Saturday, July 31, 2010

Presenting Romanians to the world

by Gillian Bradshaw

Alex Ureche, a member of the Costa Mesa Rotary club, talked about a project he is championing in rural Romania, to provide a sound education for disadvantaged children, giving them the literacy, English, and communication skills to help them "change the things they can" and present to the world".

Having worked with local workmen, parents and volunteers in the village to build a school, Alex collaborated with Rotary clubs in the US and Romania to obtain a Rotary Matching Grant to create a multi-media center in the school so the children can learn about the world via the internet. He also works with city students to gain leadership skills by interacting and helping to educate the rural children.

Other projects have included dental screenings (much like the ones our Rotary club helps with in Ensenada), Christmas shopping excursions, and a mobile library (that could also serve as a dental van).

It is always interesting to learn about how much difference Rotarians make in the lives of others - thanks Alex!






Paul Harris "Plus" Rotary Foundation pins awarded to four members

by Gillian Bradshaw

Congratulations and thanks to Kris Khurana, Mary Mar, Austin Wall, and Marla Noel for their generous contributions to The Rotary Foundation.

This is how Rotary International obtains funding for global projects, where clubs partner up on projects to provide water, healthcare, education and much more to those in need.

All four of these individuals received "plus" pins, joining many of our other members who have received these awards. When a donation of $1000 is made to the Foundation, that person becomes a Paul Harris Fellow. For every $1,000 after that, they receive a "Paul Harris Plus" pin. Several of our members are at least at the Plus 4 level!

Last year, the Irvine Spectrum Rotary Club was #2 in the District for per capita giving, and we are working on becoming the #1 club this year!

Thanks to our dedicated members for helping to make this happen!

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Gillian's demotion party success

By Past President Gillian Bradshaw

Hello to my "former subjects"!

Greetings from Providence, RI - appropriate location since Providence is "the power sustaining and guiding human destiny" which is what we Rotarians are trying to do ... and of course RI is not only the abbreviation for Rhode Island ...?! Providence indeed!

Anyway, my Demotion party was absolutely BRILLIANT! THANK YOU!

I was "shaken, not stirred" by our very own Tom Bond (a hair-raising experience!) - thank you so much to Tom and his beautiful wife, Sonya - our hosts at Mahony Castle!

What a tremendous honor to have our "Queen of the District" Johrita in attendance, along with her husband, and her "XOs" Rae and Roy, as well as others from the District - I hope you will join us at many more events! I can't wait to see what Mark Brubaker (or was that"Mike?!) cooks up for Mody next year!

I'm glad that Bret still has his head on his shoulders after surviving his year as DG, though I guess he knew he was going to as "Priceless" Shapiro had managed to!

And Mody --- thanks for toning it down a little -- I know you had wanted to do some outrageous things that would not befit a new President! Seriously, though, I know you have been planning this for months - now you can relax (oh no, you can't - you have to run 52 meetings, 12 Board meetings, attend President's Dinners .... and so much more - and all so much fun!).

I'm not lying when I say I was "speechless" when I saw the video Randy created - I can't wait to have a copy! I love Rowan Atkinson and Monty Python and do indeed try to "always look on the bright side of life! I can't wait to show it (and the flyer) to my family in England next month! They may be having second thoughts about where I chose to emigrate?!

Speaking of lies ... er ... spies ... I think Austin (no, not that Austin as in Wall) Powers aka Tony Murcia has to win the prize for best costume and performance! Yeah baby!

Rick Topping - it is a rare person who can pull Robin away from a camping weekend or yoga retreat - well done - and thanks for getting him to our wedding on time as our best man! And also for inviting your goddaughter, Caroline, and her sister Sarah and husband Kevin - I can't think of a better way for us to have a family gathering! And, of course, without you, I wouldn't have joined ISRC!!

Al, I was honored to be initiated into the Jewish ... er ... what was that .... todaraba and Shalom for that!

Diane, it was such fun to have you part of the party rather than sweating it out in the kitchen!! I bet you can make a mean Shepherd's pie and trifle, though?! The ringlets did indeed save buying another wig - and your role in the skit was very clever.

And the other "jesters at court" were very amusing too - Mark, Dale, Barry, Al, Vicki, Mody, Tom, Rick .... who have I missed?!

Luana - as always, clever decorations and "sweets" - I loved the tea bag flowers, and "anyone for coffee, Mate?!"

And Kathy, because I know you had a big hand in all of this, party-giver supreme!

The food was delicious! Very authentic indeed - I thought the caterer might have been The Olde Ship, but Robin thought not?! Scrumptious!

It was great to see so many members, and so many guests!

Bob, Becky, and Dan - it was so nice that you could join us too!

Oh, I could go on all night (actually, I have gone on all night - it is 4 am in Rhode Island!), and I am sorry if I missed anyone!

So I will bid you adieu and leave you singing "Always look on the bright side of life" because that's what this Rotary family makes me do!

Thanks again a "gillian" times!

Gillian