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.   

Visit from our District Governor

District Governor Craig Sherman is wrapping up this last few club visits for 2012-2013.  Thursday was his visit at the Danville Club.   DG Craig made several observations to the club about Rotary.  He suggested that we look at Rotary as a business.  A business that has its members and members of the community as its customers.  We customers get good service they tell everyone.  And people speak loudest about what they believe in.  Believe in Rotary and share the good news.  Rotary is a benefit to others beyond its own members.  Craig suggests that we all tell our Rotary Story.  Telling our story helps to close the gap between what we know about Rotary and what the public knows about Rotary.  Craig ended with encouraging us to continue to support the Rotary Foundation and the fight to end polio.  Check out www.endpolionow.org

This weeks meeting will not be a noon meeting.  Instead, you and your spouse, neighbor, sister, cousin, or co-worker are invited to share in our Annual Bake Sale to support our Scholarship fund.  Our scholarship are given to Danville Community Highschool Seniors.  These kids can really use our support.  Brad will be supplying the BBQ and Rotarians are asked to bring a side to share and a fabulous  Baked good that will be auctioned off to the highest bidder.  We promise to only run up the bid on most of you.

Be looking for a Fantasy Football update Tuesday or Wednesday from the "Cromissioner"  Rumor is that he is having a hard time keeping his EYE on the BALL.

Trip to Brazil

Amy Elliott introduced Clayton Sagar.  Clayton was an exchange student that went to Brazil to study for a year.  Clayton mentioned that one of the biggest challenges was that upon arrival in Brazil, that his host family did not speak English and he did not speak any Portuguese.  We were all impressed when Clayton said he was speaking in Portuguese in just a few short months.  Clayton feels that the experience has helped him be a better leader and feel that he can accomplish much more having had this experience.  He will be headded back to classes here in Danville today. 
Announcements: 
Seth is looking for participates for Fantasy Football.  Let us know if you are in.  This is a good time.
You can now sign up for the fall District Conference at Purdue.  Visit WWW.rotary6560.org  for details.

Rotary Hall of Fame

Purdue Pete made a surprise visit to the Rotary District Conference in French Lick.  I am sure that he was down south welcoming IU an early homecoming.

Late last week, seven Danville Rotarians made the migration to French Lick for the District 6560 Conference.  This was the largest turnout of Danville Rotarians seen at a district conference in a long time.  We were educated on the Rotary Foundation, Polio, Water, and Hunger.  You just don't know that power that having plenty of food and clean water can do for a community.  One lady said, "When the well was built, the children stopped dying."   This is what you are part of when you are part of Rotary.

Rotarian Hall of Fame                          Rotarian Hall of Shame

We were all asked to share our Rotary Moment.  The moment that we changed from a RINO (Rotarian in Name Only) into a true Rotarian.  Each of us have this moment.  I find that I have many of these moments and that they build on each other. You should be proud to be part of such a great organization.   (Editors Note:  During this time with fellow clubs, I notice that I felt a strong sense of pride in the Danville club for all the great things that we do and the great people that make up our club.  I am very proud of each of you and I will be honored to serve you next rotary year.)  Special thanks to the Rotarians that went to the District Conference:  Rex Dugan, Suzanne Whicker, Michael Williams, Greg VanLaere, Tracie Shearer, John Battershell, and Ron Bochstahler.  Very Special Thanks to the Spouses:  Sharon Dugan, Herbie Battershell, Dusti VanLaere, Myra Williams, Dave Whicker and Danny Shearer.


What to learn more about Rotary and how to get more involved?  Go to www.rotary.org to find out more.

Happy Birthday Rotary!!!!

One Hundred and Seven years ago, Rotary was born.  Last week we celebrated that milestone in thought and song.  We had visitors Jerry VanLue, Coleen Mathews and Shannon Shervin in attendance.    Shannon gave the club an update to what our donation to the Danville After Prom Committee was used for and she asked for continued support from the club for this year.


Click the Youtube video below for an update on how Rotary can keep younger members.  This video is from the Rotary Minute.  (The video is really only about a minute long.... worth your time.)

Up coming events:  Tomorrow, We will be Inducting our new members.  The Board Meeting is moved to March 8th and Farmers Day is also March 8th and will be at the Train Station at Ellis Park.  And lastly, the District Conference is March 23rd and 24th.

Stephanie gave her ten minutes of fame.  She introduced fellow Rotarian, Mark Smith.  Stephanie said that she went to school with Mark (5th Grade).  Mark filled us in on a program that is dear to him called, The Drug Court Program.  Drug Court is held in Superior 1 on Tuesdays at 4pm.  The program is designed to give people with addiction problems that option for the help that they need.  Mark takes pride in the face that the program is NOT funded with taxpayers dollars.  

Tomorrow we will have a speaker from Riley Children's Camp.  See you all tomorrow.