November 17, 2008 Speaker:      Robert DeSousa, former CEO The Vartan Group Topic:               “My all expense paid vacation to Iraq” Greeter:                                Marie Lick Invocation:                            Wil Everhart Club Singing:                        Neil Hendershot Good News Reporter:           Tom Bream Publications:                         Mitch Tillett

PROGRAM:
Robert J. DeSousa served as Chief Executive Officer of the Vartan Group, Inc., a leader in commercial building, leasing and design in central Pennsylvania.  He oversaw all executive, administrative and operational aspects of the Vartan Group, including legal, engineering, architectural, and real estate activities, as well as providing invaluable fiscal and managerial advice to the Vartan family.

Mr. DeSousa previously served as the Inspector General of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  DeSousa was the fourth Inspector General of the Commonwealth, having been appointed by Governor Ridge in May 1999.  He supervised 400 employees and his agency brought in $150 million in recoveries in 2000.  DeSousa was formerly the Chief Counsel for the Pennsylvania Department of State.  In that capacity, he gave legal advice to the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs and its 27 licensing boards, the Bureau of Elections, the State Athletic Commission, the Charities Bureau, and the Corporation Bureau.  He supervised a staff of 80 employees.

Mr. DeSousa is a 1982 graduate of Bucknell University and a 1985 graduate of Dickinson School of Law, where he was a member of the Dickinson Law Review.  He was a Law Clerk to the Honorable Malcolm Muir, United States District Judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania at Williamsport, PA.  After clerking for Judge Muir, he became an Assistant United States Attorney in September 1987 and served in the Scranton, PA office.  From 1989 until 1994, he was the Chief of the Civil Division for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and Attorney in Charge of the Lewisburg, PA office.  He also served with the Executive Office of the United States Attorneys in Washington, DC, overseeing the National Affirmative Civil Enforcement Program.  Mr. DeSousa has published several articles on fraud.  He served as the first Chairman of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Working Group of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee.  He was the 1993 recipient of the Justice Department’s Director’s Award in Financial Litigation and has received commendations from the Veterans Administration, the National Park Service, the Treasury, and the Agriculture Departments.  He was the 1988 recipient of the Attorney General’s Special Achievement Award and the winner of the Pennsylvania Lt. Governor’s PRIME Innovators Award in 1997.

Mr. DeSousa currently teaches in the Masters Program for Duquesne University.  From 1985 to 1994, Mr. DeSousa was an instructor in paralegal studies for The Pennsylvania State University.  He has also taught numerous courses for the Attorney General’s Advocacy Institute.  He has been a Continuing Legal Education instructor and Adjunct Professor for Widener University Law School.  He has served on the Government Lawyers and Civil Rights Committees of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Union County Bar Association, the Lackawanna County Bar Association, and the Federal Bar Association, where he is a member of the National Board of Directors.
 
He serves as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard where he has been awarded, among others, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Commendation Medal,  the Meritorious Service Medal and the Bronze Star Medal.  He served his country in Iraq in 2007- 2008 as the Command Judge Advocate for his unit, as well as Deputy Staff Judge Advocate for his Higher Command.

Mr. DeSousa, his wife Elizabeth, and their four children reside in Harrisburg, PA.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS / MEETING LOCATIONS:             
November 24       Interclub Thanksgiving Event
Hilton

December 1        NO MEETING

December 8        Service Above Self Awards
Hilton

December 15      Holiday Program with Harrisburg School District Choir

Hilton

December 22     NO MEETING

Hilton

December 29     NO MEETING

Hilton

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.

• More Whitaker Events: Thanks to Steve Krempasky and the Whitaker Center, we offer two more fundraising performances in November with a Rotary Discount.  Please contact Linda if you would like to attend either of the performances and she will make the reservation.  Tickets are $23/pp and your check should be made payable to the Rotary Club of Harrisburg.  Your tickets will be available at Will Call.  Voyagers with R. Carlos Nakai & Udi Bar-David

November 20, 7:30PM Sunoco Performance Theater -The first of its kind in a recording collaboration of Native American and Jewish music. You will find the musical soul of Jewish prayers in dialogue with various chant-like melodies from Native American culture. A new art form was born through the yearnings of two people brought to life in this recording that blends two ancient and spiritual cultures through musical conversations.

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:  11/3/08      55 %                      
Rotarians   86    Active Specials  19    Guests  11        Visiting Rotarians  1  = 117

Minutes by Peter Henninger: 
On election eve – aren’t we all glad this process is almost over – President Barry called the meeting to order about 12:10.  Al Schmidt led the invocation, followed by Tom Arnoldi leading us in the singing of the Star Spangled Banner. Following the Pledge of Allegiance and greeting of fellow Rotarians and visitors and guests Sam Levine introduced our visiting Rotarian Earl from Mechanichsburg. Sam introduced Charlie McNutt and Dave Freet, who in turn introduced their guests and prospective new members first names Nick and Steve.  After recognition of Rotarian Birthdays and Membership Anniversaries, President Barry welcomed the return of Chuck Fromer, after a long illness.  Nice to see Chuck again.

Committee reports were next on the agenda and the Membership Committee provided good news – 10 new members since July 1 – and bad news – 10 member resignations since July 1 – and asked for all of our help in meeting the goal of 227 members by June 30, 2009. Carolyn Dumeresq then introduced three of our three new members:  Chad Barger, Terry Masch and Erik Vatter.

John Sutliff then introduced our students and teachers of the Quarter.

Next on the agenda was Hal Hurwitz who reminded the club of the Salvation Army bell ringing scheduled for December 16 and 17.  Please contact Hal or Linda if you can assist in that endeavor.

Next up Dave Bedard introduced “Paul” our Taiwanese exchange student and asked the club to provide any leads for host families for Paul during his stay.

Immediate Past-President Carrie then recognized Karen Snider and Sally Klein as Rotarians in the News this week.

Bob Hostetter then introduced our program for the day, Peter DeCoursey, who provided our club with his expert analysis of the election upon us.  Peter reminded us that the negative campaigning that has become so prevalent will end if and only if we let our candidates know that we aren’t going to put up with it any more.  Unfortunately it may be only wishful thinking in this day and age.  Peter opined that we will find out this election whether Barack is a mere celebrity or if he can in fact pull along Democratic candidates – is there a real shift to the democratic party or is it really only Obamacrats? – The results will definitely be interesting.

After a brief Q & A, President Barry closed the meeting by leading the club in reciting the Four Way Test.  Just a reminder no meeting next week due to Veteran’s Day and a reminder that one of this writer’s law school classmates, Robert DeSousa, will be the speaker on the 17th.  Please try to attend since Bob will have some very interesting tales to tell.