Guests: Michelle Wright, Ronda Eiting, Les Norton, Dave Ruprecht
1. Call to Order, Four-Way Test, and Guest
Introductions – Chris Casper
2. Guest Speaker – Gerald Brown, Refugee
Services, Utah: Gerald reported on the refugee computer training project at SLCC
Meadowbrook campus. Of the 20 million refugees in the world, less than 1%
received resettlement. Utah is taking over 1100 refugees a year – all in the
Salt Lake valley. He praised Rotary for our contribution. He emphasized that
for resettlement to work refugees have to be integrated and the main thing a
refugee needs is an American friend. He said the refugee service fund is
provided by the legislature to help refugees in emergency situations and an
applicant has to include a plan of how they will cover the emergency next time
or next month. It typically covers rent, funerals, etc.
He thanked us for what we are doing at
the Center and Judy for the help with the curriculum. Some refugees have never used
a computer or know any technology and they need basic skills for even simple
tasks at work or to check their children’s grades. The refugee students receive
a computer when they graduate. Judy said that the Utah Rotary clubs have
committed to 14 computers so far and would like to get to 20.
Atem, a volunteer with the refugee
center, became a lost boy in Sudan when he was six. He became an artist to tell
his story and help his own healing, subsequently he was asked by the United
Nations to create an orientation to tell the refugee story.
Our contribution will be two computers
and as a club we will discuss the possibility of contributing to the emergency
fund. Members may also donate their own
personal computers. Chris will send more information about making a personal
laptop donation.
3.
Susan Marks – Paul
Harris Fellows: Susan presented a PowerPoint about the Rotary Foundation. The Foundation
holds one billion dollars in assets and has the highest rating from Charity
Navigator. 50%
of total club donations come back 3 years later for District Grants and the
remaining 50% is available for Global Grant. The Club can support the Foundation by
increasing giving through the Paul Harris Fellows program. Susan presented a
number of ways to increase to do that.
Susan inducted new
Paul Harris Fellows: Chris Casper, Margareta Hjorth-Vlasic, Frank Lilly, and Shannon
Tilly. Current
PHFs Judy, Susan, Rose, Cesar, and Paul were there. The total number of Paul
Harris Fellow in the Millcreek club is now 10.
4. Local Service Update – Rose
Defa/Margareta Vlasic:
February – help with classes every Saturday; take treats to last
class February 25. Will help the cause by purchasing 2 laptops.
March 23 at 4:00 – read stories to school kids from the Kindles
donated this month. We will take treats.
April 22 Earth Day – paint/plant flower boxes and do other chores as
requested at VA nursing home.
May – support Cesar's Mother’s Day program on Saturday, May 13.
June – garden work at Tracy aviary date TBD.
5. International Service Update – Justin
Powell: Justin is working on a $1500 shortfall for the international grant. The
project entails building three wells, three public toilets, and a series of
water stations in a Madagascar village with 3,000-4,000 people who have no
close access to water.
6. Polio Pig: $136
was donated to Polio Pig.
7. Upcoming Key Events
·
Saturdays in February – Refugee computer
assistance at SLCC Meadowbrook Campus. See sign-up sheet sent by Rose Defa,
secretary
·
No February Social
·
March
2 or 9 – Social: “Rotary – Get
Connected.” Members will work on their profiles on RI and the online payment
system.
·
March
2 and 9 – business meetings, Cottonwood Club, 5:30 pm
·
March
6 – Board meeting at Shannon Tilly’s
·
March
10 - 11 PETS and Assembly – training for Extended Board and other members that
want to learn more about Rotary
·
March 23
– delivery of Kindles to Woodrow Wilson Community Center
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