La mia Italia

Calling All Armchair Travelers: Take a tour of Italy! Luca Saccabarozzi will once again entertain us with his gracious smile and wonderful command of the English language on a visual tour of his home town and surrounding areas of Italy. Luca is our Exchange Student who has been here since August very successfully attending Haverhill High School. In June he will head home where he will finish one more year of high school and then has hopes of returning to the US to attend college.
We will also welcome his Host Mother, Shannon Pettis.

April 15, 2008

Priorities One of the things I heard about at PETS (President-Elect Training Seminar) was the priorities of Rotary International President-Elect DK Lee. He has indicated his support for continuing RI's historic battle against polio. More about that in a future Nairator. In this issue, I'd like to focus on another priority. President Lee has voiced support for RI tackling childhood mortality throughout the world. In an interview published on RI's website, he says:

I would also like to see child mortality, the terrible tragedy of preventable deaths of children, become something that every Rotarian is aware of. Every day, 30,000 children under the age of five die, most of them from preventable causes like measles, malaria, and pneumonia. I want people to realize that every day, a disaster of this size is happening...Many of the projects that Rotarians are already involved in, in the areas of water, health and hunger, and literacy, already save the lives of countless children every year. I believe that by focusing our efforts on decreasing child mortality through work in these three emphases, we will be able to make a real difference in the number of children who survive to adulthood.

We are already at work in small ways in some of these areas. But how else might we have impact? Certainly there might be greater impact per dollar in countries where more health problems like measles, malaria and pneumonia are widespread and easily preventable because, for example, antiobiotics can be so effective with pneumonia. But, as science writer Sharon Begley commented in a recent Newsweek article:

...infant mortality rate is a crucial indicator of a nation's standing, and the United States' position at No. 28, with seven per 1,000 live births - worse than Portugal, Greece, the Czech Republic, Northern Ireland and 23 other nations not exactly known for cutting-edge medical science is a tragedy and an embarrassment.

It's not my purpose here to delve deeply into the complex factors behind the low US ranking. In Salisbury, Massachusetts SIDS deaths of two infants led some to campaign vigorously to educate parents and professionals about sudden infant death syndrome and what can be done to prevent it.  Nearly every year we hear about a car crash locally, which, nationally are responsible for almost half the deaths of American teens ages 16-19.  At our meeting last week, we heard about the death of a child who had to go too far in Columbia for lack of a local health clinic. My point is that whether we look at the US or overseas, whether we focus next door or in Darfur, there is plenty for us to do. Think about it What would you like to learn more about? And, ultimately, where, why and how would you like our club to focus?  Let me know.

Fireside Chats For Haverhill and other Rotarians who have been around awhile, I learned at PETS that while fireside chats come in different sizes at different times for different purposes, they are a common event at many Rotary Clubs.  In Haverhill, they were usually held once a year, in the winter. They were usually held on a Wednesday shortly after work. Those of the club who could, would gather. The President-Elect would devise some organizational questions ahead of time. After some general good fellowship, those present would break into smaller groups and discussion would ensue on each of a half dozen or so questions or topics The discussion and any "answers" would help guide the President-Elect and the Board in the coming Rotary year. Of course, this could not be done without provisions:  cheese and crackers, some hot hors d'oeuvres, a glass of wine, a beer or another drink. With all of our moving this winter, it slipped past me; but I don't want to lose this valuable tradition. Spiro of Evenfall has generously offered to help us continue, and President Vin has offered to pay for the drink. We'll make you a deal: we'll put it all together, if you will come. I can't do it for the next few weeks. Please think about whether you could come Wednesday May 7th, 14th or 21st. I'll take an informal poll at the meeting this Thursday. If you know you won't be there and wish to express a preference, email me at jcuneo@communityactioninc.org

Luca Scaccabarozzi After watching him finish up in a lacrosse match against Andover, I had the pleasure of accompanying Luca to his wrestling "breakout" last week. This marked the end of the season. Haverhill High School's wrestlers, their parents, the coaches and supporters gather to break bread together, view some still and video pictures of their meets, celebrate and honor their accomplishments. Luca received several awards, perhaps capped by receiving one of four "no excuses" awards. This seemed to be for 100% attendance to all practices and a steadfast commitment to the team and the sport. He clearly got along very well with his teammates and coaches. He's enjoying a great year. Way to go Luca!

