Rotopeka, July 2009

Volume 66, Number 1

July, 2009

Taking Steps to a Better World

The Editor’s Blog

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orty years ago this month, Neil Armstrong stepped foot on the moon and gave us one of the greatest phrases in America’s history. “One small step for a man, One giant leap for mankind.” (And too one of the most misquoted, although there is much debate as to whether or not he did say “a man.”) Throughout the history of mankind, we have taken series of small steps - remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. But lately, it seems, small steps are becoming big steps, or if they are small steps, they are moving very rapidly.

Sometimes first steps can be difficult. And that brings me to the subject of my article this month. P r e si d en t Te r r y Wages has asked me to offer Rotarians the opportunity to receive The Rotopeka digitally rather than in a printed version. Now, I know that some of you are saying, that’s a giant leap for mankind, while I am certain others are saying, I read it online anyway. But while you think about it, here are some reasons to read it online.

Rotary on the Web 

Rotary International Website— www.rotary.org

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Rotary District 5710 Website— www.rotary5710.org

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Rotary Club Website— www.downtowntopekar otary.org

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Rotary International Foundation— www.rotary.org/ foundation

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Twitter— www.twitter.com/ topekarotary

1) Saves money in printing and mailing costs 2) Allows you to receive it faster, up to two weeks faster than you might receive it otherwise 3) If you still want to print it, you can. 4) It’s in full color online. So we’re giving you the chance to select how you want to receive your Rotopeka. Just v i si t our websi te at www..downtowntopekarotary.org and let us know how you want to receive the Rotopeka.

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Korean Rotarians lay foundation for health center By Ryan Hyland Rotary International News -- 23 July 2009 Answering the call from Past RI President Dong Kurn Lee to reduce child mortality, Rotary clubs in Korea donated US$500,000 to build a new medical center dedicated to improving health care for women and children in Tanzania. The facility, set to open in 2010 at Tumbi Special Hospital in Kibaha, is expected to save up to 42 children per day and will enrich the lives of one million residents of the country's Pwani Region, says Sang Koo Yun, project leader and past governor of District 3650. "This initiative is a representation of the dream [Past] President Lee has of reducing child mortality in Africa and throughout the world," says Yun. "We hope the project will set an example for people who wish to engage in similar initiatives." A fact-finding team of Korean Rotarians, organized by Yun, traveled in November to Tanzania, where the group visited medical facilities specializing in mother and child health care and met with top health officials, hospital management, and local Rotary club members. Based on the team's recommendations, the Korean and Tanzanian clubs selected Tumbi hospital as the site for the new facility. The hospital is part of the Kibaha Education Centre, where health officers and nurses are trained. "Since the existing mother-child health care facility at the hospital needs updating and refurbishing, a new operating room, delivery rooms, and an X-ray room are to be constructed. Also, more modern equipment and furnishings will be installed," says Yun. The center will provide on-site training and educational programs to improve the quality of the medical services and management. Public awareness programs will be designed to educate the community about health and hygiene. The Korean Rotarians' donations were matched by the Community Chest of Korea, which supports the effort to reduce child mortality. A dedication ceremony was held in April for the $1 million medical center. Vice President Ali Mohamed Shein of Tanzania, who attended the event along with Lee, Yun, and several other Korean Rotarians, praised Rotary's commitment to international service projects. "Rotary International is an indispensable partner in providing services to the needy and promoting social and economic development," says Shein. "The new facility will be an important step in strengthening mother and child health care -- something that is in great demand in this country."

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Minutes from June Board of Trustees

Rotary Club of Topeka Officers

PRESIDENT—Terry Wages PRESIDENT-ELECT—Gordon Lansford VICE-PRESIDENT—Anita Wolgast TREASURER—Alisa Snavely SECRETARY—Blanche Parks SERGEANT AT ARMS—Mike Locke

Secretary’s Report: Approved as presented. Moved by Alvin, seconded by Blanche. Treasurer’s Report: Accepted as presented. Moved by Blanche, seconded by Jennifer. May 30 Membership: 196 Resignations: were received from Ashraf Sufi & Travis Maurath, Blanche moved to accept, Jennifer seconded, passed. Richard Ridley also submitted his resignation, we will check to see if he meets attendance privilege qualifications before accepting. New Member proposal: for were presented for Larry McCoig, Susan moved to approve, Henry seconded, passed.

