Last month, we celebrated literacy.  This month, we put our reading skills to the test.  Everything in our lives depends on consistent, accurate and constant communication.  We receive Rotary communications regularly; through our weekly meetings, club emails, club website, district website and Rotary International.    

As part of your membership in our club, you receive the monthly magazine, The Rotarian.  This publication offers many insightful stories about Rotary projects and clubs throughout the world.  Over 1.2 million Rotarians are reading the same magazine in 23 languages. 

Please take the time each month to read through your issue.  I’m confident you will be impressed with the many activities our fellow Rotarians are involved in, as well as how we are able to assist people who do not have the same resources we have available.  If we want to promote Rotary to others, we need to be well informed! 

Thanks again for all you do to make Metro Rotary such a success! 

 President Cindy

PROGRAM -Robert Brooks, Classification Talk

GREETERS – Bette Wordelman & Mike Grellner

INVOCATION/PLEDGE/ FUNDRAISER – Sarah Perry

PROGRAM – Mike Randerson, Columbia College

GREETERS – Ginny Northcutt & Don Ludwig

INVOCATION/PLEDGE/ FUNDRAISER – Sally Beth Lyon

PROGRAM – Mike Brooks, REDI

GREETERS – Susan Hart & Jed Friedrichsen

INVOCATION/PLEDGE/ FUNDRAISER – Cathy Scroggs

PROGRAM – Dan Rothery, Boone Hospital Center

GREETERS – Stuart Scroggs & John John

INVOCATION/PLEDGE/ FUNDRAISER – Jim Stock

Metro Rotary has annually recognized a member of the community for his/her contributions to better the Columbia area.  Metro Rotarians are encouraged to nominate someone who encourages vocational excellence and practices high ethical standards.

Some of the past recipients include:

Robert Ross, Jr.-City of Columbia, Officer Shelley Jones-Columbia Police Department, Mike Hood-Columbia Parks & Recreation Department, Steve Sapp-Columbia Fire Department, Sheriff Ted Boehm-Boone County Sheriff, Judge Christine Carpenter-Drug Court & Mental Health Court, Mayor Darwin Hindman-City of Columbia, Captain Brad Nelson-Columbia Police Department, Don Laird-Columbia Chamber of Commerce and last year’s recipient Karen Taylor-Boone County National Bank.

From the nominations submitted, the Vocational Service Committee will select one to be awarded the 2011 Vocational Service Award from Metro Rotary. This award will be made at a regular club meeting in early May. 

For more information or to access a nomination form, please contact Lynda Baumgartner.

met March 9 at at the Columbia Country Club.

PROGRAM - Julie Lyman & Jack Clark, Robotics

GREETERS - Shatenita Horton & Mike Grellner

INVOCATION/PLEDGE/ FUNDRAISER - Jim Spieler

Metro Rotarians have played a large role in assisting charities both locally and on a much broader level.  While it is easy to look at the big picture, it is always helpful to stop and look at the most basic human needs and explore how we can assist our fellow men and women.

About six years ago, Metro Rotary stepped up its commitment to literacy by becoming Partners in Education with the Columbia Public Schools’ Title I Program.  On a regular basis, we have members who volunteer their time to go into local schools and read to children or have the children read to them.  This goes a long way in assisting the children and teachers with improving the students’ abilities to read and comprehend.  While this may seem a basic process, we must remember that “Being literate does not just mean the ability to read a book or a newspaper.  Being literate means being able to comprehend the instructions on a medicine bottle, a set of directions or a job posting.”  (Excerpt from G.E. Estess, Sr., Foundation Trustee Chair, March, 2010 message on literacy)

I urge everyone to strongly consider volunteering to read a book to a child this month even if you cannot work this into your regular routine.  I guarantee you will find the experience very rewarding.  Please contact Les Gelband, Tom Rose or Jim Cherrington for more information.

Thanks again for all you do to make Metro Rotary such a success! 

President Cindy