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Program for September 22
by Buck, David


This week we move our meeting to the Sky Event Centre where our host, Bridget Bryson will give us a preview of Barmuda's three new facilities in downtown Waterloo.  Teddy, our visitor from France, will also present a video describing his homeland.

            The Sky Event Centre was the Blacks Tea Room in the 1960's and 70's and where our club met for many years. Now it has been completely remodeled by Darin Beck along with a resteraunt and lounge on the main floor and will continue the rebirth of downtown Waterloo.

            Monday will be the the only opportunity for Teddy to visit one of our club meetings, so Teddy's chaparone, Antoine will speak to us breifly and exchange flags with President Steve.  

            We will start our meeting promptly at 12:15 so Bridget and Antoine have ample time to speak, so please arrive early and use the parking ramp on Park Avenue (free parking on the top level).  We expect the meeting to go beyond 1:00, so please stay with us if you can!

Why am I a Rotarian?
by Buck, David


In this month's edition, British Rotarian and former RI President Bill Huntley tells his story. Bill, who was president in 1994-95, died last year.

My first acquaintance with Rotary was in Hertford, England, where I saw the good influence a group of dedicated men was having on the local community. At that time I was second in command of a school for teen-aged delinquent boys. The boys helped in many of the Rotary club's community programs. This benefited the boys and the programs.

It was heartwarming to see men who were leaders in the community working together for the good of the less fortunate.

Later the Vocational Service Committee of a neighboring club asked me to find a boy who would benefit from a two-week adventure expedition.

The chosen boy addressed the club on his experiences. One member was so impressed with the young man that he offered him a job. The end of the story came some years after when the boy was made a partner in the company. Here, I realized, it was "Service Above Self" being put into practice by the Rotarians for the good of all.

When the opportunity came for me to join Rotary, I was delighted to find that my club was every bit as active in service as the ones I had observed. Each member of that small club played his part in helping with all of the varied programs.

I have never been disillusioned by Rotarians, for they are always ready to help and to give service in the most wonderful ways. As a Trustee of the Rotary Foundation, I asked each district in Great Britain to give $500 to obtain a special grant to assist a Rotary Village Corps in Sri Lanka. One district on its own immediately gave the full amount.

A letter from Sri Lanka illustrates the effect of that action. The last sentence said, "God bless you. You don't know what you have done."

That is why I am a Rotarian; that is what keeps me a Rotarian. To associate with a group of men and women who are instantly ready to help is a blessing and a privilege. As a Rotarian I am part of a movement, which still has to realize its true potential. Our strength is in our desire to serve.

Who knows what we can achieve? We don't know what we can do.  

Shoebox Sorting & Stacking
by Ken Cutts


Check out new photos of Rotarians working at Goodwill Industries this week as we inspect and pack thousands of boxes and hundreds of layettes.

            We need to inspect and pack over 2,000 shoeboxes and we'll need a lot of help from you and others you can convince to help.

            Ken Cutts is coordinating volunteers; you can contact him by phone or e-mail to see what times are open. It's indoor work with no heavy lifting, mostly, so please pitch in. Ken can be reached at 277-4417 (land line); 239-3637 (cell phone) or by e-mail  at mailto:akcutts@cfu.net.

            Ken is also considering some afternoon sessions for people who prefer that. Check with him to see which days are available.

            And if you haven't returned your own box(es) yet, bring them to Goodwill Industries, 2640 Falls Avenue. We'll be in the Mollenhoff Building, enter from the rear.

Many Hands Make Light Work
by Buck, David


Team of 36 workers makes big progress Wednesday, including new member Travis Fiacco, shown here tuning up a bicycle for a lucky child in Nicaragua.  

            With a big assist from ten boy scouts from troop 10 and their leaders, we got a lot of work done Wednesday night at the Mollenhoff Center at Goodwill Industries on Falls Avenue.

            Logistics Czar Ken Cutts reports that a few more boxes are supposed to arrive Thursday from Fort Dodge and other places, and a lot of work remains in packing bicycles for shipment. So if you've not had a chance to help yet, Thursday could be your day.

            Then we'll take Friday off and go at it again next Monday thru Thursday, when, among other things, we will be loading two semi trailers for shipment to Houston.

            For details on Thursday's work hours, call Ken at 277-4417 or to his cell phone at (319) 239-3637. Details on next week's work schedule will be announced next Monday at our weekly meeting; they will also be reported here.

Teddy Has Arrived!
by Mason Fromm

After months of fundraising by his local Rotary club, and months of planning by Al Ricks, Teddy was warmly welcomed Tuesday night at the Isle Casino Hotel.

Teddy's mother and chaparone Antoine will accompany him on several trips over the next several days to various Cedar Valley and Iowa locations.  A complete itenerary is available on our Teddy Project page.

At our meeting Monday (at the Black's Building), Teddy will present a short video to our club following the Barmuda presentation.  To give Bridget from Barmuda ample time, we will begin Teddy's presentation near 1:00, so please plan to stay with us until 1:15.

Our club is making news on the other side of the globe, as Teddy's home club is keeping it's members updated on his first trip to America.  You can see a translated screenshot of their blog here, or if you can read French, visit their page here.