RCGC Meeting Recap: Friday, February 5, 2016
By Gerry Kosanovic, President
The strength of our club is found in membership and the commitment that is provided by each individual with our five avenues of service. Our meeting today bid farewell and good luck to two members, one new this year and the other a veteran of the club, both of whom provided stellar service to the community. Travis Harper, inducted at the changeover in June, and Ben Danley, a member of 15 years, are off to new adventures. Travis received a promotion and will be moving to Tigard, and Ben accepted a position with a non-profit in Vietnam. We will miss them both and long remember the difference they made in the lives of others as members.
Today’s meeting began with Ben Danley (in his last official act as Secretary) introducing and welcoming visiting Rotarian: Pete Sekermestrovich, and visitors Meghan Kelley and Patty Curtis, guests of Megan Schneider, and Heather Bodenhamer, guest of Amy Jauron.
Announcements:
Service Thanks: To all Rotarians that participated in the Great Ponzi Fellowship Scheme. This personal “fireside” chat with others is a superb fellowship engagement event. This is the last week of the event….but feel free to engage another members anytime.
Service Thanks: To Kate Lacy, Lauren Gallegos, Kathi Hutchinson, Andy Tucknott, Mark Kalmar, and others for work on a Rotary Young Professionals Summit Grant. If successful, the grant will provide opportunity to fund the summit to promote Rotary and our club.
Megan Schneider introduced our outgoing student exchange student, Meghan Kelley. Megan will be off to Spain in the fall for her fun year of learning and service.
Becki Goslow announced and passed around sign up for a Saturday, February 20th Italian Dinner at Grand Oaks Clubhouse, catered by Iovino’s.
A Blue Badge was awarded to Julene Tudor for completing the requirements of membership with the club. Good work, Julene….and congratulations.
Amy Jauron announced an event entitled “Lemonade Day” that will be held for elementary children, grades K – 5, to promote the entrepreneurial spirits and business acumen. This is an event that is co-sponsored by Corvallis/Benton County Economic Development Office, Corvallis Chamber of Commerce, and Oregon State University. Amy welcomed members to become involved. For more information, contact Amy at amy.jauron@corvallisoregon.gov
Erica Jensen presented the first installment of a new membership engagement activity entitled “EducaApp” that will introduce members to phone apps that will make one’s live easier (and more interesting). Erica introduced members to “IF by IFTTT” that is designed to simplify and automate everyday tasks between other apps on your phone. Access the App and check it out: https://ifttt.com
Ben Danley was awarded Honorary Membership with the club, allowing him to remain with the Rotary Club of Greater Corvallis while overseas with his new job. The award received a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors, “In recognition of his exceptionally dedicated and devoted service to the Rotary Club of Greater Corvallis, for advancing the ideals of Rotary in all endeavors, and to his devoted efforts for the furthering of better understanding and friendly relations of peoples of the world.” Congratulations, Ben…..stay in touch!
Tom Nelson introduced our featured speaker Cort Vaughan, a member of the Rotary Club of Bend, Oregon. Cort Vaughan is a Polio survivor. He has lived in Bend with his wife Tonya for 25 years. They have two sons and two grandsons. Cort joined the Rotary Club of Greater Bend to help eradicate Polio. He founded the Pints for Polio fundraiser in 2012 to raise money for global Polio eradication and to increase local awareness regarding the need to vaccinate all children. Pints for Polio has raised over $30,000 for the PolioPlus Fund. Cort was appointed Rotary District 5110 PolioPlus Chair in 2014. Cort is a business consultant specializing in sales, marketing, and project management. He also manages the website and social media for his wife’s gift business, Name a Star. In addition to helping Rotary eradicate Polio, Cort is also Vice President of the board of directors of the Environmental Center. Cort Vaughan contracted Polio in 1954 during an epidemic that crippled over 35,000 people in the United States, mostly children under the age of 5. Polio paralyzed Cort’s right leg. Cort provided an inspiring story of growing up with polio, providing members with an update of the worldwide effort to eradicate Polio and what it will mean to live in a Polio free world. Much progress has been made to eradicate polio, but the fight continues with two remaining countries, as well as the worldwide efforts to maintain inoculations to keep polio at bay.
Next Meeting –Friday, February 12th: Dr. Greg Hamann, President, LBCC.
Mark Your Calendar: All Service Luncheon, February 19th, Boy’s and Girl’s Club.
BRING YOUR LOOSE CHANGE! Give Change to Make Change – Support the Rotary Foundation.
