November 22, 2005

Calendar of Events

Last Week, 11/15 Mike Siclion, Director Schenectady City Mission

“100^th Anniversary of the Mission”

This Week, 11/22 Tom Spina, US Department of Justice –

“Child Pornography on the Internet”

Next Week, 11/29 Keith Stewart, “After the Major Disasters -

The Insurance Industry’s Response”

12/6: Christmas Tree Lighting & Carols followed by the

Annual Holiday Concert at the Senior High School

Santa will appear at both events!

12/13: Rotary Christmas Dinner at Glen Sanders;

Mike Welshhans and friends will provide the music.

Invocation: Gary Morrow, Dan Stec or Bob Youmans

Rotary Minute: Gini Whetten

Greeter:

Suggestions for future programs may be given to Linda Letendre

Announcements

Doc’s book, Veterinary Tails, had a very successful reception with over 100 books sold by the end of the Apple Pie Festival.

Ken Crotty reminded us that all donations to the Rotary Foundation are Tax Deductible. Those interested in contributing before the end of the year should present checks dated before December 30.

Bob Youmans presented the plan for this year’s Holiday Giving for needy families of our local community. The Club will provide a check for $500.00 and donations to that fund are requested from the members by December 13. Last year we provided $2,000.00. All of the money goes to “The Helping Hand” program which is administered by the School Nurses. Please be generous. Last year they were able to carry through with help beyond the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.

Rey requested Club permission to send copies of Doc’s book to Jack Wolfe and George Bailey as gifts from Rotary, since they are no longer able to attend meetings. The motion was passed unanimously.

Bob Youmans led us in the sentimental song “Goodnight Irene” followed by Happy Dollars.

New Members Join the Club

Gini Whetten was so pleased to announce that Mali Naksanga wishes to join our Rotary Club. Ron Serapilio announced that Chuck Alsdorf will also be joining. Mali, Chuck, Ade Osumno and Don Boucher will be inducted into Rotary at our holiday party on Dec. 13.

Remember: When you are over 50 – Kidnappers are not interested in you.

Linda LeTendre introduced the program for the evening.

Mike Siclion, Director of the Schenectady City Mission (which is celebrating its 100^th anniversary), gave an inspiring talk. Mike drew on the Rotary Four Way Test for his discussion of the work of the City Mission. He has been at the Mission for 16 years and shared his philosophy of seeking the Truth to make things happen. The chaos in our society is caused by the breakdown of the family. Families must provide the basic training for children. Mike pointed out that Inner City violence in someone else’s neighborhood is NEWS, but when it happens in your neighborhood it is TERROR. Gangs seem to be supplying what the broken family does not offer. There are many children in the Mission now. The Mission served 145,000 meals last year - 400 per day.

The Mission is “Faith Based” and does not care where you are coming from; rather, the staff is interested in where you are going. Some of the Mission principles are to: provide life skills training in computers, GED accomplishment, instill a work ethic and a realization that one can make dreams come true. The Mission is a tough place and if you come there you must work at any task you can perform safely. There are many jobs required to keep the Mission running and able to serve the community efficiently. The Mission has a recycling business to make use of donated goods such as tennis shoes. Some recycled goods are shipped overseas. Others are sold in the Mission’s neighborhood shops providing income for the local Mission.

Mike stated the Mission’s belief that each person has worth. As a result, people “graduate” from the program with changed lives.

Questions were asked about funding, budget ($2,000,000.00 per year) cooperation with other agencies, collaborative partnerships, donation including both cash and “goods in kind.” GE Matching funds provide about $190,00.00 per year, and NO government money is accepted. The government funds are tied to a policy of “no mandatory work” which is against the Mission’s stated policy.

The Mission is mainly funded by donations from the people in this area and any donation is welcome and put to excellent efficient use. Pleas consider helping the Mission serve the needy in our community.

WEBSITES: BHBL Rotary: www.bhblrotary.org

District 7190: www.capitalregionrotary.org

Please communicate corrections, news items, program information and scheduled events to: Dick O’Rourke at 372-8287 robrwo@aol.com or Gini Whetten at 399-8905 giniwhetten@cs.com as reported by Doug Turpen