Board Members

Leave of Absence Request: None

David Beck

Attendance Privileges Requests: None

Doug Scott Glenda DuBoise Fred Gatlin Jennifer Haller Henry McClure Joy Moser

Annual Banquet: will be Thursday evening, July 2 at the Topeka Country Club. Golf Tournament Update: Henry reported it made over $5,000 profit, exact amount to be announced at July board meeting. Next board meeting: will be July 8 at the Topeka Shawnee County Public Library. Meeting adjourned.

Asel Mukeyeva Susan Mauch

Respectfully submitted,

Past President—Kirk Johnson THE ROTOPEKA Editor—Greg Hill Published Monthly by the Downtown Rotary Club of Topeka Downtown Ramada I nn, Suite 110 Topeka, Kansas 66607 Subscription $2.00 per year Periodicals Postage Paid at Topeka, Kansas USPS 471860 POSTMASTER: Send address change to Rotopeka 420 SE 6th, Suite 110 Topeka, KS 66607 Rotopeka deadline is two weeks prior to the first Thursday of the month

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John Wall

Message from the President By Terry Wages, President

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s everyone knows membership is important to any organization. Membership allows for fun, friendship and fellowship at our meetings and gatherings. When our Club=2 0has a consistent membership at 200 or above we attract others who want to be involved with our Club as members and speakers. We also have more financial resources and talent to help with service projects and promote our works in “Service Above Self”. Our goal this year is to add a net of two members. We are cu rrently at 195 members. In order to end the year at 197 we will need to recruit one member for everyone who leaves plus two. I challenge each member this year to partner with one or more fellow members and recruit one new member.

We hope that every Rotary member will become involved in the club administration and with the many service projects. By becoming committed and involved we hope to have every member as a Rotarian for life; active in a service project, a club, fellowshipping with other members and financially helping where help is needed such as Rotary Foundation.

One easy way to learn more about Rotary and service projects is to commit six hours on August 8, 2009 and attend the Rotary Foundation Seminar, free of charge plus lunch, at Washburn University Memorial Union. From experience, I don’t believe you will be disappointed.

Back to membership. Prospective member's meals are paid by the Club during the recruiting and approving process. Hopefully, prospective members will commit to become an active member after attending a couple of meetings. Once a prospect has completed the new member application and paid their deposit or dues, their name is submitted to the Board for comment and approval for submission to the membership. The prospective member's name is presented to the membership three times for any comments. After the third presentation the prospect is submitted to the Board for final approval. Once a prospect has been approved they will begin paying meals at the next full month. As an example, if approved at the July Board Meeting, the new member would begin to pay for their meals in August and every month thereafter. The process for recruiting a new member is not to be exclusive but to be inclusive and compatible to Rotary's Gold Standards. The membership committee will meet with every new member to more fully inform them about Rotary and answer any questions the new member may still have unanswered. The membership committee will also try to fit the new member into a service project or club administration that besGt matches interests and talents. Best wishes to a everyone for a successful 2009 - 2010 Rotary Year. Thank you for allowing me to be President. I commit to do my best to live up to your expectations. With your help we can make this a fun and successful year.

Upcoming Programs August 6, 2009—Meet Your Rotary District Governor, Jim Mattes August 13, 2009—Hey, Mister, Your Alligator is Loose!, Gary Clarke, former director of the “World Famous” Topeka Zoo August 20, 2009—The ARTS Mean BUSINESS in Kansas”: an economic impact conversation Llewellyn Crain, Executive Director of the Kansas Arts Commission August 27, 2009—AHS in OZ: the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center update, Joanne Morrell, Executive Director

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Images from the

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e Annual Banquet

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Reach One, Keep One What does Rotary Do? The next time you are asked what our club does, remember all the wonderful projects we have helped make a reality. Here are several of those projects: Christmas in April Help with TARC Winter Wonderland Dictionaries in School Dental Screenings Scholarships for Washburn Students Florence Crittenden Services RYLA Vocational Day for Junior High Sponsor Ambassadorial Scholars Christmas Bureau Sponsor East Avondale Activities Polio Reconstructive Surgery— India Cataract Surgery—Pakistan Ambulance Project—Bangladesh

