December 8, 2008 Service Above Self Presentations Greeter:                               Wil Everhart Invocation:                            Howard Ammons Club Singing:                        John Hickey New Member Introductions: Carolyn Dumaresq Publications:                         Karen Paris

PROGRAM: The “Service Above Self” Award is presented annually by the Rotary Club of Harrisburg to recognize outstanding volunteer service in the non-profit community.
Award Winner: Silence of Mary Home - Sharon Egan
Honorable Mention Award Winner: Jewish Family Service - Marty Lamanoff 
Merit Award Winners :

UPCOMING PROGRAMS / MEETING LOCATIONS:             

• December 8       Service Above Self Awards - Hilton
• December 15     Holiday Program with Harrisburg School District Choir - Hilton
• December 22     NO MEETING
• December 29     NO MEETING

For complete programming go to our website: hbgrotary.org and click on calendar.

NEWS AND NOTES:  

• SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGING: Sign up for a one hour commitment at Strawberry Square on
Tuesday, December 16th or Wednesday, December 17th.

•  The Nominating Committee welcomes nominations in writing until January 4 for the Vice- President position (President 2011-12) and the four Board vacancies (serve 2009-11). Rotarians must have at least 3 years of Rotary service.

•  4th Annual Teacher Impact Awards seek to recognize teachers (Pre-K – 12) who have made a significant difference in the lives of their students. Nominations are being accepted now thru January 30, 2009. Five winners will receive a plaque and $1000 to their school. Form is available from Linda or online at www.office7390.org

•  It is time for you to select the Rotarian that you feel has done the most for our Rotary Club through leadership. (The Robert D. Hanson Rotary Excellence Award)
Robert D. Hanson was an outstanding member of the Rotary Club of Harrisburg for 36 years.  During those years he has clearly demonstrated leadership.  Bob was a role model for all and exemplified the Rotary 4 Way test in his personal, professional and Rotary life.  We were indeed honored to have him as a member of the Rotary Club of Harrisburg and acknowledge his exemplary leadership in this manner.

Goal:  Build leadership, serve as incentive for all members of the Rotary Club of Harrisburg and acknowledge the dedicated Rotary service of Robert D. Hanson.

Criteria:  Recipient exemplifies the Rotary 4-Way Test in his/her personal, professional and Rotary life.  Recipient has positively affected the major objectives of the strategic plan through committee work, fundraising or fellowship. Past-Presidents, Current President and President-Elect’s are not eligible.

Award:  $2,500 expenses toward attendance at Rotary International convention within two years.
Past Awardees:
2002 - Andy Rebuck     2003 - Dolores Liptak     2004 - Marie Lick     2005 - Karen Snider     2006 - John Judson     2007 - Bob Saline     2008 - Kent Frese

PLEASE MAKE NOMINATION BY December 14, 2008.

• On 11/3/08 the Board of Directors accepted, with regret, the resignations Tom Parker and Laurie Saltzgiver.

• HOST FAMILY NEEDED in Central Dauphin High School: Paul (Po-Kai) Huang, our 17 year old Rotary exchange student from Taiwan needs a Host Family.  Since he is attending Central Dauphin High School, we are seeking a 2nd and 3rd host family in that area.  We are looking for a host family from mid-December through March and another host family from late March until July 1st.  Please contact Linda or Ron Guss.                                 

DISTRICT INFO:

•  Joining Hands in disaster response a joint mission of Rotary District 7390, and Evangelical Lutheran Churches from the Lower Susquehanna Synod and Northeastern Iowa Synod has been helping families in the Biloxi, Mississippi area rebuild their homes and lives from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. If you would be willing to help us in this project please contact Peg Sennett at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it - 717-630-8281 or Randy Sibert at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it - 717 576-6115.  On behalf of the people of the Gulf Coast area, we thank you for your consideration.
For more information contact District Initiatives chair Diane McNaughton or Linda.

For meeting cancellations due to inclement weather.... Tune to ABC27-TV
or check your e-mail or call the Rotary office at 234-1208.

ATTENDANCE:
LAST ROTARY MEETING:  11/17/08       60%                    
Rotarians  83     Active Specials   27   Guests  6          Visiting Rotarians  1  = 107

Minutes by Mitch Tillett: 
Another great Rotary Meeting was called to order by President Barry Ramper at 12:15 p.m.  A Spiritual Invocation was lead by Will Everhart.

First order of business, Marie Lick, after having trouble with the microphone, introduced our Guests and Visiting Rotarians.  Sam Petway, a Member of the Atlanta Georgia Rotary, was our only Visiting Rotarian.  Joan Prescott had her daughter Debra as her Visiting Guest.  John Smither brought his guest John Mietta.

The next order of business was Committee Reports from Carrie Wissler-Thomas who reported all Rotarians in the News.  Greg Sutliff was quoted in the Patriot News showing his thoughts on the automotive industry.  John Cavanaugh was interviewed by the Patriot News concerning local college presidents and how they are financially unaffected by economic down turn.  Chuck Wingate was interviewed for an article featuring Derrick Hathaway who recently retired from Harsco.  Derrick recently received a prestigious award from the Royal Family of England for all of his community service efforts over the past 30 years.  Gib Parthemore and Bridget Whitley were also noted in the Patriot News.

Next Hal Hurwitz reported on the Salvation Army Bell Ringing Project.  Hal made a call to the membership for volunteers.  If you are interested in ringing the bell, please see Hal.  Tom Bream did the Good News Reporting.  There is a lot of good news going on within the Harrisburg Rotary Club. Most notably, Sandy Beck reported she accomplished a lifelong dream recently meeting her idol, Bruce Springsteen.

Finally, the Speaker was introduced by John Logan.  Our Speaker for the day  was Robert DeSousa, past CEO of Vartan Group and currently general counsel for R.E.Harper and Associates of Harrisburg.  Robert recently completed a tour in Iraq and shared his insights on a personal basis of the Middle East conflicts.  What was interesting about his presentation was how he related the similarities of the US involvement in World War II to the present day conflict in Iraq.  He certainly brought an interesting perspective on the Middle East conflict.  The message was "BE PATIENT"!  US Citizens consider 10 years a long time frame for a conflict.  In the Middle East there have been conflicts literally going on for the last one thousand years.  This conflict is not likely to end or be resolved anytime soon.

The meeting ended on time today at 1:15 p.m.  See you next week!