Update on the District

At our July 18 meeting, the District 7770 Assistant Governor–our own Mary Scarborough–gave a presentation on the District 7770 strategic plan. As she said at the outset, “The most important thing about a strategic plan is that you have one, and that everyone knows what it is.” Among the key goals for the district plan Mary set out:

–Increase membership by about 11% to 5000 by 2011;

–Increase giving to the Rotary Foundation by 10%;

–At least one Paul Harris Fellow at each club;

–Participation by all clubs at District Conferences, and greater participation from each club at all district events;

–Increased participation in the Rotary leadership training program, so more people will be skilled and knowledgeable in Rotary leadership;

–Increase the grant writing activity throughout the district; and

-Submit names for Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarships;

Although our club is smaller and younger than some, we’re doing our part to meet all of these goals. Mary encouraged us all to be on the lookout for ambassadorial scholarship candidates. If we put a name forward, we really need to work with this young person to make sure they pass all of the interviews.

Do you know of a young person you’d want to nominate? Let Bill or Mary know.

CLUB NOTES

President Bill announced the results of the last board meeting. Rotary International has asked each club to vote to rescind a feature of the new by-laws which they realized was unworkable. The motion carried without dissent.

John Till has requested a withdrawal from the club. He sent a nice letter explaining his reasons–family and work obligations–and thanking the club for the fellowship and friendship he found here.

Also, Treasurer Frank repeated his call for all members to please, please pay their dues, and don’t be shy about contributing to the Rotary Foundation. Remember, this is OUR charity.

Lee Kuck catered for the second week, and breakfast was even better than the first week!
Happy Birthday to Mary C. (Satuday, 7/21).

Learn more about our district.

Habitat Update at our July 11h Meeting

With our meeting place temporarily moved to the Carolina Room of the Cinema, Jamie Bozardt of Edisto Habitat for Humanity stopped by our meeting on Wednesday, July 11 to update us on her work and the work of the local Habitat for Humanity chapter. At present, Habitat is building a home in Cope, but when that project is completed, there are three more lined up for Orangeburg, near some other homes Habitat has built. “We don’t just build homes,” she stressed, “we build neighborhoods.”

Ms. Bozardt attributed the remarkable success of the local Habitat efforts in part to the rigorous screening process their clients go through. They will work with clients who have imperfect credit histories, but they help to clean those records up before breaking ground. Once they accept a partner, they work hard to structure payments that are affordable; payments can be as low as $250 a month. As a result, of the 40 homes that Habitat has built, only 2 have resulted in foreclosures.

Not only do clients have to show an income and a credit history, but a willingness to work on building their own home. “We require a certain amount of sweat equity from our partner families.” Sweat equity hours include attending budgeting and home-owner classes, and helping to build not only their own home but the homes of other families. “We’re hoping to build a pride of ownership and community.”

Bozardt stressed that they are always looking for volunteers who can commit their saturdays to building a home, but even those who can’t can help out by donating to the Habitat Home Store. “If you have any gently used furniture or major appliances from when you renovate your kitchen, please give us a call.”

President Bill Carter noted that our club gave $2000 last year to Edisto Habitat for Humanity, money well spent.

Ms. Bozardt ended with a locally produced DVD of Partner Families in the Orangeburg area showing off their new homes, gleaming with the glow of new home ownership, and thanking Habitat for the hand up.

CLUB NOTES

Thanks to Lee Kuck for agreeing to cater. Breakfast was delicious!