Pledge/Prayer: President Peter
Brents Card Game Winner: Andy Anderson
Sergeants Report: Gerri
Gerri started by welcoming students, parents and school administrators and an enthusiastic congratulations to John Donnelly and his new wife who were wed last Sunday.
Raffle Winners: Johns wife, Brent Taylor, Bill Suits
Happy Bucks
Announcements:
Jason spoke about the Turkey Drive with Liberty Bank. To date, we have contributed $500 which is leveraged to $750 thru matching funds from Liberty. There will be picture taken at the bank on Main St. this Monday at 11am. Let Jason know if you can make it.
Marty spoke on the Wine Tasting. We need to get the auction items in this week. Even thought there is no official meeting next week, the building will be open and committee members will be present to accept items. The committe will have a meeting at that time as well. Items can also be dropped off at Gerri's house or Northeast Medical. The forms and letters needed for merchant solicitations, item detail forms and thank you's are posted on the web in the MEMBER DIRECTORY section which is password protected.
Jess Wenzel announced the passing of Gil Dunn.
Bill Suits announced there will be an Outreach Committee meeting following the regular meeting.
Peter Manley announced that there will not be a World Affairs Seminar in 2008. This popular program will not take place because after 31 years, the Univ. of Wisconsin at Whitewater decided not to host it and has terminated the agreement with RI.
Bob Chase announced the new slate of officers for next year. A vote will take place next month.
Students of the Month: See section in CLUB NEWS.
Program: Dan Dyer, Opportunity International
Dan spoke of this unique and innovative organization which provides funds for lending to businesses in depressed areas of Africa and the Phillipines. Opportunity International, one of the world's largest and fastest growing microfinance organizations, is committed to solving global poverty. Working in 28 developing countries in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America, OI provides small business loans, savings programs and insurance products. They also provide clients with ongoing training in leadership, business practices and personal development. Poor entrepreneurs use these tools to start or expand a business, develop a steady income, provide for their families and create jobs for their neighbors. Their microfinance programs and products transform lives, helping people work their way out of chronic poverty by giving them a handup, not a handout. Opportunity makes it a priority to invest in a nd support programs that serve the particular needs of women who are the majority of the world's poorest. Women contribute decisively to the well-bing of their families, and when empowered, serve as a catalyst for change among the poor.
People can make deposits in banks for as little as $5. A thumb imprint (illiterate friendly) card is given to the depositor. The average starting loan is $108 and the repayment rate is 98%. For 2007, savings deposits by the poor amounted to $255 million and total assets were $700 million. This program is a hand-up and not a hand-out, all loans are recycled and $1 going in resulted in $1.63 going into the program.
Dan provided a 2006 Annual Report. For more information, go to www.opportunity.org or call 1-800-793-9455.
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