Rotary's Four-way Test

Posted on Jan 28, 2023
What is the Four-Way Test?  I became a Rotarian, this test resonated deep within me.  It is a way of being.  It is your soul.  It is the universe in which one operates. It is the foundation on which all else is built.  It is the universal ethical guideline for living a life of integrity.
Rotary's Four-way Test Stacey T Borden 2023-01-28 05:00:00Z 0

President's Basket

This is a message from our president, Stacey Borden.  Updated January 28. 2023.
Future meetings:
 
02/02/2023 @ 6 pm - Social Dinner at the Town Hall Tavern, No Zoom Meeting
02/09/2023 @ 1 pm - Lunch @ Reservoir Restaurant
02/16/2023 @ 1 pm - Lunch @ Reservoir Restaurant
02/23/2023 @ 1 pm - Lunch @ Reservoir Restaurant
03/02/2023 @ 1 pm - Lunch @ Reservoir Restaurant
03/09/2023 @ 1 pm - Lunch @ Reservoir Restaurant
03/16/2023 @ 1 pm - Lunch @ Reservoir Restaurant
03/23/2023 @ 1 pm - Lunch @ Reservoir Restaurant
03/30/2023 @ 1 pm - Lunch @ Reservoir Restaurant
04/06/2023 @ 1 pm - Lunch @ Reservoir Restaurant
04/13/2023 @ 1 pm - Lunch @ Reservoir Restaurant
04/20/2023 @ 1 pm - Lunch @ Reservoir Restaurant
04/27/2023 @ 1 pm - Lunch @ Reservoir Restaurant
05/04/2023 @ 1 pm - Lunch @ Reservoir Restaurant - Tentative
05/05-07/2023 NJ 60 conference @ Skytop Conference Center
05/11/2023 @ 1 pm - Lunch @ Reservoir Restaurant
05/18/2023 @ 1 pm - Lunch @ Reservoir Restaurant
05/25/2023 @ 1 pm - Lunch @ Reservoir Restaurant
06/01/2023 @ 1 pm - Lunch @ Reservoir Restaurant
 
Dennis Borden is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: rotary club of south orange
 
BTW, we're looking for speakers for the January dates to get the year a great start.   As we get them will add them to the schedule.  
 
Happy New Year!
President's Basket Stacey Borden 2023-01-28 05:00:00Z 0
Volunteering Gregory LaMorte 2021-08-04 04:00:00Z 0
REBOOTING ROTARY 2021 Dennis Borden 2021-04-07 04:00:00Z 0
Our Cub Supports Rescue Squad Events Gregory LaMorte 2020-08-29 04:00:00Z 0

Meet at 1 pm on Mondays on Zoom

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The Rotary Club of South Orange is now meeting are Monday at 1pm.
You can go in via zoom or just call in.  Please forward to anyone you want to invite.
Same info every week.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83278536776
Meeting ID: 832 7853 6776
Dial by your location
        +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
 
 
 
Meet at 1 pm on Mondays on Zoom Stacey T Borden 2020-07-20 04:00:00Z 0
South Orange Club Expands "Dictionary Project" Gregory LaMorte 2019-01-11 05:00:00Z 0

Let Us Hold a Fundraiser for Your Organization

We Support Other Organizations

South Orange Rotary in cooperation and support of the Reservoir Restaurant will hold a fundraiser for your organization.  We usually host the events  at 6 pm at the Reservoir Restaurant.  For a suggested donation of $10, you can meet new friends for pizza, salad, beer, wine, and soft drinks.   

For those who want to help, but cannot attend, Rotary  accepts donations for your organization.    

Let Us Hold a Fundraiser for Your Organization Gregory LaMorte 2018-04-03 04:00:00Z 0

Our Club to Partner with the Salvation Army

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On Thursday, November 11, the speaker at the South Orange Rotary meeting at Toro Loco in South Orange was Evelyn Hoppler of the Salvation Army.  She offered Rotary the opportunity to help our neighbors.  South Orange Rotary will collect food on "Giving Days" set for December 16 and 17 at the South Orange Public Library.  

Our Club to Partner with the Salvation Army Gregory LaMorte 2016-11-11 05:00:00Z 0

End Hunger 3.6

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On Thursday, November 3, District 7470 held a "Kickoff" for a program scheduled for Saturday, March 19.  This year, the Madison Rotary Club has invited the entire District to participate at Drew University on the selected date.  The goal of the project is to "assemble" nutritious one-pot meals that the project directors can donate to soup kitchens, food pantries and other charities. The meals come in three varieties: macaroni and cheese, macaroni with tomato basil sauce, and rice and beans.  Each package once assembled has six servings when cooked.  
 
This sort of project has been floating around District 7470 for several years, first in Wallkill Valley and now Madison.  Last year about about two hundred volunteers packaged about fifty thousand meals.  The goal this year is for six hundred fifty volunteers to package one hundred and fifty thousand meals.  This project is being financed by several entities in our communities.  The organizers are also asking each club to donate $250.  
 
The representatives of several clubs in Essex County each expressed very similar concerns.  Included in the list of charities designated to benefit were the Salvation Army, the Table of Hope and the Market Street Mission.  The Salvation Army labors throughout New Jersey, but the other two are Morris County concerns.  None of the entities has affiliation with the charities that our Essex County Rotary Clubs traditionally support.   It is our hope that our participation both financially and as volunteers with allow us input into the decision making process.
End Hunger 3.6 Gregory LaMorte 2016-11-05 04:00:00Z 0

District Governor Visits South Orange

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On Thursday, October 27, we were honored to welcome the 2016 Rotary District 7470 Governor to our Thursday lunch meeting..  She is Margit Rahill and she is a book restorer and book binder. In the near future, she will return to tell us more about her craft.  If you are interested in attending, please contact us at rotaryclubsonj@gmail.com  and we will place you on our distribution list.
District Governor Visits South Orange 2016-11-01 04:00:00Z 0
SASA 2016 Stacey Borden 2016-03-19 04:00:00Z 0
Rotary Commercial Stacey Borden 2016-03-19 04:00:00Z 0

Couto DeFranco Ranks HIgh As Tax Preparers

Posted by Janice Teetsell on Apr 06, 2012
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Patch recently did a survey on Tax Preparers favored by subscribers and guess who came out on top?

