Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Calendar of Events

Last Week 5/9 Don Marshall on Charlton School Update

This Week 5/16 Work Parties and Dinner at 7:30 at Clover Patch

Next Weeks 5/23, 5/30, 6/6 Work Programs

Coming Up:

6/3: 9-Hole Golf Tournament at Galway Golf Club

Invocation: George Bailey, Garry Morrow, Dan Stec or Bob Youmans

Suggestions for future programs may be given to Linda LeTendre

• Rey and Gini had a special cake to share honoring Mali who will soon be departing for home, President Rey described all the presentations and kind things Mali has done this year. She has been a wonderful representative of her country, the exchange program and Rotary. We are proud she joined our group and will never forget the wonderful year when she was among us. We understand Rey and Gini will soon be traveling to Thailand to visit Mali.

• Steve Keena was inducted in the club. Ron read a brief bio of Steve’s diverse education and noted his goal to become an educator. We are glad Steve is joining our ranks and have every confidence he will become a positive addition to our club.

• President Rey read the citation that will accompany flowers we are giving to the ladies of the United Methodist Church. Two bouquets will be placed on the alter of the church Sunday in recognition of the many years the UMW furnished our club meals.

• Everyone was very appreciative of Val and his family and Mary’s efforts on the Chili Dinner. Val reported that between the Chili Dinner and corporate sponsors we made TIB about $1,300, and we likely will have more money coming in.

• Bob Rasmussen asked that the club consider expanding the name of the club to include Charlton. President Rey said, it is something the BOD will consider.

Charlton School Presentation and Award to Bill Sewell

Dan Marshall, Executive Director of the Charlton School, provided an excellent presentation on the school’s mission and updated us on what changes have occurred at the school in the past several years. Don first thanked the club for its support over the years. Don explained the nature and types of difficulties students attending Charlton exhibit and noted that the child and the family were all part of the treatment process. He told us how the school’s philosophy has evolved over the years from one of forcibly enforcing standards to allowing students the autonomy of making their own choices and learning the rewards from making the right ones, and the consequences of selecting the wrong ones.

Don described new programs that included a scholarship program for motivated girls which helps them meet the costs of taking college courses, an “after care” program that keeps the school engaged with the students one year after they leave the year long course, and a new animal program that give girls responsibility and objects to which they can give and receive love. Don also told us that the school recently received full accreditation as a special education institution.

In response to questions, told us the history of how the one hundred year old school went from an all boys’ to an all girls’ school. He noted that the school is always evolving, trying to better itself through a formal quality improvement program and always adapting to change. He spent some time on reporting how recent state legislation has changed the nature of the type of girl coming to Charlton. A recent “PINs divergent law, stipulates that the courts do all it can to keep troubled girls in their homes and out of foster care programs like Charlton. This has lead to reduced enrollments at institutions like Charlton and made the type of girl coming to Charlton a more street-wise and hard type, or more troubled. The school has adapted to this change with great care and modified programs.

Representing the Board of Trustees of the Charlton School, Don concluded his remarks by making a special presentation to Bill Sewell. The BOT of the Charlton School, in honor of his 21 years of distinctly outstanding service to the school, awarded Bill a plaque and the designation as an Honored Life Time Trustee of the Charlton School. Don spoke of how Bill held every type position on the BOT and was the President for five years. Don said the one thing Bill always focused the school on was – “what was in the best interest of the students?” Congratulations Bill. You represent what Rotary is all about!!!