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               It's been called the single most extensive international project by a Rotary club in Iowa, it's been the cover story in The Rotarian in 2007 and it involves thousands of Rotarians from 12 states and Canada. It's often referred to as The Shoebox Project. Yet it's much more.

               Be with us March 9 as Steve updates us on progress in helping the children of the dump in Nicaragua.

               If you've not been involved in past years, there are plenty of opportunities for international service.

Annual Presidents Elect Training Session (PETS) Offers Day of Training for Next Year's Leaders    District Governor Elect Roger Kueter of Cedar Falls (left) and our President Elect Steve Carignan share fellowship before the session begins Saturday.

               Governor Elect Gerald Ratzlaff of Monticello told attendees at the annual PETS in Waverly that Rotary is run by rookies, men and women who accept a one-year assignment from club to district governor to international president. While training for governors has been expanded from one to two years, for club presidents in our district training is one six-hour day.

            Six members of our club were present at WartburgCollege. Among the presenters was Lee Clancy of Cedar Rapids who is our district trainer.

Rotary committee promotes collaboration to increase service projects in Africa

Four African countries will each receive 20 incubators purchased by Rotarians in India as part of a project supported by Reach Out to Africa. Rotarians involved in the initiative worked with local clubs to raise funds for transportation and port charges, which will help the infant incubators arrive in Ethiopia, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda by June 30.

Reach Out to Africa, an RI committee, was formed to promote this kind of collaboration, to increase service projects, and boost Rotary club membership on the continent. "Africa has always been full of challenges, where the needs surpass the resources," says Past RI Director rselik Balkan, a member of the ad hoc committee overseeing the initiative. "Reach Out to Africa's aim is to essentially give clubs and districts the guidance, advice, and resources they need to execute the best possible service projects," he explains.

"Activities like the incubator service project will lead to a reduction in child mortality," says Balkan. "This is an example of the initiative helping local Rotarians practice teamwork."

Originated by Past RI President Wilf Wilkinson's advisory committee, the ad hoc committee consists of four regional subcommittees that cover eastern, western, southern, and northern Africa, and another subcommittee made up of Rotarians from around the world who have participated in successful projects on the continent.

            "We encourage all clubs to be proactive," he says, adding that the committee can be used as "a tool to help accomplish the best service projects in Africa. Rotary now has a great opportunity to reach our destiny and Make Dreams Real for all people in Africa."

Learn more on the Reach Out to Africa Web site.

               Since former District Governor and club member Joe Sage became our first Paul Harris fellow in 1974, members of our club have contributed $441,227 and have recognized 207 Paul Harris fellows. That's a record few clubs around the world can match. And as of February 20 we have given $6,227 to the Eradicate Polio Now Gates match, tops among the 54 clubs in our district.

            Our club has also produced three benefactors to the foundation- -people who have included the foundation's permanent fund in their estate plan. One of those is the aforementioned Joe Sage whose gift of over $80,000 which was announced in 1994 when he died, has produced income for the foundation for ten years.

            If you'd like more information on how easy it is to become a benefactor, you can contact Kathy Braun, our club's foundation chair, or you may go here.

A full house hears exciting news about a fund raising project for polio eradication

             A large group of Rotarians from Waterloo's two clubs and Cedar Falls participated in a celebration of Rotary's 104^th birthday February 23 at the SullivanCenter.

            Highlight of the program was the announcement by President Elect Steve Carignan that the event we've agreed to co-host at the Gallagher Bluedorn PAC will feature world famous Itzhak Perlman, an Israeli-American virtuoso violinist and teacher. He is one of the most distinguished violinists of the late 20th century. Five weeks ago he played at the inauguration of President Obama.

            Proceeds from the concert will go towards our district's goal of raising more than $100,000 to match the challenge grant from the Perlman contracted polio at the age of four. He made a good recovery, learning to walk with the use of crutches. Today, he generally uses crutches or a scooter for mobility and plays the violin while seated.

              A final date for the concert has not been nailed down yet, but it is expected to be in late fall, 2009. The three local clubs will be listed as sponsors the event, which is expected to sell out.

Cost of the sponsorship is $10,000. Previously the three clubs had agreed to contribute $2,500 and two Cedar Falls businesses had each pledged $1,000. But when District Governor Nominee Roger Kueter asked the group for people who wished to give $1,000 towards the remaining $5,500, Steve Schmitt was the first to stand. Then it was Greg Humble, then Mary Kayner, then Larry Biesanz, and finally Dave Braton. That brought the total to $9,500. Dr. Kueter, who is a celebrity auctioneer in spare time, knows how to work a crowd. So he suggested that five members offer $100 each to honor club member Doug Oberman. Five hands shot up at once. They belong to Tom Arthur, Steve Carignan, Kevin McCrindle, Gene Enderlein and Dave Buck. We'd made our goal of $10,000.

But Kueter wasn't done. He then offered to auction off packages of tickets to selected upcoming concerts at the PAC for $200 each and got three takers, Joe Gitta, president of the Cedar Falls club; Mayor Tim Hurley and David Lee.

President Mason and Jeremy Kauten from VGM Forbin have uploaded a clickable photo roster from 1966.  You can find it by clicking "About Our Club" then "Club History" on the left side of our webpage.

February Birthdays       

2          Steve Showers

3          BJ Beecher

9          Julie Hayes                                                                 

14        Berkeley Smith and Larry Biesanz

15        Allen Ricks

16        Michael Dargan

20        Uyntha Duncan and Craig Ritland

21        Steve Sinnott

23        Syd Thomas

28        Tim Mannatt

March Birthdays

5          Ralph Hadlund and Wayne Nathem

13        Larry Garlock

15        Steve Jordan

16        Mason Fromm and Bob High

20        Eric Ritland

26        Art Cox

27        Todd Peterson

28        John Hawse, Lee Miller and Tom Verhulst

30        Bob Regenwether

If you are interested in adding your company logo to the right of our website pages, review the Web Sponsor Form found in the lower right hand corner of our home page.  You can click the accompanying image to see the 3 size options.  Only 2 spots are available, so email Mason to stake your claim right now!

Kevin McCrindle was the first to email me this currernt Rotarian's name - I'll reveal his identity in the next Reporter, so stay tuned!  You can brush up on your Rotarians of the 60s by flipping through the online version of the 1965-66 Waterloo Rotary Club roster.  Click the link "About Our Club" on the left side of our webpage, then "Club History"