The RI Board of Directors adopted a new membership slogan, "Each Rotarian: Reach One, Keep One," at its June meeting. The slogan emphasizes the need for Rotarians to focus on both recruitment and retention in their membership growth efforts. "Membership development is each Rotarian's responsibility," said Paul Netzel, a member of RI's Membership Development and Retention Committee and a past RI director. "'Reach One' reminds us that because Rotary membership is by invitation, it's essential that each Rotarian reaches out and invites someone to join," added Netzel, a member of the Rotary Club of Los Angeles. "'Keep One' reminds us that it's not sufficient to simply sponsor someone into Rotary; we must also see that new members become active and involved Rotarians. We know this is an essential element in membership retention." The new slogan complements the Board's long-term membership strategy, which was also adopted at the June meeting. Member sponsor and retention recognition

At its January meeting, the RI Board adopted a New Member Sponsor and Retention Recognition program, which became effective 1 July. The program, also part of the long-term membership strategy, allows Rotary club presidents to nominate and recognize individuals for sponsoring new members while focusing on retention. There are several award categories:

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Medical Team—Panama

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Shelter Box

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Books for Peace Corp Volunteers And Much, Much More

Gold pin and certificate: For Rotarians bringing 25 members into any Rotary club, with 20 still active after six years Silver pin and certificate: For Rotarians bringing 10 members into any Rotary club, with eight still active after four years Bronze pin and certificate: For Rotarians bringing five members into any Rotary club, with four still active after two years

Learn more about membership resources available to Rotary clubs and districts by visiting the Rotary International Website.

Of the things we think, say or do: Is it the TRUTH? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?"

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Welcome Scott Gales to the Topeka Rotary Club

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cott Gales was born in Emporia, Kansas. After moving to Concordia, Kansas with his parents, he graduated from Concordia Senior High School in 1986. He attended Junior College at Cloud County Community College for two years then attended Kansas State University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the College of Archi t ec tu re and D esi gn f r o m KSU. Scott interned in the Los Angeles area in California, and also in Topeka, KS while attending college. After graduation from KSU in 1993, Scott accepted an offer to work with Michael Wilson, of Architect One. That was a busy summer for Scott. He and his wife, Cheryl (Bowhay), were also married that summer in Holton, KS. During Scott’s senior year at KSU, one of his projects was entered into the “William Van Allen International Design Competition”. He was notified that summer of 1993 that it had won First Prize. The award money allowed Scott and his wife, Cheryl, to travel throughout Europe for two months during the fall of 1994. Scott passed his licensure boards for the state of Kansas in 1996. He has been a Partner & Principal of Architect One since 1998. Scott is a Past President & Past Active member of Topeka Active 20-30 Club. He is a director and Past President of the TARC Foundation of Topeka. He is a Past President and member of the Topeka Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. He has also served on the board of directors of the United Way of Topeka. He is a member of the Most Pure Heart of Mary Knights of Columbus. He is also sits on the GO-TOPEKA Board of Directors. Scott and his wife, Cheryl, have made Topeka their home since getting married in 1993. They have 3 children Morgan (13), Ally (10), and Jake (6). They enjoy actively watching and helping with all of their kids school and sports activities. Scott is extremely excited to be involved in the community and getting to know everyone in Rotary. He is thankful for this opportunity to be a member of this great organization and looks forward to getting acquainted and helping where he can. Welcome Scott!

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A program with teeth By Nicole Chark Rotary International

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woman lies stretched out in the grass. She has just had a decayed tooth extracted; its root was stuck in her gum, and the remains were chiseled from her mouth.

Earlier that day, she walked more than 3 miles to Kasekulo, a fishing village and one location where the Rotary Club of Kampala-Ssese Islands, Uganda, has established an ongoing traveling medical and dental clinic. For more than 16 years, Ugandan Rotarians have taken hourlong ferry rides from Kampala to this community of islands. Since 200l, twice each year, members of the Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island, Washington, USA, have participated in the one-day clinics. Another once or twice a year, the Ugandans have visited the impoverished villages without the Americans. The U.S. Rotarians learned about the project while they were building water wells in northern Uganda eight years ago. Together, the Rotarians provide dental care, general health treatment, and deworming for islanders, many of whom have never left the island or their fishing villages. A line begins to wrap around a school soon after the Rotarians arrive, transforming it into a clinic. Two volunteer physicians and two dentists attend to more than 300 patients. They often have so many patients that they work into the night and don’t leave until they attend to everyone there. Bainbridge Island club member John Walker remembers holding a flashlight into patients’ mouths so dentists could pull teeth. In 2003, the Kampala-Ssese Islands club built a permanent clinic on the main island of Kalangala.

