The Big Picture

Dr. Ward

Denis Ward was our speaker host this week.  There are some big things happening at the school.  Changes that include a pilot program for Customized Mass Learning.  Denis introduced Matt Vandermark and Karen Perkins, both Danville Community School Principles.  Matt and Karen gave us the "Big Picture" of what the programs are about.  They are trying to provide the best learning environment and maximizing each of the children's potential.  The program has been working very well and the school will be in a position soon to determine how they proceed from here.

Visiting our club today was Troy Gill, Kelso Wessel, and Betsy Bassett.  Troy is a project manager for Danville Heat and Cool, Kelso is a visiting Rotarian from Loundon, Ohio, and Betsy Bassett is the owner of a new shop coming to Danville called The Beehive.  We also have the following interactors at lunch:  James Thorpe, Amanda Cooper, and Sara Hill.

Yes, I am sure Tracie "Can do it!"

Speaking Easy!!!

This weekend was a "Big Picture" Rotary event.  The 2012 - 2013 District 6560 District Conference.  Danville Rotary Club attendees were:  Greg VanLaere, Suzanne Whicker and David Whicker, Tracie Shearer and Danny Shearer and Flory and Jim Phillips.  Held at Purdue University, a number of speakers shared with us information about food quality, agriculture in Afghanistan and womens health.  Tom Turpin even served us up gourmet meal worms.  Friday evening was capped with a costume party.  Our own Tracie and Flory were got into the swing of things in their outfits.  It was great to visit with some old Rotary friends and make some new ones.  On Saturday, there were breakout sessions that all Rotarians attended.  Learning about the Rotary Foundation, RYLA and Strategic Planning.  Greg VanLaere was one of the speakers sharing his experience attending the International Conference.

In the end it was a great time had by all and another conference is the books.  I was able to spend the conference learning to run the AV equipment for the District.  Here was my view for the weekend.

Dual Laptops and a Mixing board.... Oh my!!!!

More Out of Rotary

I know that you were thinking that you were going to go a week without hearing from me.  I missed you all last week, but I am planning on getting my Rotary fill Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  I want to thank Michael Williams for filling in last week and getting it done.  Hope to see everyone tomorrow.

Want to get more out of Rotary.... Here are three things that you can do to enhance your Rotary experience.

1)  Sit with someone that you don't know at our regular meeting.  This goes for both new and older members.  Everyone must understand that it can be challenging to break into a group that always sits together each week.  The thing that I find about Rotarians is that we each have a common background and have a lot to talk about.

2)  Visit another club.  All clubs are not created equal.  Visiting another club will help you appreciate your home club and will introduce you to others in Rotary and other Rotary ideas.  There are three other clubs in the county.  You can visit our District website for more information about local clubs.  You can visit the website for times and locations of meetings.

3)  Participate in a District or International Conference.  This weekend will be District 6560's 2012-2013 District Conference.  We will have speakers from Pakistan, the "Bug" Man (Tom Turpin) and Purdue's Head of Nutrition Science, Connie Weaver, Ph.D.  There will be breakout sessions with topics ranging from Social Media to Water Projects to Disaster Response.  These are things that each Rotarian should experience once.  If you have not attended a District Conference, you should set a goal that in the next two years you should plan on attending.  You also get to meet other Rotarians from other clubs with out having to travel to each individual clubs.

Each of these are ways to deepen your Rotary experience.  It is a step out of your comfort zone, but it is well wirth the step.  See you soon.   

Keeping on Schedule

Last week was a busy week.  We hosted two speakers for our regular meeting.  Congress man Todd Rokita was our first speaker of the meeting.  Todd talked about the Republic and tthat what we have may be in jeopardy.  Ben Franklin said, "What your have here is a republic, if you can keep it."  Todd thinks that we are in for some issues.  Mr. Rokita called for a Cultural change.

