Community Service Grant

The Rotary Club of Appleton is pleased to make available grants from Rotary Shines, our major spring fundraiser, and from the Community Service Fund.  Grants from the Community Service Fund will total $3,039 this year.  Rotary Shines funds are estimated at $10,000 but will vary depending on the success of our 2013 fundraiser. You are encouraged to apply for either source of funding, or both.  Both grants will support local community needs.  Grant deadline is October 5^th

What's Under our Streets?

Paula Vandehey, Director of Public Works for the City of Appleton, discussed how there are private (gas, electric, telephone, internet, etc.) and public (sanitary, storm, water and traffic lights) utilities under our streets.  It is important to know where they are so that they are not dug up.  Under College Avenue, the public utilities include a sanitary sewer system, storm sewer system, catch basins and a water main on the north and south side of the street.  Rain goes into the catch basin, storm sewer system and then leads to our rivers, streams and lakes.  In order to put pipes into the street, a narrow trench is opened up.  It is narrow because when it is filled in with gravel and dirt there is an area that will handle freeze, thaw and settling different from the rest of the street. Typically, the underground utilities will be done one year and the pavement the next so that the area gets a chance to settle.  Manholes are used as a juncture for different pipes that come together and they are a way to gain access for maintenance and repairs.  Sanitary sewers are used to treat our “dirty” water before it is released back into the environment and it is a piping system that takes “dirty” water from the source to the wastewater treatment plant.  There are about 380 miles of sanitary sewer that the City of Appleton maintains.  Sanitary sewer water comes from places like your sink, bath, washer, toilet, car wash, etc.   A storm sewer collects runoff (clean water) from roofs and pavement and brings it to rivers, streams and ponds.  Grass clippings, pet waste and car wash water/soap that gets put into the streets go directly into the storm sewer.  The water main system brings treated drinking water from the city water plant to our houses and businesses.  The system is a pressure system versus a gravity system of sanitary and storm sewer.  There are over 380 miles of water main which they average about 80 water main breaks per year.  We need water main water to drink, shower, cook, water our lawns, etc.  About one tenth of the city sewers are televised each year so a maintenance plan can be developed.  It is amazing at some of the things that can be found in our sewers.  A photo of an alligator was shown from a Florida sewer.  

Timber Rattler Game - August 22, 2012

World Service Committee Grant

The World Service Committee is charged with initiating, investigating, planning, coordinating and implementing new and existing opportunities for our club’s international service activities.  The goal of our committee is to help our club serve on an international basis, which will allow us to promote peace and goodwill among all people. To apply for a World Service Grant, please fill out the attached by Wednesday, September 5, 2012.  

Moment of Silence for Jerry Otteson

Today, we had a moment of silence for Jerry Otteson who passed away on Friday, August 17.  Jerry was a Past President, Sergeant at Arms, Paul Harris Fellow and involved in the Courtesy Award, Ambassadorial Scholarship and Scholarship Committees.  Jerry and Dick Calder went to South Africa in 1992 and confirmed the need of medical supplies which then started SAMP.

THROUGH MY LOOKING GLASS – A YEAR IN GHANA FROM A PERSPECTIVE OF A ROTARY AMBASSADORIAL SCHOLAR

In 2010, Sarah Ehlinger graduated from Lawrence University with a major in geology.  Sarah returned from Ghana 4 weeks ago with the Ambassadorial Scholarship program. Sarah received a $26,000 scholarship to study at the University of Ghana and started a Master’s of Philosophy program in geography and resource development.  The objectives of the Ambassadorial Scholarship program is to increase awareness of and respect for cultural differences by sending ambassadors of goodwill to study in another country, instill in scholars the Rotary ideal of Service Above Self through active participation in Rotary service projects, encourage scholars to dedicate their personal and professional lives to improving the quality of life for the people of their home community and country, develop leaders who can address the humanitarian needs of the world community, make an impact on all areas of the world through a balanced geographical distribution of scholars and foster a lifelong association between Rotary and its scholars.  The population of Ghana is 24.97 million people.  Its economy is based on oil, cocoa, mining (gold) and timber.  English is the official language but there are many local dialects.  Before Ghana became an independent nation, it was known as the “gold coast” and it was a Portuguese and British colony.  Ghana became independent in 1957.  Kwame Nkrumah (1909-1972) was the first president of Ghana, fought for its independence and was an opponent of Pan-Africanism.  Sarah’s host club was the Rotary Club of Accua West.  The Club was involved in water, literacy and the Alliance for Smiles projects.  Her host parents were both Rotarians and they have 7 children who treated Sarah like a sister.  Ghana has the infrastructure but it rarely works.  For the first semester, her dorm did not have flowing water.  When Sarah wanted to flush the toilet, take a shower, cook or do laundry, she had to carry a bucket of water up three flights of stairs. Power was often out since more money could be made selling it.  Sarah ate rice, chicken and Fufu.   Paintings beautified everyday African life.  African movements are incorporated in salsa dancing.  Sarah also visited Sierra Leon and Togo.  Most outsiders see Africa mainly through three lenses:  conflict, poverty and corruption.  Things are not always as they seem. Being an ambassador is a two way process – you learn about their country and teach others about yours to bring about understanding.  

