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

September 21, 2009

Speaker: Mehdi Noorbaksh, Ph.D., Associate Professor International Affairs, Harrisburg University
Topic:   Iran after the June election

Greeter: Betty Hungerford
Invocation:  Dick Stewart
Rotary Minute:
Good News Reporter:  Betty Hungerford
Club Singing: Tom Arnoldi
Publications:  Steve Baloga

PROGRAM:
Dr. Mehdi Noorbaksh specializes in several areas, such as international politics, global energy and health, and democratic movements and processes in Middle East politics. Dr. Noorbaksh has published extensively on the Middle East politics, including the Foreign Policy Association, Middle East Policy Journal, and the International Journal of Middle Eastern Studies. Dr. Noorbaksh’s most recent academic achievements include receiving his master of business administration and master of health administration (MHA) in 2006 from the University of Houston. Previous to these degrees, Dr. Noorbaksh earned his B.S. in electrical engineering at the University of Texas in 1979 and M.A. in political science from the University of Houston in 1986. In 1996, Dr. Noorbaksh earned both his Ph.D. in government studies from the University of Texas at Austin and a position at Harvard University’s Center for Middle Eastern Studies as a Post-Doctoral Fellow before joining Harrisburg University in 2006. He is currently working on a number of articles on the Middle East and Iran, and a book on the interaction of Islam, nationalism and democratic change in Iran.

Corporate Member

Birthdays:
Bob Hall – SEP 21
Doug Wisehaupt – SEP 21
Michael Hanes – SEP 27
Steve Barnett – SEP 30
Erik Vatter – OCT 4

UPCOMING PROGRAMS / MEETING LOCATIONS:

• September 21   Mehdi Noorbaksh, Ph.D.,  Associate Professor International Affairs, Harrisburg University – Hilton “Iran after the June election”

• September 28         NO MEETING – Yom Kippur

• October 5   Rep. Ronald Marsico “What is going on up there? As I see it.” at 333 Market St – RSVP

• October 12         NO MEETING – Columbus Day

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!

• 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.

• DISTRICT NEWS:

1.  Check out the District Newsletter: www.hbgrotary.org
click on click on About Us
click on District 7390
click on District Happenings
click on Rotar- E Reporter
or  http://www.rotary7390.org/Portals/0/August%2009%20Newsletter.pdf

ATTENDANCE:
LAST ROTARY MEETING:  9/14/09       56%
Rotarians   90    Active Specials  10            Guests 8        Visiting Rotarians 2     = 113

Minutes by: Mitch Tillett
The fantastic Rotary Meeting was called to order by Carolyn Dumaresq.  The meeting was started on time, 12:15p.m. and ended promptly at 1:15p.m.  Great job Kip!

Marion Alexander did a beautiful job in leading us in “America the Beautiful”.  You missed your calling, Marion.  You should have been an opera singer.

Michael Hanes introduced the Visiting Rotarians and Guests.  Next, Rich Moultrie was asked to give the Rotary Minute.  Rich spoke on his experience with Rotary International and the many benefits gained from our Dental Clinic Project in the Dominican.  In addition to the services we perform in the Dental Clinic, Rich said that the goodwill we receive by doing this shows that our compassion through this project is the most meaningful.

Next Jewell Laughman was asked to give a mini classification.  Jewell is a Corporate Member from Capital Blue Cross where she is in Public Relations.  She started her career, of all things, at the Patriot News under the leadership none other than our very own Susan Anthony.  Jewell said that Susan was a tremendous mentor and she learned al lot from her at the Patriot News.

At her current position at Capital Blue Cross, Jewell stated that her biggest challenge is supporting all of the non-profits and good causes that ask for financial support from Blue Cross during this period of economic down turn. One way that Blue Cross has supported the local communities is by using the employee base as a source of volunteers for the many good causes in our community.

Next, Dr. John Judsen introduced three new members.  They are as follows:  Frank Fischer, Gary Dent, & Eric Kunkel.  Be sure to introduce yourself to the three new members at the next Rotary Meeting.

Jack Huskin reported on the Rotary Water Project.  Jack reported that we sold just under 400 bottles at the Labor Day Kipona.  This resulted in a net profit to the foundation of over $700.00 towards our $1,000 goal to the Carlisle Club for their Honduras Water Project.  Good job Jack!

Robin Scaer announced that the Pancake Breakfast is only six weeks away.  The date is Saturday, October 24th.  There will be a sign in sheet at our next Rotary Meeting.  Be sure to volunteer your time or services.  Once again, the date is Saturday, October 24th.  Be sure to put this on your calendar.

Robin was followed by Conrad Seigel who reported on the Pancake Placemat Advertising Program.  Last year we raised nearly $3,000 from our sponsors.  Connie stated that this is an excellent way to promote your businesses or services and support a good cause.

Carrie W. Thomas did the Good News Reporting.  Those in the news recently are Charlie McNutt, Joe Capita, Rich Curl, Dr. Kohn, Mike Hanes, and Hal Hurwitz.

Our meeting was concluded by Speaker Greg Fajt.  Greg is the State Gaming Commissioner.  The Pennsylvania Gaming Commission employs approximately 280 people.  The Commission's primary responsibility is to conduct background checks of the vendors and employees for the casino and gambling sites throughout Pennsylvania.  He said to date, the Commission has performed 27,000 background checks.  Wow!  State law requires that the gambling machines in Pennsylvania pay out at least 85 cents per dollar.

Every single machine is hot wired and monitored by a central computer system at the Department of Revenue.  This is to control the collections.  The various gambling sites are sent a bill for the revenue earned.

Greg said that the revenue generated is spent as follows:

• 34% goes for property tax relief
• 4% is for the local municipalities
• 5% is for the economic development fund
• 12% is for the promotion and growth for the horse racing industry
• 55% is tax revenue

Overall, this was a very interesting presentation. Thanks Greg.

• Push to end polio gains ground

  Greater accountability, more funding, new tools highlight progress
• Rotaract meeting spotlights feats, fun

  New Generations Month, preconvention event boost Rotaract image
• Building peace, one act at a time

  Four Rotary World Peace Fellows hope to get a million people thinking about peace
• An eye for compassion

  Finalist in The Rotarian’s photo contest captures caring hands at work in India
• Leading by example

  District 6900 wastes no time in giving to the Annual Programs Fund
• Rotaract paves the way into Rotary

  Former Rotaractor believes youth will shape the Rotary of tomorrow
• Guardians of the world’s refugees

  Foundation alumni help people displaced by conflict, disaster move from chaos to calm
• GSE breaks new ground

  First wheelchair-only Group Study Exchange team rolls over stereotypes
• Itzhak Perlman joins New York Philharmonic in Concert to End Polio

  Violinist and polio survivor to perform in special benefit
• Itzhak Perlman concert to benefit polio eradication

  Violinist joins the New York Philharmonic to help End Polio Now

OFFICERS:

DIRECTORS:

Carolyn Dumaresq           
John P. Judson, M.D.      
Robert S. Saline              
Barry Ramper, II,              
Carrie N. Wissler Thomas
William B. Boles                
William M. Tillett

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

Caryn J. Carr
John R. Detweiler
Kent E. Frese
John J. McHenry
Lawrence M. Means
Maria B. Persico
Andrew R/ Rebuck
Karen F. Snider