January 25, 2005
Calendar of Events
Last Week: Exchange Teachers from Thailand
This Week: Club Assembly
Next Week: Club Officer and BOD Elections
Coming Up:
February 8: New Members Night
February 15: Club Centennial Celebration Dinner & Program
Give suggestions for future programs to Rey Whetten or Linda LeTendre
Other Events Coming Up:
January 29 District Mid-Year Assembly
February 22: BOD & Chairs Meeting 5PM
February 25: District 7190 Centennial Ball
Invocation: Garry Morrow, Dan Stec or Bob Youmans
Minute for Rotary: Sandy Kominoski
Dynamic Exchange Teachers Portray Their Culture:
Two energetic Thai “ambassadors” presented an appealing picture of Thai culture in dance, song, art works, and photos at last week’s meeting. Mayuree Prawirwan and Rungjit Sandee, presently American Field Service ex change teachers at Stevens School in BH-BL and Saratoga High School respectively, described themselves and their homes in Thailand in an particularly engaging manner.
Beautifully dressed in Thai costume with striking jewelry and scarves about them (Runghit made the silk skirt she was wearing.), Mayuree and Rungjit began their presentation with a native dance that concluded with a modest bow of greeting to their audience. The musical accompaniment to the dance was a recording of Thai music played with instruments similar to those display on a table of Thai artistic works, most of them created by Rungjit or members of her family. The display also included strikingly colored, hand made sashes and scarves; embroidery; musical instruments; a decorative cushion; and carvings. A small flag of Thailand stood on the display table.
Mayuree and Rungjit volunteered for the AFS exchange to improve their command of English and correspondingly their work as teachers at home. Mayuree is being hosted by the Harry Thornhill family in Glenville and Rungjit by the David LoDato family in Saratoga. Both women live not far from one another in northern Thailand and teach in public schools there. Mayuree’s son was involved in an earlier AFS student exchange, which she felt had increased his self-confidence considerably. In addition to developing her language skills, she came here to “find out how American children are raised”. Rungjit noted that three generations of her family live together, not an uncommon practice in a country that honors and takes care of its old. The ladies showed many slides of their beautiful homeland and shared their pride in their country with us. An observant Rotarian asked during the question period if all Thai women had the flexible fingers Mayuree and Rungjit displayed during the evening (the ladies could bend their fingers back to the point where they almost touched the back of their wrist). Our speakers said that Thai children do finger bending exercises as small children to prepare them for the graceful hand gestures needed during the many dance festivals that play a large part in the culture of Thailand. Our two Thai ambassadors concluded their presentation with a gracious bow replete with lovely hand gestures and thanked us all for our attention. The “grumpy” (by comparison) old men and the lovely ladies who formed their audience (How’s that for political correctness?) loved every minute spent with these two enthusiastic and charming ambassadors.
``WEBSITES:
BHBL Rotary: www.bhblrotary.org District 7190: www.capitalregionrotary.org
News Briefs:
Subscribe to Membership Minute:
Membership Chair Ron Serapilio urges all members to subscribe to Rotary International’s Membership Minute in order to receive a periodic e-mail newsletter for Rotarians regarding new membership development ideas and tools. To register simply open www.rotary.org , Click on the Membership Tab which is second from the left on the Menu Bar. Then click on Membership Minute which is located on the right side of the page. Then click on Subscribe which is on the right. Complete the details as required. We are District 7190. The US is the first country in the country column.
• Dues Are Due:
Semi-annual dues ($60) should be paid to Ken Crotty prior to January 31.
RI President’s 12/29 Letter to District Governors re: Tsunami We are deeply saddened to hear of the recent events in South Asia and we are touched by the commitment of Rotarians to assisting the communities affected by this disaster. We are writing to you today to provide you with information on how you may work through Rotary to make a significant contribution toward alleviating this major humanitarian crisis. Although Rotary International does not have a fund to provide immediate relief to individuals in times of disaster, RI’s International Service section provides information resources regarding club and district disaster relief efforts on the RI Web site. When informed of local relief initiatives, RI will share updates about these local efforts on the RI Web site. Rotarians wishing to contribute funds and/or donated goods to disaster victims can visit the web site or contact the International Service section to learn about current relief efforts. (Please note that such contributions do not qualify for Rotary Foundation recognition of any kind.) We also encourage you to work with organizations such as UNICEF and the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world to meet the immediate needs of victims affected by the tsunami. We are in the process of exploring ways in which Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation can assist Rotarians in supporting longer term recovery efforts in these areas. Additional information will be posted on the Rotary web site as soon as it becomes available. It is our hope that with your meaningful and rapid response to this appeal, you will be able to help rebuild the future for hundreds of thousands of innocent people impacted by this crisis. Thank you for your commitment to helping disaster victims. It is Rotarians like you who truly demonstrate Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self.” Glenn Estess Sr., RI President Carlo Ravizza, Trustee Chairman, The Rotary Foundation
Steven Caine Paul Lewandowski Rey Whetten
Ken Crotty Fritz Neumann Earl Wilmont
Mitch Frasier Dick O’Rourke Bob Youmans
Bill Sewell