Patch readers from Maplewood, Millburn and West Orange voted for Couto DeFranco of West Orange.

  • Couto Defranco is a firm of certified public accountants and advisors. The firm handles accounts and taxes, estates and trusts and wealth management. It also provides consultation. They are located at 300 Executive Drive in West Orange. The firm is managed by partners Nelson Couto and South Orange Rotarian Anthony DeFranco.
Couto DeFranco Ranks HIgh As Tax Preparers Janice Teetsell 2012-04-07 00:00:00Z 0

March Facts

Posted on Feb 29, 2012
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 March used to be the first month of the year.  Great Britain and her colonies changed to the “New Style” or “Gregorian” calendar in 1752
and began celebrating it in January.

Like most months, March weather lore has many old sayings:

“When March comes in like a lion it goes out like a lamb.”

“A dry March and a wet May, Fill barns and bays with corn and hay.”

“As it rains in March, so it rains in June”

“March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers”

When the Anglo-Saxons converted to Christianity, they held their chief season of fasting at this time the month
'fast of lenet monet' which in time became 'Lent'.

Four U.S. Presidents. Andrew Jackson, James Madison, Grover Cleveland and John Tyler where born in this month.

(Thank you Glen Ridge Rotary)

 

March Facts 2012-03-01 00:00:00Z 0

Rotary and Computer Assisted Literacy

Posted by Janice Teetsell on Feb 07, 2012
This is a program first introduced to our District - D7470 - during my term as District Governor 2008-2009. Since then only the Neighborhood House in Morristown has taken up the charge. This video provides a new look at the program.
Rotary and Computer Assisted Literacy Janice Teetsell 2012-02-08 00:00:00Z 0

PEARLS OF WISDOM FROM CLIFF DOCHTERMAN

Posted by Janice Teetsell on Jan 29, 2012
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FRIENDLY FIRE OF ROTARY

·         Professional demands are different today than they were in the earlier years.
Some of us in the older generation need to give some leeway in our by-laws to meet the demands of the new generation.
·         You enjoy being in Rotary but never ask someone to share in your joy
·         80% of all Rotarians have never sponsored a new Rotarian – I can’t imagine that 80% of Rotary don’t have friends.
·         By publicizing/promoting what you are doing you have an opportunity to attract new members.
·         Friendly Fire: members who always greet a new idea with “we can’t do that”  or “we’ve never done it that way before”
·         Friendly Fire: Those who sit in the same seat each week – not sitting with others – cliques
·         Consider whether or not Rotarians who left your club thought it was a waste of time or it lacked Rotary substance
·         Are we living up to ethical and moral standards expected of Rotarians?
·         Do we value the time of the guest speaker?
·         Is the Club President prepared?
·         If I didn’t already belong to this Rotary Club would I join?
 
The speech was directed towards new Governors, but it’s message is just as potent for club presidents.  PRIP Dochterman advised that the District Governors do not issue edicts – neither do club presidents. Club presidents were advised to sit down with members who have slacked off to find out what is happening.

 

PEARLS OF WISDOM FROM CLIFF DOCHTERMAN Janice Teetsell 2012-01-30 00:00:00Z 0

KIWANIS - Our Guests on February 9

Posted by Janice Teetsell on Jan 16, 2012

 Our friends and neighbors from the South Orange/Maplewood Kiwanis Club joined us on February 9 for a joint meeting. The men wore their green Kiwanis jackets (PDG Janice wore her blue Governor's jacket). 

As we opened the floor to discussion it was clear that we have many things in common when it comes to service. Members of both clubs discussed why they made the choice to join either Rotary or Kiwanis. Service was a predominant reason for many. While Rotary has a wide-range of service interests, the major one being the eradication of Polio in the world, Kiwanis focuses on the youth - in fact their website describes Kiwanis' "raison d’être is helping children. Children at risk. Underserved children. The children who need help most".

The major fundraiser for South Orange/Maplewood Kiwanis is their Duck Race, held annually on Memorial Day - after all the speeches.
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Okay - the are not real ducks - rubber ducks - but they do float through the pond in Memorial Park and the winners get great prizes. This popular event has attracted as many as a thousand participants who urge on the ducks through six races.

The local Kiwanis meets at the Maplewood Country Club and we've been invited to visit for their lunch meeting which has soup and dessert!.

At the end of the meeting it was clear that Rotary and Kiwanis can come together for joint projects. Already we've planted the thought of how young people that they work with can take advantage of some of the youth-oriented programs Rotary offers. And of course there is helping out at the Duck Race.

KIWANIS - Our Guests on February 9 Janice Teetsell 2012-01-17 00:00:00Z 0

THANKS TO ALL FOR MAKING THE BLOOD DRIVE HAPPEN

Posted by Janice Teetsell on Jan 16, 2012
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 In keeping with the spirit of service in the observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Rotary Club of South Orange sponsored a Blood Drive in cooperation with the South Orange Rescue Squad. We did not get as many donors as we had hoped. Perhaps it was because so many people were away for the three day weekend. 

We learned that the Bloodmobile is self-sufficient with room for everything except volunteers and a bathroom. Thanks to the Rescue Squad for the use of their restrooms for donors. 

Many thanks to the Rotarians who volunteered to sit in the Rescue Squad - ready for questions. Many thanks to Stacey Borden for all her efforts to recruit donors and for putting up signs throughout South Orange and Maplewood.

This was only the first attempt - we look forward to doing it again.


THANKS TO ALL FOR MAKING THE BLOOD DRIVE HAPPEN Janice Teetsell 2012-01-17 00:00:00Z 0

2012-13 RI Theme: PEACE THROUGH SERVICE

Posted on Jan 15, 2012
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Image RI President-elect Sakuji Tanaka will ask Rotarians to build Peace Through Service in 2012-13. 

