www.mybaycity.com August 2, 2011
Rotary Article 6153

Rotary District Water Committee Updates Club

August 2, 2011
By: Stephen Kent


Rather than the scheduled program, District Water Project officers updated the club on the status of this project.

Immediate Past District Governor Eileen Jennings, lead off by saying that the development of a Water and Sanitation Resource Group was a crowning achievement of her year as governor.

The Dominican Republic is one of 3 countries, along with the Philippines and Ghana, which have been identified by RI as focus for water purification with bio-sand projects. Sanitation goes hand in hand. Contaminated water running down a hill doesn't help, even with bio-sand filters in place.

Jennings reported that 28 of the 32 district clubs are participating in these projects, mostly in the Dominican Republic. A number of people have traveled to the countries involved.

Two grants, along with matching funds from Rotary International are in progress now. A 3rd, lead by Bay City, is ready to go.

Arnie Leriche from Oscoda talked about his club's participation in the 1st grant. The bar was set high by Eileen. Members from the club visited Haiti and the Dominican Republic 18 months ago to start the process.

Two rural villages are being helped. Where drinking water was taken from small streams the villages now have bio-sand filters. The club also built 40 latrines in each village for sanitation. These projects started in February and are almost finished.

Part of the contract calls for the gathering of annual statistics to be provided to the local club along with pictures of the condition of the projects. This provision is being incorporated by other clubs in their contracts.

Chip Sassone reported on the projects the Frankenmuth club is leading to adopt a village. As with Oscoda, they are monitoring the project and have visited the villages.

Chip reported on the stark contrast between before and after visits. The club has run four projects building latrines and installing water filters and aqueducts. Even before starting the projects they sponsored training for the villages to implement such basic things as regular hand washing.

The club has raised funds for four grants of $7,100 each. These will be combined with matching grants from Rotary International. Commitments are coming in for four additional grants.

Frankenmuth has two upcoming trips. Rotarians are invited to go to the area from February 1 through 8. The club is also sponsoring a Spring Break trip for students from April 2 to 9 to install bio-stand filters. Anyone interested should contact one of the clubs.

The third project, lead by the Bay City Club, will be ready to go in a week. It will focus on rain water harvesting and aqueduct systems with water to be distributed in the villages. Word came yesterday that DR clubs will be signing papers and returning. This third project will allow small clubs to participate even if they can't donate as much.

Fourth project was developed by the Mt. Pleasant Club for Zambia. They have dug three water wells and are ready to start on fourth. They are looking for small grants from other clubs to leverage with matching grants and they hope to sponsor a trip to Zambia soon.

Cindy Chadwick followed the talk by mentioning her "elevator speech" for when someone asks "why are you in Rotary"? Cindy says "Because Rotary does things that individuals and governments on this planet cannot do".

Eric Jylha quoted Rich King who said that when he asked why an African project was important he was told "Because when the well was put in the children stopped dying."

Past Gov Eileen Jennings
Arnie Leriche
Chip Sassone



District Officers meet to discuss Water Project



CLUB NEWS and ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Club Board will meet at 11:00 am on Tuesday August 9 prior to the regular meeting. Everyone is welcome.

The Program Committee would appreciate ideas for upcoming programs. Contact Chris Girard, Jenna Schrumpf, Connie Schweitzer or Claudia Weiler.

New Member Orientation will be held on August 10 at the Stein House.

The 2011 International Night will be held October 13. Auction items are being accepted by Bob Chadwick. The committee continues to meet regularly. Contact Kim Prime if you are available to help.
On November 18, 2011 we will be holding our Annual Foundation Gala at Zehnder's of Frankenmuth. The price of admission is still very low, $35.00 per person or $250.00 for a table of eight. How about every club sending a table?

If you have attended before, you know what a great evening this is. If you have yet to attend, this year is a great time to start. Great food and great fellowship - an opportunity to celebrate our humanitarian efforts at home and around the world.

Leave your checkbook at home - we won't be asking for any money that night - we just want to thank you for all you do for Rotary.

More information to come so, be looking for it and PLEASE pass this on to your fellow Rotarians.

See you at the Gala,
Bob Chadwick

Breezes Reporters Wanted: If you'd like to help write the weekly Breezes please see Steve Kent. It's an easy job. No experience necessary. Training provided. High Pay (well at least a lot of thanks).


Upcoming Programs

(See the official schedule at RotaryBayCity.org )

August 9, 2011: New Senator Mike Green from the 31st District will be here to talk about his role in state government.

August 16, 2011: Rotary 101: Chuck Cusick will give us the real meaning of being a Rotarian.

August 23, 2011: District 6310 Governor Al Nietzke will visit our club to provide an up date to the year 2011 - 2012.

August 30, 2011: Nadieska Vasquez Rotary Inbound Student from Peru will speak.




Rotary is an intimate affiliation of carefully selected business and professional people,
having as its objective the promotion of high ethical standards in private, commercial
and civic life, and dedicated to the ideal that the basis of all worthy endeavor is unselfish service.




Current and past DISTRICT DISPATCH newsletters are available on the District site shown in the LINKS section below.

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LINKS

RotaryBayCity.org BayCityMorningRotary.com
District 6310 Web Site District Dispatch Archive
Rotary International Make-up On-Line at RotaryEclubOne.org
The Rotary Global History Fellowship rotaryfirst100.org
Rotary Global History.


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