Notes from Rotary Meeting of July 29, 2013
President Tyler Smith called the meeting to order and led members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four-Way Test of Rotary. Mike Sutton offered the invocation.
Leigh Morris led in singing “When You’re Smiling”.
Sergeant-at-Arms – Mitch Feikes raised money for the club with questions about Whiting, Indiana’s Pierogi Fest. Returning Sarge Andy Serafin advised Rotarians to wear loose fitting clothing at next week’s meeting which is the first day of his month-long service as Sergeant.
Happy $$’s – Mitch Feikes, Tyler Smith, Mike Sutton, Ron Gigliotti, Neil Mangus, Jon Salisbury, Vern Sikora, Beth Irwin, Fran Milo, Judy Hamilton, Andy Serafin, and Christina Dougherty.
New Member Induction – Leigh Morris inducted David Dykstra of J and L Dimensional Services into membership in La Porte Rotary. Mr. Dykstra is a CPA with a BS in accounting and an MBA from the University of Chicago. His classification is “accounting service management”.
In his induction remarks, Mr. Morris stressed that each person invited to join Rotary has been identified as a leader in his/her profession and in the community. He also reminded all of us that the club can make you a member of Rotary but only you can make yourself a Rotarian by your commitment, involvement, and activity in Rotary.
Program – Christina Dougherty, District Governor for 2013/2014
As a long-standing member of La Porte Rotary, Christina needed no lengthy introduction, but we were reminded by Assistant Governor Gene Novello that she has a BA in music from the University of Michigan and a Master’s Degree in Management from Northwestern. Christina has a long and distinguished history in music and the arts, and currently works as a holistic practioner at Namaste Center in La Porte. She joined La Porte Rotary in 2005 at the urging of her sponsor Sister Judian Breitenbach, and after receiving the support and assistance of Rotarians in India as she sought to provide healing touch therapy to the survivors of the tsunami.
Rotary International’s goal for 2013/2014 is “Engage Rotary, Change Lives”by getting Rotarians involved and inspired. When you are doing something meaningful in Rotary, Rotary is meaningful to you. Christina believes strongly that the meaningful work of Rotary takes place in the local clubs. To grow Rotary the District will focus on membership, Foundation giving, and grants-writing through training seminars. The organization has also broadened opportunities for membership by offering corporate and associate memberships and satellite and e-clubs. She cited the strengths of the La Porte club which include good food, fellowship, and excellent programs. She asked the club to consider offering more social gatherings for members, developing its public image through its work in the community, and by supporting youth and young adult programs. And most important, she said, was for Rotarians to have fun!
Rotarians in attendance were: Mike Arnett, Gene Burrows, Christina Dougherty, Mitch Feikes, Ron Gigliotti, Judy Hamilton, Beth Ingram, Norm Juday, Yvonne Lindborg, Neil Mangus, Fran Milo, Leigh Morris, Dr. Joseph Rosenblum, Jon Salisbury, Mike Seitz, Andy Serafin, Vern Sikora, Tyler Smith, Mike Sutton, Thor Thordarson, Ed Volk. Visiting Rotarians: Assistant District Governor Gene Novello (Valparaiso) and Ed Futa, Rotary International leadership including Chair of the international conference in Lisbon. Guests: Randy Thorpe, interim superintendent of the La Porte Community School Corporation.
Mike Arnett sponsored our newest member David Dykstra of J & L Dimensional Services, his classification is accounting service management.