Tanaka unveiled the RI theme during the opening plenary session of the 2012 International Assembly, a training event for incoming Rotary district governors. 

"Peace, in all of the ways that we can understand it, is a real goal and a realistic goal for Rotary," he said. "Peace is not something that can only be achieved through agreements, by governments, or through heroic struggles. It is something that we can find and that we can achieve, every day and in many simple ways."

Peace has different meanings for different people, Tanaka said.  

"No definition is right, and no definition is wrong," he said. "However we use the word, this is what peace means for us. 

"No matter how we use, or understand the word, Rotary can help us to achieve it," he added. 

2012-13 RI Theme: PEACE THROUGH SERVICE 2012-01-16 00:00:00Z 0

STOP AND THINK??????

Posted by Janice Teetsell on Jan 14, 2012
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Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.

One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor.

I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman :where's the self-help section?" She said... If she told me, it would defeat the purpose.

If a deaf child signs swear words, does his mother wash his hands with soap?

If a Turtle doesn't have a shell, is he homeless or naked?

Why do they lock gas station bathrooms? Are they afraid someone will clean them?

Can Vegetarians eat Animal Crackers?

Why do they put braille on the drive-through bank machine buttons?

How do they get deer to cross the road only at those yellow road "deer crossing" signs?

How is it possible to have a civil war?

If one synchronized swimmer drowns...do the rest drown too?

If you try to fail, and succeed,...which have you done?

 Why is it called Tourist Season if we can't shoot at them?

Why is there an expiration date on sour cream?

Can an athiest get insurance against Acts of God?


STOP AND THINK?????? Janice Teetsell 2012-01-15 00:00:00Z 0

CONSIDERATIONS FOR A SERVICE PROJECT

Posted by Janice Teetsell on Jan 12, 2012
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 At a recent meeting we discussed potential service projects and how to choose what we could do. Here are some questions for consideration (courtesy of the Rotary Leadership Institute):

1. Can a Rotary Club do anything to help?

2. If so, can Rotarians do "hands on" or help? Remember that we are business owners and professionals and most important - Volunteers - there are limits to what we can do "hands on" - but "hands on" is can be more meaningful than just writing a check.

3. How much funding is required? Fundraising?

4. How can the project be designed? What is needed?

5. Will the project generate good publicity for the Club?

6. Can the members be "sold" on the project? Consider that unless the club "buys into" the idea, it can turn into a committee of one.

7. Is this a one-year project or a continuing project?

8. What other community resources are available or what other organizations should be involved?

9. What are the steps necessary to move forward?

The plus side to service projects is that they get members active and  involved. Membership becomes more than just coming for lunch and wonderful programs. Projects also introduce Rotary to the general community. Remember that Rotary is the best kept secret in town.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR A SERVICE PROJECT Janice Teetsell 2012-01-13 00:00:00Z 0

ATTRACTING MEMBERS TO ROTARY

Posted on Jan 04, 2012
(Editor's Note: Another great article from the Clubrunner Rotary Newsletter)

 

Let's face it - attracting members to join a service organization is not an easy task. In fact, oftentimes, we see that even though the majority of people are aware of Rotary, only a few know what Rotarians actually do. The prospective members that we try and recruit are often our friends, colleagues or family members. These are people that are easy to recruit because you share a personal relationship with them and can easily explain the work of Rotarians to them.

 

The question then arises, how do we attract those outside of our personal radar to Rotary? How do we attract the younger generation to become Rotarians? Essentially, it is about publicity.


ATTRACTING MEMBERS TO ROTARY 2012-01-05 00:00:00Z 0

TOP REASONS WHY MEMBERS LEAVE

Posted on Jan 04, 2012

{Editor's note: the following article was published in the latest issue of the Clubrunner Rotary Newsletter)

 

 

Whether it's a high profile company, an established conglomerate or a local club, everybody has a hard time keeping their best and brightest to stay. We often have those amazing members who volunteer a majority of their time towards club activities and have invested a lot of their time and energy towards the success of the club. These members join various committees, become executives and handle anything from menial to the most complex tasks. As a result, they become important to the club and to the rest of the club members. Sometimes, a simple acknowledgement isn't enough and it becomes difficult to retain members. However, in order to retain members, we have to understand why members choose to leave in the first place.

TOP REASONS WHY MEMBERS LEAVE 2012-01-05 00:00:00Z 0

Village President Alex Torpey to Discuss the State of the Village

Posted by Janice Teetsell on Oct 12, 2011
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 Village President Alex Torpey will be our guest speaker on Thursday, October 20. Since his inauguration as Village President Alex has been seen everywhere in town. His website at www.alextorpey.com offers an interesting look at what our Village President does in town - including a striking photo of Alex working with the Rescue Squad. Alex is the youngest person in New Jersey to run a municipality. A graduate of Columbia High School and Hampshire College n Amherst, MA., Village president Alex has been a hands-on official. Please invite your friends for a presentation that is sure to be interesting. The meeting starts at 12:15 pm and Alex will be speaking at 1 pm. 
Village President Alex Torpey to Discuss the State of the Village Janice Teetsell 2011-10-13 00:00:00Z 0

2011-12 SERVICE ABOVE SELF - A BEEFSTEAK FUN TIME

Posted on Oct 12, 2011

wh-4p-gd                You are invited to celebrate

South Orange Rotary’s

fifth annual

service above self awards

We have our honorees for this year's Service Above Self Dinner:

S.Orange Police Chief Jim Chelel; Photographer, musician, and journalist Marilyn Lehren; Rotarian John Mousseau; the South Orange Rescue Squad and Bayonne Community Bank (formerly Allegiance Community Bank).

The event will have an entire new feel - we're ditching the fancy locale and getting ready to chow down on steak - served on rounds of french bread, accompanied by french fries and salad. The famous Nightingale Caterers will serve steak (and chicken for those who don't eat red meat) until you say STOP on Sunday, November 13, 2011 in the parish hall of St. Andrew & Holy Communion Episcopal Church, 160 West South Orange Avenue, South Orange. Beer and Wine will be available along with baskets for a silent auction and a 50-50 raffle. Tickets are $50 ($60 for Rotarians) and a reduced rate for students. For more information email info@southorangerotary.org. 

