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

December 13, 2010

Presentation:  INSPIRATION with Michael Clements

Greeter and Good News Reporter:  Jessica Malone
Invocation:  Al Schmidt
Club Singing:   Karen Paris
Publications:  Steve Baloga

BIRTHDAYS

Ginny Roth   DEC 17
Jim Miller  DEC 19
Una Martone  DEC 20
Dave Lehman  DEC 24
Howard Ross  DEC 29
Matt Lane DEC 31

UPCOMING PROGRAMS
at the Hilton

Dec 13   Board Meeting 10:30 AM             
Rotary Meeting:  INSPIRATION – Harrisburg High School Touring Choir

HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Dec 20   NO MEETING
Dec 27   NO MEETING

Jan 3    Arthur Murray Dance Studio “DANCING WITH THE R’S: Dancing Our Way Into the New Year!”

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.

PROGRAM: INSPIRATION has performed at the State Capitol, the Governor's Inauguration, at the Governor's Mansion, various service organizations and state government functions, and at several nursing homes and senior citizens centers.

The following students from Harrisburg High School are INSPIRATION:
Tontalayia McCray, Nia Harrell, Jarmar Kennedy, Elijah Ellis, Qua'ee Jones and James Harrison

Mr. Michael Clements leads this group.
Please welcome the students for this holiday musical performance.

NEWS AND NOTES:
• The Hanson Award Committee welcomes nominations in writing until December 14 for the next Robert Hanson Rotary Excellence Award.

• The Nominating Committee welcomes nominations in writing until January 4 for the Vice- President position (serves 2011-12) and the four Board vacancies. Rotarians must have served for 3 years.
Please contact Linda with your nominations

• The West Shore Chamber of Commerce announced that the recipient of the Les Ginanni Business & Community Connection Award is our Rotarian Larry Bashore, Edwin L. Heim Company. The Annual Meeting and Luncheon is December 8, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Radisson Hotel Harrisburg Hershey, 1150 Camp Hill Bypass. Call West Shore Chamber if you would like to attend.  Congratulations Larry!

• The Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC announced that the recipient of the Catalyst Award is our Rotarian Kendall Hanna. Congratulations Kendall!

• Remember to Support the Troops and $100 Harrisburg Rotary Foundation contribution is due!  Please send in your $100 today.  70% have paid 2010-11 to date.

• It’s not too late to send in your Pancake Breakfast money.

• Our Club will match your contribution to the Rotary International Foundation.  Speed your way to your Paul Harris Fellowship.  Look for letter (serving as an invoice) in the mail.

• We are looking for tickets to sporting events, cultural events, HersheyPark, etc. for our new Exchange Student Javier from Madrid, Spain and his host families.   Please contact Steve Feinour at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Ron Guss at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  
• DISTRICT NEWS: To view the December Governor’s Newsletter, please use this link: http://www.rotary7390.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=P8J16fskzyA%3d&tabid=113. Enjoy!!

ATTENDANCE:
LAST ROTARY MEETING:    12/6/10       56%
Rotarians   75    Active Specials  13        Guests 10        Visiting Rotarians 1   = 99

Minutes by Carrie W. Thomas
President John opened the meeting at 12:15 PM by introducing Howard Ross, who gave the invocation, followed by John Hickey’s leading the group in the singing of the National Anthem. After the pledge of allegiance, President John thanked Norma Swain for playing the piano, and encouraged the club members to greet each other.

At 12:30 PM, Nichole Barr introduced one visiting Rotarian from Colonial Park, and several visitors and prospective members. Hal Hurwitz gave a plea for 3 more volunteers to “ring the bell” to benefit he Salvation Army next Tuesday and Wednesday, urging people interested to contact either him or Linda.

