Bulletins - 2006 - 02/21/2007
This
Week's Bulletin Was Written
By Gary McElroy
President Jensen called the meeting to order promptly at 7:30 a.m. Melissa Chapman provided us with an appropriate invocation. Steve Seligman lead us in the salute to the flag. Rosalie Kramm and Linda Jalving lead us in a rousing rendition of "Happy Days are Here Again." Past Presidents in attendance led us in singing Happy Birthday to celebrate Rotary International’s founding. Ron Erbetta gave a brief history of Rotary and then asked, “Who knows where the second Rotary Club was chartered?” Jonathon Stone shouted out the correct answer (San Francisco) – several times!
Several members contributed to the kitty by bragging about their offspring. Heather Xitco won the cash prize. She was immediately fined for making a recent appearance on Court TV.
We had only a few guests and visiting Rotarians in attendance today.
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Caroline Chen reported on the status of the April fund raising event. Our goal is $35,000. We have collected $22,000 to date. Major items for the live auction are needed. In collections and pledges, the boys are ahead by $1,000.
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President Carol asked for 6 volunteers for the Humane Society Telethon to be held on March 3rd.
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We also need volunteers for the “Rotarians At Work Day” to be held on April 28th. The project will involve painting at Veteran’s Village.
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Rick Logan announced a Tijuana home building project to be held on April 28th. More information later.
Our speaker was Kathi Anderson, Executive Director of Survivors of Torture International, a non-profit organization founded in 1997 and dedicated to caring for survivors of politically motivated torture and their families living in San Diego County. The organization has served about 700 of the estimated 11,000 torture survivors residing in the county. Most of the victims of torture are doctors, engineers and teachers from the Middle East and Africa. The organization provides case management services, eye care, health screening, medical affidavits for asylum hearings and social/recreational activities for its clients. Many of the services are contracted out from the organization’s office in Old Town.
The number one complaint of torture survivors is sleep deprivation caused by recurring nightmares. We heard the stories of a female teacher from Afghanistan now living a productive life in East County and of a woman from Africa who arrived here without her children. Her children are now living here and doing well, with one of them about to enter college. Survivors of Torture International is one of 40 similar organizations in the US and 200 around the world.
NEXT MEETING – David Lynch from Responsibility will be our speaker.
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