# 192 Lake Ridge

members move to the speaking area after finishing the meal

lots of information

The coffee pot adds new dimensions to the money in the pot

This was the second breakfast club of the day, which I understand has an outstanding breakfast. Having been at this facility for another club, I would believe it.  The featured speaker reviewed a high speed rail system for Virginia, something that would be very welcomed, especially in the congested northern corridor of the state.  The speaker had met me early in this journey at his own club in Richmond, and was pleased to see that I had be able to complete the task.   While I spent a limited time with the club, I was impressed with what I saw.  A table with all sorts of Rotary and club information was laid out and in particular they had 2 bumper stickers, one on Polio which I had only seen as an image on internet searches, no one knew where it came from but it was offered to me.  I may have some made up. I would like them to have it available for all the members.  I also learned that one member had a family member who had Polio and was very driven to help with the eradication of Polio, unfortunately, the member was not in attendance on this day.

Now  for two new concepts:  first, in a picture above you will see a coffee pot, with the Rotary emblem.  This is the 2nd club I have seen that has a lottery system for sustaining members.  Each week the winner of the normal raffle drawing has the opportunity to put $10 into the pot, along with their name.  This is done for ten weeks, at the end one of the ten names is drawn and the money goes for their sustaining member in the foundation.  The second new concept, is after finishing the meal the members move to a seating area to listen to the presenter.  So the members are focused on the presentation and not the meal plate.

Thank you for the banner and the member donation!

Meal $15
Donation $20
Banner $5

# 191 West Springfield

President Karen receiving the 200/200 Certificate for the club

A very quick visit to this club, as I was squeezing two breakfast clubs in on one day.  President Karen was very gracious to give me time, just after ringing the bell and holding up the buffet line.  I know some members through RLI or having met them at other events.  One member was hoping to join the NID trip this year, but the timing did not work, hopefully he will be able to join the group next year.  The club is currently involved in a Reverse Raffle with the top prize $10,000.    I will be going back to this club as a featured speaker talking about Rotary beyond the club and the projects we worked on during the trips to India.  The Governor Nominee is a member of this club, and is excited about his upcoming term in 18 months.

Meal Donation: $15

# 190 Melfa (7610) Eastern Shore

County Board member Robert Crokett speaks about projects in the county

Members Jeanette and Willy at the end of a good meal

This is the forth club on the eastern shore for district 7600 and the only club that does not meet on Thursday. The Sage Diner is the spot for a great plated breakfast, which today consisted of a ham and cheese omelet, perfectly cooked potatoes and toast. I do believe they will make it into the top five breakfast clubs for the meal.  Aside from the food the club is very active in supporting Special Olympics, a local food pantry and several other projects.  They are currently involved with the upcoming  "Taste of the Eastern Shore"wherein many restaurants will gather at the community college for food tasting. This is the 12th year of the event and the proceeds benefit the Foodbank of the eastern shore.

After receiving an email today I have updated the blog, the club made a generous donation of $100 for the Polio Plus efforts.  Thank you very much!

Meal $10
Donation $100

# 189 Warwick

Col Molloy engages the club with his tactical maneuvers

Display case shares awards the club has received

With Col Matt Molloy, Commander of the First Wing, Joint Base Langley-Eustis speaking on the Raptor F-22A, the club had a full house.  This energetic Air Force officer held every ones attention throughout his presentation.The club meets at the Women's Club in Newport News and has been there for years, but is planning to move their venue to the Virginia Living Museum, a facility which they were charter sponsors of.  They are looking forward to the move as this is one of their focus benefactors. Others include the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and one other that I can't recall off hand.  They are supporters of the foundation and sent sign up sheet around during my talk to add to their club donation, (I will get the total soon to add to the list). I very much appreciate the extra support.
Diner was very good and different; meatloaf, potatoes, greens and pineapple up-side down cake.  I think the clubs have been reading the blogs ahead of time as I have not had chicken and green beans in over a week....

Meal $10
Banner $5

# 186 Williamsburg

Robin and Rob use props to discuss
the Foundations efforts with maternal and infant care

President Frank receives the 200/200 Certificate for the clubs support of Polio Plus

Closer to home The Williamsburg evening club is a delightful group.  Meeting at the Williamsburg Lodge they are known for good food and many visiting Rotarians.  I enjoyed the Rotary minute provided by member Robin who talked about how Foundation funds are used to aid mothers and children in developing countries, She and member Rob have been presenting different areas of Foundation focus each week to inspire and remind members what the Foundation does.  The club has been actively supporting Polio Plus and plans to continue.
The Chancellor of the Thomas Nelson Community College spoke on the role of community colleges and in particular  the benefits of the programs especially in the technical application fields; welding, nursing, etc.
Sitting to my left on this evening was Frank, who during Happy Dollars announced that he was celebrating his 61st anniversary from graduating from The Ohio State University.  He held in his pocket three buckeye nuts....I never knew what a buckeye was until he showed me. My late husband went to The Ohio State University.  The meal of soup, steak, potatoes, mixed vegetables and sweet potato pie was delicious.

Meal: $22 

# 188 Fair Lakes

Club members and scholarship applicants

The wheel is used for fines,  just not today

What a day to attend. The club was holding it's interviews for the student scholarships.  The schools selected eleven students to vie for 3 scholarships.  Each student shared their community service, extra curricular activities and their hope for the collegiate experience.  One of the students knew Chad from RYLA.  Prior to the students speaking I shared my brief 200/200 journey and expressed my gratitude for the students and their volunteer spirit and for the community service they were participating in.  At the conclusion of the meeting the students were interviewed one at a time. I left at this point, I was glad I did not have to make the decision, these are all brilliant young people who are all deserving.

Meal $12

#187 RLI Annandale

The graduates w/ some of the facilitators

Facilitators at Asian Grill the night before RLI

participants Sue, Anapum, Mike Trudie and Mary
work on the group  project

Laura, Mal Barry and Ray are creating a rotary vision with Legos

Anapum and Mike share with the group
what the group creation represents

Steve shares with the group

On Friday evening the facilitators came together at the Asian Grill in Springfield for dinner and reviewed the agenda for the next day.  A favorite of Jon and Mary Allen's the Asian Grill serves great food with outstanding service.  I like the variety of asian foods and the unique dishes not found elsewhere.

Holding the event at Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale; this was the largest graduating class in Zone 33's history.  Eighteen Rotarians fulfilled all three parts of the Rotary Leadership Institute.  I led the Effective Leadership session in part 3 and was co-leader of the Service Projects for part 1.  Using Legos in my facilitation is always fun and I am amazed at how the participants relate their creations to how Rotary is moving forward.  A great day.