Hamilton Rotary

Hamilton Rotary Club
Minutes of Thursday, April 24, 2009
 
President Elect, Cynthia Stever opened today’s meeting at 12:12 pm.
 
Larry Bowling shared Prayer and Pledge.
 
Roger Reynolds, April’s Welcome Committee introduced Ann Antenen as Guest of the Club, Jim Paulus, his guest, Mary Bennett,  Rick Bethart – his wife Paula and Teri Whitmore, her guest, Jennifer Smith.
 
Cynthia read an Easter Greeting Card, from former Rotary Exchange Student, Marta Moritz, from Poland. Marta sends her warm regard to us, every Easter, recalling her year with us in 2004 - 05, as well as last summer’s follow-up visit.
 
Vaden Fitton will be our “Getting to Know You” Rotarian on April 30. Glad Vaden’s voice is back. Terry Weekly has agreed to a present, at a meeting TBA, in May.
 
Jim Fitton, Auctioneer Extraordinaire, offered two tickets to this Sunday’s matinee performance of, Avenue Q, at The Aronoff Center, Cincinnati. Maureen Noe anteed up $40.00 for the pair and that contribution will benefit Rotary’s, Polio Plus  Fund.
Thanks Jim and Maureen, for your generosity.
 
Teri Whitmore announced Jeanette’s Catering, a friend of our Club, is hiring Summer International College Exchange Students. Those students will require housing and will pay rent, either for a room or modest apartment. Should any Rotarian’s be able to offer space, please contact Teri.
 
Steve Schnabel announced this coming Sunday, April 26, from 1 – 4 pm., there is a fundraiser for Partners in Prime, being sponsored by Lizzie Eschenbrenner, a freshman, from Ross H.S., being held at Hamilton Christian Family Church, Millville Ave.  All proceeds from this fundraiser will be contributed to Partners in Prime, helping to pay for costs of repair, due to water damage to their building, this past winter. Food, entertainment, silent auctions and fellowship…Please come !! Quite a young lady, to step up.  Someday, a perfect Rotarian…Service Above Self !!
 
Rick Bethart introduced our Guest’s today, delegates from the Group Study Exchange, from Chile. Rick also announced his retirement from Chair of this Committee, pointing his lead to Steve Timmer and Sam Wyatt, in hopes they will take his place, as he continues to work with the committee. Rick also thanked those committee members who so generously opened their homes to the Chilean delegates on their visit to Hamilton, this past week. There will be a Farewell Party for the delegates and anyone able to attend, this Sat. evening, April 25, at Colligan Lodge.
 
Rick went on to introduce Team Leader, Russel Cabera. Russel shared with us in a video – Power Point Presentation, his five, delegation members, their trip to Ohio, from Chile and their Rotary District, within that country. Each team member came forward to share their personal background and video pictorial familiarizing us with their home’s, family and work in Chile.
Marianela Matta  - a Civil Engineer, continuing her education MBA program at University of Concepcion, while working in Water Treatment. She aspires to her PhD, loves dancing,  singing, Kung fu and mountain climbing.
Alejandra Bustos – from Los Angeles, Chile, is an elementary school teacher. She has two children and they enjoy outdoor recreation, fishing, visiting interactive farms and museums. Alejandra hopes to learn more about  our education system, Spanish / English speaking schools and boarding schools in the USA.
Klaudio Leal – a Civil Engineer, has his MBA, is married and has two children. He works with his father in a forestry company, and he teaches statistics at University. He enjoys rugby, jet skiing and horseback riding in his free time.
Angelica Soto – is a Psychologist and Actress, residing in Santa Barbara, Chile. She is single and has performed on TV, in films and local theater. She is also a consultant in human resources,  working under contract, on specific projects. She loves to sing and performs with a Jazz and Soul ensemble.
Russel Cabrera  - a Journalist, is Editor of Chile’s second largest newspaper, La Discusion. He is married and has two children, residing in Santiago, Chile. Russel went on in his presentation to share with us, Chile, as it is today. Seven hundred miles long, 250 miles wide, in South America. It is desert mountainous in the north and wet and forested to the south. There are approximately 16 million residents, 6 million in Santiago. It is government of free democracy and shares the same dilemma of global impact from the economy. Their primary export is copper, second is lumber. Chilean wines have become most popular over the past four years.
Their country is a beautiful place to visit with much to enjoy in tourism, from the Ande Mountains, to the Pacific Ocean and much heritage in historic value.
Russel then asked if there were any questions. – Dirk Allen asked about newspapers in Chile and world wide web attrition to that media. Russel stated his country is no different than our’s, that the web does impact printed news and their paper offers on-line, immediate updates, as do most domestic newspapers today.
Cynthia Stever then presented the Chilean Delegation, Hamilton’s Rotary Flag, and Russel reciprocated with their Chilean District’s Flag. – Warm applause for all and our sincere thanks for the delegates joining us.
 
Cynthia asked for Happy Bucks –
Bruce Jewett – for Volunteer Week
Rabbi Eric Slaton – for Bruce’s recognition as Outstanding Volunteer for the week.
Maureen Noe – Thanks to Rotary for our help with United Way.
Steve Schnabel – For the hardwood floors being replaced at Partners in Prime, covered by their insurance company. Until this week, that line item was undetermined, now granted.
Larry Bowling – Birth of their grandson.
 
Cynthia Stever –for DukeEnergy’s work in front of LifeSpan and ultimately the beautiful new landscaping, due to their work.
Joe Brandabur – for LifeSpan’s good fortune in landscaping which carried over to The Butler County Cornoner’s facility.
 
Split the Pot – Steve Williams announced the Pot O Gold’s up to $631.00  Still looking for the elusive 7 of Clubs.  Dave Mancuso held the lucky ticket number…Drum Roll Please…..so much for the Ace of Spades,  meaning next week’s Pot will be approx. $675.00. Stay tuned….Buy a Ticket and find that 7 of Clubs.
 
Applause for Carrilon Catering, serving the Rotary Club this year, while we’ve been at The Wilk’s Center.  Next week’s lunch will be prepared by The Coach House.
 
Next week’s program will be: Ohio Paranormal Exploration Society.  (April 30)
 
Joe Belew was silenced this week. Fines galore on the 30th
 
May 7th. will be the first meeting at our new digs, The Courtyard by Marriott, in downtown Hamilton.
 
Meeting adjourned: 1:05 pm.
 
Good job – President Elect, Cynthia !!
 
Minutes respectfully submitted,
 
Rotary Bulletin Editor – Tim Naab