Following the Congressman was John Crane introduced by Eric Oliver.  Sagamore Student Leadership is a faith based organization that helps to develop leaders in high school and college.  John mirrored what Congressman Rokita said, "Doing nothing is no longer an option."  John's organization knows that helping kids develop skills that they already have and provide faith based leadership can make a difference to communities in the future.  John said that leadership is a neutral quality, it can be used for both good or bad.  They are working on the GOOD!

Tracie announced a change from our regular basket that is put together for the District Conference.  Tracie took up a collection for the purchase of a Kindle.  The Kindle would be the centerpiece of the basket and would also feature other local books, wine and other goodies.  A collection was taken to offset the cost of the Kindle.  We are really proud of the club for coming together and covering the full cost.  Thank You!  Tracie will have the basket on display this week at Rotary.  Special thanks to Tracie to putting this together again this year.

I will miss you all this week.  I will be in Terre Haute for work.  Michael Williams will get some on the job training.  See you next week.  Greg

Saving Money Feels Good

This past week seems so long ago now.  Seth teased us with access to free money.  His promises were as empty as his Fantasy Football Lineup.  No really, Seth introduced Monte Chamberlin from Cost Stewardship.    Monte said that there is not free money, but there is easy money.  Monte's organization has been able to flourish by helping the little guy gain economies to scale by pulling together the purchasing power of many little guys to get better deals for their clients.  Monte said that businesses need to get revenues up and expenses down in order to grow.  He helps on the expense side.  Cost Stewardship has helped many Not for Profits to find that they are paying taxes on their utilities and has helped them get a refund of those tax dollars that they did not know that they could save.  Cost Stewardship has branched out to help other For Profit businesses also.  It was a very interesting.

The week ahead.  This week, we will be having two speakers.  I will be starting the meeting promptly at Noon.  You will want to make sure that you arrive a few minutes early and get a good seat.  Congresman Todd Rokita will kick us off at Noon followed by Eric Oliver with the regular program.  In an effort to get out information about the Danville Rotary Club.  It is possible that some members of the media could be in attendance also.  Just wanted to make you all aware.  See you Thursday!

Sweet Smell of Success

The 2012 Bake sale is in the books.  Our Rotary Club held it's annual Bake Sale to raise money for our Rotary Scholarship fund.  For many years, the Rotary Scholarships have been helping to fund the educational needs of graduating seniors.  Recipients can apply during their senior year at Danville Community High school   The scholarships are then paid after completing their first semester of college.  This years sale was a success and we are still accepting donations for our scholarship fund.  Please, if you were unable to attend, consider making a contribution.  Any amount would be beneficial.  You can make the check payable to the Danville Rotary Club Foundation.  You can give the checks to Ron B., Henry, Suzanne or Greg.

The evening was beautiful weather.  Suzanne and Dave Whicker were gracious hosts again this year.  There was plenty of time to socialize before the sale.  As bidders arrived, our inventory of desserts grew.  There was a surprise gift that was dropped off, but more about that later.  Once Stephenie and Brandon arrived following a Danville win for the 7th grade boys football game (hint... Happy Dollar), things began to rock.

Stephenie, Brandon and Jerry got us kicked off to a bang.  The first item went for over $100.  Most items that evening brought over $100 for our cause.  We have learned over the years, that some beer and wine before the auction helps loosen the purse strings.  Chief Gill was the high bidder on the mystery gift that was dropped off.  There is just something funny about the cop getting a box of donuts.  Pies, cakes and cookies were all well represented.  Even though Rex and Sharon were unable to attend; they sent their proxies.  Flory and Jim Phillips were bidding on their behalf.  We are happy for all donations, no matter who was bidding.

How many Pollocks does it take to provide entertainment for a bake sale?  Just one, and we are happy that Jerry brought his energy and good spirits.  Thank you Jerry for helping and thanks to Stephenie Brandon and the Whickers.  And a very special Thank you to our bidders.

The shirts that were ordered have arrived.  We will have them at the meeting this Thursday.  Please make sure that you pick up your shirt and settle up with the treasurer.

Reminder:  There is a board meeting this Thursday morning at Court House Grounds at 7:30am