Rotary and Oikocredit Launch Strategic Partnership

By Arnold R. Grahl
Rotary International News -- 13 April 2011

The Rotary Foundation Trustees have reached an agreement with Oikocredit International, a Netherlands-based cooperative financial institution that promotes socially responsible investing, to form the first strategic partnership under the Foundation’s Future Vision Plan.

“This strategic partnership with Oikocredit enables Rotary to work with a globally recognized leader in the field of microfinance in order to make a meaningful contribution to poverty reduction,” said Foundation Trustee Chair Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammar. “It allows Rotary club members to directly contribute their valuable expertise and skills without administering the loans directly.”

Individual Rotary clubs have worked successfully with Oikocredit partners in the past. In 2009, clubs in Kenya and the Netherlands received Foundation funding to upgrade dairy farms and establish training farms belonging to an Oikocredit-supported milk cooperative near Nairobi. The result was an increase in the quality and quantity of milk production.

What does Oikocredit offer Rotary?

Oikocredit is a cooperative financial institution that offers loans or investment capital to microfinance institutions, cooperatives, fair trade organizations, and small- to medium-size enterprises in the developing world. Investors earn modest financial returns and the knowledge that their money is being used to fight poverty and promote fair trade in an environmentally responsible manner.

Founded in 1975, Oikocredit has US$684 million (€480 million) invested in over 800 organizations in more than 70 countries, benefiting more than 20 million people through its microfinance partners.

“Knowledge and training are as important as financing,” explained Tor G. Gull, Oikocredit’s managing director. “Oikocredit’s financing relationship with local entrepreneurs and microfinance organizations means we also see the need to help them strengthen their capacity to develop further, both economically and socially. Rotary funding and expertise from volunteers will greatly facilitate this effort.”

Rotary Foundation Global Grants support large, international projects with sustainable, high-impact outcomes in Rotary’s areas of focus. Packaged global grants developed by the Foundation and Oikocredit align with the area of economic and community development. Because the administrative work of designing the project and finding a cooperating organization has already been done, Rotary clubs and districts can focus on identifying beneficiaries, providing technical expertise or direct service, and publicizing the project.

One hundred districts are participating in the Future Vision pilot, a three-year test of the Foundation's streamlined grant structure, which began 1 July. All districts will begin using the model on 1 July 2013.

Information on how pilot clubs and districts can apply for packaged global grants to work with microfinance institutions within the Oikocredit network will be available soon at www.rotary.org

Vol.65 No. 43 Notes from the Podium

Print PDF

President's Time

Since no one was really paying attention today we covered a lot of territory in the land of fruit and nuts.  Thornton, Colorado is outlawing spinning barber poles because after 600 years they believe it's too distracting.  New York  is outlawing wiffle ball and horse shoes  because they're "non-passive recreational activities with a significant risk of injury."  A Portuguese international fugitive who skipped out on his 2008 prison sentence was caught while driving solo in the carpool lane on the New Jersey Turnpike!  The Queensland Billabong Sanctuary has a depressed wombat because while the zoo was closed for repairs he missed the patting, photos, cuddles and posing for the papparazzi.  And last but not least, Russian police are searching for a portly hypnotist who hypnotizes elderly women and has them withdraw their cash for him.  Yes it's true, the world's gone mad!  But there's sanity at Rotary!

COMMUNITY SERVICE UPDATE:  School supplies for Copan, Honduras.  Bill Quesenberry collected $186 today in lieu of asking people to go shopping.  He will probably hit you up again next week.

VA Bingo is scheduled for Saturday, May 14th.  Sign up to entertain the Vets for two hours on Saturday.  You'll have as much fun as they do.

Tomorrow is 5th Friday

Join us

Hosted by Ed Morris and Abe Horowitz

It's only $10

Catering by Lovables

And all the Fellowship you can handle!

6 until 8 pm.

Congratulations to Felix Pardo

 for 23 Years  of

Perfect Attendance

AND he was here to accept his pin!

Thanks for all your years of service.

Patient and reliable, warm hearted but kind of jealous, Taurus natives are pretty swell folks like Carol Brock, celebrating on April 28 and (Swiss) Chris Tyson on the 30th..  Happy Birthday to you both!

Bob Downey is celebrating 28 years as a member of THE best Rotary Club in town!

