Fun mentoring event with Westminster and Salt Lake Rotaract

Many thanks to Nathan Guyer of Westminster Rotaract for his help in organizing this fun mentoring event Monday March 28! We had great turnout from club members: Christine Casper, Jim Schott, John and Judy Zone, Justin Powell, Laurie Summers Pisani, Liz Sherlock, Margareta Vlasic, Mustafa Celebi, Shannon Tilly, Sonia Woodbury and two guests: Darrin Casper and Polly Unruh.

Great conversation and snacks! Let's make it an annual event!

Meeting Minutes March 10, 2016

Attendees (10): Liz Sherlock,  Danny Schoenfeld, Shannon Tilly, Laurie Summers-Pisani,  Chris Casper, Rose Defa, Justin Powell, Jim Schott, Susan Marks and Judy Zone.

The meeting was chaired by Danny Schoenfeld. Meeting held at Café Madrid.

Guests: Max Calleja, exchange student.

The Four Way test was recited.

Rotary moment: Judy Zone mentioned that the Guatemala club that did the water project with us sent a thank you for our help.

Shannon Tilley said her father is volunteering in Africa for 3 weeks. She elaborated that he has been installing solar panels so the kids could read at night with a goal of furthering their education.

Susan Marks asked how many of us had our Rotary pins on. She urged us to wear them because people will ask about them and it will provide an opportunity to tell about Rotary.

Max Calleja did a presentation on Chile, the country he is from. He is from Talca, a city of about 200,000 people. He had many slides of the varied terrain in Chile. He is from a family of 7, played soccer for his high school. The local Rotary there has about 32 members.

Max ;and Shannon have planned a dinner to raise funds for a Rotary trip to Mexico which costs $800-900. The April social, held at Laurie Summers-Pisani’s house will be a combination social and fund raiser, “Max Party,” for his trip. It will be held April 3^rd, a Sunday at 4:30. Suggested donation is $25.00. Max will dance and teach his national dance. Max will send an evite.

Committees:

Social: March 17^th will be cheese tasting at Caputo’s in Holladay.  $25.00 plus $15 if you want wine. Jennie has sent an evite. Please indicate if you want the wine option.

The Wine into Water Committee: Laurie Summers-Pisani has secured “The Mill” at Tracy Aviary for a reasonable price. However, it does mean the event will be held on a Sunday. The date will be September 11^th.

Membership: Shannon is working on a membership event possibly in May.  Some dates were discussed, possibly May 26^th.

Intergenerational Committee: Jim and Judy have planned a mentoring event on March 28^th, a Monday, from 7-9 at Westminster, Eccles Health Center. We need 15 volunteers.

Service Committee: Margareta not present. The service project at the Food Bank on March 24^th is still happening.

Justin Powell said he is working on a water project for Wine into Water for Madagascar. Also, Monday there will be a benefit for the Madagascar Youthlinc group at Spice Bistro.

Chris Casper, president-elect said she attended a 2 day president-elect training session with Margareta. The presenters highlighted our club as being the model of the future. Very cool.Susan announced that the District Assembly is on April 9^th. Danny will provide more info at the next meeting.

Next meeting, April 7th, Café Madrid.

March 17^th, social at Caputo’s.

March 24^st: service project at Food bank.

April 3^rd, April Social hosted by Shannon.

Stephanie’s triathalon will be May 7^th.

There will be District Assembly training on April 9^th.

The 2-16 District Conference will be May 5-7 in Cedar City.

Meeting adjourned.

Meeting Minutes March 3, 2016

Attendees (9): Liz Sherlock, Margreta Hjorth-Vlasic, Danny Schoenfeld, Shannon Tilly, Laurie Summers-Pisani,  Jennie Ferguson, Chris Casper, Stephanie Chard, and Susan Marks.

The meeting was chaired by Danny Schoenfeld. Meeting held at Café Madrid.

Guests: Dean and Marlys Jackson from Utah County, members of Provo Rotary. He is a former District Governor. She works in Real Estate in Salt Lake City and they are considering joining a club near where she works in Holladay.

Cesar Diaz, former member, says his schedule has changed and he wants to join back up.

Max Calleja, Rotary exchange student, now staying with Shannon Tilley.

“Sam,” baby boy accompanied Shannon Tilley as her assistant.

The Four Way test was recited.

Rotary moment: Cesar Diaz recently returned from a trip to Ecuador and visited the Rotary club there. He described his service to the club there.

Shannon Tilley said her father is volunteering in Africa for 3 weeks.

Max wants to raise funds for a Rotary trip to Mexico which costs $800-900. The April social at Shannon’s house will be a combination social and fund raiser, “Max Party,” for his trip. It will be held April 3^rd, a Sunday at 4:30. Suggested donation is $25.00. Max will dance and teach. Stephanie volunteered her house.