2011-12 SERVICE ABOVE SELF - A BEEFSTEAK FUN TIME 2011-10-13 00:00:00Z 0

Thank You Gov. Jim for Lifting Our Voices in Song

Posted by Janice Teetsell on Sep 28, 2011

Image Rotary District 7470 Governor Jim Allison visited South Orange on September 22nd. The Governor has long been known for his musical abilities and sure enough he brought a few songs for us to sing. If you missed it Dennis Borden was heard singing. However his visit was not uneventful - in keeping with what can only be considered the "Governor's Visit Curse" Governor Jim had a problem - arriving in the area early Gov. Jim pulled into the South Mountain Reservoir to catch up on phone calls and other Rotary business. When it was time to come down the mountain to our meeting his car did not start. Flash back to last year's visit by Governor Maurie who got splashed (I think we had to take care of his dry cleaning bill). For future reference, DGE Avi - prepare yourself - make sure you have sufficient fuel/energy in your car when you visit South Orange and if it is raining - step back from the curb.

Thank you Gov. Jim and Assistant Governor Maureen for your visit. Thank you also to our guest from Madison Rotary who accompanied the Governor.  

Thank You Gov. Jim for Lifting Our Voices in Song Janice Teetsell 2011-09-29 00:00:00Z 0

Welcome Fall!

Posted by Janice Teetsell on Sep 18, 2011
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This weekend we will welcome Fall. Usually we are sad to see summer go but this past summer has been just a little too exciting. First there was the super hot temperatures - which were a factor in my decision to go "au natural" in the hair department. Then there was the rain, for which my front lawn is thankful. If you were on the third floor of an office building you got an interesting experience from the earthquake (yes 76 South Orange does sway) at the beginning of the week, followed by hurricane Irene at the end of the week. She threatened to cancel my trip to Florida, but we were spared - a few leaks and new firewood for next winter. When I was at Wallkill Valley Rotary last week a member give a happy dollar for the economic stimulus Irene - her distruction has resulted in new jobs cleaning and rebuilding. Then tropical storm Lee who did little to Florida while I was there made a mess of New Jersey. There is a theory that every time I go away New Jersey gets hit by the weather (remember the blizzards at Christmas and the end of January). Seems traveling in the summer is no less destructive. Now the temperature is dropping but after all - Fall is this weekend.

I missed two great programs. Tia Aery from the Interfaith Hospitality Network spoke about their theme of "Every Child Deserves a Home". On November 17 the IHN is hosting a breakfast meeting at Mayfair Farms at 7:45 a.m. to 9 a.m. The breakfast is free, the program is outstanding and Janice is a table captain - wouldn't it be nice to have a table full of Rotarians to hear about a program that provides temporary housing and services for homeless families. Then Tim Roebuck spoke about his travels - a program I really wanted to attend but I was in Florida - attending a 7 a.m. Rotary meeting in Lake Wales. For those who missed Tim, he was born in the UK, lived and work in the Republic of Ireland and France, and has been in the travel and tourism business for nearly all his career. Tim, for several years now, has operated Private Tours to Egypt, Jordan and East Africa. Tim had just returned from a fascinating trip to 'post revolution' Egypt. A Maplewood resident, Tim is leading a Volunteer Team of local participants to earthquake ravaged Haiti this coming November, for what will be Tim's second trip to Haiti.

For those who missed the President's Ball - a good time was had by all.

This week our District Governor Jim Allison is coming for his official visit. This would be a good time to invite prospective members.

In the coming months we are preparing for our Service Above Self Awards - this year we are having a Beefsteak Dinner close to home in South Orange - much less formal and much more fun. Everyonse is encouraged to sell tickets - our honorees are all distinguished in their specific areas and we want to fill the parish hall of St. Andrew & Holy Communion with friends and family - and raise funds to continue doing good in the community and the world.

Bright moments. 

Welcome Fall! Janice Teetsell 2011-09-19 00:00:00Z 0

School Supplies Delivered to Interfaith Hospitality Network

Posted by Janice Teetsell on Aug 26, 2011
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 (Photo: Tia Aery, Executive Director of Interfaith Hospitality Network accepting the donation of school supplies from the Rotary Club of South Orange)

(The following letter was sent to Club President PDG Janice Teetsell) 

 
Dear Janice,
 
On behalf of Interfaith Hospitality Network of Essex County (IHN), I would like to thank the South Orange Rotary Club for responding to our back-to-school drive by donating new school supplies.  We will provide these items to children in our network as they're heading back to school. As you can imagine, this makes a big difference for parents who are already burdened with financial responsibilities that are hard to meet. It's also a boost for children to be able attend school with the supplies they need.
 
At IHN, besides helping families with emergency shelter, we also try to stick with them after they move to their own homes so they can become truly self-sufficient. A new program that we will be launching in September is after-school tutoring and enrichment activities for children five days a week. This not only helps the students with their academic work, but it also limits the expense of childcare for our working parents.
 
Again,we thank the Rotary Club for their generosity and hope you will relay our gratitude to the members.
 
Blessings,
 
 
Ellen Donker
Development Associate
 
 

School Supplies Delivered to Interfaith Hospitality Network Janice Teetsell 2011-08-27 00:00:00Z 0

There's A Song In My Heart - But I Can't Remember the Tune

Posted by Janice Teetsell on Aug 24, 2011

 PP Dennis Borden shared a bunch of interesting South Orange Rotarty artifacts. One interesting artifact is the theme for Rotary Club of South Orange:

 Come to South Orange,

We welcome you here;

Rotary is bound to be

A help and good cheer 

So here is our handshake,

We greet you till then;

Do your bit

with fine fellowship

that lasts to the end.

Can you help us by providing a tune??? 

