North Ridgeville Rotary - Newsletter - Archive (Jan 22, 2010)

President.: Shawn Mueller | Pres. Elect: Carl Commons | Secretary : Kathy LeRoy | Treasurer.: Bob Bunsey |
Sgt.-At-Arms: George Stokes

Club No. 3496 | PO Box 39014 | North Ridgeville, OH 44039 | Chartered April 10, 1981

Newsletter Editor: Traci Purdum | tracipurdum@yahoo.com | 440-353-3235

First off I am so proud of our club’s immediate participation in the ShelterBox project for Haitian earthquake victims. Last week at our meeting within a matter of minutes our club raised the $1,000 needed for this project. Thank you all for your generosity. Your efforts will directly provide shelter for a family of ten in Haiti.

January marks the beginning of the second half of the Rotary year. It’s a time to look back on what we’ve accomplished so far, to assess our progress, and to renew our determination to achieve our goals in the months remaining. It’s a time to discuss and evaluate the goals of our club as well as the goals we’ve set for ourselves as Rotarians.

With more than 31,000 Rotary clubs in over 160 countries, Rotarians gain an understanding of humanitarian issues through international service projects and exchange programs. One of Rotary’s highest objectives is to build goodwill and peace throughout the world. However we have new members that joined Rotary in recent months who need this awareness or they may not be with us long enough for them to take action with us.

During Rotary Awareness Month help expand awareness of Rotary’s global humanitarian efforts. As members of the world’s first service club organization, Rotarians have much to be proud of as they put Service above Self while advancing world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty.

I ask you to take a moment and tell somebody about the club you belong to, and the organization that truly puts Service above Self!

1. Did you make a New Year's resolution?
Yes -- To relax and not stress the small stuff, which is very hard because I'm a worrier. Why did I make this resolution? I'm turning 40 this year and life is too short! I asked Ralph and Bryce to grade my progress -- Ralph gave me a 68% and Bryce gave me a 73%. Apparently, I need to work on it a bit more.

2. What movie star (living or dead) would portray you in a film about your life?
I like Sandra Bullock more and more these days. She seems to be making good career choices and I appreciate her and her husband's desire to win custody of his daughter. I would hope whoever portrayed me would share some of my values.

3. Speaking of movies, what's the last good one you saw?
I have to say I laughed my butt off at The Hangover! I didn't think I would like it, but I did.

4. If you could trade professions with anyone in the North Ridgeville Rotary for one day, whose profession would you choose and why?
For just one day -- Dr. Phillip's job. It would be fascinating to see what goes into running a school system. Although I'm sure it would take many days to fully understand the scope of his job, so I'd probably end up playing with the kids all day, which sounds great too!

1. Did you make a New Year's resolution?
Yes, to spend more quality time with my family this year. I made this my New Year's resolution first because of the love for my family and second to find balance in my current hectic life. So far I have been doing OK sticking to this promise. I have been spending more time with both my kids, Gabe (8) and Hannah (13). Gabe is in wrestling and I never miss a practice or a tournament. I also have been "dating" my daughter, taking her to breakfast almost every weekend. As for my wife, I have been trying to plan date nights with her. We try to get out at least once a week for coffee and desert.

2. What movie star (living or dead) would portray you in a film about your life?
Benicio Del Toro -- He is one of my favorite actors. His story is very interesting in that he clearly is not an actor for fame or wealth. He is pretty humble and is just very passionate about what he does. His life reflects, passion combined with hard work.

3. Speaking of movies, what's the last good one you saw?
The Christmas Carol with Jim Carrey. What a great rendition of a old holiday classic. 5 Stars!

4. If you could trade professions with anyone in the North Ridgeville Rotary for one day, whose profession would you choose and why?
If I could trade professions, it would definitely be Paul Graupmann. I've always had a tremendous respect for our men and women in law enforcement who risk their lives day in and day out. My brother is in law enforcement in Florida and I once went on a ride-a-long with him. It was pretty intense to say the least and left a lasting impression on me.

Several hundred Rotarians from Ashtabula, Lake, Geauga, Cuyahoga, Medina, Summit and Portage Counties will join together for fellowship. There are many sponsorship opportunities available. For more information, contact Jim Lechko, Assistant Governor, 216-529-5625 or via e-mail at: jlechko@ffl.net.

Should you call him "madam president?" According to the Sun News, Councilwoman at large Bernadine Butkowski served as council president for the last two years, so the development took some getting used to. In fact, Corcoran was addressed as “madam president” three different times during the regular council meeting. Click here for the full story.

Want an easy way to let people know about Rotary? Why not hand them a calling card? These cards briefly explain what Rotary is and invite folks to join us for lunch. Ask Shawn for your supply of cards today! For your own good word, click here.

Bob Liston was the last weekly raffle winner. He collected $18 but did NOT pull the Queen of Hearts to collect the $1,483 pot.

Rotary History and Archives staff can search for names of former Rotarians in the archives database and the leadership index file, which contains information about past district governors through 1997. Staff can provide you with access to past issues of The Rotarian and any other Rotary documents in which a Rotarian's name appears

“Who would be interested in a garden containing flowers of one species or one color only? Variety has been truly said to be the spice of life. Sameness is monotonous, depressing.”

Roto News is published on or around the 3rd Friday of the month. To contribute news, photos or articles, please send submissions to me, Traci Purdum >> tracipurdum@yahoo.com. All submissions must be in by the 2nd Friday of the month.