Happy $$$$

Things were kinda quiet today, no dandy Randy.  No Diva.  But Past President Keith Phillips jumped in with the first happy $$$ and found a bunch more.  Keith was happy to have just returned from their place in North Carolina and he was treated to snow and spring all in the same two weeks.  Dogwoods and apple trees are officially in bloom.  Steve Spann was happy that his four month old daughter got a great check up yesterday, she's in the 50th percentile but she had an ear infection, got two shots and still didn't keep him up last night ... she slept through.  Kelly Sastre is happy to announce the coming of her third grandchild this year.  Daughter Tamara is expected to deliver on November 8.  Coincidentally her son Aris' baby was born on February 8 and her daughter Stacy's on March 8.  Sounds like they need to play the lottery soon.  Debbie Swain was happy that they located the lost teenager on their 60 mile bike ride over the weekend.  He rode 97.5 miles trying to find the rest of the group! Also Tuesday she and hubby John celebrate 31 years of marriage.  Joe Martini (Greg's son) was happy to announce that his mom, Nancy will be at the art show at Fairchild Tropical Gardens on Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 until 4:30 and at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden on Tuesday from 6:00 until 8:30.  Please come.  Not to be outdone by his friend Joe, Nicholas Trombly (THE Donald's son) was really happy that he got to go fishing at the Chokoloskee River last weekend.  He caught a bunch of catfish and Joe and Fred taught him to play cards!  Margarita Tonkinson was really happy to see all the children at Rotary today. Bob Schreiber  was happy that at Paws4You's biweekly pet event on Saturday, five dogs got adopted.  They're having their big fundraiser on May 14th and they're looking for silent auction items so if you have something to give, contact Bob or Judy Pantoja.  Felix Pardo is happy to have three kids. The first one is perfect and makes you really happy, with the second one you slow down.  There's 12 years between his second and third and his third has just made him REALLY proud.  He got a scholarship to Loyola in Chicago where his sister went and where she lives.  He's keeping the family tradition of going as far away from Miami as possible to someplace cold.  Happiness pays so keep on smiling!

Working Rotarians - April 28, 2011

Greeters - Katrina (and Rodney) Langer

Registration - Aaron Glasser

Collections - Carlos Bolado & Abe Horowitz

Head Table - John Wallace

Special Needs - Ed Morris

Open the Meeting - Greg Martini

Invocation - Miki Speijers

Pledge - Jon Arthur

Singers - Bill Quesenberry & Dan Scipione

DeWitt Law Silver Dollars - Gene Mariutto

Given to - Steve Magenheimer & Jack Witty

Pin Drawing Gift - Dan Scipione

Pin Drawing Winner - Joe Martini

50/50 Collections - Gloria Burns & THE Donald

50/50 Winner - Visiting Rotarian!

5 Way Test - Fred Baddour

 Today's Program

Daniel Armstrong, PhD
HOLTZ CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
Professor and Associate Chair
Dept. of Pediatrics, University of Miami

One of the largest children’s hospitals in the southeast United States, Holtz Children’s Hospital is located at the University of Miami / Jackson Memorial Medical Center campus, and is affiliated with the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Holtz has more than 110 physicians and specialists, 254 beds, and is among the largest teaching hospitals and research centers in the country. Holtz provides everything from routine medical care to specialized programs including a dialysis center and treatment for HIV, sickle cell, cystic fibrosis, and cancer. A single dose of HIV treatment given to a pregnant mother can reduce the risk of infecting her unborn baby from 32% to 2%. The neonatal intensive care unit has years of success saving the lives of even the tiniest premature babies. Infants as small as three inches have a 20% survival rate. Holtz leads the nation in neonatal and pediatric care.

Holtz attributes its successes to its staff – nurses, specialists, therapists, physicians, administrative, and support. Regardless of a patient’s income or ethnicity, Holtz provides the best pediatric care available. “We are all about the adults these children will become.”

NEXT WEEK'S PROGRAM:  Actors' Playhouse with selections from The 39 Steps.

Thought of the Week

by Diane Thurston

"The birds I heard today, which fortunately, did not come within the scope of my science, sang as freshly as if it had been the first morning of creation."

                                                        Henry David Thoreau

Scene Scenes

Join us next week,

same time, same place

same great bunch of Rotarians.

Roots by Cholly Capps

A Little History of YOUR Rotary Club

Twenty five years ago, Rotarians who visited our club took with them a very special make-up card. We had a Chamber of Commerce type picture post card with six beautiful cameo pictures of our community. It was pre-printed on the flip side with make-up information. The visiting Rotarian went away with a very nice reminder of our community. The home club that received the make-up card must have appreciated our extra efforts. Wouldn’t that be a nice touch to add back to our roots?