Committees:

Social: Those who attended the ski social at Solitude described a great time.

March 17^th will be cheese tasting at Caputo’s in Holladay.  $25.00 plus $15 if you want wine. Jennie will send has sent an evite. Please indicate if you want the wine option. Please RSVP by the 7^th.

The Wine into Water Committee: Laurie Summers-Pisani has secured “The Mill” at Tracy Aviary for a reasonable price. However, it does mean the event will be held on a Sunday. The date will be September 11^th.

Membership: Shannon is working on a membership event possibly in May.  Some dates were discussed, possibly May 26^th.

Foundation Committee: Susan stated she met with Tim Nicholaysen. He will present at the board meeting next week. We need to look at the “giving” side of Rotary. We could meet our goals by the end of the year.

Intergenerational Committee: Jim not present.

Community Service Committee: Margareta stated that on March 24^th, the club will volunteer at the Food Bank at 6:30 p.m. The Rotaracters agreed to come. Need RSVPs. She also mentioned that the Sunnyvale Olympics is planned for March 19^th 10-noon. They could use some help.

Susan announced that the District Assembly is on April 9^th. Danny will provide more info at the next meeting.

Dean Jackson also said that on October 27-29^th at the Marriott Hotel the Zone Institute will be held. This is a combination of many different meetings, not usually held in Utah. It is bigger than a District Conference and about 500-600 people usually attend.

Next meeting, March 10th, Café Madrid.

March 10^th, business meeting plus board meeting.

March 17^th, social at Caputo’s.

March 24^st: service project at Food bank.

April 3^rd, April Social hosted by Shannon.

Meeting adjourned.

Meeting Minutes Feb 11 2016

Attendees: Liz Sherlock, Margreta Hjorth-Vlasic, Danny Schoenfeld, Shannon Tilly, Marty Gelman, Jim Schott, Laurie Summers-Pisani, Rose Defa, Jennie Ferguson and Judy Zone. 

The meeting was chaired by Danny Schoenfeld. Meeting held at Café Madrid.

Guests: Laura Jacobs, co-president, Colby Judd, co-president and Jenny Larson, secretary of Salt Lake Rotaractors Club, students from the University of Utah.

The Four Way test was recited.

Rotary moment: Laurie Summers-Pisani attended the Sugarhouse club Chili Open Benefit, dinner at Little America and 5k. She said it was well done and  a good time.

The guests described the Salt Lake Rotaract club. It is having weekly meetings, want to have both a social and a service commitment. They are looking at different community partners like the Salt Lake Rescue Mission. They described how they got involved: through a friend, an uncle, and one was an Interact in high school. They are sponsored by Salt Lake Rotary.

Committee Reports:

Social: Jim Schott discussed the skiing and snowshoeing at Solitude resort that has been scheduled for February, Sunday the 21st. Need RSVP. Group will have lunch about 11:00.

March 17^th will be cheese tasting at Caputo’s in Holladay.  $25.00 plus $15 if you want wine. Jennie will send an evite.

Also, ideas are needed for April and June. Shannon is doing the social in May.

The Wine into Water Committee: Laurie Summers-Pisani stated that we need to set a date. Jim suggested the Mill at Liberty Park as a venue. Marty suggested Parley’s Canyon Garden space at Rose Falls. Judy will talk to Tim Brown at Tracy Aviary about pricing and availability.

Membership: Shannon is working on a membership event possibly in May. She and Marty are working on it. Discussion about improving the website and who might do it took place. Rose stated that we need to provide value to members, such as friendship, service, and questioned what people are looking for.

Foundation Committee: Update from Frank. Family health issues have precluded him from his duties this month, he hope to be back soon. The next statements are due in mid-March.

Intergenerational Committee: Jim met with Nathan of Westminster Rotaractors. Discussed a speed-mentoring event possibly the 3^rd week in March, after spring break. Judy suggested Jerika, a former Rotaractor, as a resource for such an event.

Service Committee: Margareta described her “Mardi Bras” project. On March 24^th, the club will volunteer at the Food Bank at 6:30 p.m. The Rotoracters agreed to come. Need RSVPs. She also mentioned a possible project at the International School.

Laurie is helping her refugee family. Marty described his interactions with the 18 year old high school senior in his family. The student says he has a scholarship to SLCC, has money available. He wants to be a history teacher. He tells Marty the family is fine does not need any help. Marty will call and tell him about the bridge program.

Youth exchange: Max is moving to Shannon’s on Sunday.

Also the District Conference is the first weekend in May, the 7^th and 8^th in Cedar City. Danny said he would send out some info on it.

Next meeting, March 3rd, Café Madrid.

March 10^th, business meeting plus board meeting.

March 17^th social at Caputo’s.

March 24^st: service project at Food bank.

Meeting adjourned.