There's A Song In My Heart - But I Can't Remember the Tune Janice Teetsell 2011-08-25 00:00:00Z 0

A Look Back at the Rotary Club of South Orange

Posted by Janice Teetsell on Aug 24, 2011
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 Dennis Borden, now our most senior member, shared his memories and memorabilia with the Club at a recent meeting. A primary artifact of our history was the original Rotary bell from 1926 which bears the names of the charter members of the Rotary Club of South Orange. Dennis displayed numerous newspaper articles about the Rotary Club of South Orange: "Rotary Restaurant" announces the move to Pagliacci's Ristorante at 74 First Street; "Just Clowning Around" featured a lesson in balloon art from Jack Laggan, a part-time professional clown; "S. Orange Rotary Club goes to bat for baseball-loving Dominican youths" describing our collection of sporting equipment that was sent to the Dominican Republic, thanks to the efforts of Doug Donovan, a former Peace Corps volunteer and past club president. Perhaps the most dramatic clipping referred to the time that former Village Administrator Joseph D'Arco (a Rotarian) was saved from choking on a piece of steak by two members who used the Heimlich Maneuver to save his life. Perhaps this is why we don't have steak at our meetings anymore. 

On August 25 Dennis brought the South Orange Monopoly game to the meeting to show off a former fund-raiser. Right now it is a chance to see the businesses that are no longer in South Orange. Wouldn't it be nice to do a new one for 2011.

A Look Back at the Rotary Club of South Orange Janice Teetsell 2011-08-25 00:00:00Z 0
INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK Janice Teetsell 2011-08-19 00:00:00Z 0

AUGUST MESSAGE FROM RI PRESIDENT KALYAN BANERJEE

Posted by Janice Teetsell on Aug 01, 2011
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My dear brothers and sisters in Rotary, 

There is an old saying in India: “When you help your neighbor’s boat across the water, you find that your own has reached the shore.” By helping others, we often find that we have helped ourselves as well.

Each of us came to Rotary to serve – and found the joys and satisfactions of friendship and fellowship. In August, the month we dedicate to membership and development, we focus on spreading the message of Rotary. By serving well, without hiding our Rotary light under the proverbial bushel, we find ourselves closer to our own goal: a stronger, more vibrant Rotary for generations to come.

Public image and membership go hand in hand. Too many people – intelligent, educated, involved people – simply have no idea what Rotary is. This is something we need to confront. We have heard again and again about communities where, despite all the good work that Rotary clubs do, many people are unaware that those clubs even exist. This is not the way forward for our organization.

Serving well is the essential first step – but it is only the beginning. We have to raise our profile with all the tools that are available to us, and there are more tools today than there ever were. We have to use social media such as Twitter and Facebook, and we have to be sure our clubs have an online presence. Having a website is not enough; it must be up to date, it must be appealing, it must reflect the work we are doing. And it must offer a way for prospective members, once they see what we do and become interested, to take the next step.

Rotary has so much to offer. It is up to us to let others know what a fantastic organization we have, and to show people how they can integrate Rotary into their lives. Service does require time, and time is something nobody has enough of these days. So we need to ensure that all the time we spend with Rotary is worthwhile – that it is rewarding and never wasted. When we reach within ourselves and our clubs, when we learn what we are capable of and harness that power, we will elevate our communities as never before – and elevate Rotary as well.

Kalyan Banerjee 
President, Rotary International

AUGUST MESSAGE FROM RI PRESIDENT KALYAN BANERJEE Janice Teetsell 2011-08-02 00:00:00Z 0

IT'S SCHOOL SUPPLY SEASON!

Posted by Janice Teetsell on Jul 26, 2011
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Every year the Rotary Club of South Orange has been collecting school supplies in the summer to distribute in September. This year we have received an appeal from the Interfaith Hospitality Network. As always, PDG Janice Teetsell will offer to take donations. We need to have them by the August 18th meeting so that they can be delivered on August 23rd to the Interfaith Hospitality Network's office.
 
Can you help us as we collect gift cards and new supplies so IHN children have those brand new #2s and spiral notebooks for the upcoming school year?  Below is a list of needed items to guide your shopping:
 
  • gift cards to Target, Staples, and Office Depot
  • notebooks (spiral & composition)
  • pens
  • #2 pencils
  • colored pencils
  • crayons
  • pens
  • scissors
  • index cards
  • highlighters
  • binders
  • dividers
  • three-hole punch paper
  • erasers
  • pencil cases
  • glue sticks

Thank you in advance for your generosity!
 
Blessings,
 
Tia Aery
Executive Director
IT'S SCHOOL SUPPLY SEASON! Janice Teetsell 2011-07-27 00:00:00Z 0

MARY JO DeFRANCO WINS PARK SIGNAGE COMPETITION

Posted on Jul 19, 2011
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 (Reprinted from THE PATCH, Marsha Worth reporting)

Mary Jo DeFranco, South Orange resident and owner of Signal Graphics, created the award-winning design for new signs that will appear in Village parks later this year.

Mary Jo DeFranco, South Orange resident and owner of Signal Graphics, created the award-winning design for new signs that will appear in Village parks later this year.

"I'm thrilled," said DeFranco on Monday night, when she was recognized at the Board of Trustees meeting. Trustee and Design Review Committee member

"I'm thrilled," said DeFranco on Monday night, when she was recognized at the Board of Trustees meeting. Trustee and Design Review Committee member Nancy Gould awarded DeFranco a $250 credit good towards recreation and cultural arts programming offered by The Baird, including badges, classes, concerts, and recreational programming. 

"We'll use it for recreation," said DeFranco, "or sports."

The new design will appear on two types of signs, entry signs that identify each park, and park rules and regulations signage.

Congratulations to Mary Jo DeFranco!