President John then reminded the Club that our group is responsible to volunteer at the homeless shelter the week of Jan. 23-31, serving the overnight shift. On another note, he pointed out that Peggy Grove had brought in two antique dolls from the Pancake Breakfast silent auction, available for bids at Linda’s table by the door. His third announcement concerned the Russian legislators’ visit in March, requiring host families for the week to provide accommodation, and drivers to provide transportation for them. Finally, President John pointed out that the Club has matching funds for Paul Harris fellowships. Letters will go out this week informing members where they stand on achieving a Paul Harris Fellowship.

Without further ado, President John introduced Bob Hostetter, who gave one of his inimitable introductions for our speaker Dr. Eric Darr, Provost and Executive Vice President of Harrisburg University. Dr. Darr emphasized that Harrisburg University is the first new comprehensive university in Pennsylvania in the last 100 years, offering both undergraduate and graduate students courses in engineering and math. The University serves as a “bridge” between education and the needs of the workplace, helping as a catalyst for economic development in the region.

Dr. Darr continued with the fact that the University provides a longer view of strategic workforce development than other learning institutions. The 75-million-dollar building on Market Street has all the latest technology, including buttonless elevators and hair-dryers in the rest-rooms (a feature Bob Hostetter said he would appreciate greatly!) Starting out with 113 students in 2005, the University now boasts 800 students and national accreditation. Besides offering degrees, the University also provides certification in various technical fields, and partners with local businesses in providing internships for students, as well as a new tech centre in Strawberry Square.

The University operates differently from most institutions in that it provides no tenure for professors, and has no “departments.” The faculty helps to determine policy, and mentors are sought for students, many of whom come from underserved segments of the population. The University strives to provide education for a lifetime, not merely a job. The “lifelong competency” theme flows throughout the University’s programs, and is a direct result of the “Envision” project survey conducted at the end of the 20th century. Businesses responded by saying recent graduates too often lacked competency. Therefore, the founders of Harrisburg University decided to stress 8 competency areas in all courses offered.

These 8 “competency areas” include:
(1) Critical Thinking.
(2) Communication.
(3) Teamwork.
(4) Entrepreneurship.
(5) Information literacy.
(6) Global awareness.
(7) Ethical decision-making.
(8) Civic engagement.

Competency assessments are conducted in each course, as well as at the end of each year. Each student additionally has an “E Portfolio,” a web-based “bucket” where each of the 8 competencies are stored by students. The E Portfolios are places to collect their work illustrating the students’ handling of the 8 competencies, offering them a way to differentiate themselves and thereby helping with employment prospects.

At the conclusion of Dr. Darr’s talk, questions were solicited from the audience. Dudley Smith asked about former Mayor Reed’s influence in the creation of the University. Dr. Darr replied that the former Mayor had been intimately involved in its inception, realizing that Harrisburg had been the only state capital without a university. Dr. Kohn praised the University and said its efforts and mission are similar to the High School for Science and Technology established by the Harrisburg School District.

Another question asked concerned art education at the University. Dr. Darr said that a course in game design is offered, which includes animation. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the many local art galleries and nonprofit art organizations. Deb Abel said that other universities provide exchanges so that students may attend classes at other institutions for credits. Dr. Darr said that this is certainly the case with Harrisburg University and a great number of other colleges.

At the end of the meeting, Dr. Judson again reminded Club members to volunteer next Tues. and Wed. for Salvation Army bell-ringing, for the Homeless Shelter in January, and to bid on the antique dolls.

The recitation of the Four-Way Test closed the meeting.

OFFICERS:

DIRECTORS:

John P. Judson, M.D
Robert S. Saline              
Una Martone
Carolyn Dumaresq
Barry Ramper, II,             
William B. Boles                
William M. Tillett

President
President-Elect
Vice President
Immediate Past President
Secretary
Treasurer
Sergeant-at-Arms

Sandra Beck
Caryn J. Carr
John R. Detweiler
Kent E. Frese
Lisa Lewis
John J. McHenry
Andrew R/ Rebuck
Karen F. Snider