Fines are beginning to be imposed on those who have not yet contributed items totaling $150.00 to our annual auction. This is our most important fund raiser of the year and everyone's support is needed. We are requesting that you deliver auction items by May 2nd. Download a PDF copy of the auction form or you may pick one up at Thursday's meeting.

Prior to this year's RYLA on May 16-18, a clean up day is planned at Camp Rotary, Boxford, MA, on Saturday, May 3 beginning at 10:00AM, ending at 12:30pm. Most if not all of the work is indoors (although unheated) and lunch is included. We are looking for a few members to help out. A couple or three people will make a big difference in preparing the camp. Contact Tom Vance at thomas.vance@earthlink.net or at 617 905 2921 if you are able to help out.

Share the Magic of Rotary Fellowship on Marathon Monday. In case you, your families and members are coming to Boston next Monday to watch the Marathon, we would like to offer everyone an opportunity for Excellent Rotary Fellowship and at the same time increase our District's contribution toward Polio Eradication.

Past President of the Rotary Club of Boston, Dr. Bill Wheeler and board member Wilson Lee are organizing a Boston Marathon BBQ lunch and dinner on Monday, April 21, 2008 from 12 noon to 9:00 pm at Bill's home: 124 Laurel Road, Chestnut Hill, Brookline, 02167 off Route 9.

We have invited members from the Rotaract Clubs of Boston, Boston University School of Public Health, Endicott College, Harvard University, Lynn, MIT, Northeastern University and Tufts University as well as our current inbound and outbound ambassadorial scholars and non-Rotarian alumni as our guests. You are VERY welcome to come anytime between 12 noon and 8:00 pm. We will have close to 100 Rotarians, Rotaractors, Ambassadorial Scholars, Alumni and guests.

Besides cheering the marathoners on TV, you will also enjoy an excellent BBQ, VERY strong drinks, dynamic speakers, exciting entertainment and games.

Lunch and Open Bar 12 noon to 5:00 pm is $30.00
Dinner and Open Bar 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm is $30.00
You may also attend both lunch and dinner 12 noon to 9:00 pm for $50.00

100% of the money (Governor Julia's common cents) collected will be donated to the Rotary Foundation in the name of the Rotaract Club of Boston toward the $100 million matching grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Please make your check payable to the Rotaract Club of Boston.

RSVP by email to Wilson Lee or by phone at 617-953-3763.

Keep up with what's happening in Rotary District 7930.
You may download a copy of the February/March Newsletter or visit the web site:http://www.rotary7930.org

Rotary Club of Haverhill is part of Rotary International, a worldwide association of Rotary clubs, whose mission is to provide service to others, to promote high ethical standards, and to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders. Each year, the Rotary Club of Haverhill raises and distributes more than $50,000.00 annually to local community charities that work to make our community a better place in which to live. Rotary Club of Haverhill places a high emphasis on serving the needs in the community of Haverhill. The application deadline is June 1st of each year. If you know somebody who would like to apply for a grant download the form and return it to one of the club's officers.

As Rotarians we try to make every event we support the best it can be. Planning is an important part of having a successful evening serving community meals. We need people to bring desserts, help serve and help clean up. Please contact Bernie Clohisy and let him know if you plan to help. Thank you

Diane Franz, Sr. Director, United Way - Proposed by John Cuneo

Charlene Bauer, president of the Chelsea Rotary Club along with club member Juan Gallegos treated us to a slide show that described the conditions in a small village in Columiia's rain forrest. The Chelsea club has taken on the task of raising money to build a much needed medical facility in this remote village.

April 15 - Luca Saccabarozzi, Rotary Exchange Student will tell us about his home town.
April 24 - Jim Edholm, Every Rotarian Every Year District 7930
May 1 - Bob Carr, Manager of Government Affairs for Comcast's North Region
May 8 - Masaru Komura, Ambassadorial Scholar from Japan, studying at the JFK School of Govt., Harvard University Project.
We are looking for a club member willing to pick Masaru up in Cambridge the morning of May 8th and a club member to return him after the meeting.
May 15 - Brendan Neagle and Andrew Reed, Borrego Solar Systems, Inc.
June 5 - Reverend Paul H. Dionne, Atkinson Congregational Church
June 12 - Colonel Jackson "Randy" Dobbins, USAF Commander of the 66th Medical Group
June 19 - Stanley Usovicz, Verizon Regional Director of External Relations
See John Cuneo if you have an interesting speaker for our meetings.