Rotary International celebrates anniversary

    Last week’s program for the Presque Isle Rotary Club was the anniversary meeting for Rotary International and World Understanding and Peace program. Rev. Bob Grove-Markwood, club member and chairman of the World Community Service Committee, gave the presentation.
     This committee meets the fourth avenue of service in Rotary which is International Service. The basis for Rotary International projects for world community service projects, International studies in peace, Rotary friendship exchange, Humanity in Motion public relations issues, and actual world community service tangible projects. For World Community service criteria two or more clubs must work together in two or more countries engaging in humanitarian efforts. There are matching grants available and, combined with Rotary district monies, many worthwhile projects can be completed.
    The Presque Isle Rotary Club has a long history of world community service including "Home Tekna" in northeastern South Africa. It is a project that was made possible by the PI club, along with Caribou and Perth Andover, New Brunswick. It is the only trauma treatment center for children in the area and is the only registered safe haven in the area as well. So many children are displaced in that area and the have Home Tekna available for the safety they so desperately need, according to Grove-Markwood.
    The club also supports "Home Talje", a facility for the physically and intellectually challenged.
    The projects for 2006-07 include a feeding scheme, therapy room and training center in Brits, South Africa. These are all made possible by contributions from individual clubs like Presque Isle but also by the matching grant programs through Rotary Foundation. Other projects that PI Rotarians have supported are the Haiti Mission, Guatemala City Mission and several other medical related efforts in Third World countries. To learn more about World Community Service or the Rotary Foundation, visit www.rotary.org or contract Grove-Markwood.
    The newest Rotary Club members are Dan Bagley and Jay Trainer. The mystery Rotarian on Feb. 26 was Dottie Wheeler and her favorite charity was the Rotary Foundation who will have $50 sent in her name from the PI Rotary.
    Club President Sharon Campbell offered congratulations to Rotarian Sue Brown for being chosen as the Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce's 2007 Volunteer of the Year for her countless efforts on behalf of Rotary.
    In other business, the Rotary Board of Directors approved $250 for the annual RC&D Environthon, $200 for Camp Susan Curtis, $200 for Wintergreen Arts, $250 for Balloon Fest Children’s programs, $220 to purchase an enclosed tent for the Hooked on Fishing program, $550 for a newsprint public relations campaign, and $200 for a table at PI Chamber dinner.