Rotary Club of Volcano

Rotary Club of Volcano Has A New Website!!

2010-03-14T11:51:00.001-07:00

Newsletter February 18,2010

2010-02-22T16:14:00.001-08:00

Newsletter Feb. 11

2010-02-18T12:03:00.001-08:00

Newsletter Feb. 4

2010-02-18T12:01:00.000-08:00

Rotary Newsletter Jan. 28 2010

2010-02-03T18:24:00.000-08:00

Rotary Newsletter Jan. 21, 2010

2010-02-03T18:11:00.001-08:00

Rotary Newsletter Jan. 14 2010

2010-01-19T11:44:00.000-08:00

Volcano Rotary Moves From Volcano House To Lava Lounge

2010-01-13T13:59:00.000-08:00

Rotary Newsletter Jan. 7 2010

2010-01-13T13:48:00.001-08:00

2010-01-13T13:42:00.000-08:00

Newsletter December 3, 2009

2009-12-10T12:45:00.001-08:00

Rotary Newsletter Nov. 19 2009

2009-11-25T10:33:00.001-08:00

Rotary Newsletter Nov. 5 2009

2009-11-18T09:10:00.000-08:00

Newsletter October 29,2009

2009-11-04T11:40:00.001-08:00

Newsletter October 15, 2009

2009-10-24T10:17:00.001-07:00

Newsletter October 8, 2009

2009-10-24T10:16:00.001-07:00

Newsletter October 1, 2009

2009-10-24T10:12:00.000-07:00

Newsletter Sept. 17

2009-09-20T16:57:00.000-07:00

2009-09-20T16:54:00.000-07:00

Newslette Sept. 3

2009-09-20T16:53:00.001-07:00

Newsletter August 27

2009-08-31T12:37:00.000-07:00

Newsletter August 20

2009-08-23T12:38:00.000-07:00

2009-08-18T15:24:00.000-07:00

Regular Meeting, March 12

2008-03-17T23:45:00.000-07:00

Thought for the day – “Show me a man without a goal and I will show you a future that is dictated by the strength of the wind.” Victor Abia – Nigeria (2003)

No birthdays or anniversaries

Guest – Jeffery Mermel – VCA president and hitchhiker.

Rotary moment – Jerry discussed world community service.

Announcements and Happenings
Mililani – Volcano RYLA scholarship recipients:
Megan Bruce – Pahoa HS valedictorian
Michelle Tagorda – Keaau HS, going to medicine
Kealoha Kramer– Kamehameha HS–chosen as Scholar Athlete for all 4 years

Discussed the retention of exceptional kids in the area high schools rather than going to Hilo for HS. Stated that many valedictorians at area HS came through Mountain View Elementary.

Next year RYLA camp – Volcano Rotary will be in charge

Thanks to Charlene Meyers for her help with RYLA camp.

Albert updated the approval of the grant for the library in Thailand sponsored by the South Hilo Rotary Club. $1000 will be given by the Rotary Club of Volcano

Jack - Box of medical supplies will be sent to the Philippines early next week.

Charlene - PETS Training
Hospitality room set another record. There were several police and security visits. However, Charlene said that these were GOOD visits.
She had lots of networking opportunities and some terrific ideas for another super year.

Golf Tournament – Marie and Brent
Prizes - 12 so far, still looking for a grand prize
Cottage in wine country prize – compliments of Charlene’s networking at PETS
Discussed getting air and car to go with it for the grand prize.

Signup - 24-25 players – want 50; 72 max
Need to talk “teams” rather than “golfers”.

Flyers are designed – only waiting for the grand prize to be finalized
Other discussion:
- Items needed for goodie bags.
- Getting sponsors for individual holes, hole in one contest.
- Need to verify that Dianne signed us up for the Golf Digest package deal.
- Cost -$150, $100 tax deductible (estimated – dependent on final accounting)
- Rotary members to go to VGC to recruit players on next 2 Sundays
- Suggested that if not shotgun start, then specific tee times should be given
- Continental breakfast will start at 8 am
- Lindsey – coordinate greens fees, etc.
- 100 hats have been ordered

