Posted by Troy Fringer
Past President Jeff Haynes welcomed everyone this morning. He was led into the meeting by his son Nick playing the bagpipes. Mindy Wilmot led with a Gaelic Blessing per Jeff.
 
Tom Burke filled in for Dennis Scott in leading the Flag Salute.
 
Carol Smith led us on a raucous rendition of When the Saints Come Marching In/The Four Way Test song.
 
Dale Bender handled greeting and selling raffle tickets.
 
Stephanie Baker and Mindy Wilmot were the keynote speakers this morning and shared with us their experiences at the Rotary International convention in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Kay Pitts also attended the convention but was visiting Michigan this week. There were 16,000 fellow Rotarians there from over 140 countries. The event was held on the Calgary Stampede grounds. The G7 Summit was held the week before in Kananaskis, Alberta (an hour drive from Calgary). The following week the Calgary Stampede started! Every meeting was led by a “Yahoo” to everyone; it seemed that ninety percent of the people wore white cowboy hats!
This year’s Rotary theme is “Unite For Good” and service projects are a major emphasis. The Rotary International convention for the next three years is in Taipei, Taiwan in 2026; Dubai, United Arab Emirates in 2027 and Minneapolis in 2028. 2030 is the 125th year of Rotary International; Chicago has the assignment of hosting that convention, of course. For the Rotary Foundation this year’s fundraising goal is $500,000,000. The Bill Gates Foundation has once again committed to donating $2 for every $1 donated to Rotary Polio Plus for the next three years.
 
Mindy’s ah-ha moment was that all the 16,000 people attending the convention were like-minded. Stephanie’s ah-ha it was that you were with your brothers and sisters.
 
Birthdays             Donna Schwartz and Robert Provencio
 
Wedding Anniversary    Tony Castiglione
 
Announcements
Denise Haynes – In process of handing out all of the 1000 Flags Sponsors Thank You packets
 
Jennifer Henry - Working on getting school supplies donated by members for Dreams & Hopes for the Children Foundation community service project.
 
The next Social event is scheduled for Thursday August 14 at The Vault restaurant.
 
Recognitions
Erick Bautista     $20 for being 20% done with his Master’s degree and 
       $20 Not busy enough now because they are expecting their son to be born in November.
 
Shaun Kelly won the drawing!