The Rotary Club of Ambler
Chartered December 11, 1925 “Service Above Self” Club Number 2166
www.rotary.org – rotary international web site
www.rotarydistrict7430.org – district web site
www.amblerrotary.org – our web site
R.I. President, John Kenny from
Linlithgow
District 7430 Governor, Michael
McCarthy from
Ambler Rotary President, Joan M. Coleman
Volume 85, Edition 36 March 3, 2010
March is Literacy
Month
Publisher – Eric Faddis
Editor – Leslie Heffernen
MARCH 3RD MEETING:
President Joan asked us to silence our cell phones and then recite the Pledge of Allegiance to The Flag. We sang “God Bless America” and Peter “Skip” Urban gave thanks for all our benefits and asked that we think of our members who are in the hospital…
· President Joan
o Opened by remarking how fortunate we are to have Donna Buckley at our weekly meetings. Let’s have a big round of applause!
o Reminded us that our members have contributed over $4,100 to purchase ShelterBoxes for the Haitian Relief program. Our club will match the total raised. The Wissahickon Intermediate School has also raised over $4,000.
o Reported that our Maria Kim attended last Saturday’s PETS (President’s Elect Training Session). Maria later said that she is SO motivated and ready for July to roll around.
· Due to inclement weather, The Fashion Show has been postponed to March 11, 2010. Since the Fashion Show is postponed to a weeknight, ticket price is changed to $70.00 per person. Thank you all for supporting this great event! – Maria Kim
· John Snyder the two packets we have received. We each received 20 Golf ball drop tickets which sell for $5 each or three for $10. John has already sold 80 by asking people if they would be willing to support Ambler Rotary’s scholarship and community outreach programs. John put out a challenge by saying that he will take anyone out to lunch at the Blue Bell Inn if they can out sell him. Schneider, King, Mariucci or anyone else up to that challenge? John reviewed the four tickets that we received for the Spring Gala. Simply buy two and have a friend come with you (and buy two). John said that if you can’t sell ALL your tickets, make sure some money is returned with unsold tickets.
· Member Updates:
o Ray Miller contacted the reporter of this newsletter and asked that his (Ray’s) thanks be forwarded to all Ambler Rotary members for the beautiful flowers that were sent to him in the hospital and for all the cards and calls wishing him well. Ray hopes to be at next Wednesday’s meeting.
o Phil Albright survived his neck surgery and is doing well. He also said that he is planning to attend next Wednesday’s meeting.
AMBLER ROTARY GOLF BALL DROP:
VISITORS / GUESTS:
· Nello Ianieri and Clara Eisenmann from the Warminster Rotary Club were our two visiting Rotarians. Clara reported on our District’s efforts to get our Interact Clubs to fill 1,000 backpacks for students in Haiti.
Clara Eisenmann
· Ayisha Sereni, coordinator at the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at Montgomery County Community College and associate of today’s speaker was our only guest today.
COMMUNITY IN CELEBRATION (HAPPY DOLLARS):
· Jim Kline, with his arm hidden under his shirt and in a sling, wanted us to know that he is not pregnant, but had rotator cuff surgery. Jim is under the impression that he’ll only need a short period of physical therapy once he is allowed to unsling – ok, Jim, if you say so.
· Joel Mayor was thrilled to see that the William Penn Inn was painting the smaller banquet room with Benjamin Moore paint.
· Steve Paccione’s excitement could not be hidden as the Phillies are playing their opening exhibition game on Thursday.
· Dick Target also had a difficult time hiding his excitement over the birth of his new grandchild.
· Dick Booth, who must be having a difficult time in his retirement, could not afford to part with a dollar bill, left behind a handful of coins in honor of Phil Albright who is recovering from neck surgery.
· Bob King contributed $20 in honor of his 55th birthday on March 1st. This is also Bob’s 20th anniversary as an Ambler Rotarian.
· Donna Buckley was happy for grandparents Dick and Kathy Target and had good words for Phil Albright.
· Treasurer Bruce Braunewell stomped forward while mumbling something about hating coins and gracefully removed said coins which were deposited by Dick Booth.
· Steve Bob Pribis, who has a habit of being late in his participation in our happy dollars (usually while introducing our speaker), contributed $1 noting that March 1st was also his 55th birthday. Lynne arranged a family get together for the happy day.
PROGRAM:
Our speaker today was Amit Singh who is a Dean of the Business and Computer Science Division at Montgomery County Community College. Before joining this institution in August 2000, Amit was a Professor of Business, Economics and Finance and the Assistant Dean of the Business and Social Science Division at Darton College, a unit of the University System of Georgia. In the past, he worked as an investment analyst at a brokerage firm and as a senior financial analyst for a consulting firm. He also taught at Michael J. Coles School of Business at Kennesaw State University in Georgia. Amit holds an MA in Economics, MBA, MS in Finance and Ph.D. in Economics.
His topic was Dispelling the Myths on Today’s Economy. He wanted to give us an overview as to where we are today in the U.S, Pennsylvania and Montgomery County. He noted that the world GDP is $55 trillion, U.S. GDP is $14 trillion, PA’s GDP is $550 billion, 6th in nation (CA and TX rank #1 and 2), and Montgomery County’s GDP is around $139 billion. An economic discussion followed which examined the last century’s depressions and present monetary policy (from a Keynesian point of view).
Amit allowed for a lively question and answer session.
50/50:
(file photo)
Gene McGonagle was the winner of $14 and a white tee although he left the meeting early. Dick Booth following the spirit of the Way Test announced that he was holding Gene’s tickets. Next week’s jackpot will be in excess of $550.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS: (Chair, Steve Pribis)
OK, who do you know that you can invite to speak to us? Do you know any professional ball players, actors, or famous people? Call Steve Pribis at 215-813-2136 and let him know about it. Remember that our programs are a vital part of each weekly meeting.
3/10 – Chuck Bolger – today’s Boy Scouts
3/17 – luck o’ the Irish
3/24 – two booked – need to resolve
3/31 – TBD
4/7 – Steve Bass – what you don’t know about Wordsworth Academy
4/14 – Jayne Blackledge – North Wales library
ASSIGNMENTS: (Chair,
Remember that if you can't fulfill your service
obligation, please provide a suitable substitute and call
Set-up Invocation 50/50 Greeters
Take-Down
3/10 Bhakta Bass Braunewell Caldwell / Costa
Booth
3/17 Douglass C. Dager
DuPlat
3/24 Geraldino Gerhard Heffernen Gant / Graham
Gomberg
3/31 Hoffman Kadel Jablokov King / Kline
Holteen
DISTRICT 7430 UPCOMING 2009-2010 SCHEDULE:
3/15 – 2009-2010 Presidential Citation Application due
3/19-28 – District 7430 Conference Cruise
4/1-30 – GSE Inbound team visits District 7430
4/17 – Youth Leadership/District
Assembly/Foundation Dinner Bear Creek Resort in
6/20 -23 – International
Convention in
6/30 – District Change – Over Dinner
6/30 – Deadline for the Rotary Foundation giving for 2009-2010
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL
STUFF:
See a gallery of photos from the dramatic lighting of iconic landmarks around the world, a celebration of Rotary's 105th anniversary and its commitment to eradicate polio.
