RCGC Meeting Recap: Friday, Oct 23, 2015
By Gerry Kosanovic
It was homecoming weekend at OSU and the club was awash with the color orange, indicative of the strong support of the Beavers. The meeting was called to order, followed by an inspiration that highlighted our worldwide effort to eradicate polio. World Polio Day not only draws attention to the continuing struggle to eliminate this awful virus, but also to celebrate achievements in the cause. In 1988, when Rotary and its partners committed to eradicating the disease, polio paralyzed more than 350,000 children per year in 125 countries — or, more than 1,000 per day. Since that time, the number of polio cases has been reduced by 99.9%, with less than 100 cases in two countries to date in 2015. We’re close to our goal, but work still needs to be done. Our club will lead a march on Corvallis Riverfront Park to raise awareness and funds on this issue.
Stan Baker introduced visiting Rotarian Emily James, from the Rotary Club of After Five. We also welcomed Rotarian guests Ryan Gardner, Becky Goslow, and Michele Mincinski.
Announcements:
We received a resignation from Josh Pannebaker, director of Club Service, who accepted a new position in Monmouth. The Board of Directors appointed Scott Elmshaeuser to replace Josh on the board, expressing appreciation and gratitude to Scott for stepping up to the place. We wish Josh well and he indicated that if he returns to employment in Corvallis, he would be back with the club. We look forward to that moment!
Kate Lacey promoted the upcoming OSU Homecoming activities, to be held on Friday and Saturday, October 23 & 24. Homecoming football game with Colorado will be Saturday at 7:30 pm.
Kathleen Hutchinson announced the sign-up of the Pastega Light Set-up, with dates listed on the clipboard that was passed from table to table. She also let us know that the Rotary Holiday Fair, scheduled for December 12th, planning is underway.
Mark Kalmar provided an update on the family life of Stephanie Douglas. Her new baby is thriving and her family is happy, happy, happy.
Michele Kellison promoted the Monmouth Independence Rotary Rum Cake Sale. Available in six flavors: original, lemon, chocolate fudge, pumpkin, pina colada, and cinnamon rum raisin. Order by December 10th. E-mail rumcake@mirotaryclub.org
Joy Ragsdale, our underpaid but highly competent billings CPA, announced that this quarter’s Rotary bill has been sent via e-mail. She stated that there are still outstanding bills from last quarter (check to see if this is you) and she encouraged members to make timely payments. Don’t put this off – send Joy your dues check TODAY. Thanks.
Ben Danley, trusted and very active club secretary, made a request for pens. If you have some company pens that you want to share, bring them to the front table – Ben was down to his last pen!
It was a joy to induct two new members to the club: Mark Kalmar introduced new member Amy Lodholz and Kathleen Hutchinson introduced new member Michelle Davis. Welcome Amy and Michelle – we’re glad to have you join the Rotary Club of Greater Corvallis.
Kathleen Hutchinson introduced our featured speaker for the day, Emily James, Development Director of Heartland Humane Society. Her talk, entitled “Heartland Human Society: Past, Present, and Future” provided us with a brief overview of the organization. In 1966, Heartland Humane Society was founded by a group of concerned Benton County citizens with a mission to build a more compassionate community by teaching humane messages to our youth, caring for homeless animals, and strengthening the human-animal bond. Since that time they have built a new facility and are currently working to expand and renovation to meet industry standards. Emily told us that Heartland networks with other shelters and private rescue agencies to care for animals. With pet adoption/save rates over 90%, they are listed on the National No-Kill Registry, indicative of their euthanasia rate of less than 10%. Their outreach to youth includes three components: Camp Catnip, Kindness Kids Club, and Heartland Heroes. Emily related Heartland has 7 full time employees and is financially stable. Their annual fundraiser will be held at CH2MHill Alumni Center on February 27, 2016, entitled “Wine and Whiskers” They will sponsor a costume contest.
The meeting ended with standard OSU Beaver and UofO Duck football predictions. In the absence of Al Hutchinson, consummate Beaver believer Doug Oxsen brought cheers from the crowd with an optimistic prediction of a Beaver victory: Beavers vs. Colorado : Beavers win – 31-24
Gerry Kosanovic – flush with a correct prediction of the Ducks vs. Huskies, and with the ducks enjoying a weekend of rest, they play on Thursday, October 29th versus Arizona State. With identical 4-3/2-2 records, Gerry predicts Ducks on top of the Sun Devils, 31-24 (same score as Doug!) Next Week, October 30: Middle School recognition, with featured program “Arts in Health” with Sara Krainik and Beatrice Rose.
