Begin With The Children

This week's meeting will be held at the Chamber of Commerce upstairs conference room beginning at 12:15 p.m. to introduce the "Begin With The Children", a local Rotary project organized by Willie Richardson in cooperation with our two hospitals.  Vibert Kessler, the Director for Begin with the Children Foundation will be on hand along with District Governor Charlie Tegarden and representatives from the hospitals and local media.  Beverages and finger foods will be served.

Planning is the Key

Frank Hart gave us an entertaining photo review presentation of the 2008 Burro BBQ as a reminder of just how much work goes into the event.  If you are a Committee Chairperson for any aspect of the 2009 Burro BBQ, now is the time to actively recruit members for your committee.  If you have not volunteered for a committee assignment, now is the time to offer your help in the areas in which you have experience or enjoy or want to learn.  Sorry, all the Beer Booth positions are taken!  But help is needed for Tickets, Wood Gathering, Fire Pit Ignition, Meat Preparation, Vendor Booths, Burro Sheet Editorial, Kids Area, Entertainment, Food Service, Wine Sales and Soft Drink Sales.  Of course, everyone gets to help with set-up and clean-up.  And don't forget the Pre-BBQ Golf Tournament and Family Barbecue at Chaparral Country Club, Friday afternoon, April 17^th.

Opportunities for Service

District 5490 is organizing trips to Hermosillo and Caborca, Mexico next month for Polio Vaccinations and Wheelchair Distributions. 

  February 13 - 15, 2009,  Hermosillo, Mexico

  Project: Polio Immunizations

   Registration Costs: $170/person (includes transportation from Buckeye, Friday dinner, Sat breakfast/dinner, Sun breakfast)

   Lodging: Approximately $60/night per double occupancy room times, 2 nights

Additional Costs: Lunches and any personal expenses.

   Seats Available: 25

February 20 - 22, 2009, Caborca, Mexico

    Project: Polio Immunizations and Wheelchair Distributions

   Registration Costs: Approximately $200/person - final cost is to be determined. (Includes transportation from Phoenix, Friday dinner, Sat breakfast/dinner, Sun breakfast)

   Lodging: Home hosting planned for those who would like that fellowship. Back - up is hotel at approximately $75/night per double occupancy room - 2 nights.

   Additional Costs: Lunches and any personal expenses.

   Seats Available: 40

Contact Don Schiller in Prescott for more information: E-mail schiller@commspeed.net

Phone: 928-717-1000  Cell: 928-710-2383

Gates Foundation Polio Grant

Art Harrington announced the exciting news to the club at last week's meeting about the increased commitment of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for an additional $255 million, on top of the $100 million donated last year, to help Rotary and its partners finish the job to eradicate Polio. 

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded US$255 million to Rotary International in the global effort to eradicate polio, bringing the total committed by Rotary and the Gates Foundation to $555 million.

Bill Gates announced the new grant on Wednesday morning at the International Assembly in San Diego, shortly after meeting with incoming district governors from the four countries where the wild poliovirus is endemic -- Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan.

Polio eradication has been Rotary's top priority since 1985, with more than $1.2 billion contributed to the effort. Gates praised Rotary for providing the volunteers, advocates, and donors who have helped bring about a 99 percent decline in the number of polio cases. "The world would not be where it is without Rotary, and it won't get where it needs to go without Rotary," he said.

President-Elect Training Sessions (PETS) March 6-7 in Mesa

Our club's President-Elect, Paul Stubler along with Secretary-elect Terry Kelly, Treasurer-elect Ed Marin and Presidents-nominee Jim Richardson are all headed to Mesa for special leadership training designed to help them develop the necessary skills, knowledge and motivation to lead our club in the next Rotary Year.

Consisting of well-known exceptional speakers, informative workshops, detailed district training sessions and fellowship and networking, the basic purpose of PETS is to have the best prepared, most enthusiastic club leaders in the Rotary world.

AZ PETS is a joint effort of the three Rotary districts in the state of Arizona.