Kick Ball Event

The Family of Rotary Committee is planning a kick ball event on Thursday, September 20 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at Players Choice in Appleton.  We will need players, coaches and spectators.  Please sign up at next week’s meeting.

Court Appointed Special Advocates

Jennifer Sunstrom, Board member, discussed how in 2010 Outagamie County had over 200 victims of abuse and neglect which is one of the highest rates in the State of Wisconsin.  CASA is a national organization with 7 chapters in Wisconsin the closet currently being in Brown County and soon to be in the Fox Cities. The mission of the National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association, together with its state and local members, is to support and promote court-appointed volunteer advocacy so that every abused or neglected child can be safe, establish permanence and have the opportunity to thrive.  Local CASA programs recruit, train and support volunteers in their work with abused and neglected children.  Volunteers come from all walks of life.  CASA is simply looking for people who care about children.  Volunteers go through 30 hours of training and are supported by professional staff.  CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to advocate for abused and neglected children to make sure they don’t get lost in the overburdened legal and social system or are kept in inappropriate group or foster homes.  Volunteers remain with the child until he/she is in a safe, permanent home.  Many times, the CASA volunteer is the only constant adult in the child’s life.  Volunteers proactively reach out to the child’s parents, teachers, counselors, foster parents, social workers, etc. to get to know the child and gather as much information about them as possible.  This information is used to write a report to inform judges of the child’s need, wishes, concerns for the future and what the best permanent home is for them.  Children who work with a CASA volunteer tend to spend less time in foster care, are less likely to reenter care, experience less trauma when removed from the home and are more likely to receive services.  CASA helps judges make better decisions on behalf of the child and provides the child with some continuity.  CASA of the Fox Cities is fundraising in order to hire an executive director and obtain an operating budget. They are also looking for board and committee members as well as volunteers.  If you would like to volunteer, please contact Robyn Gruner, President of CASA Fox Cities at rt7258@att.com or 749-8339.

Community Service Grant Applications

The Rotary Club of Appleton is pleased to make available grants from Rotary Shines, our major spring fundraiser, and from the Community Service Fund. Grants from the Community Service Fund will total $3,039 this year. Rotary Shines funds ...are estimated at $10,000 but will vary depending on the success of our 2013 fundraiser. You are encouraged to apply for either source of funding, or both. Both grants will support local community needs. For a grant application, go to http://www.focol.org/aprotary/Documents/CommunityServiceFundApp2012.pdf

Night at the Timber Rattlers Stadium

The Family of Rotary Committee invites you and your family to join us at the Timber Rattlers Stadium on Wednesday, August 22nd for an evening of baseball, food and family fun.  The pre-game picnic starts at 5:35 p.m.  Game time is 7:05 p.m.  Each ticket gets you a reserved seat behind home plate and a great picnic dinner including 2 beverages. Please report to the picnic area near the third base side for dinner before the game. Pay for tickets at the game. Reservations are required as we have 50 tickets available at $10 each for both adults and children (the club subsidizes the rest of the cost).   Please sign up at the next meeting.