Tuesday – Committee meeting at Kilauea Lodge – 6 pm – 3/18

Happy $$$
Gwen - happy to be here
Charlene Meyers – experience at PETS
Mililani – Jeff came, tax return in
Marie and Jack – also happy that Jeff was with us
Brent - rain
Frank – just happy
Paul – happy to be back after storm in Ohio
Jeff – happy he was invited, see friends
Albert – Rotary foundation deadline extended to 3/31
Jerry – happy for Gwen here
Linda-Jane – Happy Charlene is here to stay after all her travels
Lindsey – happy Ray showed up
Erin – new full time job

Regular Meeting, Feb. 21, 2008

2008-02-27T22:42:00.000-08:00

Early birds were treated to the full moon setting over Mauna Loa. What a rare site!

Don Hughes announced that the interviews for Hawaii Rotary Youth Foundation were completed by Mililani Hughes, John Tyler and Dick Behenna. Five names were selected!

There was some last minute cancellation of the Bake Sale, but it was reinstated because Marie brought up dozens of beautifully wrapped baked goods. Dick did some scrambling and Helene stepped in to handle the sale.

Some upcoming dates to note:

March 8, Road Cleanup, meet at Kilaeua Lodge at 9am

March 23, KMC Easter Egg Hunt

May 4, Hilo Huli Tastes of the Grill

Happy Birthday to Lani Glory on Feb. 25!

Rotary Moment

Albert Jeyte presented our Rotary Moment. He gave us a crash course on becoming a Paul Harris Fellow. Basically, you give $1000 to the Rotary Foundation and receive a Paul Harris medal and pin. One way you can do that is to commit to giving $100 a year for 10 years. He also noted that this year is Rotary's 103rd birthday. And Feb. 23 is World Understanding and Peace Day (February being World Understanding and Peace Month).

Albert also brought up that Rotary encourages a Club Leadership Plan, and is helping by offering Vision Facilitation meetings. Maybe we should get in on this?

Guest Speaker--Lorna Ahi of Island Title

Marie arranged for Lorna to visit us today and give us a quick course on Title and Escrow in the State of Hawaii. Very interesting how each property must be investigated back hundreds of years to make sure it has been properly passed on from owner to owner. The reason we need to pay for Title Insurance is to protect us (the buyer) from a person claiming they own the land after we have purchased it. If that happens, and the person can prove the land is in fact theirs, the Title Insurance pays back what we paid.

Lorna, Brent and another friend also formed a business running events. They planned the recent Bachelor auction which raised $8,500 for Habitat for Humanity.

Happy Dollars

Dick Behenna had to unexpectedly go out of town, and was happy Helene agreed to takeover the Bake Sale; Marie Alvarenga was happy for the speaker; Rosemary Stancampiano was happy for the speaker and the beautiful morning; John Tyler for the speaker and morning too; Brent Macabio for the speaker and the fact that he didn't have to drive this morning; Helene Buntman was happy for all the support and cooperation for the Bake Sale; Albert Jeyte says "Happy Birthday Rotary!"

Filling the Morgado's Shoes

Like this could ever happen...but it's true they were responsible for a lot. Thank you Brent for stepping in and heading up the Golf Tournament. There are still many areas we've got to fill. So at the next meeting, take some time to find out how you can help!

Happy Valentine's Day, February 14 Regular Meeting

2008-02-27T22:14:00.000-08:00

All fourteen of us got an early start on this Valentine's Day. Wade Park paid us a visit, it was nice to see him again. Jack Lockwood managed to convince his wife, Martie to attend.

All of the "Got Lobster" T-Shirts were available today. For $10 each, payable to Rotary Foundation. Get a great shirt promoting our annual Lobster Fest, and make a donation to RF at the same time. Many thanks to the Morgado's for buying the shirts and giving us this opportunity!

Dick Behenna is collecting DVDs to send to troops in Iraq. Please get those to him soon.

We need hosts to house Rotary Foundation guests visitign May 21-22 in Volcano. If you can serve in this way, please tell Don Hughes.

Golf Tournament Update
At this date we have 24 golfers signed up, with a limit of 50.

Rotary Moment
In our Rotary Moment, Jerry Shimoda reminded us that Article 11 of the RI Constitution states we must not endorse a candidate as a club, and must give candidates an equal opportunity to speak. So, on that note, we'll be seeing Bob Jacobs sometime soon no doubt.