Vol.65 No. 42 Notes from the Podium

Print PDF

President's Time

This week Scrooge McDuck topped Forbe's list of the wealthiest imaginary characters. His fortune, mostly in gold coins, soared 30% to an imaginary $44.1 billion.  Jed Clampett of the Beverly Hillbillies placed fifth with $9.5 billion.

It was a bad week for a young man from Ohio who was charged with a misdemeanor for barking and snarling at a police dog, after telling the police , "The dog started it."

Then there was the New Mexico man who drove around for three days without realizing that his girlfriend in the passenger seat had died.  He said he thought she was merely asleep but grew concerned when her skin acquired a bluish pallor and drove her to the emergency room.

Judy & Madeline

COMMUNITY SERVICE UPDATE:  VA Bingo is Saturday from 1:00 until 3:00.  Come with us a play Bingo with the vets.  Two hours out of your life but it means the world to them.

Community Service Chair Judy Pantoja presented Madeline Kerr Ferry, President of Coral Gables Rotaract Club, a check for $500 for their volunteer efforts on behalf of our St. Patrick's Day Beer Fest for John Martin's. 


Don't forget to bring supplies to next week's meeting for the school in Honduras.  OR if you don't want to go shopping we will also pass the hat. 

District Awards

In addition to the recognition our club received at District Assembly for 2010-2011, PDG Jim Norton gave to two awards that got lost in his office and are long overdue.  During President Abe's year, (2008-2009) the Club also made a big impact.  Today Past President Abe received an Eagle for our contributions to The Rotary Foundation and Judy Pantoja received one for her outstanding job as Community Service Chair.  A little late but well deserved.  Congratulations to you both! 

Here we are at the threshold of Taurus, sign of the Bull!  Taurus natives tend to be reliable, persistent, self indulgent and inflexible.  Say Happy Birthday this week to Rosendo Castillo on the 23rd, Bonnie Blaire and Kelly Sastre on the 24th and Kirk Landon on the 27th.

Happy Rotary Anniversary this week to Jordan Steele who came to us from Kiwanis 29 years ago.  Also THE Donald Trombly (nobody knows how long for sure...) and Zoltan Pintar for two years.  Thanks for all your collective years of service.

PERFECT ATTENDANCE

Congratulations to PEE Walter Alvarez

He's celebrating seven years of Perfect Attendance.

And he was here today to accept his recognition!!

                Happy $$$$

Dr. Randy was nowhere to be found but today we know where Diva is!  She's laid up at home with a busted ankle.  NO she didn't do it at the Boston Marathon, she did it on her way there!  So THE Donald took over the position of chief happiness locator for today and first up was  Yoli Woodbridge who reported that Susan is very happy about the beautiful orchid plant we sent her but very depressed about her ankle.  Rosendo Castillo is happy that Saturday marks another year in his life.  He won't be here next Thursday, he's going to meet his newest granddaughter, 3 month old Zoe.  And he's glad that tax season is over!  Dick Golden is back from tulip land and had what he termed a "seasonal" joke about a priest who ran into a homeless guy with arthritis ... the punch line had to do with the Pope.  You had to be there  ... Walter Alvarez was happy and sad today.  Last week he told you about his pregnant cat.  She gav e birth to four beautiful kittens.  The other cat got jealous and killed one of them!  And two of the remaining have Judy P's name on them.  Frank Quesada is both happy and thankful for all in Coral Gables who helped him get elected, he's grateful for the old and new friends and thankful that three weeks ago his mom was declared "cancer free".   Then there's Abe Horowitz who seems to be turning into Rolf.  First he took over the Treasurer's job.  Now he's shaved his head to be bald.  Is this something we need to worry about?  And the worst part is that all his beautiful, dark, curly hair is gone!  Eddie Snow had an  unbelievable three weeks ... first there was the robbery in his store where he nailed the robber and held him until the police came.  Then he had to have unexpected open heart surgery.  But he's back and he looks great and it's wonderful to see him!  Judy Pantoja was happy today because she is blessed to know Bill Martinez.  A good friend, only 38, passed away unexpectedly and Bill took care of everything for the family as they don't live here in South Florida.  She will always be grateful for his caring and assistance.  Margarita Tonkinson is happy that we have submitted two excellent candidates for this year's Ambassadorial Scholarship awards.  There are seven applicants total for the district and four will receive the scholarships to study abroad for a year at Rotary's expense.  Also she's happy because they are moving tomorrow to their new office in Coconut Grove.  But she said not to worry, they're not planning to change their Rotary Club!  Happiness pays so keep on smiling!                                                                                                                     

