“Friendship is a natural and willing servant….There is no reason…why the great power of friendship should not be harnessed to do its part in the world’s work.”
—Paul Harris, 1912 Rotary Convention

Picture of Club President Chuck Killian accepting the President's gavel at his induction ceremony.

President Killian's Page

Words of Wisdom, Weekly Newsletters, Pre Meeting notes and Weekly Meeting minutes....aka Chuck's musings!

We have a good group today and splendid program. Larry and Kyle, a great father-son combo, gave us an interesting and helpful report on Rotary's PolioChallenge; which by the way, Garner Mid-Day was given great news today: We have met the goal suggested by the District, and then some; and that, two years ahead of schedule. We were also told that we are probably the first club in the District to have done so! While we will continue with EREY, this commitment frees us to use those resources in other causes, should the Board so direct.

Our "Small Change Changes Lives" totaled $121.36. Thanks fellow Rotarians for caring. This will go towards scholarships for our various contests in the High School. I am hoping to raise $5000 this year towards that end.

Talking About Money...for those of you who were at Rotary today, you heard Chuck's 'epistle on giving'. We will call this #1, with many more missives to come. I said, "These are uncertain times. Our financial resources are dwindling and cutbacks everywhere are affecting us all. You in the marketplace are working longer hours and harder with less income. The mood among us is one of stark caution at the least; and, an unbridled pessimism at its worst. We are not untouched at Garner Mid-Day by this downturn. We have lost
members because of it. Money is tight. We are tightening 'our be lts', too, for good reason. So what are we to do?

We all of us are Rotarians by choice. We take comfort in the fact that we are a blessed people, but also a burdened people. As such, we care and we choose to be involved, living out our mantra: Service Above Self.

During this first month of my presidency, there has been a lot of talk about money. Back Pack, Auctions, Fundraisers, "Small Change", our quarterly dues, RI challenges, and other calls will put us to test. But hear me, I AM NOT ASKING YOU TO DO ANYTHING, EXCEPT TO THINK ABOUT IT. THERE WILL BE NO PRESSURE FROM ME ON DICTATING YOUR VOLUNTEERISM AND GIVING. I HAVE THE CONFIDENCE THAT WE ALL WILL DO WHAT WE CAN DO. IT IS BETWEEN YOU AND ROTARY; AND, IN THE SANCTITY OF THAT CONNECTION, WE WILL DO WHAT WE CAN AND THAT WILL BE SUFFICIENT."

Board Meeting next Tuesday, August 4 at 11:30. We will have a financial report, and discuss our Webpage and how we want to proceed. Question: How important is this to our club? If we are to have a webpage functioning properly, then it is more than a solo job done by one individual. So, we will talk about that. Let me suggest that you go to our web site: www.garnermid-dayrotary@org Look it over and bring suggestions and observations.

Program for next week, August 4: Julie Clark will be leading our club in talking about the Gala--its plans, promises, and procedures. Tickets will be passed out and that will signal that start of the "...once upon a time in Garner, there was a party...." And when it is over--fun will be had, good will be done, and Rotary will have made a splash.

From the Lord of Life Lutheran Newsletter--'Life Lines' comes this.... "While we here at Lord of Life are busy gathering up notebooks, crayons, pens, pencils and backpacks, the Mid-Day Rotary is busy with a different type of backpack project. It is all about food for the homeless children." Food distribution will commence in September, so in August we will pass the bucket and 'we will do what we can'.

Ed Ketron is in charge of the program on August 11. He has invited Sharlene Thomas, an Artisan, to talk to us about Solar Cooking at Home. Greeter for next week is Julie Clark.
August 18, Lonnie Hedrick; and August 25, Fund Raiser at Swift Creek

August is Membership Month. David Hagwood will speak to this next week.

Ok, Chuck, one month down and eleven to go! I have had a great month, enjoying every minute of it. School starts soon. That means things change and people 'get down to business' in a different way. At least, that is what my Father told me, "Summer camp is over my boy, it is time now to get down to business." And we will!