District Governor Bob Sharkey

DG Bob Sharkey discussed how District 6220 had two exciting firsts last year:  the District Assembly was held apart from the District Conference and the District partnered with 6 other districts from Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin to hold the Multidistrict President’s Elect Training Seminar (PETS) in Itasca, Illinois.    Being an international organization, District 6220 will continue to support projects such as the Etta Project, Power Flour, SAMP and the Jamaican Dental Project.  The Etta Project in Bolivia will be providing a sanitation system for 73 families.  Power Flour is barley malt flour which is added to porridges commonly used in areas suffering from hunger and contains digestive enzymes that help digest food.  This product has been used in Central and South America and they hope to bring it to Africa.  SAMP sends medical supplies to third world countries.  The Jamaica Dental Project provides dental supplies and services to the people in Jamaica. In addition to these international projects, the District provides an Ambassadorial Scholarship of up to $27,000 for a student to study abroad.  There will be a Group Study Exchange team that will go to Sydney, Australia in October and coming to our district in May 2013.  Rotary Leadership Academy will be held October 13-14, 2012 in Rhinelander to teach leadership skills to Rotarians and non-Rotarians.  RYLA will be held October 5-7 at Camp Manito-wish in Boulder Junction, Wisconsin.  In 2013 to simplify the grant-making process, Rotary International’s Future Vision Plan will offer only two types of grants: Rotary Foundation District Grants and Rotary Foundation Global Grants. Together, these grants will allow clubs and districts to carry out a broad spectrum of humanitarian and educational efforts, both locally and abroad.   Projects will need to provide an assessment and show impact, sustainability and continuity.  DG Bob is also proposing another project – The Brain Game.  This book talks about how to parent and is given to first time and at risk families.  Some dates to remember:  Grant Management Seminar – July 1, 3013, PETS March 8-10, 2013 and the District Conference May 17-18, 2013 in Houghton, Michigan.  The District Conference will feature a parade of flags, local musicians, a performance by Bill Cosby at Michigan Tech and a community dance.  

World Service Committee Grants

The committee was formed to initiate, investigate, plan, coordinate and implement new and existing opportunities for our club’s international service activities.  By helping our club serve on an international basis, we will promote peace and goodwill among all people.

The grant application deadline is September 5, 2012. 

Circus World Museum

Steve Freese, Executive Director of the Circus World Museum, discussed how Circus World exists because in 1884 the Ringling Brothers created Ringling Brothers World’s Greatest Show in Baraboo, Wisconsin.  Circus World consists of 63 acres including 8 of the original Ringling Brothers buildings.  Their original winter quarters buildings are now a National Historic Landmark site since they are the last remaining winter quarter buildings in the country. The show consisted of 65 elephants that each ate 260 lbs. of food each day.  At the height of the circus, 1,500 horses and 1,500 employees traveled to put on the circus. It took 65 acres to set up the circus lot that had 3 rings inside the tent, 5 stages and held 16,000 spectators.  The train would go out a week before the circus to put signs in windows and give away free tickets.  The circus would set up for an afternoon matinee and evening show then tear down and be in the next town the next day to do all over again. From 1884-1918, there were 30 buildings located along the Baraboo River.  The Ringling Train Shed is the longest wooden railroad structure in America (675 feet long) and is currently being restored.  The Ringling Brothers became the largest circus in the country. The circus wintered in Baraboo for 34 years – though the winter of 1918.  During that time period, the show grew from a small operation employing a handful of people to a circus empire consisting of the three largest circuses in America each employing over a thousand people.  Currently, Circus World puts on 9 performances each day from the middle of May through Labor Day.  There are 215 circus wagons in the collection dating back from 1800’s to the 1950’s.  This year’s show consists of magic shows by Tristan Crist, animal performances, juggling, 4 elephants, Kid’s World Circus presentation, horses, aerialist, clowns (Punchy and Judy) and miniature horse.  In the movie, Water for Elephants filmed in 2011, circus wagons from the Circus World Museum were used.  Circus World is operated though their Foundation through a Lease and Management Agreement. The Circus World Museum is located at 550 Water Street in Baraboo.  For more information go to: http://circusworld.wisconsinhistory.org/

Rotary on the Road

Rotary will be on the road on Tuesday, September 11 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.  Members will be able to sign up to visit:  Boldt Construction, the Boy’s and Girl’s Club of the Fox Valley, the Outagamie County Airport, the Outagamie County Jail and the Salvation Army of the Fox Cities.  Sign up will be on a first come first serve basis with a limit of 25 at each location and will be available beginning next week.