WORKING ROTARIANS - APRIL 21, 2011

Greeter - Rolf Frankfurther

Registration - Aaron Glasser

Collections - Abe Horowitz & Carlos Bolado

Head Table - John Wallace

Special Needs - Frank Sexton & Lan Nghiem-Phu

Open the Meeting - Dick Golden

Invocation - Miki Speijers

Pledge - Steven Spann

Singers - Arne Themmen & Dan Scipione

DeWitt Law Silver Dollars - Bill Martinez

Given to - Madeline Fir Kerry & Michelle from Rotaract

Pin Drawing Gift - Dan Scipione

Pin Drawing Winner - Gene Witherspoon

50/50 Collections - Gloria Burns & THE Donald Trombly

50/50 Winner - Dan Scipione

5-Way Test - Greg Martini

50/50 Winner

Today's Program

The Rotary Foundation Annual Program Fund

Elihu Phares, District 6990 Rotary Foundation Chair 2010-2011

The Rotary Foundation has provided lifesaving immunizations in, loans for small business and scholarships to thousands of college students.  Conceptualized at the 1917 International Convention, the first donation to the endowment was made at the International Convention in 1918. Then in 1928, it was given the name, “The Rotary Foundation” (TRF).  I wasn’t until Paul Harris’ passing in 1947 that it began to gain the funding that has made it what it is today.

TRF is supported entirely by Rotarians and friends of Rotary. Expenses are borne by the interest on the annual giving, which is held for three years before becoming available for grants. Not one penny of the money given is spent on administration, and it is administered by volunteers.

There are three programs in TRF: Annual Programs, The Permanent Fund (Endowment), and Polio Plus.  Polio Plus has raised $900 million since it was started in 1985, and has been used to immunize 2 billion children.  In that year, there were 350,000 cases of polio. In 2010, there were only 1924 cases. So far this year, there are only 58.  The Permanent Fund is money that is never spent  It's where the money goes from the major donors, benefactors and the like.  Rotary wants to build the Permanent Fund to $1 Billion by 2020.

It's already three-quarters of the way there.  Only the interest from this fund is ever touched.  It's what pays the cost of administration for Rotary worldwide.  

The Annual Fund is what we are support when we give our annual sustaining $100.  This is money that comes back to each district within three years of giving in the form of matching grants, district grants, etc.  The Annual Fund provides Ambassadorial Scholarships, Rotary Peace Scholars, GSE Teams and all the many other wonderful things that Rotary does.  It's only 37 1/2 cents a day.  From Every Rotarian Every Year.  It's your obligation as a Rotarian.

District 6990 is one of the highest contributing Districts in all of Rotary.  Coral Gables Rotary is one of the most generous among all 51 cluts in this District.  We have much to be proud of including the Gates Challenge Golf Ball Drop which has raised nearly $300,000 for PolioPlus for our District.  But this year we're running behind.  We've only donated 64% of our $13,200 pledge to The Rotary Foundation for this year.  

So give till it feels good.  It's only $100 but it changes lives all over the world.

NEXT WEEK'S PROGRAM:  Daniel Armstrong, Ph.D., Professor and Associate Chair, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami.

Thought of the Week

by Diane Thurston

"What is the spirit of moderation?  It is the temper which does not press a partisan advantage to its bitter end, which can understand and will respect the other side, which feels a unity between all citizens ... In a word, which has faith in the sacredness of the individual."

Judge Learned Hand

Scene Scenes

 

Join us next week, same time, same place,

same great bunch of Rotarians!

Roots by Cholly Capps

A Little History of YOUR Rotary Club

As the five Old Town Trolleys went from spot to spot, volunteer tour guides pointed out the community’s historic locations along the way.

The skies dumped intermittent showers that night, mostly as we enjoyed the first stop at Venetian Pool. Northern Trust executives, Rotarians Glenn Perry and Bob Bauchman, stood at the entrance of the pool with a supply of umbrellas emblazoned with the Bank’s name.

