July 28, 2008 Spokesman
Posted by David Hunnicutt
President Bob Webb called the meeting to order at 6:30. Diane Lanspach led the flag salute and departed from our traditional inspirational moment with an invocation. Diane also was our greeter along with Alice Volpe.
Guests were in abundance, with Mikela Powers from Visiting Angels, Dan Goldman, John Delatorre was once again visitin us from New Zealand, and our guest speaker had an entourage of family members, including her mother Imogene Williams, Osie Savery, Ruth WIlliams, father Harvey Williams, Neyta Nielsen, and finally Zamareed Shah from Pakistan. also visiting us was former member Jocelyn Ellison and her husband Morris from Virginia Beach, Virginia, and their daughter, hopefully a future member, Erica Wadley, recently relocated to Kirkland.
The guest speaker was Rachel Williams, a fellow Rotarian from Ipswich, MA, and District 7930 Literacy Chair Program Coordinator. Rachel discussed efforts on the part of Rotary International to assist in literacy programs in Pakistan and India as well as ongoing efforts in countries such as Afghanistan. Guest Zam Shah also briefly spoke regarding his involvement in Pakistan, as he has lent both time and treasures to the efforts in that country. One noteworthy bit of information is that Rachel stated that our own Bureau of Prisons is gauging the future need for prison capacity by measuring the literacy rates of 5 year old children, as this directly impacts the crime rates and recidivism rates for criminals in our country. Also, by educating the women in other countries, the children can become more literate, and social problems are reduces much like a domino effect, including disease, infant mortality, and better control of the birth rate.
Bob paid an acknowledgement to Rich and Nanette Bergdahl for their hospitality in the Duck Dash party. Gary Bruner announced once again the upcoming Salmon BBQ at Casa Norman near Rose Point, and Bob's first Board meeting as our new President will be July 30 at the office of Feek/Justice. Finally John and Sean Lyons were recognized as the grand prize winners of the Duck Dash race. Bob reminded us all that unsold Duck Dash tickets must be returned for accounting purposes.
Very truly yours
David Hunnicutt