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 Jim

Metro Rotary will hosts its monthly fellowship social from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 5 at Shiloh Bar & Grill (402 East Broadway).

This is always an excellent opportunity for everyone to visit with fellow Rotarians as well as get acquainted with new members.  We hope to see you there!

PROGRAM - Tom Rose & Tom O’Connor, “Pet Food for Thought”

GREETERS - Mike Grellner & Jeremy Morton

INVOCATION/PLEDGE/ FUNDRAISER - Roma Wonneman

One of Metro’s primary charities this year has been the Douglass Bike Project.  In cooperation with PedNet and Douglass High School, Metro Rotary is proud to assist students in gaining reliable transportation, learning safe bicycling skills and becoming responsible owners of high-quality bikes.

Through this program, students in the Outdoor Science class at Douglass High School have an opportunity to earn a donated bike by refurbishing it and learning how to maintain it in good operating condition.  Qualified and experienced bicycling volunteers have donated their time and talents to assist the students in securing this independent mode of transportation.

A website has been created to help spread the word about this project, and you are encouraged to visit the Douglass Bike Project website at your convenience.  This site will show you how to “Like” the project on Facebook, provide donation opportunities and announce upcoming events.

Please continue to support this very worthwhile project!

PROGRAM - Dustin Stanton, Stanton Brother Eggs

GREETERS - Sally Beth Lyon & Don Ludwig

INVOCATION/RAFFLE/ FUNDRAISER - Tonya Wolff

PROGRAM - Marissa Fugate, 2012 Ambassadorial Scholar to South Africa

GREETERS - Steve Baumgarter & Win Burggraaff

INVOCATION/PLEDGE/ FUNDRAISER - Casey Buckman

The slate of officers for the upcoming Rotary year has been announced. Beginning July 1, Metro’s leadership will consist of:

President Marcia Machens
President-Elect Shawn Barnes
Secretary Gena Patton
Treasurer Rose Hayden
Past President Jim Sharrock

During the next Rotary year, Metro will celebrate its 20th anniversary. Metro was chartered on June 10, 1993 with thirty-four members.  Of that group, we are fortunate to have five who remain members in good standing:  Win Burggraaff, John John, Ginny Northcutt, Audrey Spieler and Jim Stock.  Please thank them for their many years of Rotary service.

We encourage everyone to continue supporting our leaders and our various projects. Metro has a well-established history of helping others locally and internationally.  Help keep this tradition alive!

met March 14 at the Columbia Country Club.

PROGRAM - Raymond Troy, Nine a Pair

GREETERS - Deborah Sabella & Mike Grellner

INVOCATION/PLEDGE/ FUNDRAISER - Ralph Butler

Since 1955, the Jefferson City Rotary Club has hosted Student Government Day for Missouri’s students. In the past, Metro Rotary has invited high school seniors and juniors to participate in this event, and this year will be no exception.

The day will consist of the students and chaperones meeting at Oakland Junior High school the morning of March 12, 2012. The students will depart at 7:45 a.m. via bus to Jefferson City where they will enjoy a day of learning about state government. Informative sessions within the Capitol will be held, and the keynote speaker will be Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster. Participating students will also be treated to a tour of the Supreme Court Building. Before returning to Columbia, the time honored tradition of stopping at Central Dairy will be observed.

Please contact Shane Winter if you know of students who may be interested in this opportunity.