At the Biltmore Country Club, dinner was served from a pasta station, a carvery and a grill. An artist quickly sketched colored caricatures of guests and had them mounted along one wall. The evening ended at Douglas Entrance, where Tom Gary’s law firm sponsored a dessert and coffee bar – along with music that kept guests dancing the night away.

Gables Promenade ’91, the first, raised over $20,000 for the Easter Seal Society of Dade County. We started at Douglas Entrance on Saturday evening, January 26. More than 200 people paid $100 for the privilege. We’ve come a long way baby, but let’s not forget our roots.

Foundation One Minute Message

Since January 1, 2011, thru April 12, 2011 there has only been one (1) case of Polio reported In India and one (1) case in Afghanistan. Five (5) cases reported in Nigeria. Pakistan reports Twenty Six (26) cases. Remember the acronym “P.A.I.N.” for the Four (4) endemic countries; “Pakistan, Afghanistan, India & Nigeria.”

ROTARY thru PolioPlus is so close to the goal set in 2009 of eliminating the wild Polio virus from at least two of these endemic countries before the end of 2011. Rotary’s gift to the world will be Polio Eradication! “BUILDING COMMUNITIES - BRIDGING CONTINENTS”

District Assembly Awards

Noelle & Sondra

Galperin Named Humanitarian of the Year

District Assembly is where the Rotary Club leadership goes to be trained for the new Rotary year (which starts in less than 90 days) and the outgoing leadership gets recognized for all that they have accomplished during the year.  Rotary Club of Coral Gables did pretty good!

Our own Noelle Galperin was the recipient of a newly created District Award,  HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR.  She was lauded for her outstanding work on behalf of Rotary International with the PolioPlus NID program.

Last year she accepted the position as Chair of the District Haiti Initiative well before the January 2010 earthquake. As with everything in which Noelle is involved ... she has done an outstanding job!

She was at the Assembly with her mother, Sondra to speak to the Haiti Initiative and to give out the first District Award for Service named for her late father, PDG Arnold Galperin.  She knew nothing about her own recognition and was completely taken aback by the award,  We are very proud to have Noelle as a member of the Rotary Club of Coral Gables.

The Club also won First Place for the "Best International Service Project for 2010-2011.  That is of course the project developed and nurtured by International Avenue Chair Catarina Jimenez and  Bill Quesenberry in Honduras.

Additionally, Coral Gables received Honorable Mentions for "Best Club Newsletter" for our Rotarygram Blog;  "Best Community Service Project" for Habitat for Grandma with Coral Gables @Home and for "Best Public Relations" for the way that we branded RCCG with our pin, our Rotarian at Work T-shirts, 5 Way Test and all of the ads and media for Chance & Dance.

And thanks to all of you and all that you did for the club, the community and the world this year, we also received the Presidential Citation from Rotary International.

All in all not a bad showing for one of 51 Rotary Clubs in District 6990!  Much to be proud of we have.

Community service project: school supplies in Honduras

On the trip to Honduras made by members of our international committee we visited an indigenous indian school in a remote area. The school was built and furnished by Rotarians who continue to pay some of the salaries to teachers. But the children lack basic pens, pencils, paper, crayon, etc.   For our April project community service is soliciting donations of such things; either the items or cash and we will buy them. Donations accepted April 21 & 28. Yoli has arranged for inexpensive shipment and delivery to the school.

Vol. 65 No. 41

Print PDF

President's Time

This week we heard all about the courts ruling that the Washington Redskins now have to provide captioning for all the songs played during their games so that the deaf are not denied the game experience. An Arizona teenager who cut himself and bled on the sidewalk was billed $2,000 by the City of Peoriafor the biohazard team  to clean up the droplets. And then there was the Florida lady who eats furniture stuffing?  A world gone made for sure!


COMMUNITY SERVICE:  Bill Quesenberry is leading a drive for school supplies for a village in Honduras that our International Committee is helping.  For the rest of this month bring school supplies, notebooks, pencils, paper, crayons and the like.  When we have a goodly quantity they will be shipped to Copan, Honduras.  And if you don't feel like going shopping, if you donate a couple of dollars the committee will do it for you. 

Veteran's EASTER Bingo is Saturday, April 23 from 1 until 3 p.m.  If you like to dress up like a bunny, join us.  It's only two hours out of your life, but it means the world to the Vets.  Sign up and help out.