February 4, 2016 Meeting Minutes

Attendees (13): Liz Sherlock, Margareta Hjorth-Vlasic, Susan Marks, Danny Schoenfeld, Shannon Tilly, Marty Gelman, Jim Schott, Laurie Summers-Pisani, Rose Defa, Justin Powell, Brian Rollo, Sonia Woodbury, and Judy Zone.

The meeting was chaired by Danny Schoenfeld. Meeting held at Café Madrid.

Guests: No guests this meeting.

The Four Way test was recited.

Rotary moment: Judy Zone read a thank you note from Hanna Larsen, Youthlinc Assistant Team Leader, for Millcreek Rotarians contributions for hygiene items for the Road Home.

Committee needs: Both social, intergenerational and service could use more people.

Social: Jim Schott stated that skiing and snowshoeing at Solitude resort has been scheduled for February, Sunday the 21st. Need RSVP by next week. Group will have lunch about 11:00.

March 17^th will be cheese tasting at Caputos in Holladay. $25.00 plus $15 if you want wine. Jennie will send an evite.

The Wine into Water Committee: Laurie Summers-Pisani stated no additional members needed right now. Judy Zone suggested possibly a church for the event. Other suggestions were Gilgal gardens or the Westminster quad.

Membership: It was suggested that we do a membership event, encourage members to bring prospective members. Susan Marks stated it was important to follow up with people after such an event.

Foundation Committee: Susan Marks stated that she is working on recognition point for those that want them.

Inter-generational Committee: Jim would like help. Sonia Woodbury stated she would assist with her Interact club at her school. Salt Lake Rotaractors will attend our next business meeting.

Service Committee: Margareta stated that there had been some response to her “Mardi Bras” requests. 

On March 24^th, the club will volunteer at the Food Bank at 6:30 p.m. Need RSVPs.

We are still mentoring one family, however Marty Gelman stated he had been in touch with the teenage boy in the family he was mentoring, hopes to help him go to college. Several suggestions for resources for him were made, so the family is still active in the mentoring process.

Margareta thanked Frank for helping get some furniture delivered to a refugee family.

Susan Marks suggested that we each start thinking about 3 potential members.

Also the District Conference is the first weekend in May, the 7^th and 8^th in Cedar City. Danny said he would send out some info on it.

Next meeting February 11^th (board meeting after), Café Madrid.  

Millcreek Rotarian contributions make life a bit easier for homeless in Salt Lake City

Dear Millcreek Rotary Club - 

Thank you so much for your generous donations for my Youthlinc Service Year team's service project. 

With your contributions, we were able to donate 150 hygiene kits, as well as five cases of toilet paper and two cases of diapers to the Road Home. 

We couldn't have done it without you!

Thank you,

Hanna Larsen, 2016 Youthlinc Thailand June Assistant Team Leader

Rotary Club of Logan video of the village we helped along the Amazon

Millcreek Rotarians - This brief video capture the village of Santa Isabel along the Amazon in Peru. Our Wine into Water fundraiser helped finance the water filtration tower you'll see in the video.

The photos represent the village and the people, and many Youthlinc projects over the last few years: the school, bathrooms, bridge, walkways, and medical station.

The end of the video shows Logan Rotarians visiting Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu.

If this video doesn't get you excited about international service, check your pulse!

Here is also a reflection by Logan Rotarian Marilynne Glatfelter on the trip:

Service to others has always left me with the question, “So, who was really served?  Did I, in my need to do good works, impose on others?  Or did I make a positive difference in someone else’s life?”   I have pondered that question since our return from Peru, especially since I personally, and we as a group, had so much fun.

A second reading of the book La Doctora was helpful to me.  La Doctora is the name given to Dr. Linnea Smith, a Wisconsin physician who left her successful practice in 1990 to provide medical care in the very same part of the Amazon that we visited – where our club has joined with others to build easily usable clean-water systems.  We briefly visited the small, busy clinic where Dr. Smith still works. 

Dr. Smith clearly speaks in her book to the difference that clean water makes to the people living there.  She portrays tragic deaths which she could not prevent because a patient had been drinking contaminated water.  She notes that clean water has significantly reduced the number of fatalities, especially among children.  It has led to a noticeable improvement in overall health among all ages, extending the lifespan of many.  Clean water has literally made the difference between life and death for residents on the Amazon where we visited.

We provided dental care to some who were in pain.  We helped some see better with eyeglasses.  We provided yards of material for seamstresses to use, and we arranged for repair and maintenance of their machines.  We delivered shoes and other clothing.  Hopefully we contributed to their enjoyment with family pictures, soccer balls, and other kinds of kids’ fun.

But, most importantly, we ensured that the clean water systems are in place.  With them, according to the physician who treats the people there, more children will live, and all will have a better chance at a healthy life. 

I know we served our needs.  Dr. Smith assures me that we served theirs.

Marilynne Glatfelter