Rota-Letter for December 23, 2008

Next Meeting: January 6, Frangipani Room.

No meeting Dec. 30. On January 6, we will meet in the Frangipani Room, and Chris Arvin, director of fitness/wellness at IU Recreational Sports, will speak.

What Happened on December 23:

Official Greeter: Valeri Haughton greeted us in the Frangipani Room.

Reflection: John Vanderzee led the pledge and reflection.

Guests: Anne Wrenn introduced our three guests:
Denise Lessow, guest of Barry Lessow
Jun Otsuka, Ambassadorial Scholar
Jessie Bowman, Bell Trace, guest of Joy Harter

Announcements:

Susan Bookout, President Elect, presided since President Yolanda Trevino has headed to Texas.
• There are two proposed changes to the bylaws. We will receive the proposed changes by email and will vote Jan. 6 or 13.
• Joy Harter read thank you notes from the four students we sponsored for RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Academy), a weekend at Bradford Woods. We sponsored Anna Rozycka, our youth exchange student from Poland, and a student each from North, South, and Edgewood.
• Byron Bangert’s father died.
• Gil Weldy, a former member, died.
• Susan honored Bill Beyer for his work with the Ambassadorial Scholars. This was Bill’s last meeting, as he is transferring his membership to Gainesville, Fla., where he will work with a group of physicians.

John Kirtland asked that the editor remind everyone that you can donate to Teachers Warehouse, a local 501-c-3 started by Rotary in 2004-05.

New Member Approved by the Board:
Ron Johnson, Director of Student Media, Indiana University; Sponsor: Del Brinkman; Classification: Director Student Media.

Program:

Bob Zaltsberg introduced Barry Lessow, who has been United Way director since 2004. Barry and Denise came to Bloomington in 1987.

Barry noted that no matter how good or bad the economy, there are always people who face challenges, whether those challenges are economic, social, physical, or emotional. The United Way invites all of us to LIVE UNITED, which involves Giving, Advocating, and Volunteering.

Barry noted that the service information hotline (211) has seen a 40 percent increase in calls this year. Eighty percent of budgets of United Way agencies goes for programming, so when we have to cut budgets we usually end up affecting programming and services, usually at a time of increased need.

Each of us needs education, earnings, and essentials. Barry noted that the first five years of life are critical in terms of what we learn, but we spend little money on that important time in a child’s life. He reminded us that often people need more or different education after a plant closing or layoff.

Barry closed with this year’s theme: Take action. Create opportunity. Live United.

In Q & A, Barry mentioned the effort to determine the extent of the damage after the flooding in June. The United Way will be applying for part of the $45 million that Lilly is providing for long term recovery.

People can donate to the United Way campaign online or by mail.

The United Way campaign is at about 65 percent of its goal, a little behind last year at this time. On a positive note, there are more donors so far. Tony Stonger reminded us that people can distribute IRA assets directly to nonprofits under a change in the tax code.

Future Programs:

January 13, George Purnell, senior pastor, First United Methodist Church, “The Role of Churches in Downtown Bloomington” (Frangipani Room)
January 20, Tony Armstrong, president and CEO, IU Technology and Research Corp., “Technology Transfer and Economic Engagement at IU” (Frangipani Room)
January 27, Kathleen Rowland, IU professor of fashion design and culture, “The Elizabeth Sage Historic Costume Collection” (Frangipani Room)

Reporter – Glenda Murray