This Friday

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to get this out early due to my travels from tomorrow and not sure if I will have access to the internet.

Last week Mike Sommer, the co-founder of The Cookstove Project, gave an inspiring presentation and update on the work being done in Uganda and Nepal. He recently visited Uganda, so his sharing was fresh with new information, photos and a short video. CSP is now employing 25 there, that is helping to expand the work to more homes. In total, 11,500 stove have been built over the last 5 years and the benefits to the families in both countries is life changing. Rotary has been an important partner in making this possible.

This week Chris DiSisto, the director of Ivy Rehab at Club Fit, will be our guest speaker. I have been a patient there and my personal experience with Chris and his staff has been excellent. Also Chris was generous and recently purchased an $100 ad in our journal. Knowing Chris, this should be an excellent talk on the good work they do. I hope for a big turnout this Friday.

Also there is plan to have Holliday Party on Dec. 21^st. We will be sharing more details soon. If you have any ideas please feel free to speak up.

Mark J.
“The master of the garden is the one who waters it, trims the branches, plants the seeds, and pulls the weeds.” 
― Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration
Speakers List
Dec. 14^th Julie Callazo – About her work in reuniting refuge children

Dec. 21^st Christmas Party
Dec. 28^th ?
Jan. 4^th ?
Jan. 11^th Todd from Hudson Link

This Friday

Dear Fellow Rotarians,

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving and have fully recovered from over-eating and too much rest!

Our last Friday meeting, two weeks ago, was planned as a joint meeting, but due to inclement weather we cancelled and will reschedule. There were a few of us there, which was a good for a more intimate discussion.

This Friday, Mike Sommer, co-founder of The Cookstove Project, will share about his recent trip to Uganda and the progress and results from working there for over 5 years. Also, Rebecca, Mike’s wife and co-founder, went to Nepal recently to spend time with our staff there, so hopefully Mike will have time to share about her experience as well.

I look forward to seeing all of you tomorrow. Please invite a friend to come.

Mark J.
“Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.” 
― Robert A. Heinlein

Dec. 7^th Christopher DiSisto – Director of Ivy Rehab (Club Fit)
Dec. 14^th Julie Callazo – About her work in reuniting refuge children

Dec. 21^st Christmas Party?
Dec. 28^th ?
Jan. 4^th ?
Jan. 11^th Todd from Hudson Link

Happy Thanksgiving week!

 
Happy Thanksgiving Week!

As you probably already know, we will not have a meeting this Friday. I want to wish each  of you a wonderful time with your family and friends!

See you on Nov. 30^th.

Mark J.

Joint meeting

Hi Everyone,

Happy first snow day! Luckily this will be a quick shot with little accumulation! New Yorkers chuckle at these amounts!

Last week Rachel’s good friend, Terry Casey, who is the CEO of Volunteers of America came and shared about the services they offer. The good folk working with this organization deal with some of the most difficult situations arising in people’s lives. You could tell that Terry is passionate about this work, and her leadership is what moves others to engage as well. Thank God for people like her.

Tomorrow will be our first joint meeting in a while, with Elmsford and Ossining Rotary Clubs. Our speaker will be the famous and entertaining Amir Asadi. He will be speaking on making connections through Rotary. Despite the wet roads, please make special effort to come and welcome our guests and let them feel the warm embrace of our club.

See you tomorrow!

Mark J.

This Friday

Last week we had a good turnout in support of our guest speaker, Hal Rifken, a film producer. Hal is a fellow Rotarian from Palisades NJ and is a former Peace Corp Volunteer in Bolivia. He joined Rotary because of the similarity in service to others that both organizations promote. Mr. Rifken shared two short films that he produced, one of them was focused on promoting Rotary. He shared that he is concerned that many have no idea of the value that Rotary brings to the world, and through this medium of film he hopes to change this. 

This Friday our speaker is Rev Todd Farnsworth, from the Briarcliff Congregational Church. He will share about the current activities of this church in the community and beyond. I hear he is a very good speaker! As most of you know, this is the church that Rachael Leihbacher’s Father was pastor of for many years. Please come and support Rev. Farnswoth and if you can, please bring a friend. I promise he will not pass the plate! J

Also please bring your ads for the Journal for our upcoming fundraising. Eric is taking responsibility to get this journal completed in time for our event on Nov. 2^nd. Thank you Eric for all your hard work each year in getting this produced.

Mark J.

This Friday

Hi Everyone,

I hope you are enjoying the new chill in the air and the beginning of a colorful changeover!

Last week Andrew Katabchnick, a local CPA, was our guest speaker who shared about the new tax laws and how they affect us in the state of New York. He was quite a good speaker and made an sometimes boring subject very interesting.

This week our speaker is Hal Rifken, a fellow Rotarian and here is his bio:

Professional Profile: Filmmaker Hal Rifken began his production company in 1989 and has worked continuously for most all cable and broadcast networks.  His academic background in child development  has led to projects that include educational subjects (Considering Waldorf: Changing Perspective in Education), and human interest documentaries (Blue Like Me: The Art of Siona Benjamin; Dixie Queen--The Story of a 300 pound Drag Queen; and, most recently, Behind The Strings: The Shanghai Quartet). Hal's work has taken him to far flung locations in Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America. He is a returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Bolivia30), and a Rotarian. Hal and his family live in Leonia, New Jersey.

Let make it a full house in support of our fellow Rotarian and please bring a friend. I have to say our club is attracting some very good speakers recently, something I hope we don’t take for granted.

**Also please get out and get some Ads for the Journal. Even with my very busy schedule I was able to get 11 ads so far. I have heard that Rachael, who is also a very busy person, has secured 7 or 8 ads so far. The goal is 5 each, but even if you were to get 2 each that would make a huge difference in the funds we raise allowing us to help many more people. Believe it or not, it’s a joy when you nail down an ad.**

Mark J.