The Fremont Club Experience

The Award Winning Rotary Club of Las Vegas Fremont

            "The Downtown Club"

Join us Tuesdays, 12:15 p.m., inside Hugo's Cellar at 

The Four Queens Hotel & Casino, 202 E Fremont St, Las  Vegas, NV.

Fremont Street

 

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After being graciously hosted last week by the Las Vegas West Rotary Club at Canyon Gate, we were back to the Four Queens and business as usual, although usual may not be the best word to describe our meetings. President Robin Smith guided us through our opening rituals of pledge, inspiration and song. "Home Means Nevada" was led by Past President Roger Tabor, who continues to hold out hope that our members will someday be able to sing this song. Our visitors included:

Joe Wittenwiler, guest of Greg Clemens                      Brian Sutilla, Rotary Club of Elko


The Polio Pig was on a one week sabbatical and replaced by the Rose Bowl snifter to collect donations for the construction of the Rotary Rose Bowl float. Colleen Malany Braid and AG/PP Linda recapped the March to End Polio held last weekend (see article below). Colleen shared a conversation she recently had with her sister after a donation request. Despite the fact that Colleen traveled to India only a few months ago to participate in the Polio immunization of more than 170,000,000 children, her sister didn't realize Polio was still an issue. We can't stop talking about Polio until we have immunized every child. Education is the key to eradicating this virus. AG/PP Linda requested every member step up to the challenge of obtaining at least $60 in donations to help our Club achieve the $2,500 challenge from District Governor Miles Petroff. The goal is 100% participation, along with generous donations.

Our next meeting will be focused on planning our Holiday Party on December 7th at the home of Steve & Drizzle Gibson. It is reportedly going to be Harry Potter themed and the member's "houses" will be selected at this meeting. Please call any recently absent members to encourage their attendance.  For those of you who are "Harry Potter challenged", this would a good time to watch one of the movies to get into the spirit of the party.  

 

To generate a few more dollars for the Club's kitty, we levy $1.00 cross-fines for good, bad and crazy things our members feel noteworthy. This week's noteworthy items - to Past Pres. Allen Puliz for Past Dist. Gov/Past Pres. Roy York's recent injury at his home, which garnered no sympathy from PP Allen; to AG/PP Linda dancing outside Glitter Gulch during the Polio march, which may result in a classification change for her; to Past Pres. Dulcinea Rongavilla for crashing Past Pres. Roger Tabor's block party; another to PP Allen for professing his preference of Drizzle Gibson over Steve Gibson; multiple fines to Past Pres. Drew Levy for his remark that "a woman doesn't know what she is thinking" and to John McInerney for agreeing with him; and finally a self-fine to Past Pres. Lane Kay for his son's college scholarship award.  And, welcome back PP Lane from your recent medical leave - you were missed!


Nevada State Senator Patricia Spearman and Iraqi War Veteran Michelle Wilmot were on hand to discuss the challenges faced by our women returning home from military service. Senator Spearman indicated the needs are new and challenging as mothers, grandmothers, and sisters are now serving on the front lines in the war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan. Women "who put their lives in jeopardy for their country are coming back to no services, including housing. Two words should never be used in the same sentence - homeless and veteran." With women now encountering the physical and mental challenges of war, our services need to look at their special needs, including shelters, which, up until recently, were only occupied by men. There are safety concerns in the shelters due to sexual assaults and women are increasingly finding themselves homeless. Women account for 15% of current active duty military, with that number expect to nearly double in the next 15 to 20 years. Women veterans are six times more likely to commit suicide and the rate in Nevada tops the list with highest number of suicides among women. Support for women serving in military combat is low and they return home to apathy and resentment for their service at every level, including government services. Retired veteran Michelle Wilmot shared her 8 year ordeal to get much needed medical treatment and benefits from VA due to bureaucratic red tape and questions surrounding her combat service. Michelle said that "women vets are the new Viet Nam vet" and that our Country "was not prepared for women to return home in body bags." The realities of war have crossed gender lines now and America needs to begin treating all veterans equally. Senator Spearman is working with former US Congresswoman Shelley Berkley and the head of the Nevada VA Hospital to start thinking outside the box to provide housing, psychiatric care and re-integration into society and the workplace for our female soldiers. Michelle continues to be one of the leading voices for women in the military and you can learn more about her work through her website at Desert Warrior.  

 

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 Committee Reports

 

March to End Polio - The March Begins Here..........