Vocational Speaker-Marie Alvarenga
Born in 1954 in San Diego, CA, Marie came to Hawaii in 1967. On her Irish father's side, she is the descendant of William J. Hooper, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Her mother, of Spanish and Middle Eastern descent, boasts a grandfather who was president of the Mexican state of Jalisco. One of seven siblings, raised in California, her father decided to transplant the family while Marie was in 7th grade. They moved to Oahu and loved it. Later they moved to the hustle and bustle of Ka'u, where Marie (in a terrible state of culture shock) spent her teenage years at Ka'u High School. She has since lived in Hilo for 35 years, and early on even worked at Volcano House before eventually deciding on a career in mortgage banking.

Happy Dollars
Paul Ducasse was happy for Valentine's Day; John Tyler too and also for our speaker; Jack Lockwood for having his wife as a guest; Marie Alvarenga announced her boss is sponsoring a hole in our golf tournament and paying for 3 golfers; Brent Macabio was happy for Valentine's Day and the speaker; Tal Magno happy for Valentine's Day; Jerry Shimoda was happy for the beautiful thick snow on Mauna Loa; Helene Buntman was just happy we're us; and Frank Box topped everyone with $10 for Marie's talk, Valentine's Day, the Lobster T-Shirts, and his step-son's successful surgery.

Regular meeting - February 7, 2008

2008-02-19T22:02:00.000-08:00

On a beautiful, sun-filled morning we welcomed Guy Enriques who is running for Hawaii County Council, David Goodman from New York who reminded us that the Olympic motto is “Higher, Faster, Stronger,” former Volcano Rotarian Alisa Vega who is a McKinney by birth, and Skip & Dee Locklitz, friends of the McKinney’s, who hail from Kentucky.

Our first order of business was the sale of t-shirts. We have beautiful red shirts advertising Labor Day Lobsters and now available in women’s sizes medium and large as well as all the other sizes, men’s and women’s. We also have a limited supply of “Rotarian at Work” shirts. Please see Frank Box for lobster shirts and Charlene Meyers for the Rotarian shirts.

President Don Hughes noted the Bake Sale on February 24 and sent the sign up sheet around again. Please remember to have your “goodies” ready for Farmer’s Market at Cooper Center that morning!

Mili Hughes reports that we have seven students signed up for RYLA! That’s a great turn out! Now we just need volunteers to stay over night as chaperones.

Charlene Meyers will be attending the President Elect Training Seminar (PETS) in San Jose, CA, as our new president-elect replacing Don Morgado. Don and Dianne are moving to South Carolina soon. Charlene and husband Amos are going on a trip to South America starting next week but would like to plan a “Sweet Send Off Party” for Don & Dianne in mid-March. Date to be announced!

After a long and happy life, Conard Eyre’s father passed away on January 30^th. You may recall that his book on Clare Booth Luce’s time in Hawaii was just published.

On a happier note, some members of our club have spouses who are having birthdays soon. Tom English (Kathy) will blow out candles on February 10^th and Amos Meyers (Charlene) gets a year older on February 13^th. And Jack & Marti Lockwood will celebrate an anniversary on February 16^th!

With flair and the appropriate dignity, Albert Jeyte conferred “Paul Harris plus One” status on Lindsay Barclay! This means that Lindsay has given $2000 to the Rotary Foundation. For his largess, he received a PH pin with a blue sapphire in it. Good job, Lindsay! Anyone else wishing to make a donation or receive recognition this year for our club at District Conference should get their check to Albert by March 1^st.

Alisa Vega introduced friends Skip & Dee Locklitz who are visiting the McKinney family from Kentucky. They were good friends of Alana and Doc and came for fellowship with Alana following Doc’s passing.

Linda Jane Irwin will be attending disaster meeting on Monday and will represent us. The actual name of the group is “Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters.” With so many Volcano Rotarians active in some form of service to the community on so many different levels, it’s important that we have a contact person who can give us information on disaster response. Thank you, LJ!

