood carved elephant and some lentil snack, all from my recent trip. The member winning the prize was happy, I know his wife will be happy with the bag.  Lastly, we encouraged Jennifer to consider joining Rotary, she is also considering applying for the next GSE team in 7600.  She will be a Rotarian at some point.  Also do you see the Rotary Wheel of Fortune, a clever way to have fun quizzing Rotary knowledge from our Foundation Chair, John has lots of great ideas.

Meal: $10

# 146 Front Royal

President Pam IPD Eric and myself before the banners of district accomplishments

I promised Eric Adamson, that I would incorporate Front Royal into my schedule of club visits, it took a couple of tries to get the schedule so that we were both available on the same date.  I have to first state the the staff at the Holiday Inn, in Front Royal is fabulous, they got my equipment connected and even got me a safety pin for my sari, which was determined to slide off my shoulder.  Also to a club member who was able to pull up my presentation, when I kept receiving error messages.


President Pam is an absolute delight and I enjoyed chatting with her. Two members I spoke with, were from India and Gwangu, Korea respectively and I was happy to speak to them individually about their respective countries.  Eric introduced me, his wife Linda was not feeling well this day so I missed the chance to see her.  The group was pleased with the presentation, although I went over on the time.  So thank you to the club for your patience. I learned that the Happy Dollars went to the club's Polio Plus fund raising efforts. Several came up after the meeting, one member even brought a check, for the Limb Center, which I will direct through the foundation.  Others asked for information on next years trip, which will be forth coming.  This club also knows how to raise money;  events such as "Cash Carnival (aka Las Vegas Night"), "Vacation Gala", "Golf Tournament", "Festival Events" (food vending), Horse Show, Poker Tournament, and Poinsettia Sales are some of the ways this club rasing funds to support the project lsted below.  Spreading the good to all areas of their community.

Scholarships No Skip Scholarship Little League Baseball Blue Ridge Arts Council Youth Exchange True Colors Boy Scouts Ethics Workshop Youth Soccer League Juvenile Diabetes (walk) C Edu. Endowment Camp Fantastic 4-H Camp Scholarships Midget Football Youth  Soccer-American Red Cross Rotary Family Memorials  Habitat For Humanity

WC Serv Group / Daise Troop Midget FB Cheerleaders. Youth Leadership-B'ksb After Prom Party Doc Smith Baskets Interact Chamber of Commerce FR Beautification March of Dimes Shenandoah Area Agency On Aging Youth Exchange Samuels Library Blue Ridge Opportunities Bone Marrow Drive St. Lukes Community Clinic Relay For Life

Meal $13  which was very good by the way!
Club Banner $5
$50 Donation from club member

# 145 Virginia Beach

Again, the clubs are energized and new members are coming in.  This evening club is mid to large in numbers and has a more formal setting (without a head table)  I am not a fan of head tables, but see the need especially for the larger clubs. I was seated next to Jamie, who is a 2nd generation Rotarian, his father and mother live in Canada and traveled to India last year to participate in an NID. I was familiar with the group they were a part of, as I had talked with the leader about Chad and I joining them.  The main reason I did not go with this group was the length of stay, they were in India for 21 days, longer than I wanted to take Chad out of school for.  I had actually talked with four different groups before making my decision to join Nancy Barbee's group.
New member Barbara is not a new Rotarian, but rather a transplant, she is the IPP of the Centerville club in my district and we attended several meetings together in the past.  Tom Crockett of Together We Can Foundation talked about life coaches for youth at risk in particular teens in the foster care system.  I loved the presentation and work they do.  This is an ongoing program that the club supports.  I will come back to this club in the summer to present my full talk on Rotary Beyond the Club.

New to RC of VB, PP Barbara receives a new pin.

Meal:$15

#144 Gloucester Courthouse

I've been to this club at least four times, so I am not considered a visitor.  As always it is great seeing old friends.  Gloucester is only 20 mins from my home, so it's easy to get to and lunch is prepared by a club member's catering business so it is good. President Brian was away so PE Jenifer took over the gavel for the first time and did an outstanding job.  The club was having a fireside chat the next morning for new members, so I shared the basics powerpoint that I had just received with Area Membership Coordinator Frank (2nd to left in pic, the tall one) IPP Scot Haley gave a great presentation on the current situation in the financial markets

Lunch $13

#143 Yorktown

This is an informal club that likes to get involved and they are quite busy with all the projects they are working on.  As several told me they joined Rotary to do service!  They have a 5K run, fishing twice a year for disabled veterans, literacy programs, weekend fun program for terminally ill children, supporting a child care center in Ecuador where several members go each year and much more.
Meeting at Bill's Seafood, you get twice the amount of food you can eat! This club like my morning visit to Henrico North was full of laughter and fun.  This was the first club to see the pictures from my latest NID trip.  They were very inquisitive about the program and opportunity to serve.  Thank you  for the coveted Rotary Club of Yorktown Mug!

Meal: $13

# 142 Henrico North

What a jovial group, especially for a morning club.  This club very much enjoys the company of each other and it shows.  Meeting at the Westwood club, it is the 3rd of three clubs to meet in this facility.  The breakfast fare was typical, and I jokingly added, that there was no chicken or green beans so they were safe.  What I did very much like is the formal invitation for an upcoming social to introduce potential members to the club. A great way to showcase the club to potential new members.
The club also inducted a new member, my favorite event at any meeting.
The club is involved with many local projects including the YMCA Bright Beginnings, a program that my club participates with our local Y. Some of the projects  Henrico North support include; scholarships, AL walk, "Riders for Readers" and collecting gifts for the Henrico's Mother Christmas program.  I want to thank President David for the time and the pen, I have already used it.