APRIL 29TH IS 5TH FRIDAY!  And since Morgan Stanley Smith Barney has so many fine Rotarians in their employ, we're going to visit them.  Hosted by Abe Horowitz, VP Wealth Management and Ed Morris, VP Wealth Management AND Rotary Retention Chair, both of these fine individuals urge you to attend!  It's 6:00 until 8:00 p.m.. at 220 Alhambra Circle, 10th Floor.  Bring somebody with you, your spouse, your significant others, a prospective member ... it's all about fellowship.  Catering by Lovables.  $10 per person.  RSVP to Terry Long or sign up in the back of the room.

NEWS FROM THE SUNSHINE CLUB:  
Pat Morris is in Doctors Hospital with a busted ankle.  No macho story, he slipped on a seed or nut or something and had to have surgery on Wednesday. AND,  Eddie Snow had open heart surgery last week.  Word is that he is home, doing well and expected back in no time at all.  Keep both in  your thoughts.  Send them "healing vibes."

Daring, adventurous, creative, impulsive and intolerant, Aires is the "baby" of the zodiac.  Say HAPPY BIRTHDAY this week to Pat Morris on the 19th and Diane Thurston on April 20th.

We celebrate two ROTARY ANNIVERSARIES this week, Steve Magenheimer ("Go Canes") 20 years and J. Guarch ("Go `Noles") with 12 years.  Thanks for your years of Service.

Six Years of Perfect Attendance

for President-Elect Debbie Swain today!!

However she wasn't at the meeting

to accept her recognition (!?!)

Happy $$$$

Try though he might, Dr. Randy wasn't able to Groh Scholarships very much today ... he must be out of practice!  First up was RETENTION CHAIR Ed Morris who wanted everyone to sign up to come to 5th Friday at his place of business on April 29 because he wants members to be happy and have fun so that they are happy, satisfied members.  Bill Quesenberry was announcing the first-ever "Hire a Barbershop Quartet for Mother's Day" program by the Singing Miamians.  If you want to treat  your Mom to a singing holiday, call him.  Ted Pappas came up, mumbled something about Ed Morris and sat back down ... don't know if he was happy or not!  Felix Pardo was happy that his youngest is graduating from high school, he's finished playing hockey and he has no broken bones, torn ligaments or other assorted injuries.  And finally, Randy was happy that he too has a kid graduating from high school...his daughter the softball pitcher!  Keep on smiling, happiness pays!

Working Rotarians - April 14, 2011

Greeters - Rodney Langer & Rolf Frankfurter

Registration - Aaron Glasser

Collections - Abe Horowitz & Carlos Bolado

Head Table - John Wallace

Special Needs - Frank Sexton & Lan Nghiem-Phu

Open the Meeting - Abe Horowitz

Invodation - Miki Speijers

Pledge - Rosendo Castillo

Singer - Bill Quesenberry

DeWitt Law Silver Dollars - Rodney Langer

Given to - Rolf Frankfurther & Tom Dixon

Pin Drawing Gift - NONE

Pin Drawing Winner - Lan Nghiem Phu

50/50 Collections - Gloria Burns & THE Donald Trombly

50/50 Winner - Rolf Frankfurther

5 Way Test 

Today's Program

Is Your Retirement Plan Complete? 

George H. Braddock for CSI 

 Caregiver Services Inc., Florida's largest registry of skilled and compassionate caregivers enabling persons of all ages to maintain independence at home.

In case you think conventional health insurance during your working years or Medicare when you're retired will come to your rescue when you can no longer live alone, think again.  Both are designed to pay for skilled recovery care, not extended, long term care (i.e., nursing home).  Medicaid does pay for some long term care but only for those eligible for welfare.  And not in your own home, where you'd likely prefer to stay.

You can cross your fingers and hope for the best or plan now for that inevitable future.  Long term care insurance is much more affordable than most people think.  But most people wait until they've lost their health to plan for the future.  Buy it now, while you don't need it.  Odds are you'll use it.  61% of the policies are used.  They pay for in-home care, assisted living, ALF's and nursing homes.  

It lets you keep your dignity. It keeps you from worrying about who is going to pay for your care and how can you save enough in case you need it.  It's a great investment if you plan to live a long time!  

NEXT WEEK'S PROGRAM:  Rotary Foundation Annual Programs Fund.  Elihu Phares, District 6990 Foundation Chair.

 Thought of the Week

by Diane Thurston

FRIENDSHIP is the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe 

with a person having neither to weight thoughts

or to measure words.

Georges Eliot 

Scene Scenes

See you next week, same time, same place,

same great group of Rotarians.