(Editor's note: Mary Jo is the wife of our Club Treasurer, Anthony DeFranco and a long-time supporter of the Rotary Club of South Orange)


MARY JO DeFRANCO WINS PARK SIGNAGE COMPETITION 2011-07-20 00:00:00Z 0

New Dues Structure

Posted by Anthony DeFranco on Jul 12, 2011
 The Rotary Club of South Orange has increased our annual dues. The new dues structure is $350 per year, billed $87.50 per quarter. The new dues structure will allow us to fulfill our commitments to Rotary International and District 7470 and still have funds available for club obligations. This is separate from the lunch fee which is $16 per meeting and payable either at the meeting on quarterly. Treasurer Anthony DeFranco is sending out invoices for the quarterly dues this month.
New Dues Structure Anthony DeFranco 2011-07-13 00:00:00Z 0

Lucia Simon Marcos - What a Year It Has Been

Posted by Janice Teetsell on Jul 12, 2011
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 It's the end of the year for the Youth Exchange Program and even now our YEP student, Lucia Simon Marcos, from Madrid, Spain, is traveling across the United States on a bus with YEP students from around the region. Only four of the nine D7470 YEP students went on the trip. Unfortunately Lucia lost her phone on her first night of the trip - in Washington, DC - so we have no reports on her visit - but we are hoping to get a full report before she returns home.

After a year of rigorous academics, studying for the college exams, and learning how to speak a language that was almost totally foreign to her when she arrived last August, Lucia, now 18 has grown up. This photo of Lucia and YEP student Sebastian (Mexico) portrays a much more grown up Lucia than when she first arrived last August. During the year her English improved dramatically, she experienced a night at Yankee Stadium, the King Tut exhibit. sleep-over parties, her first experience in the cold of the Poconos (which she described as Siberia), playing in the snow with other YEP students in Mount Olive, watching the cadets at Annapolis, visiting a college campus with her first host sister Lindsey Carter, and the hospitality of numerous people who offered Lucia a taste of New Jersey hospitality.

 

Lucia Simon Marcos - What a Year It Has Been Janice Teetsell 2011-07-13 00:00:00Z 0

COUTO DeFRANCO TEAM TAKES BABE RUTH CHAMPIONSHIP

Posted by Janice Teetsell on Jun 19, 2011
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(reprinted from Patch)

 The boys of summer are the Couto DeFranco team, winner of the Babe Ruth Championship, 2011. 

Celebrating their victory, the team includes: Jordan Blackwell, Ryan Davis, David Defranco, Zachary Heinze, Noah Hessdorf, Colm Lannigan, Jack Marsden, Jimmy Martinez, Ryan Murphy, Jesse Peterson, George Poulos, Alex Rafkin, Bennett Silver, and Wyatt Vorderer, under coaches Jim Murphy and Larry Vorderer.

Congratulations! Especially to proud papa and team sponsor Anthony DeFranco, father of David, South Orange Rotary Treasurer, and CPA extraordinaire.
COUTO DeFRANCO TEAM TAKES BABE RUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Janice Teetsell 2011-06-20 00:00:00Z 0

ANTHONY DeFRANCO - Taxes Can Be Fun

Posted by Janice Teetsell on May 13, 2011
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The normally serious Anthony DeFranco, CPA, actually lit up as he gave his vocational talk on taxes. After testing the waters for other potential occupations, a young Anthony found that numbers were fascinating. And while his photo may suggest he is very SERIOUS, just ask Anthony about tax regulations and he gets almost giddy. 

Anthony established his firm, Couto, DeFranco and Magone (now Couto, DeFranco, P.A.)  in South Orange in 1992 at 15 Village Plaza, a location he maintained for at least 15 years before he moved to West Orange, across from Essex Green. He joined the Rotary Club of South Orange in 1992 - on the invitation of Sigrid Novak, Welcome Wagon Lady (there are other South Orange Rotarians can thank Sigrid for introducing them to Rotary). Anthony has served in various positions in Rotary, including Club President, and is now the Club Treasurer.

Anthony's firm not only handles taxes, but also handles estate planning and administration. His presentation offered insights into new regulation over the tax return preparer industry (as of December 2009 between 900,000 and 1.2 million individuals were preparing taxes for a fee - and a large share of those individuals did not have to pass any government or professionally mandated competency requirements before they prepared a tax return). New regulations will require registration of tax preparers, competency testing of all preparers who are not attorneys, certified public accountants or enrolled agents, and continuing professional education. 

Anthony also provided a Summary of Tax Relief regulations and some of the penalties that exist for those who want to bypass the regulations. Time ran out before Anthony could get further into the really interesting information - sounds like another program on taxes in the future. 

ANTHONY DeFRANCO - Taxes Can Be Fun Janice Teetsell 2011-05-14 00:00:00Z 0

DISTRICT CONFERENCE - Invasion of the Youth Exchange

Posted by Janice Teetsell on May 07, 2011
This year's District Conference was held at historic Annapolis. South Orange Rotary Club President Stacey and Dennis Borden represented our club at the annual event hosted by District Governor Maurie Mader. The first picture shows our Governor's graceful moves with the Youth Exchange Students and the Group Study Exchange team from Colombia - the second photo showcases our YEP students with their host clubs. Obviously a good time was had by all.
DISTRICT CONFERENCE - Invasion of the Youth Exchange Janice Teetsell 2011-05-08 00:00:00Z 0

Travelogue - The Bordens Visit Vietnam

Posted by Janice Teetsell on May 04, 2011
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So. Orange Rotary Club President Stacey Borden and Past President Dennis Borden shared a fraction of their 500+ photos of their visit to Vietnam at a recent club meeting.

Like any good travel adventure, they opened with their presentation with photos from open air market and cooking class. The culinary delights of Vietnam were interesting - just what did the normally conservative Dennis eat? He was smiling in the photo and Stacey looked absolutely cheerful in her apron. The vivid photos of a lushly green landscape and a culture heavily dependent on water transportation, Dennis and Stacey shared their experiences of traveling from the south to the northern portion of Vietnam, meeting people, sharing experiences, making friendships.And of course no trip is complete without shopping. We've seen some of Stacey's elegant acquisitions of attire but apparently Dennis won the spending contest in apparel. A visit to the Borden residence will also reveal the two magnificent art pieces they purchased from a now world-renown artist.

Many thanks to Stacey and Dennis for sharing their adventures. 

