Meets Noon Mondays at the Hilton www.hbgrotary.org Executive Director: Linda Freedenberg Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Telephone: 717-234-1208 Fax: 717-234-3234

PROGRAM: Connie Spark is a graduate of Duquesne University with a B.S. in Music Education. She currently owns two medical retail optical offices: Designer Family Eyecare in York and Designer Eyeglass, LTD in Sunbury, PA. Connie has one child, James Spark who also lives in York.

Connie began her career in Rotary in 1996 when she joined the Rotary Club of York–East. Her desire to join Rotary was prompted by a GSE trip in the 1994-1995 Rotary year to Rotary District 1440 in Denmark.

She is a 2006 graduate of the Rotary Leadership Institute and has attended seven International Conventions. In 2002 and 2003 she also attended the Rotary International RIBI Conferences.

Connie also participates in Rotary Resource Groups. She was invited by RI President Richard King to participate on the Avoidable Blindness panel, lead by PRIP Frank Devlyn at the 2002 RI Convention in Barcelona, Spain. After sitting on the panel, Connie joined the Avoidable Blindness Action Group and the Rotarian Information for Fighting Aids Action Group.

Connie has a passion for Humanitarian Medical Missions. She was the project Director for the following: Ghana 2002, Ethiopia 2003, Brazil 2004, Peru 2006 & 2007, Honduras 2007 & 2008, Kenya 2008 and Brazil in February 2010. A team member for the following projects lead by Dr. Al Alley: Guyana 2000 and Dominican Republic 2001.

Throughout her Rotary career, Connie has received several Rotary distinctions. She was awarded the prestigious Rotary International Service Above Self Award by PRIP Glen Estess in 2004-2005 and the District 7390 Service Award each year from 2002-2007. 

In addition to her Rotary participation, Connie is also involved in several Community Service organizations. She served on the Harrisburg Capitol Beginnings Engagement Committee from 2006-2008 and the Harrisburg Mayor’s Commission on Literacy from 2006-2008. In March of 2008 she received the Champion of Children Award by the Harrisburg Mayor's commission and Capitol Beginnings.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS / MEETING LOCATIONS:

August 10      Connie Spark, District Governor 7390                
Hilton

August 17      Ronald Naples, Chairman of the PA Stimulus Oversight Commission and
Hilton                         James P. Creedon, Secretary PA Dept. General Services      
“What is happening with the stimulus funds in Pennsylvania?”

August 24      Dr. Gerald Kohn, Superintendent
Hilton

For complete programming go to our website: hbgrotary.org and click on calendar.
For meeting cancellations due to inclement weather.... Tune to ABC27-TV
or check your e-mail or call the Rotary office at 234-1208.
NEWS AND NOTES:

• MARK YOUR CALENDARS!     September 10th is the very special Happy Hour at Al Baker’s$20 to Harrisburg Rotary Foundation.  October 24th is the Annual Apple Harvest Pancake Breakfast.

• Please send or give Linda your $10 cash or check for the 2009-10 Support the Troops effort.

• Join us in making the Byrnes Health Education Center Sparkle and shine! 515 South George Street, York  Thursday, August 27, 2009   5:00-9:00 P.M. RSVP to Vicki Sanderlin at 717-848-3064 ext. 235 or  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by August 20th with the number of people attending from your club.

• Looking for Doubles Team tennis players. The District Doubles Tennis Tournament will be held on September 17th at Allenberry from 2:30-5:30 PM with dinner to follow.  Cost to players will be approximately $40 (which includes court time and dinner).  Please contact Linda if you are interested.

ATTENDANCE:
LAST ROTARY MEETING:  8/3/09      53 %
Rotarians   83    Active Specials    14          Guests  6       Visiting Rotarians  4   = 107

Minutes by: Jacqueline Jackson-DeGarcia
This meeting is notable for its surprises.
First, President elect Dr. John Judson led the meeting in the absence of our fearless leader Dr. Dumaresq.  After a thoughtful invocation by John Cavanaugh, we had our second surprise.  Jean’s beautiful voice led us in America the Beautiful.  When she began the second chorus, to the chagrin of most (not all) in the room, few of us actually knew the words.  We stood around looking at each other as if to say, ok, now we feel our ignorance has been displayed.  I suspect many took a silent vow to learn the words.
In her clear way, Maria Persico explained the National Immunization day where Vitamin A is provided to all infants.  She delicately advised this unknowing group that the Vitamin A is the “plus” part of Polio Plus.

Jeanette Archer-Simons introduced all the guests and visitors who hailed not only the local Keystone Club, but also from clubs in Lancaster and Hazleton.

Marion Alexander won the Nemacolin Award for the most points for bringing in guests and potential members to the club.  As Marion approached the stage, we all broke out into singing Happy Birthday.  Ron Guss let us know that Paul, our exchange student went back to Venezuela on Sunday and we will soon greet Lucas.

One sad surprise, our Support the Troops leader, John Smither requires further treatment for skin cancer.  Let’s each get our $10 in before he returns after Labor Day.

Our final surprise of the day came from our keynote speaker, Jody Silliker, who is the Director of Medical Outreach for Holy Spirit Hospital.  Jody is an incredibly engaging speaker and her introduction as a giving person was an understatement.  Those in the room were in awe of the amount of time, effort and care that she provides to the community through her many endeavors, most of which are through Christ Lutheran Church in Allison Hill. There, they provide free medical care, behavioral health care, free prenatal care clinics and on and on and on.  When she sees someone in need, she reaches out and attempts to figure out how to get that individual the services that he or she requires.  Not only is she giving, she is very generous in acknowledging that she has great help along the way when providing these services.

It is amazing that through Lutheran Church and Holy Spirit Hospital they provide over 21,500 individual medical service calls and over 11,000 food vouchers, with only 5 full time employees and a cadre of two hundred volunteers.

While she supports high-tech, she is quick to remind us all that medicine is not just high tech, but is about the relationship with the individual, creating trust over time and finding them help.  The stories that she told us about prenatal care and behavioral health needs touched the hearts of us all.  She did note that while opportunities for volunteerism may be small due to the nature of the services they provide and the confidentialities, money is always welcome.  As an aside, Jody if you are a “nun gone bad” we would all love to join you in that endeavor.

• Rotary Board Meeting 10:30-Noon
  August 10, 2009 (6:30 AM)
  (Committee Meetings)
  
  Rotary Board Meeting 10:30-Noon at the Hilton.
• Connie Spark, District Governor
  August 10, 2009 (12:00 PM)
  (Weekly Meetings)
  

  Connie Spark, District Governor 7390 will speak to Board from 11:15 AM-N and then to the Club.

• Ronald Naples and James Creedon
  August 17, 2009 (12:00 PM)
  (Weekly Meetings)
  
  Ronald Naples, Chairman of PA Stimulus Oversight Commission and James Creedon, Secretary, PA Dept of General Service will address the club on "What's Happening with the Stimulus Funds in Pennsylvania" at the Rotary meeting at Noon at the Hilton.
  
  
• Dr. Gerald Kohn, Superintendent of Harrisburg School District
  August 24, 2009 (12:00 PM)
  (Weekly Meetings)
  
  Dr. Gerald Kohn will speak to the Club and receive the grant money from HRF.
• Pancake Breakfast Committee Meeting at 1:15 PM
  August 24, 2009 (1:15 PM)
  (Committee Meetings)
  
  
  
• Two YCDT students named 2009 PSECU Scholarship Winners Two YCDT students from the 2008/2009 class were named as 2009 PSECU Scholarship Winners.  The PSECU scholarship is open to six graduating high school seniors who are PSECU members.  To be considered...