Hafa Adai Pago Bay Guam Rotarians!
 
Thank you for joining us for Meeting #36. 
 
I’d like to take a moment to add onto President Annette ‘s discussion last week that April is “Magazine Month.”  Through the Rotarian, we’re reminded every month why Rotary has been the best service organization for over 110 years.  Part of the dues that we pay as Rotarians goes towards paying for the magazines – I encourage all members to contact Treasurer Zeny or Treasurer-Elect Goody to make arrangements to get up-to-date.
 
Rotarians are characterized by our desire to serve our communities. Our Rotary club, although still fairly new, has begun to set our project goals.  Last week in her President’s Report, President Annette encouraged each of us to become involved in at least one of the following projects:
 
  1. Road Adoption Project, the adoption of a stretch of road along Route 4 from Chalan Inda to Inalago Pago Bay.  Lead Project Directors: Membership Committee Director Anita and Treasurer Zeny – along with Bascon Company.
  2. NIH/NIDDK STEP-UP Sponsorship, our club will sponsor a Mini-Symposium tentatively scheduled for July 27th, highlighting the research that five high school students and one University of Guam undergraduate student will undertake. This symposium allows these students to shine, showing their parents and their peers what they have learned.  The undergraduate student and two high school students will then participate in a Symposium held at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, MD.  Lead Project Directors: VP/PE Kristina, Vocational and New Generations Committee Director Karen, and Rotarian Edward.
  3. Dictionary Reading Project, to promote literacy by encouraging elementary students (target group = fourth graders) to utilize their dictionaries in reading activities utilizing technology.  Acting Lead Directors: Secretary John, President Annette and me.
  4. Active Participation, by submitting a short narrative about yourself and why you joined Rotary (100-200 words) with a picture to share.  Please send your submissions to Secretary John.
  5. Active Participation, by recommending a speaker willing to contribute a written narrative or short video clip. The narrative should be 300-750 words and aligned with our topics of addressing: the impoverished, reducing family violence, increasing education, entrepreneurship opportunities in our villages and how we might assist the homeless youth and children.  Please send your recommendations to me.
 
Announcements:
  1. Rotaract 5K Run Fast for  Cast on April 25, 2015.  President Chris Surla is still seeking sponsors.
  2. RC Guam President Jake Woo is inviting all Rotarians to attend their 75th Charter Night on April 18 at the Hilton Guam Resort & Spa from 6pm – 9pm.  Registration  s $75/person.
  3. PETS: Presidents Elect Training Seminar for incoming Presidents and Secretaries on April 15 and April 16.  President Annette and Secretary John will attend on behalf of our club.
  4. Meeting with Dr. Lawrence Agadoa, Director of Minority Health Research Coordination, National Institute of Health/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders and Dr. George Hui, Professor, University of Hawaii, Department of Tropical Medicine and Director, Pacific STEP-UP on Friday, April 17th.  The time and the venue will be announced by Tuesday of this week.  The meeting will most likely take place in the afternoon.  This is a great opportunity for us to learn more about the NIH/NIDDK STEP UP program and how it directly benefits our island community.
In closing, as we are an E-Club, I found a gem on YouTube that I would like to share with you.  District Governor Dave Warren of Rotary International District 6250 has a humorous way to explain more about “Magazine Month.”  As we continue to have consistency in our meetings and speakers, it is my hope that we can also begin posting our own video newsletters.  The link is https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=dave+warren+rotary+and+magazine+month. To encourage you to view the link, there will be a question in next week's meeting posting with a question related to the link.  The first of our members to correctly answer the question will receive a small prize from me.
 
Adjournment.  Meeting #36 is now adjourned.  Wishing President Annette safe travels.  Thank you for your time. Yours in Rotary,
 
Kristina Sayama
Vice President/President Elect