Rod Hokenson, the club's International Service Committee Chair, introduced today’s speaker, Danilo (he said to call him Dan!) who spoke to us about his new role at SHU and about his native country. He said he’s been in the US for 5 years now and that all of his family was back in Brazil but saw his parents last December. He received his associate’s degree from JCC and just graduated from Siena Heights last week! He is their International Admissions Counselor. He really loves this country, he said.
His country, he said, in the middle of 2016 experienced much economic hardship due to the two largest companies there got into conflict and in what he called a scandal and the country’s president happened to be involved which led to his impeachment at which time the vice president took over. Another elect will take place in November of this year. Dan said that he was hopeful things would get better and he can already see an upswing in the economy now.
The Amazon, he said, was the largest forest in the world and runs through 9 countries with 60% of it in Brazil. His country, he said, was the only one where residents speak Portuguese and the other countries in South America speak Spanish. Brazil, he said, was colonized by the Portuguese around the 1500’s and brought slaves from Africa at that time. Immigrants then came into the country from various countries like England, Italy and Poland, he said. His grandfather was originally from Italy and that’s where he said he got his name.
Because it is a third world country, he said, it still has its share of violence but is hopeful that in the future it will become safer.
Dan spoke about the country’s famous carnival (traditionally between February and May every year) which originated in Salvador in the northern part of Brazil and said it has since expanded across the entire country and is very popular in Rio. The carnival is popular for its parades, fancy costumes, dancing and music, he said.
Brazil, he said, was the site of the 2016 Summer Olympics. While it did bring in many tourists, the buildings that were built for the games have since been abandoned unfortunately.
Dan will be tasked with recruiting foreign students from Brazil and other countries to attend Siena. He, himself, was a product of this same system to play soccer for JCC in 2013 where he played for 2 years before transferring to Siena. He will report to Fatmy Abed who joined him at today’s meeting and spoke to us some months back. He and Fatmy, Dan said, were thinking seriously about joining our club. Best wishes, Dan, for a very successful career at Siena.
Fines – Miss Pattie returned to fine these deserving members: DuMars (2), Nelson (2), Sack, Mark M. (2), Mary M. (2), Chase, Behnke, Herrera, Sherman, Williams, Burg (2), Wagley, Douglass, Moore.
Happy Bucks – Potthast, Williams, Burg, Hokenson (2), M. Tobey, P. Clark, and Davis.
Thank You Note – Cat Sala read a nice note from our 4-Way Test Scholarship recipient, Katie Hephner, thanking us for choosing her to receive $1,000 towards her education and will be attending Oakland University this fall and studying biomedical sciences. She was also chose by our club to attend the RYLA conference last fall.
Labels for Fluency Friends Books – Thanks to the following members who helped out on Thursday, May 18th at Michener Elementary: Mary Murray, Patty Clark, Gerry Burg, Sue Lewis and Yours Truly.
Onion Sales – Kathye announced that all onions can be picked up at Goodwill Friday afternoon before 4:30pm. Thanks to Nathan Salazar for once again storing them for us! And thanks to Kathye for spearheading this great effort again this year.
Pathways Engagement Center Work Bee – Thanks to all who helped last Saturday to finish the sides and begin construction of the roof. Check out our FB page for pics!
ERaceStigma 5k Run – Thanks to all who helped out downtown on Sunday, the 20th, with the Kid's Dash! Check out our Face Book page for pics. Kathryn S. was also on hand.
Meals on Wheels - They are in critical need of volunteers between May 21 and June I. Gerry Burg said that even if you can do it one day would be great. It takes about an hour and a half and you get paid mileage. Please see routes below:
Bike Tour 2018 – The next meeting will be May 30th at the Armory at 5:30pm.
Rotarian of the Year Award – Be thinking of a worthy person to receive the award this year. Forms are available from Prez Nate. Winner will be announced at the Changeover Dinner in June.
Upcoming Programs:
May 24 - Erik Gable - Croswell Opera House
May 31 - Kathye Herrera - M.A.D.D.
June 7 - DG Rick Caron
June 14 - Nicole Coulter - Haiti
June 21 - Changeover Dinner (NO REGULAR MEETING THAT DAY)
May 21 – Strokes for Students Golf Outing – Looks like we’ll have a full foursome, maybe 2, for this. Those signed up will pay $50 and the club will contribute another $50.
May 24 – Fluency Friends Open House – This as the date that will officially close out and celebrate this reading year. The event will be held again in the Library of Michener Elementary beginning at 9am and ending about 10am with coffee, donuts and light snacks being served. All members who have been a part of this great program this past school year should not miss this. Members who did not participate but can attend should also plan to do so. Mary also mentioned that the club donated $600 in books again this year students will be able to take home with them to read over the summer! Thanks, Mary, once again for all of the work you put into making this another successful year for students who benefit so much and whose lives are truly changed participating in this program!! March 18 will be the last day of this program.
June 21 – Joint Changeover Dinner - with the Morning Club. We have received word that DG Rick Caron will be attending!! More info coming.
September 22 – Lenawee Bike Tour - If you cannot serve on the committee but can help out during the actual one-day event on Saturday, September 22nd, please send Chip an e-mail to let him know. This year’s event will be a “timed” event for the more serious riders and begin at the Armory! Along with that, something for families and children (like a “slow” ride and scavenger hunt) is being planned.
GUESTS: Junior Rotarians Aidan French and Nick Greg and a number of others who served this past year.
2018-19 RI President Barry Rassin wants Rotary members to Be the Inspiration
Rassin, a member of the Rotary Club of East Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas, unveiled the 2018-19 presidential theme, Be the Inspiration, to incoming district governors at Rotary’s International Assembly in San Diego, California, USA. “I want you to inspire in your clubs, your Rotarians, that desire for something greater. The drive to do more, to be more, to create something that will live beyond each of us.”
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Rod Hokenson, the club's International Service Committee Chair, introduced today’s speaker, Danilo (he said to call him Dan!) who spoke to us about his new role at SHU and about his native country. He said he’s been in the US for 5 years now and that all of his family was back in Brazil but saw his parents last December. He received his associate’s degree from JCC and just graduated from Siena Heights last week! He is their International Admissions Counselor. He really loves this country, he said.
