May 28, 2005

Last Week’s Program...
Fellow Rotarian Tom Shelton, superintendent of the Daviess County Public Schools (DCPS), spoke to the club about the school system’s activities and future plans. Tom began his presentation by relating his career path from industrial finance to school administration, crediting former superintendent Stu Silberman for inspiration and encouragement. He went on to provide basic information about DCPS. The system currently has an enrollment of 11,600 students spread over 20 schools, 1,650 full-time employees, and an operating budget of $84 million. Tom mentioned several construction projects currently underway, including classroom additions at West Louisville and Whitesville Elementary Schools and construction of a new professional development center on Parrish Plaza Drive. He also described two important programs recently adopted by DCPS – the Healthy Student and Staff initiative, a 5-year plan to improve health and nutrition district-wide, and the E-Learning Program, a project to provide every high school student with a laptop computer and wireless access to the Internet. Future plans include development of a district-wide technology plan, implementation of data warehousing, and partnering with ConnectKentucky to promote broadband Internet access for the entire community. Tom described his goals as superintendent as "systemizing the vision." He will work to build the processes necessary to move the DCPS forward into the future.

Thank you, Tom, for an interesting and informative program!

Attendance: 95

Highest Attendance This Year: 103

Invocation, Pledge & 4-Way Test: Terry Brownson

Fellowship Report: Alma Randolph

Introduction of Guests: Betty Gabbert, guest of Bill Gabbert; Maggie Gray, guest of Gabrielle Gray

Meeting Makeups: Roger Coomes at the Daviess County club

Introduction of New Member: Jim Mattingly was introduced by Larry Vick. Jim is the superintendent of the Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Owensboro

Thought for the Week: "Real riches are the riches possessed inside." ~ B.C. Forbes

AYUDE DEL CORAZON: Reaching out to our neighbors in Mexico…
At last week’s meeting Maggie Gray, daughter of Gabrielle Gray and a junior at Owensboro Catholic High School, shared with the club information about a project she is initiating to distribute used clothing and other items to impoverished areas of Mexico. She is presently working with residents of the village of Tepoztlan and hopes to expand the project to other more remote mountain villages. Donations of clothing, toys, books (particularly in Spanish), tools, electronics and small appliances are being accepted at the International Bluegrass Music Museum.

SURVEY IN PROGRESS: WHAT DO YOU THINK?
As they plan for the coming year, President-Elect Bill Dexter and your Board of Directors would like your input and opinions about our club. Questionnaires will be on the tables again at this week’s meeting. If you haven’t already done so, take a few minutes to fill one out. Drop the completed questionnaire off at the head table or give it to Bill Dexter or Pat McFarling.

ROTARY ANNOUNCEMENTS...
• Mark your calendar! Our Rotary Gala will be held Thursday, June 30 at the Owensboro Country Club. Please plan to attend and invite your spouse or significant other. We’ll be wrapping up the Rotary year with an evening of good food, fellowship, and entertainment along with several awards and recognitions.
• Rotary Readifest is Tuesday, July 26, from 1-5:30 p.m. at the Executive Inn. We’ll need LOTS of volunteers, so try to set aside some time that afternoon to help out.
• Have you submitted your directory information form? Forms are available at the Fellowship Table or on the club website at: www.owensbororotary.org/directoryinfo.pdf. Completed forms may be faxed to Pat McFarling at 926-3196.
• 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

ORDER YOUR OWENSBORO ROTARY SHIRTS NOW!
The knit polo shirts, embroidered with "Owensboro Rotary" and the Rotary emblem, are available in blue or white in sizes S, M, L, and XL at a cost of $21.00. Please see Jim French to place your order.

YOUR PRESIDENT SPEAKS:
"...that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion, that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain." Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg, November 1863

Across the nation this weekend, people will gather with friends and family to celebrate Memorial Day. For some, the holiday is just the three-day weekend that marks the beginning of summer. For others, especially the nation's thousands of combat veterans and their families, Memorial Day is much more. The history of Memorial Day stretches back to the Civil War and its continued celebration reinforces our nation's resolve never to forget those who gave their "last full measure" for America. Let’s take time on this special day to remember the men and women who fought and died defending our freedom and preserving our way of life. We honor them and those currently serving in the armed forces for their courage and sacrifice. And we pray for peace, so that future generations may never have to know the horrors of war.

Have a great week!

Pat

THE FAMILY OF ROTARY
Congratulations to Daviess County Sheriff Keith Cain, recipient of the 2005 Heritage Award given by the Owensboro Board of Realtors to a non-realtor in recognition of his or her contributions to the community

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...
Jeff Jones - May 28
Anne Federlein - May 28

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.
• Nancy Fuqua is the program chair for June.
• Jeff Ebelhar will be at the Fellowship Table during June.
• 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
June 8 – Zev Buffman, RiverPark Center
June 15 – Sr. Vivian Bowles, President of Brescia University
June 22 – Rotary Readifest / Gabrielle Gray, International Bluegrass Music Museum
June 29 – No Meeting due to Gala on June 30th

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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