Travelogue - The Bordens Visit Vietnam Janice Teetsell 2011-05-05 00:00:00Z 0

THE STUDENT/PARTNER ALLIANCE

Posted by Gregory LaMorte on Apr 13, 2011
 On April 14, at our Thursday lunch meeting we had the pleasure of hearing Bruce Reitz speak about the Student/ Partner Alliance.  Their motto is “Self Sufficiency Through Education.” Their mission is to support inner city high school students in New Jersey with tuition assistance and mentoring.  Their aim is to increase their chances for college admission and scholarships, and to ultimately lead successful and productive lives.
 
Their premise is that education is the greatest means to long term self-sufficiency.  They recruit like-minded “partners” willing to provide a four-year personal and financial commitment to motivated “at-risk” high school students residing in Newark, Jersey City, Bayonne, the Oranges, Elizabeth, and Montclair. 
 
Through Student/Partner Alliance, each partner sponsors a student in a nurturing, results-oriented high school in that student’s local community.   The result is of the combination of a private school education and the influence of a mentoring partner increases graduation rates from 50% to 98%!


 
THE STUDENT/PARTNER ALLIANCE Gregory LaMorte 2011-04-14 00:00:00Z 0

STRAP ON YOUR SNEAKERS FOR WALKFEST

Posted by Susan Bonanni on Apr 13, 2011

 It's that time again - time to gather your pledges and put on your walking shoes for WALKFEST. 

What's WALKFEST? District 7470's annual walk in the park to raise money for END POLIO NOW and to help Rotary Clubs and local non-profit community organizations at the same time. For more than a dozen years the Rotary Club of South Orange has benefited from WALKFEST (formerly known as WALK FOR THE WORLD). We have received 50% of every dollar we collected back from WALKFEST and received Foundation credits for the other 50% that goes to the Rotary Foundation. For the last couple of years the Foundation share has gone to END POLIO NOW as we seek to meet the Bill Gates Challenge and raise $200 million to eradicate polio.

This year there are two locales for WALKFEST - Loantaka Brook Reservation in Morris Township and Waterloo Village in Budd Lake.  It starts at 9 am and ends at 2 pm. Refreshments are plentiful - Larry Ripley was the grill chef at Loantaka - making lots of delicious hot dogs. Baked goods are available as well as coffee and cold drinks. Loantaka is a beautiful park and its trail is great for walking, running, roller blading and biking. And yes you can bring your pet(s).

For more information visit www.walkfest.info, or contact Margit Rahill at 973-361 -2810 or at turul1@aol.com. Locally you can get more information from Susan Bonanni at sbonanni@allegiancebank.com

STRAP ON YOUR SNEAKERS FOR WALKFEST Susan Bonanni 2011-04-14 00:00:00Z 0

JOINT FOOD DRIVE

Posted by Gregory LaMorte on Apr 03, 2011
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The South Orange/Maplewood Interfaith Holocaust Remembrance Committee and the Rotary Club of South Orange have teamed up to co-sponsor a Food Drive to benefit the Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges.

Collection sites are located throughout downtown South Orange, and new locations are being solicited.

Items needed include: baby formula canned meat, canned fish, canned fruit, rice, macaroni products, peanut butter, jelly, cereal, powdered milk, etc. No glass jars or perishable food please.

For more information contact Dr. Greg LaMorte at drlamorte@perio.org or the South Orange/Maplewood Interfaith Holocaust Remembrance Committee at rememberandtell@yahoo.com. 

JOINT FOOD DRIVE Gregory LaMorte 2011-04-04 00:00:00Z 0

LETTER FROM GOV. MAURIE RE: AID TO JAPAN

Posted by Janice Teetsell on Mar 30, 2011
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Dear Fellow Rotarians,
    We are all saddened by the disaster in Japan and being Rotarians, we are anxious to provide support and disaster relief.
 
     As you may know, Our District has had a long and productive relationship with District 2670 in Japan, primariley through our annual Ross Redmond Youth Exchange. Whereas we would like to focus all of our long term efforts through that district we cannot send Rotary Foundation Dollars there as the rules state the money must go to the affected area. However, The District Foundation Committee voted to send $10,000 District Designated Funds (DDF) to Japan for the immediate disaster effort and are doing so through The RI "Japan 2011 Disaster Relief Fund ". This fund was established to funnel both donations and possible grants directly to the affected areas.  These funds will be administered by Rotarians. Thanks to the support of Rotarians in our district 3 years ago, through Annual Giving, we were able to direct this funding quickly and efficiently. (This fund is accessible through Rotary.org)
 
    Our second approach will be toward the more long term long-range recovery and restoration effort.
    The Madison Club has generously offered to serve as a conduit for the long term relief of designating support through the Madison Rotary Foundation, an IRS 501 (c) 3 entity. By doing so, contributions will qualify for tax deductibility.
If your club, it’s members, or anyone in your community would like designate support through this channel, please make the checks payable to: The Madison Rotary Foundation, PO Box 130, Madison, NJ 07940. Please mark checks “Japan Relief “.
 
As you can see, our district has a two-pronged approach to providing immediate disaster relief as well as a vehicle to address the more long-range recovery and restoration effort. If any of you have Rotarian Contacts in Japan, please let us know. If your club has a plan of action to help, please continue your efforts and let us know what you are doing. We are trying to communicate the District Initiative and offer a method to link to our friends in District 2670. 
 
What has and is happening in Japan is a terrible tragedy. Working together as Rotarians we will do all we can to help the people of Japan return to some semblance of normalcy; it’s what Rotarians do best. Thank you for your caring.


 Maurie Mader and The District Foundation Committee
 District 7470
 Governor 2010-11
 Rotary of Parsippany-Troy Hills NJ 
LETTER FROM GOV. MAURIE RE: AID TO JAPAN Janice Teetsell 2011-03-31 00:00:00Z 0

OUR NEWEST MEMBER: SUSAN BONANNI

Posted by Janice Teetsell on Mar 27, 2011
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District Governor Maurie Mader made a special visit to South Orange to officially welcome our newest member Susan Bonanni - a vice president at Allegiance Bank in South Orange. Susan, who started at Allegiance on February 1, immediately started coming to meetings in February.