A Ssese Islander sits on a schoolroom bench in Kasekulo Village, Kalangala, Uganda, while a volunteer dentist extracts a tooth. Bottom: Ssese Islanders line up for treatment as Phyllis Kwesiga, president of the KampalaSsese Islands club, listens to their needs and sends them to the right place for either dental or medical assessment. Photos by Jessica Scranton

With no other medical centers, villagers look forward to the visits, says Joy Bagyenda, a member of the club. The common health threats facing islanders often come from the parasites in Lake Victoria and the harsh presence of HIV/AIDS in small communities such as Kasekulo. In 2007, there were 54 documented cases of AIDS in this village. According to Bainbridge Island Rotarian Joanne Croghan, the women held a meeting to discuss the active cases of the disease and the (Continued on page 11)

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many children orphaned by it. Uganda has an information campaign to recommend safer sexual practices, but this remote community does not receive the educational outreach. Croghan has helped out by making cotton balls by hand and boiling the instruments in water heated by kerosene lamps. She has watched dentists yank and chisel hundreds of decayed teeth. Any patient who has a tooth extraction receives antibiotics. Every child receives antiparasitic medication. Swollen bellies, a typical sign of worm infestation, are commonplace here. Rotarians help the islanders in other ways too. The Kampala-Ssese Islands club brought life vests for the villagers, who have a high incidence of drowning. Bainbridge Island Rotarian Pete Cholometes brought 50 pounds of toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, mosquito nets, soccer balls, pumps, and bouncing rubber balls to Kasekulo. By the time the Rotarians leave the village, many people have large gaps in their smiles from the dental work, but the children, who bounce their new balls off the mud huts and the schoolhouse, are having too much fun

Indonesian clubs help 2,000 children with cleft lip Netherlands). This second, US$45,000 project provided surgeries to 149 impoverished Syahrul Gunawan looked in children in 2006-07. the mirror and touched the reflection of his nose and lips. Hamid, an orthodontist, and two other Surabaya Central The seven-year-old boy, who Rotarians arranged patient had received surgery for clefts transportation, educated paron both sides of his upper lip, ents about postsurgical care, smiled at his mother and exand provided children with claimed how handsome he books and toys. Rotarians also was. Thalca Hamid from the recruited local villagers to talk Rotary Club of Surabaya Cento rural families who may not tral, Indonesia, recalls how the realize the benefits of the surboy’s mother told Hamid she gery. had given her son a normal “The children and their families life. have unbelievable pressure “At times I feel like crying and stress because many feel when I hear about these chilthat such defects are a curse,” dren,” Hamid says, “because Hamid says. “Previously, few in friendships from all over the our community realized how world can change a child’s complicated this defect is.” life.” Fast facts: Gunawan was among the first children in 2001 who received Cleft lip and/or palate is the cleft lip or palate surgeries most common facial birth dethrough the efforts of Hamid fect, affecting one in 700 baand the Surabaya Central bies worldwide and one in 500 club. Since then, 2,000 chil- in Asia. By Peter Schmidtke Rotary International News

dren have undergone surgery with help from Australian, Dutch, and Indonesian Rotarians, among others.

Cleft lip and palate defects can interfere with eating, speaking, and breathing and can cause dental problems, Two Matching Grants have ear infections, and hearing aided this effort, the most re- loss. cent of which was cosponsored by District 1610 (The

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785.232.7216

Gary Blitsch of Southwind Gallery in Topeka recently spoke to the Topeka Rotary Club about art and business in Topeka.

Meeting Makeups Topeka West—Wednesday, 7 AM Marriott Courtyard, 2033 SW Wannamaker Topeka South—Friday, 7 AM— Kansas Room, Washburn University Memorial Union Topeka North—Wednesday, noon—Topeka North YMCA Board Room. 1936 NW Tyler.

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