It's hard to believe we are at the end of January already.  President Robin Smith just returned from a two day President's Advance conference in Palm Springs, recharged and ready to go.  President's Advance is so named because presidents don't retreat - really!   She opened the meeting for the "greatest club in the universe" and after a bit of time for fellowship and lunch, moved on to introductions:

Bonnie Helms of Stewart Title, guest of Asst. Gov./Past Pres. Linda Bertuzzi (10-11)

Rena Hughes, Attorney, guest of Cameron Christiansen

Chuck Carson, Past President, North Fern, Indiana

Richard Cross, Russell Kansas Rotary

Our Rotary guests were here for the furniture convention and Chuck hopes to return for our Block Party in April.  Roger Bishop was glad to be back after a short leave of absence.

Announcements:

• Las Vegas Mayor's Cup International Soccer Tournament - International Chair Steve Reiter announced three homes have been secured for the visiting Haitian soccer team, but a few more are needed.  Housing, meals and transportation are involved for the kids and volunteers would be greatly appreciated.
• JDRF Soccer Day - Chair & Past Pres. Lane Kay (12-13) indicated everything is finalized for the 2nd annual JDRF Soccer event at the Las Vegas Indoor Soccer Park being held on February 9th from 10-12.  Rotarians are asked to be on hand to set up and serve/cleanup beginning at 9:30. 
• 4th Annual Block Party - Fundraising Chair Carla Smith updated us on the great progress being made for our Party on April 24th.  This is the biggest event we host and one of the most popular in the District due to its venue at the Fremont Experience.  There is room for one more Gold Sponsor, a few more Silver and a few more table sponsors.  But, honestly, if another Platinum Sponsor or two, are brought in, that would be terrific, too!  Tickets will be available to sell and distributed at the February 4th meeting.  Seven tickets are all each member is requested to sell.  It will take every Rotarian to make this the party of the year and Carla and her team are promising to take this one to the next level.

Past Pres. Paul Bell (98-99) received the first Presidential Recognition of the year for his wife's win of the Review Journal's drawing for a 2-door Fiat.  Of course, the fact that she upgraded to a 4-door didn't help as the recognition was upgraded as well.  Congratulations Wende!

Cross-fines - Michael Woodfield was at the center of several as he fined AG/PP Linda for not returning his Seahawks hat, and then took two fines for not allowing one of our guests speak when introduced and for sending his wife to Disneyland without the kids, which he corrected to being "told" she was going and that brought a few more dollars out of his pocket; to Patty Saavedra for not completing her Captain's duties the previous week; to the entire membership from Past Pres. Roger Tabor (02-03) because no one stepped up to take the free rugby tickets; and finally a selfie from PP Lane for his son's semi-finalist win in the mock trials at Faith Lutheran.

Two-time Past President Allen Puliz (04-05/06-07), who also serves as the Club's Foundation Chair, gave a presentation on the Rotary International Foundation and the Club's Downtown Rotary Charitable Organization.  All dollars raised at a local level through our fundraising efforts go to our Charitable fund, providing necessary resources for home builds in Mexico, water projects in India and elsewhere, RYLA & TLC scholarships, winning checks for Dan Stover, Four Way Speech Contest, Booker Thanksgiving, Easter Seals, among just a few, as well as the generous donations to Ronald McDonald House and Operation School Bell.  The Charitable Board meets three times a year and votes on the programs and funding requests received from the Las Vegas Fremont Rotary Club Board.  Thousands go through our Charitable fund each year, and the ability to continue to make these donations is due in no small part to the excellent work by our fundraising committees and membership.   The Board is comprised of:

Linda Bertuzzi, President

Dulcinea Rongavilla, President Elect

Albert Guida, Jr., Treasurer

Robert Goldstein, Secretary

Allen Puliz, Director

Jim Main, Director

Amy Tabor, Director

The history of Rotary International's Foundation began at the 1917 Rotary convention where outgoing RI President Arch C. Klumph proposed to set up an endowment "for the purpose of doing good in the world." In 1928, it was renamed The Rotary Foundation, and it became a distinct entity within Rotary International. "The mission of The Rotary Foundation is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty. The Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends of the Foundation who share its vision of a better world. This support is essential to make possible Foundation grant-funded projects that bring sustainable improvement to communities in need."  Contributions provide support for such programs as PolioPlus, Paul Harris and the Permanent Fund.  Millions and millions are distributed through grants each year to fund 6 areas of focus - water & sanitation, maternal & child health, basic education & literacy, economic & community development, peace & conflict resolution/prevention and disease prevention & treatment.  RI's Foundation's work and funding is extensive and is well covered in this brochure, which every member is encouraged to read. Rotary Foundation Brochure  This link Rotary.org Foundation will take you to the Rotary website for more information on how you can donate.