March 12, 2005

Last Week’s Program...
Carrie Wedding with the Daviess County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) spoke to Owensboro Rotarians about the program’s mission and activities. She began her remarks with the stories of three different families, each with a child who had been murdered by a caregiver. She shared statistics demonstrating the serious need in Daviess County for volunteers to watch out for the special needs of abused and neglected children. CASA’s mission is to recruit and train such volunteers to speak on behalf of these children in the court system.

At present, CASA has 27 volunteers and one paid support staff person. Volunteers are required to participate in a 30-hour training program. Once trained, volunteers are appointed by a judge to investigate the cases of children within the court system. The volunteers report their findings to the judge and make recommendations as to what will be best for the children. CASA volunteers stay on a case until the child involved finds a safe home. Carrie emphasized the organization’s need for volunteers. Of the 533 children in the Daviess County courts last year due to abuse, CASA was able to serve only 131. She encouraged Rotarians to consider becoming involved in the program.

Attendance: 98

Highest Attendance This Year: 103

Invocation, Pledge & 4-Way Test: Marilyn Brookman

Fellowship Report: Jim Ed Oberst

Introduction of Guests: Tony Cecil, guest of Bob Whitmer

Meeting Make-Ups: Sim Davenport at Mayfield, KY

Introduction of New Member: Jim McGown was introduced by Mike Hobson. Jim is a partner in Lincoln Clinical Laboratory and serves as the lab’s Director of Business Development.

Proposed New Members:
• Philip Travis, proposed by Jeremy Bradford. Philip is the administrator of Wellington Parc of Owensboro.
• Dr. Marty Traylor, also proposed by Jeremy Bradford. Marty is an optometrist with Owensboro Family Eye Care Center

Thought for the Week: "The pride of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand." ~ Vincent Thomas "Vince" Lombardi (1913-1970) American football coach, led Green Bay Packers to 6 conference title

ROTARY ANNOUNCEMENTS...
• At our March 16th meeting (that’s this coming Wednesday!), we’ll be electing three new members of the Owensboro Rotary Club Board of Directors. Nominees are Joy Horton, John Kazlauskas, Greg Longtine, John Medley, Gavin Roberts, and Sr. Suzanne Sims. Plan to be there to cast your ballot.
• Mark your calendar! This year’s District Conference is April 15-16, here in Owensboro at the Executive Inn. Donna Risley is handling conference registration and Pat McFarling is organizing a group of sergeants-at-arms. They’re looking for volunteers; so if you’re willing to help out, give them a call!
• Indoor Playground contributions and/or pledges may be mailed to Jeff Ebelhar, Owensboro Rotary Foundation treasurer, at the following address:

Jeff Ebelhar
100 W. Third Street
P.O. Box 1824
Owensboro, KY 42302-1824

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Our second meeting in April will be held on Friday, April 15, at noon at the Executive Inn. We’ll be joining attendees of the District 6710 Conference for a luncheon meeting and special speaker. This will take the place of our regularly scheduled meeting that week and the club will cover all meal charges. We’d like to get an idea by March 15 of how many members will be able to attend. Donna Risley circulated a sign up sheet at last week’s meeting and will do so again this Wednesday. Please make plans to attend this special meeting in April. We’d like to have a good group there to extend a warm Owensboro welcome!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...   
David Edds, Jr. - March 12
Nancy Fuqua - March 14
Randy Belcher - March 15

ROTARY REMINDERS  
• Don’t forget to make up your missed meetings at Daviess County Rotary, 7 a.m. on Tuesdays at Heavenly Ham Restaurant in Towne Square North.
• Tim Bradshaw is the program chair for March.
• Jim Ed Oberst will be at the Fellowship during 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!

YOUR PRESIDENT SPEAKS:
I thought this might be a good time for an update on some of our club projects and activities.

• First, at this week’s meeting we’ll be electing three members to serve a 2-year term on our club’s board of directors. We have six outstanding nominees, all of whom would make great board members. On Wednesday, each candidate will take three minutes to tell us why we should vote for his or her designated opponent. We’ll cast our ballots immediately following the "Face Off." It should be an interesting and fun program, so please plan to attend.
• Those present last Wednesday know we’re collecting information for an Owensboro Rotary Club membership directory. It’s been 10 years since our last directory was published, so we’re overdue for an update. Directory information forms are available at the Fellowship Table. When you complete the form, be sure to include your guess in the "Centennial Cents" contest. The person who comes closest to guessing the value of the pennies in the "Centennial Cents" jar (also at the Fellowship Table) wins roundtrip airfare for two to St. Louis.
• The Indoor Playground at the Owensboro Area Museum of Science and History is now under construction! The first phase should be completed by the end of May. Watch the Impetus for information about a special opening activity.
• Rotary Readifest is July 26. Although the event is months away, planning has already begun. If you would be interested in helping with the planning phase of this project, please let me know. The schools would like to have some Rotary participation now as well as on the day of the event.
• And don’t forget the District Conference coming up April 15-17, at the Executive Inn here in Owensboro. If you’d like more information about the conference schedule or would like a registration form, please see me or visit the district Web site at www.rotarydistrict6710.org.

Have a great week!

Pat

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 23: Daviess County Judge Executive Reid Haire
March 30: Mayor of Owensboro Tom Watson

2004 - 2005
OWENSBORO ROTARY CLUB OFFICERS
President: Pat McFarling - Phone # 270-852-3257 Fax: 270-926-3196, email: patmc@kwc.edu
Vice President: Bill Dexter
Past President: Jeff Ebelhar
Secretary: John Kurtz
Treasurer: Bob Nation
Directors: Tish Correa-Osborne, Todd Inman, Patty Drury, Tim Bradshaw, & Noel Maddox

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