Meal: $13

# 141 Assistant Governor Training

Next year I have been asked to be the International Service Chair for the district, which I was pleased to take on given my love of everything international.  In addition to International Service, I was appointed to lead the GSE Team to Gwangu Korea, a role I and very much looking forward to.

PDG Horace McCormack and current International Services Chair Janet Brown

The AG training actually started on Friday, but I and the other district chairs arrived on Saturday morning.  It is always great seeing other from the district that you don't see on a regular basis.  We reviewed the different areas of service and the roles for each with the current and incoming Assistant Governors.

# 140 Road Clean Up West Point

Kay, me, Trent and Mary ready to hit the road, Vern is taking the picture

So road clean up is not glamorous, but it needs to be done.   Having just returned from India, I was not pleased to be out in the frigid 40s temps, but once a quarter our club has committed to cleaning the streets of debris. Mind you we have street cleaners that routinely clean the downtown streets.  Kay and I took Lee Street, usually this street only requires 1 bag, but it was good that we each had the super reinforced trash bags they were both full by the time we made it back to Main Street an hour later.  I was happy to find the fireplace on and a piping hot cup of cocoa waiting on my return home.

# 139 Calcutta Central's Farewell Dinner

All good things must come to an end and so has our mission in India for this year.  The Calcutta Central Club hosted us once more for a farewell dinner.  Members had a tough time getting to the verdic village with traffic tie ups, many were late in arriving.  President Soddar  and Binod thanked the group and hope that our clubs can come together again.  I know we all appreciate the hospitality, warmth and generosity of this club.  This event was different from others as we ate first then had speeches. 

# 138 Murshidabad

The Rotary Club of Murshidabad was happy to host our club on the visit to their village.  This is one of the smallest clubs with only 10 members, small in numbers large in need.  The community has so many needs and this club is trying to address them.  The club is working with many other clubs in their district and around the world to make a difference for the people in this area.  

#137 Payali School

The Payali School was started in 2003 by DG Deepa Willingham,   The following was taken directly from the RI website and I think it articulates the story of the school best. Education, clean water & amp; sanitation and sustainability are all key components to the success of the Payali Learning Center.

A basic understanding of poverty is the inspiration Rotarians need to eradicate it, keynote speaker Deepa Willingham said during the second spouses plenary session at the International Assembly.(2008)

Willingham, a member of the Rotary Club of Santa Ynez Valley, California, USA, told the audience that 1.3 billion people around the world live on less than US$1 a day and that 10 million children die each year before they reach their fifth birthday due to extreme poverty. “I find these numbers staggering and overwhelming. My heart aches with sadness,” she said.  

Figures like these led Willingham to form PACE Universal(Promise of Assurance to Children Everywhere) in 2003. The organization’s mission is to nurture the education, nutrition, health, and social development of young girls in the slums of Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), India, and other areas around the world.

“I’m just a simple Rotarian from a small town in Southern California, but I believe that I can make a difference by doing my share, however small that may be,” Willingham said.

Her club partnered with the Rotary Club of Calcutta Metropolitan to build a permanent building for the Piyali Learning Center, which will eventually serve 1,200 girls and 500 boys from impoverished villages around Kolkata.

The center will also help provide clean water, sanitation, and solar ovens to the community of Piyali Junction. “The aim of the center will be to bring about sustainable changes to the lives of citizens,” said Willingham.

Those living in extreme poverty “live with no hope in their hearts, they have no voice in their destiny or the ability to determine their future,” Willingham told the audience.

Principal gives an overview of the school

students working on their computer skills

Local women, making beautiful jewelry

tight quarters, but the girls are thrilled to be in school

all happy to be learning

PDG Pam Russell, stand below the original sign

I am simply in awe of Deepa's commitment and was so pleased to be able to see this amazing school first hand. The new building is scheduled to open late spring and will offer boarding and allow the school to grow  to offer education up to level ten.  There is also an adult Learning Center as part of the school which offers jewelry making and computer skills to the women of the community. Microcredit will offer these women the opportunity to buy materials so that they can sell their goods and become self sustaining. Deeps is proof that one Rotarian can do great things, but working together even more can be accomplished.  Deepa's dream is giving hope to children who had no hope.

#136 Calcutta Central Regular Meeting

The driving to locations has been an exaggerated amount of time many days 5 hours each way most with a minimum of 2 hours, which has been wearing on all.  The Calcutta club moved this meeting closer to our lodging to reduce our drive time, bringing it down to just 1 hour.   As with most clubs the Calcutta Central club meets in the evening,  we were given a review the Polio situation in West Bengal and in particular Murshidabad, the site of the sub-national immunization day.  The presentation was concise and very relevant to our purpose.  The meal was delicious and we exchanged banners. The club offered gifts of Rotary shirts and glasses.  I presented the club with their certificate at which time they committed to add $1,000 to Polio Plus for the 200/200, additionally a past president pledged another $1000. I am completely in awe of their generosity.

My donation for this club will be $100

The Club's donation $2000