March 9, 2002 

Last Week’s Program...
Owensboro Rotary welcomed Joe O'Bryan, Superintendent of the Owensboro Catholic Schools, as guest speaker. Mr. O'Bryan explained that the Diocese of Owensboro Catholic Schools is comprised of 21 Catholic schools scattered over 32 counties of Western Kentucky with approximately 5,063 students. The school system is supported and funded by 15 Catholic parishes, tuition, grants, and endowments. OCHS has a 99% graduation rate and 92% of the graduates continue their education. Owensboro Catholic Schools prepare students to become responsible members of family, church, and community. Some of the strengths and goals of the Owensboro Catholic School System include: nurturing faith development, transmitting Catholic doctrine, a safe and secure learning environment, teaching values, discipline, and parental involvement. The schools share in the mission of the church in cooperation with families to provide a religious and academic education, which prepares students to become responsible members of their community. 

A big thank you to Mr. O'Bryan for sharing with us, and for the good job he is doing in preparing students to be contributing and responsible future leaders.

Attendance: 121

Highest Attendance This Year: 124

Invocation, Pledge & 4-Way Test: Larry Vick

Fellowship Report: Todd Love

Introduction of Guests: Anne Shelbourne guest of Tim Bradshaw, Alan Sims guest of Suzanne Sims, and Richard Litov, visiting Rotarian from Evansville.

Thought for the Week: "You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor." - James Allen

YOUR PRESIDENT SPEAKS:
Other than Rotary, one of the best examples of an organization where people help people is the American Red Cross. March is Red Cross Month, and I would like to share some information about the American Red Cross with you, as taken from the American Red Cross literature. The mission of the Red Cross is to: "....improve the quality of human life, to enhance self-reliance and concern for others, and to help people avoid, prepare for, and cope with emergencies. It does this through services that are governed by volunteers and are consistent with its congressional charter and the principles of the International Red Cross."

There are 2,800 chapters in the United States and in field stations on U.S. military installations. In all, nearly 1.2 million trained Red Cross volunteers and 23,000 paid staff members help people in their communities. In addition, millions of people donate blood each year. According to Nancy Fuqua, Director of the Big Rivers Chapter of the American Red Cross and one of our members, "Volunteers are always needed as instructors, disaster team members, caseworkers, leaders, AIDS volunteers, youth workers, nurses, and blood donors." Nancy also said, "There is a fairly new program, 'Real Heroes,' where local people are honored for their 'over and above self' contributions to the welfare of others, through the Big Rivers Chapter of the American Red Cross."

This year, the Heroes Breakfast will be held at the RiverPark Center on Tuesday, March 19, at 7:00 a.m. The speaker will be General Jerry D. Humble, and Glenn Higdon, another of our members, and Linmar Hospitality will be the major sponsor.

As you may recall, the Red Cross was actually founded in 1881 by Clara Barton. Clara Barton cared for the soldiers during the American Civil War and became deeply committed to establishing an organization that would relieve human suffering.

Thanks to all of the Red Cross employees and volunteers for their dedication in making a difference in the lives of people who need all kinds of assistance.

Have a great week!

Marilyn

SYMPATHY
Sincere sympathy is extended to Ken Lawson on the loss of his father.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...
Garry Binegar - March 9
David Edds, Jr. - March 12
Terry Huff - March 13
Randy Belcher - March 15
Seth Allen - March 15

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
• The Gala will be held on Thursday, June 13, at the Owensboro Country Club--mark your calendars and plan to attend!
• Door Prizes: Commemorating Girl Scout Month, two gift sets of Girl Scout cookies were the door prizes. The first set was won by Ross Leigh, who told us about his favorite Girl Scout cookie--Thin Mint (for blizzards). The second set was won by Tim Bradshaw, who correctly identified several kinds of Girl Scout cookies. Congratulations Ross and Tim!
• Reminder: The Board of Directors will meet at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 14, at the Campbell Club. This will be an important meeting and every member is asked to attend.

ROTARY REMINDERS...
• Don't forget to make up your missed meetings at breakfast Rotary at 7 on Tuesday mornings at Moonlite Barbecue.
• The Program Co-Chair for March are Darrell Higginbotham & Brenda Clayton.
• Todd Love will be at the Fellowship Table in March.
• If you have an email address and are not receiving the Impetus online, or you have changed your email address, please send an email to kim@mediaworksadvertising.com and you will be added to the Rotary email address list.
• Log on to Rotary’s website at www.owensbororotary.org. You’ll find our current member directory, photos of new members, past copies of the Impetus, some interesting history, and more!

Please mail any questions, suggestions, or comments regarding the Impetus to:

Mike Wallace
MediaWorks Advertising, Inc.
208 West 3rd Street
P.O. Box 1866
Owensboro, KY 42302
Phone: 270-684-4554
Fax: 270-684-7314
email: mike@mediaworksadvertising.com

DEADLINE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE IMPETUS IS THE WEDNESDAY PRIOR TO MONDAY'S PUBLICATION DATE.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS
March 20: Allen Rhodes, Kentucky Historian
March 27: Mary Bryan Hood and Dean Stanley, 25th Anniversary of the Museum of Fine Art

2001 - 2002 OWENSBORO ROTARY CLUB OFFICERS 
President: Marilyn Brookman 
Vice President: Larry Mercer 
Secretary: Jeff Ebelhar 
Treasurer: Bob Nation 
Directors: Sim Davenport, Bill Dexter, David Edds, Jr., Tom Smith, Darrell Higginbotham, Pat McFarling, Jane Noble 

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