President Don thanked everyone who helped during Doc McKinney’s service at Cooper Center this past weekend and made that sad/happy occasion so memorable! Looking at all the pictures of Doc’s happy life made it a little easier to say goodbye to our old friend. Thanks to everyone for making the last minute change of venue go so smoothly, especially to Jack & Marti Lockwood who got the chairs back from the park but got soaked in the process! And thank you, Alana and family, for your indomitable spirit and for showing so much grace under pressure! Your strength and love of family are a true example for all.

Our Rotary Moment today came from Rotary International President Wilfrid J. Wilkinson who reminds us that Rotary’s influence depends on the number of communities who are exposed to Rotary’s ideals. And did you know that our District (District 5000) is part of Zone 24? Did you also know that Google.org has given Rotary International $3.5 million to help end polio worldwide?

Our guest speaker today was Guy Enriques who was ably introduced by new member Marie Alvarenga. Marie and Guy are old friends from Kau. Guy is running for the Hawaii County Council seat currently occupied by Bob Jacobson. Guy likes our Four Way Test and intends to run his campaign using the same principles. Guy was born in Kau and has seen the area from just about every different vantage point. He went to Washington State and hated it but was too proud to come home. He went into a career of teaching and coaching and is now in his 23^rd year of hosting a teen sports camp in Oregon each summer. His family owns a lei stand on the Black Sand Beach in Punaluu. That stand has put all the kids in his family through college! He has resigned his position as a coach at Kamehameha School to campaign full time for this position.

When asked why he is running, he answers that “man’s greatest temptation is to settle for less.” He feels that Kau residents have settled for less for too long and they need a candidate who represents change, who will set new goals and new directions for the area. He has three basic goals:

1. To bring true representation and constituent services to this district so that he serves all the people, even those who currently have no voice.

2. To bring balance in how we care for the land and its people.

3. To nurture community groups like this so that we can awaken the giant in our community – its community spirit! He also hopes to unite the area from Honaunau to Kurtistown so that it speaks with a clear voice on issues such as tree cutting, helicopter noise, and development. He says, “our potential starts where our comfort zone ends.” We wish him luck!

Rotarians should know that political candidates can only be invited to speak at Rotary meetings if all candidates for a position are invited. They don’t necessarily have to speak at the same time and on the same date but Guy’s appearance has triggered an invitation to Bob Jacobson to speak at a meeting in the near future.

What a lot of happiness we had today! Helene Buntman thanked Linda Jane Irwin and Kathy English for help with the food at Doc’s memorial. Frank Box gave money for Guy Enriques and for Doc’s memory. Alana McKinney gave dollars for Doc’s friends, Skip and Dee. Charlene Meyers gave dollars for husband Amos’ support on her decision to become our next president, for Doc’s memorial, and for the trip she and Amos are taking to South America. Rosemary Stancampiano gave dollars for the Giants win over the Patriots and especially for Eli Manning! Erin Gallagher was happy for Guy’s ability to articulate everyone’s needs. Paul Ducasse was happy for Guy and for the new golf logo and for Alisa wearing her old Rotary badge! Kathy English gave dollars for Erin and Charlene even though they weren’t enough for their contributions. Linda Jane gave money for Doc’s celebration and because she is going to Maui. John Tyler gave for Charlene’s “comfort zone” and her stepping to the plate! Don Morgado gave for Charlene, Doc, and Guy. Richard Behenna gave for Charlene and for his friend David Goodman, an accountant from NY. Marie Alvarenga gave for Charlene, Doc and Guy. Brent Macabio gave for Doc and Charlene.

Regular Meeting - January 31, 2008

2008-02-06T22:38:00.000-08:00

On a spectacular day when the sun actually came out for the only time in the last month, we welcomed Randy Hart from the Hilo Club, Guy Enriques who is running for Bob Jacobson's seat on the Hawaii County Council, Sylvia Webber who was the guest of Marie Alvarenga, and Jerry & Pat Merrill, our guest speakers. We managed to do the Pledge of Allegiance without a flag! Our words of wisdom were: "All of my possessions for a moment of time." This was spoken by the Virgin Queen, Elizabeth I (1553 - 1603 AD) of England.

DUES ARE DUE! If you have not paid your second half dues, please give your check to Lindsay Barclay as soon as possible!

The Bake Sale for the benefit of Once Upon a Story, the new non-profit helping to get books and other literacy materials into the hands of people in the Kau area, will be held on Sunday, February 24 at Cooper Center's Farmer's Market starting at 6 a.m. Dick Behenna sent around a sign up sheet to get an idea of what our members will be bringing to sell at the table set up for this purpose. Any baked goods will be appreciated. You can make cookies, bread, quick breads, cakes, quiche, brownies, etc. Just make certain that your item is labeled so that we know what it is. You can bake your items at home, no need for a commercial kitchen.

David Uhlmann introduced guest speakers Jerry & Pat Merrill from Kokua Counseling Services. Their company serves people with mental health issues that spring from a variety of different causes. They provide their services even when someone has no or inadequate health insurance coverage, although they do accept most health insurance plans. Jerry & Pat brought tests for us to take to see whether stress is affecting our daily lives and how we rate with regard to wellness in general. Their counselors help clients work on development of healthy responses to life's adverse situations. While they do not serve the chronically mentally ill, there may come a time in anyone's life where it is beneficial to be able to talk to someone. They also provide educational workshops for the community on issues ranging from anger management and grieving to stress reduction and healthy relationships. Their company is in the phone book or just call 935-0222.

This was a day for quotes from people long dead. Jerry Shimoda brought us a quote from Seneca (5 BC-65 AD): "If a sailor does not know what harbor he is headed for, no wind is the right wind." This was by way of introducing the topic of Community Service. Rotary recognized Community Service as an integral part of the Rotary mission in 1924. It asks Rotarians to consider "What is the job that needs doing?" Is there a community agency already doing that job that we can partner with and support to make the results better? If not, how can we become involved for the betterment of the community? Keep your eyes and ears open to the needs around you and let your fellow Rotarians know about worthwhile projects.

HAPPY DOLLARS! David Uhlmann gave Happy $ for the presentation by Jerry & Pat and that he is done with his duty to find speakers this month! Dick Behenna gave $ to thank our Rotary Club for its support of the Volcano Health Collaborative with the State Legislature. and also for the painting of the book store at Cooper Center. (It just needs another coat!) He was also happy to see Pat again, having known her on Oahu! Mili Hughes gave $ for the Merrill's and for the beauty of the island. Kathy English wa happy. Linda Jane Irwin was happy for the snow on the mountain. Paul Ducasse was happy that it's starting to get light earlier, for Jerry & Pat, and for Guy Enriques. Frank Box was happy for the same reasons. Marie Alvarenga was happy that her son is back at college, for inviting Guy Enriques and for her friends Sylvia Webber. Kevin LeBourdais was happy for the speakers and for the view. Erin Gallagher was happy she had a dollar to give! Jerry Shimoda was happy for the good program. Brent Macabio was happy for the speakers. Don Morgado was happy for a good trip to the mainalnd. Helene Buntman was happy to give 50 cents. It would have been more but Lindsay doesn't seem to know how to make change! Jack Lockwood jumped into a long string of Hawaiian which he didn't translate but whatever it was, he gave $ for it! John Linnaman was just plain old happy. Jerry Shimoda was happy for us (?). Guy Enriques was happy to give $ for whatever Jack Lockwood said!

Announcements!! Marie Alvarenga wants anyone who gets bonus dollars from Borders Bookstore to let her know if you'd be willing to donate them to buy books for the various literacy projects we are involved with. She'll go get the books!

The VCA will have a meeting tonight (Thursday, January 31) at Cooper Center at 6:30 p.m. There will be an ice cream social first and then election of officers for the coming year. New members will receive a gift certificate to Cafe Pesto! Community organizations will have displays at the meeting.

There will be a meeting of the Golf Tournament Committee at Pete Walburn's house on Monday at 4 p.m.

Weinberg Workday, January 26, 2008

2008-01-30T22:58:00.001-08:00

It was a cold rainy day at the Cooper Center in Volcano Village, making it perfect for indoor work. The first thing we did was remove all the books from the shelves in the used bookstore, cover everything with plastic, and prep the walls. All the shelves were removed, taken out to the lanai and painted with primer. Talmadge Magno and Debbie Lebourdais handled that task like professionals. Inside the bookstore, Linda-Jane Irwin, John Tyler, Jack Lockwood, Paul Ducasse, Don Hughes, Dean and Erin Gallagher, Frank Box, Jerry Shimoda, Rosemary Stancampiano, Kevin Lebourdais, Alana McKinney, Helene Buntman and several other community members cut and rolled the walls and ceilings.

Charlene and Amos Meyers kept us in hot coffee and banana bread throughout the morning. In the back closets, Marti Lockwood, Hank Banquer, Casey Cummings, Nona and Herb Wilson lost a lot of brain cells priming the bare walls with no air circulation.

The day got really exciting when the runners from a 30 mile race originating in Hilo began arriving. One of them was suffering from severe hypothermia, but we had Linda-Jane Irwin and Nona Wilson on hand to offer advice. We microwaved towels and wrapped the poor guy up. He was finally up and eating later.

Then we got to enjoy a delicious lunch of grilled salmon, sausage, pasta salad and huge chocolate chip cookies prepared by Charlene Meyers.

There were many other community members present who contributed a lot of painting and cleaning talent. Who knew you could have so much fun painting!

January 24, 2008 Meeting

2008-01-30T22:48:00.000-08:00

submitted by Erin Gallagher

In attendance, 21, including Bob Thompson, guest of Mililani Hughes.

Ka’u Hospital painting went well. Nona Wilson was very happy with all the work we were able to do. Thanks to TrueValue Hardware for donating some needed paint.

RYLA Camp
There are currently 8 nominees! If you are planning on attending the camp, please let Mililani Hughes know so she can everything paid for.

New Rotarian
Rosemary Stancampiano was inducted this morning. Charlene Meyers is raking in the Rotary Bucks for all her new members! Welcome Rosemary, we look forward to getting to know you more and putting you to work.

Frank Box is now a Paul Harris Fellow
Congratulations Frank!

Upcoming Speakers/Projects
March 20, Felicia Olivera, Fire Chief
April 26, Hilo Firestation Cleanup
Sometime in May, housing for GSE team

Vocational Speaker
Mililani Hughes did a quick fill in for a sick guest speaker. She was spellbinding! Her mother received only a 5th grade education because they moved back to Japan, hoping things would be better. Finding out they were worse in Japan, her mother’s family returned to Hawaii, working and living at the Lahainaluna Sugar Plantation, where Mililani grew up. Her father was born on Molokai and moved to Lahaina to work at Lahainaluna, and achieved an 8th grade education. He had a stroke when Mililani was 2 and the family stuggled to survive through her mother’s sewing and teaching sewing. Because of the stuggles of the family, the mother stressed the importance of her children improving there lot through education, though Mililani says she never considered that they were poor. So she learned to get out of her chores by saying she was reading!
Her father died when she was in 9th grade. Good thing she had learned to drive a year earlier. She attended Lahainaluna HS, Maui Community College, and then received her teaching degree from UH Manoa in 1971. She started teaching English at the age of 21.
In 1978, she and Don married. They met at the school both were both teaching at. Don wanted to move to the Big Island, and in 1981 two positions opened at Mt. View school, an English teacher, and a science teacher. They got the jobs and moved. Over the years Mililani was the Administrator at Pahoa school, and principal at Hilo HS. That turned out to be a very stressful job, so she left and went back to teaching at Waiakea in 1995. Five years later, she was asked to become the Administrator at a Hawaiian Immersion School (ask Mililani for the name of the school).
She has continued working there part-time and enjoys it a great deal.

Happy Dollars
David Uhlman for the speaker, workers at Ka’u Hospital and the donated paint. Jack Lockwood for the speaker, as well as Linda Jane Irwin, John Tyler, Rosemary Stancampiano, and Jerry Shimoda. Alana McKinney gave $10 for Doc who spent 47 years in Rotary! Paul Ducasse was happy for our newest Rotarian and his heated car seats (spoiled!). David Rizor announced that his daughter got a job! Frank Box gave in memory of Doc. Charlene Meyers gave for our newest Rotarian as well. Helene Buntman gave $5 for all of our smiling faces, and finally Lindsay Barclay gave a dollar and reminded us to tip the waiter!

Jan 17, 2008 Meeting

2008-01-23T21:43:00.000-08:00

submitted by Erin Gallagher

Marie Alvarenga brought her daughter Brandy Lonokapu today. Marie's been signing up golfers, she has 12 already for the April 19 Golf Tournament. Woohoo! Way to go Marie.

Make sure you come and bring some friends this Saturday, 1/26, 8am-Noon to the Cooper Center for the Weinberg Workday. Afterwards we'll be celebrating our club's birthday. Charlene Meyers will be serving up grilled salmon and many other tasty items.

Rosemary Stancampiano, Linda Jane Irwin, Jack Lockwood and myself met David Rizor at Volcano School of Arts and Sciences for vision screening on 1/23/08. It's really pretty easy (as long as you can read the letters from 20 feet away), and it's fun meeting the kids. Hope you will sign up for Mt. View Elementary when it gets scheduled, there will be a lot more kids!

Rotary Moment-from Don Hughes
Major gains have been made in the global fight against polio:
In the 1980s, 1,000 children were infected by the disease every day in 125 countries. Today, polio cases have declined by 99 percent, with fewer than two thousand cases reported in 2006.
Two billion children have been immunized, five million have been spared disability, and over 250,000 deaths from polio have been prevented. There were 820 cases in 2007, it remains only in Nigeria, India, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Vocational Speaker
Our guest speaker today was yours truly. I regret that I was unable to take notes of my speech. You'll just have to ask me for details in person if you missed it.

Happy Dollars
Many gave in honor of our friend, Doc McKinney, including Paul Ducasse, Marie Alvarenga and Helene Buntman. John Tyler appreciated the speaker (and graphic designers in general), Marie was also happy to have her daughter visiting with her. Rosemary Stancampiano was happy for friends and Erin's work for the Volcano Quilters. Lindsay Barclay gave a dollar out of sheer joy for Paul coming early to help set up.

Chilly Morning Meeting

2008-01-10T14:08:00.000-08:00

submitted by Erin Gallagher

We opened with a large crowd of 25 this morning, including David Uhlmann's guest, Leslie Ortiz from Hilo.

Thought for the Day
Be kind to people even if they have little value to you.
You really have good character if you do the right thing even when no one is watching.
(or something like that-sorry Don H. that I couldn't write fast enough!)

Dick Behenna introduced our guest speaker, Melody Raymond, of Naalehu. Several months ago, our club promised to pay for half of the incorporation fee for Once Upon A Story, if the group could raise the other half. Melody is the spearhead of this literacy organization and she came to tell us about it. Once Upon a Story will be opening a small used book store in Naalehu which plans to be open regular business hours to sell books, but more importantly to provide help with literacy. It will be located at the Waiohinu Community "Shack", on the grounds of the community center. The shack is need of serious renovation, the next strong wind and .... splat. Melody has negotiated a 5-year lease in exchange for building repair.

Melody has been a VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) volunteer for the last four years, sponsored by Bay Clinic. In this Americorps program called Reach Out and Read, she is working with the Health Clinic to promote literacy through well-baby visits. Whenever parents bring in their babies, she is there to give them books and help parents as well. Unfortunately, her sponsorship through Americorps is already running a year past the original 3, and she doesn't want her efforts to end there. She has touches the lives of at least 400 children regularly.

The bookstore at Once Upon a Story should be open in March and the reading program hopes to begin in June. We can help by donating books (just drop them off at the Bay Clinic in Naalehu). If you'd like to help in other ways, please contact Dick Behenna and he can tell you more.

Happy Dollars
Paul Ducasse is glad his house in finally freshly painted, school has resumed, and thanks to the Meyers for the New Year's breakfast. Jerry Shimoda is happy for the Happy New Year! Many were happy for the Meyers' breakfast and the speaker, inluding Conard Eyre, Frank Box, and Linda Jane Irwin. Marie had a great time winning Brent (for a friend of hers she says) at the Habitat Bachelor Auction, and Brent was happy that the event helped raise $8,700! Dick Behenna is happy that there are grassroots organizations at work in Naalehu, and Jack Lockwood is happy for the existence of literacy programs in general. Many were happy for the speaker, including Mililani Hughes and Helene Buntman.

I'll give a happy dollar or two for these nene I saw on my way home this morning!

President-Elect Don Morgado's Board for 2008-2009
Don is still working on filling positions for his board for the next year. Let him know if you'd like to be involved. Some discussion ensued about whether we are "cogs" or "spokes" in the great Rotary wheel. Well, cog, spoke, sprocket, ball bearing, WD-40, whatever--everyone has a job to do!

Regular meeting - Jan. 3

2008-01-07T14:49:00.000-08:00

On a rare morning without rain, we welcomed Tom Brown from the Hilo Club and Ruth Larkin from Hilo Bay. Tom has agreed to become our newest Assistant District Governor, although he confesses to being a retread! We also were happy to have Pam Scheffler, daughter of Jack Lockwood, at our meeting. Pam came to update us on the playground at Cooper Center.

President Don Hughes got us started with the following quote: "You can tell how big a man is by what it takes to discourage him."

Former Volcano Rotarian David Moore sent a note to the club thanking Charlene Meyers for hosting his boss and enclosing a $100 check for "Happy Dollars." We sure miss that young man!

Next we had some words on the Golf Tournament. (There is a meeting set up at Pete Walburn's house on Saturday, January 12th at 2 p.m. for anyone who wants to help get this tourney organized and running well. BYOB!)

Brent Macabio turned out to be a very expensive bachelor at a fundraiser this past weekend. (Maybe that's why he missed today's meeting!) Congratulations, Marie!

We have birthdays this month! John Linneman will celebrate tomorrow, January 4, and Gwendolyn O'Connor will blow out candles on January 8th.

Deadline for submitting names for RYLA camp is January 30! Please let Mili Hughes know if you know of a student who could benefit from leadership training.

President Don did a "Rotary Moment" on our community service project, Keiki Vision. Even if only a few children are found to need the services of an optometrist, the project is invaluable to that child and his or her family. Please keep some time put aside for this event.

Tom Brown came to visit us regarding the expansion of the bus routes from Volcano to Hilo. He passed out the new schedules to everyone and urged us to use this free method of trasport. The Hele On bus will go to the airport next year. The service is going to remain free until at least the end of 2009.

Our speaker today was David Uhlmann who is on a crusade to teach children about money and finance. It's training that they may not receive at home. He has a presentation that can be given to 6 to 12 year olds that teaches the importance of setting financial goals for the short and long term with words and concepts that children can understand. The concept is to instill self-discipline through delayed gratification. (Some adults could use that training, too!) One of the best ideas was to teach children to SAVE - SPEND - DONATE - INVEST. He had a really great tool, a piggy bank that Pete Walburn was happy to hold up. Let David know if you have a group of children and parents who could benefit from something like this.
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ATTENTION: There will be a board meeting after the regular meeting next week!

Happy Dollars!

Hey, does this kids look happy, or what? Tom Brown gave dollars because even though his hearing is going, next to Walburn, he's OK! Ruth Larkin was happy that her choral group is going to perform at Carnegie Hall on Martin Luther King Day! John Tyler said "Happy New Year!" Kevin LeBourdais was happy to spend the New Year with step-kids and grandkids and that they are leaving on Friday! Linda Jane Irwin was happy to be back from Africa and asked us to say a prayer for Kenya. Alana McKinney was happy that her granddaughter was born and weighed in at 9 lb. 6 oz.! Paul Ducasse was happy for Tom Brown's mass transit, for David Uhlmann's presentation and as the Christmas carol says: "And Mom & Dad can hardly wait for school to start again!" Tal Magno was happy that he had an "event free" holiday season! Jack Lockwood was happy for the rainbow over our crater. Dick Behenna was happy for anything that gets parents to educate kids and for the new bus routes. Kathy English was happy to be back from the mainland. Helene Buntman was happy for free transportation. Frank Box and Dianne Morgado were just plain happy.

January 3, 2008

2008-01-03T14:49:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Rotary Club of Volcano, Hawaii, on the Web! This is the first issue of your new newsletter. It will allow you to comment and to see posts from others in our club and from around the country, maybe even the world! As your editor gets more familiar with how to use the tools on this blog, you will see the newsletter grow to have not only pictures but videos as well. Having the newsletter available on the internet will allow you to access the postings no matter what software you are running (a blessing to owners of older PCs and Macs who have not updated their software). If you can get on the internet, you can read the news! And you don't even have to be on your home computer. Just go to the website from any computer and you'll see all the very latest happenings! We hope you will like the changes!