 

Our Club had the great privilege of hosting a March to End Polio walk in the heart of old downtown at the Fremont Experience on Saturday, October 19th.  The Southern Nevada gathering, chaired by AG/PP Linda Bertuzzi, was the beginning of a week-long District 5300 push to bring awareness and dollars to Rotary International's PolioPlus campaign beginning in Nevada and ending in San Bernardino on October 27th.  We marched alongside members from Las Vegas West, Red Rock and Las Vegas Central, as well as family and friends. This event was especially close to home as several of our participants have family members living with Post Polio Syndrome. Thanks to our involvement in Rotary, we all remain acutely aware of the need to finish this Polio mission. However, the folks we encountered on Fremont Street were not so aware and we were met several times with disbelief that Polio was still around....and, in fact, a few questioned the validity of our walk.  It reminds us all of the importance of continuing to educate the public about this terrible virus and the fact that we still have many babies at risk of being infected with Polio.  With new outbreaks in Syria and Somalia, and Pakistan, Afghanistan & Nigeria still classified as endemic, we can't stop until we have vaccinated every child.  This virus is only a plane, train or boat ride away. We are this close! Donations will continue to be accepted at www.marchtoendpolio.com through November 30th.  Rotarians can donate through www.endpolio.org  

 

 

 

Agassi October Birthday Bash

 

Dressed from head to toes and nails in her witch costume, President Robin pulled out all the stops for the October Birthday Bash at the Agassi Boys and Girls Club.  The room was festively decorated for Halloween & birthday and the "pin the hat on the witch" game was a hit - with both the kids and Rotarians trying their hand at carefully placing the conical hat in just the right location.  Let's just say the kids were much more skilled than the adults!  Everyone enjoyed the cupcakes donated by Gigi's Cupcakes and ice cream from Anderson Dairy after their usual pizza and juice.The gift bags continue to bring smiles to the kids as they sort through the candy, toys and school supplies for their favorite thing.  Thanks to Secretary Teresa Sowers, PDG Al Slaggert, Colleen Malany Braid, Asst. Gov./Past Pres. Linda Bertuzzi and Drizzle Gibson for the donation of their time to celebrate with these great kids.  Our next Bash will be Wednesday, November 20th.

 

 

Save the Dates
 
    Programs 

October 29 - Holiday Party planning
November 5 - Debbie Harris, www.RotariansConnectD5300.com
November 12 - Past Pres. Roger Tabor, Las Vegas Mayors Cup
November 18 - District Governor Miles Petroff (special time,date & location TBA)

 Projects & Events

October 26-27, District 5300 final walk for March for Polio, California
November 1 - Summerlin Rotary's "Toast to Talent" fundraiser information
November 8-10 - Teen Leadership Camp (TLC)
November 19th - Booker Thanksgiving
November 20 - Agassi Birthday Bash
December 7 - LV Fremont Holiday Party - details TBA
February 15-17 - LV Mayors Cup International Soccer Tournament
  
  
INTERESTED IN SPEAKING? If you or someone you know is interested in making a presentation at our regularly scheduled luncheons, please contact Speaker's Bureau
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  District 5300 & RI News

 

March to End Polio

 

polio donate buttonSouthern Nevada Rotary Clubs are being asked to coordinate a fundraising walk, stroll, or a march to end Polio on Saturday, October 19th.  Select a place that identifies your club in your community, gather up members, friends, family & business partners...........and step out to raise awareness of Rotary's mission to eradicate Polio.  Take an hour or so to raise money to eradicate the last 1% of Polio. Due to the Horn of Africa outbreak, the bulk of polio cases this year (over two-thirds) are in countries which were previously polio-free. In endemic countries, cases are down 40% over the same period last year, indicating progress particularly in Afghanistan & Nigera.  At the end of August, 2013, the number of new Polio cases reported is higher than all of 2012.  We cannot stop until the virus is wiped out!   End Polio Now

 

And then end this momentous event in California with all of District 5300 the following weekend.  Be a part of history!  Be a part of the cure!


Sat, Oct 26, 8am - Sun, Oct 27, 10am

Western Regional Little League Field, San Bernardino
6707 Little League Drive (off the 215 Freeway)

 

 

Learn more about how you can help by visiting the Rotary International website  

 

To our members:

Articles are due by the end of business each Thursday.  If you send articles, please make sure they are word format, and all pictures must be jpeg format.  Thank you for all of you who take the time to contribute - this is your newsletter and we need your help.

October 27, 2013

 

Celebrating 27 years of 

"Service Above Self"

Volume 5-Issue 16

2013-14 RI Theme

 

In This Week's Newsletter
Upcoming Calendar
Club Leadership
Birthday & Anniversaries
Captain's Duties

 Leadership

President 
Robin Smith
2013-14 Pres RS  
Secretary
Teresa Sowers
Sowers 
  Treasurer
Al Guida, Jr.
al guida 
Past President
Lane Kay
Lane Kay  
 
Club Administration
Marilene Nevins
 
Bulletin Editor
Linda Bertuzzi

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Check out our website!

Join Our Mailing List

Club Anniversaries

 

Ray Jansma

1 year

 

Birthdays & Anniversaries 


Marilene Nevins
October 4
 
Steve Reiter
October 9
 
Mike & Kim Woodfield
October 20
 
Robin Smith
October 21
 
Lane Kay
October 23

Laura & Richard
Fitzpatrick
October 25

Rob Beck
October 25
 
 If we have missed your special day, let us know!

 Meeting Captain   

 
Robin Smith
October 8
 
Teresa Sowers
October 15
 
Scott Stolberg
October 22 
The Four WayTest

 

Of the things we think, say or do

 

1. Is it the TRUTH?

 

2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?

 

3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

 

4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

 

Rotary at a Glance


 Members
1,214,714 
Clubs
34,216 
Districts
538
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Fremont Club Editor
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