June 14 Installation Night
Posted by Robert Nelson
on Jun 14, 2012
President
Chinyere thanked the club for it’s support this year.
Our club embarked on the Rotary International Innovation
and Flexibility Pilot Program that was spearheaded
by Immediate Past President Jason Hamel.
The Pilot Program allowed us to have a social meeting
in lieu of a regular meeting as well as a service project. Jason coordinated
several enjoyable joint
socials with neighboring Rotary clubs. Chinyere
noted the loss of one of our charter members, Joe
Jennette, who had contributed so much to building our
club. She congratulated the three new members who
joined the club this year, Hari Viswanathan, Nihad
Kaibni and Juan Carlos Peirano. Chinyere thanked
Alan Grant in absentia for his leadership of the
Dictionary Project. In summarizing the achievements
of the year, she noted some examples: the
club supported the “All About Me” educational program
at the NIH Childrens’ center, RYLA youth camp,
RYLA North America Convention, Haiti Project and
disabled youth to attend a camp in Rehoboth.
The
club is participating in the Johns
Hopkins University Rotary
prostate study and Dr. Bruce Trock and a nurse will
be attending the social on June 28. The 32nd Annual
International Night was hosted at the University Club.
Our service did not go unnoticed with the extensive
coverage in the newsletter produced by Bob Nelson
and the club received the community partner award
from the Jewish Foundation for Group Homes. District
Governor Claude Morissette visited the club in April
and presented two banners, 100% sustaining member
club and all members contributing to the Rotary
Foundation. As a club of 17 we do a lot on so many
different levels and Chinyere appreciates being part
of this wonderful organization.
Paul
Harris Fellows Awards were presented to Caesar Kavadoy
and Jack Call (two sapphires).
Chinyere
said, “You can often hear this Rotarian say, “Anything
I can do to help, I am here”. This Rotarian exudes
a jovial and joyous personality. Seemingly, it was
shown (jovial personality) during the Potomac Day Parade
where you can see that he brought Mardi Gras Flavor
to our car as he threw out the beads. RI’s 2011- 2012
President Banjeree shared that family is the starting
point in serving others…… This Rotarian is a reflection
of this value of family as a starting point in serving
others. Both he and his wife have been instrumental
in developing, and coordinating our club’s involvement
with Sophia House and efforts to rebuild the
school in Haiti.
He noted the death of Jane Gordon
and the Haiti
fund was set up in remembrance with
$7,004 in donations. The Ethiopian Orphanage received
$8,000, the Rotary Foundation received $1,900
and PolioPlus received $1,411." International Night
would not have been a success for the last couple
of years without his efforts to secure the location and
negotiate the contract with the University Club. His
dedication is further exhibited in his 1.5 to 2 hour commute
from his place of work to Normandie Farm Restaurant
or even further to Manna in Gaithersburg. Even
today, a major milestone in his life, he and his wife
are with us celebrating their 43rd Wedding Anniversary.
It is with great pleasure to honor Dr. Noel Howard
with the Rotary Cup for the 2012 Rotarian of the
Year award.”
Chinyere
said that Nabil with his project management acumen
from teaching at Georgetown
University, has already
shown the club some great ideas for the future articulating
in the language of bullet points and spreadsheets.
Nabil Bedewi presented Chinyere with a keepsake
box and gave everyone a theme pin for the new
Rotary year, “Peace Through Service.” Nabil’s goal
for the year is to focus on Rotary organizationally and
preparing for growth in the club. Nabil pinned officers
for the new Rotary year: President Elect Tom Leuchtenburg;
Vice President Caesar Kavadoy; and Secretary
Hari Viswanathan. Other pins distributed included
Rotary Foundation Chinyere Amaefule; Community
Service Noel Howard; International Service Todd
Nitkin; Vocational Service Neil Cohen; Club Service
Jason Hamel, New Generations Juan Carlos Peirano;
Public Relations Bob Nelson; Sergeant at Arms
Art Blitz; Club Administrator Phil Meade; Honorary
Representative to the Philippines
Nihad Kaibni;
Fund Development Jason Hamel; Club Membership
Caesar Kavadoy; Service Projects Alan Grant;
Club President Spouse Kareen Bedewi. Nabil distributed
attractive insulated bags to all the Rotarians with
a large Rotary logo on the side so that they can strike
up a conversation on Rotary while shopping. He said
that membership is critical and the more people we
have the more service we can accomplish. Nabil announced
that every Thursday we raise $50 in happy dollars,
Nabil will personally donate a matching $50.
Happy
dollars totaled $204 with several contributions for
upcoming birthdays in the same amount as the age. $50 was contributed to PolioPlus.
