Jack Pratt, representing the New Member Committee, takes the group through the New Member Orientation program to both inform members of the current process and to refresh our memories of the club's origins, obligations and opportunities.
Jack, along with the rest of the New Member Committee (chaired by Lee Johnson), have put together an extremely informative and useful presentation to take new members through the X's and O's of Rotary. Though it would be worth it, to avoid including the entire presentation in the newsletter, we've decided to include only some of the pertinent and informative highlights below:
* Guiding Principles
High ethical standards; worthiness and dignifying of all occupations
Rotary provides us with the opportunity to apply the "ideal of service" to personal, business and community life. It also aides in the advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a united international fellowship.
* Polio Plus
One of Rotary's primary international projects
Dr. Jonas Salk proposed a program to eradicate Polio in 1988. In response, Rotary raised $130,000,000!
Worldwide cases dropped from over 700,000 in 1988 to 100 in 2010.
Only 21 reported cases in 2018!
Still endemic in Pakistan & Afghanistan (there's still work to do)
* Club Origins
Chartered in 1926
Meetings were first held in the St. Charles Hotel, and later relocated to the Bluebonnet Hotel
Initial initiation fee = $1 / Annual dues of $2
Club founded Troop 1 of the Boy Scouts
Early club members included well known Kerrville names such as Schreiner, Comparette, Real, Eastland, Salter, Pampell, Peterson, and Palmer
* Rotary Districts
Our district is District 5840
57 clubs are part of our district
Approximately 2,500 Rotarians call District 5840 home
Our club has produced six different District Governors!
* Our Club (Currently)
Membership - approximately 170 members (including Satellite Club)
We have a sister club in Toluca, Mexico
Second largest club in District 5840
We have helped start 4 clubs in the Texas Hill Country
Junction, Fredericksburg, Medina, Kerrville Morning Club
* Officers & Directors (2019-2020)
President - Charlie Mcllvain
Past President - Robin Miears
President Elect - Tammy Prout
Secretary - Jeff Harris
Treasurer - Gena Carter
Directors -
Janelle Peralt
Todd Odom
Paul Anderson
Ingrid Painter
Phyllis Ricks
Kristy Vandenberg
Note - a new board is elected to take office on each July 1st.
* Avenues of Service
Club Service - making the club strong (relationships/active membership/development plan)
Community Service - serving the public interest and improving the quality of life for our community
Vocational Service - working with integrity and contributing expertise to address problems and needs of society
International Service - promote peace and understanding through volunteering on international projects, seeking partners abroad, etc.
New Generations - empower youth and young professionals through leadership development programs (Interact, Rotaract, Youth Exchange, Youth Leadership Awards)
* Committees
Club Service
Programs (includes speakers)
Sergeant at Arms
Families in Rotary
Historian
Memorials
Finance
Nominating Committee
Technology Committee
Website Administration
Membership
Classification
Fellowship
Membership Development
Member Retention/Attendance
New Member Mentoring
New Member Orientation
Satellite Clubs
Public Relations
First Responders Recognition
Grant Review Committee
Mentoring Books
Military Affairs
Public Relations
Scholarships
Spoke Newsletter
Service Projects
Blue Santa
Cell Phone for Soldiers
Christmas Lighting Support
Habitat for Humanity
Highway Cleanup
Pinewood Derby
Fundraising
Typically one a year (Superball for 2018-2019) to raise just about everything necessary to support our programs
George Eychner led us in singing "The More We Get Together" to subtly remind the group that changing up our Rotary routine - and our tables - helps us to get better acquainted with other members and programs in the club! See George's creativity at work below: