Eric covers Village Volunteers

Following the call to order by President Chris, the flag salute, a thoughtful invocation by Ken Kirkpatrick, and a rousing rendition of God Bless America led by Songmeister Al Marsh; John Hughes introduced the Program. Village Volunteer Executive Director, Shana Greene, Village Volunteer Board member and Rotarian, Kaj Peterson, and Bill Austin, Village Volunteer project manager and retired engineer; were introduced. Hugo provided a demonstration of the water purification system including the “flower pot” insert, the external plastic bucket with an attached spigot.

It was reported that Hugo and Bill Schink were introduced to the Village Volunteers and the water purification project through a visitation to a UW Bothell classroom in 2006. This led to further involvement and to Woodinville Rotary’s donation of $7K from the 2007 Wine & Shine to support the development work for a factory to produce the water purification systems in Kiminini, Kenya. From the 2008 Charity Event, an additional donation brought the total to $15K making it possible for the building of the factory storage building, and training of production staff in Kenya.

Shana Greene reported that 60 percent of the deaths in Kenya are attributed to water borne diseases, the majority of which impact children, due to the lack of potable water. Bill Austin reported that the water purification factory would not be coming to reality without Woodinville Rotary’s financial support, and that it can nowl be operational by this fall. Bill also reported that there are 30 million people in Kenya and that 90 percent are subsistence farmers. Due to the lack of clean water it is estimated that nearly 20 percent of the population is ill. The water purification system used by Village Volunteers was developed in Nicaragua by Potters For Peace to provide a simple, sustainable system that can be supported by Third World economies and capability.

The program was concluded with the presentation of Woodinville Rotary’s contribution of $15K as well as the always in demand Barrier Motors business cards of Jorge Gonzalez.

From Left, Bill Austin, our Prez, Shana Greene, Kaj Peterson and international director Jorge Gonzalez

For a photo spread on activity in Kiminini

Speakers Bill Austin and Randy Copeland

Next, Randy Copeland, the Rotary District 5030 Chair of the Annual Giving Program, outlined the importance of the member Club’s donations to support Rotary International’s efforts to achieve “Our world not as it is, but as it should be.” The annual commitments and the status of the Polio Plus program were also discussed as well as the opportunity to become a participant in Rotary’s planned giving fund.

To launch the 2009 Annual Giving Program for Woodinville Rotary, Greg Riggs, Foundation Chair, introduced the “Fleece Me” matching funds program whereby Roger Martindill will match any $100 contributions of any member through March 31^st. It was noted by the President and CEO of Riggs Wealth Management that this offer was in the best traditions of the financier Senor Ponzi. (He is pictured above with Rotaryville photo taken at the 20th anniversary celebration of Woodinville Rotary's charter.)

Erv DeSmet reported on the next 5^th Tuesday Special Meeting which will be held at Red Hook Brewery on March 31^st.

Joe Truglio, Community Services Director, reported that 700 dictionaries had been delivered and that by the end of the week, every Northshore School District 3^rd grader would be in possession of their own Rotary supplied dictionary. He also reported that the February support of the Food Life Line had resulted in the preparation of over 3,000 breakfast meals of Frosted Flakes which had made “Tony the Tiger” very proud. The next visit to Food Life Line is planned for April 11^th.

Finally, members were reminded to bring in their “blue cards” which identified their target procurement items and to follow up with completed procurement forms when the items had been obtained.

Respectfully Submitted,

Eric Greenwood, Reporter

Sorry Dennis ... could been a $161 one

Next Reporter:
Becky "Ace" Clark
March 10