Susan was born and raised in Boonton, NJ, and still lives there. She has two children, a 33 year old son and a 26 year old daughter. She has been in banking for 38 years.

 Gov. Maurie and Susan hit it off immediately - seems that Susan has been known to visit the bowling alley where Gov. Maurie and his team from Parsippany-Troy Hills have an on-going effort to outshine bowlers from throughout the District. An old acquaintance of Susan's is also a bowling Rotarian. No word as to whether South Orange will engage in District bowling.

Our apologies to Gov. Maurie - this was a more expensive trip for him than originally expected. Seems an inconsiderate driver drove through a puddle and splashed the Governor's grey pants. Then our eager traffic police ticketed his car for overstaying his meter - just when PP Dennis Borden announced he is now a commissioner on the Parking Authority!

OUR NEWEST MEMBER: SUSAN BONANNI Janice Teetsell 2011-03-28 00:00:00Z 0

Thank You South Orange Rescue Squad

Posted by Gregory LaMorte on Mar 23, 2011
Greg LaMorte presented a check to Don Boyle, President of the South Orange Rescue Squad at our March 24th meeting. In his thanks for the donation, Don noted the long relationship that our club has had with the Rescue Squad. The all volunteer rescue squad responds to approximately 1200 calls a year. We look forward to continued opportunities to work with and assist the Rescue Squad. 
Thank You South Orange Rescue Squad Gregory LaMorte 2011-03-24 00:00:00Z 0

COMMUNITY PROJECT IDEAS

Posted by Janice Teetsell on Mar 23, 2011

Service Above Self is Rotary's principal motto, which means that every Rotarian is responsible for finding ways to improve the quality of life in their community and in those communities around the world through service. 

This column will periodically feature ideas for projects that the Rotary Club of South Orange can be involved in on the local level. If you have any ideas, please feel free to make a suggestion and we will add your idea to this column. The goal will be for our club to take on some of these projects - the more we do outside of our meeting room the more people will be aware of what Rotary is all about. 

COMMUNITY PROJECT IDEAS Janice Teetsell 2011-03-24 00:00:00Z 0

WHAT YOU MISSED LAST WEEK

Posted by Janice Teetsell on Mar 13, 2011
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The topic of last week's meeting was the importance of blood donations and Christine Schetelich of New Jersey Blood Services, joined by Rotarian Larry Ripley, left a lasting impression with a brief video of a small boy who needs regular blood transfusions as to why we should be involved in community blood drives.

Larry, a long time member of the Rotary Club of Morris Plains, (and a member of half of the committees in the District) discussed how his club sponsors 10 blood drives a year. He spoke of how easy it would be for a small club to organize a blood drive. All we need is a date, a location, and refreshments. NJ Blood Services assists with publicity, provides promotional materials and a mailing list of people who live in the area who are blood donors. Morris Plains mails out post cards to announce their blood drives. Denville Sunrise just sponsored a "Winter Blood Drive" on February 5 and attracted approximately 50 donors - a very good day. Registrations can be done through the Blood Services on line appointment line and we could provide refreshments for donors (there was a mention of Stacey's brownies).

It looks like we are aiming for a summer time blood drive - a large percentage of blood donors are college students and they are not around during the summer - a perfect time for outreach to others. Locations are currently being scouted. More information about the blood drive and facts about blood donations will be in future bulletins.

FACT: Close to 2,000 men, women, and children in our community, including cancer, transplant and surgery patients, trauma victims, newborn babies, and many otheres need blood transfusions each day. Blood donors can be as young as 16 and as old as 76 (older if their doctor says it is okay). 

WHAT YOU MISSED LAST WEEK Janice Teetsell 2011-03-14 00:00:00Z 0

The Rotary Foundation Needs You

Posted by Janice Teetsell on Mar 02, 2011
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As the Rotary year 2009-2010 nears the end, it's time to look to achieving our Foundation goal of contributing $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation. As of this week we have contributed $800 and have eight sustaining members. If you want to make your contribution to The Rotary Foundation, please give your check to PDG Janice Teetsell.
The Rotary Foundation Needs You Janice Teetsell 2011-03-02 17:54:07Z 0

RI President's March 2011 Message

Posted by Janice Teetsell on Mar 01, 2011
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 Keep it simple 

When I first joined Rotary in 1961, I often heard Rotary leaders say “Keep Rotary Simple.” In fact, that phrase was part of the RI theme in 1956-57! However, as Rotary has grown in both the number of members and the number of programs during the last 50 years, simplicity has become more difficult.

The revised RI Strategic Plan for 2010-13 is a refreshingly simple approach to keeping Rotary strong and vibrant in the future. The three priorities of the plan are clear and brief statements calling us to (1) support and strengthen our clubs, (2) focus and increase our humanitarian service, and (3) enhance our public image and awareness.

It is a true strategic plan because each of the three priorities has a list of measurable goals, and in turn, there is a scorecard to track progress of all the goals. We are realigning the RI budget to reflect the new priorities, and we are trying to balance the priorities in all RI activities. Even the breakout sessions at the 2011 convention in New Orleans will be balanced between the three priorities. The new plan with the simply stated priorities will not be left to merely gather dust on an office shelf!

Please note the interdependence of the three priorities. We have recognized for many years that Rotary cannot provide exemplary service projects without strong clubs and that clubs cannot recruit and retain high-quality members without significant service projects. The third priority now recognizes that in the modern world, Rotary needs the support of our communities, of partner organizations, and sometimes of governments, to conduct larger service projects, which in turn build stronger clubs.

Rotary is now on the world stage due to PolioPlus. But we are still a grassroots organization, and our strength is dependent on the health of our clubs. The three priorities of the strategic plan remind us that the success of Rotary is based on a simple formula of strong clubs, significant service projects, and a favorable public image. Thanks to Paul Harris and other Rotary pioneers, it is a simple formula that produces extraordinary results – and a better world!  

RI President 
Ray Klinginsmith

 

RI President's March 2011 Message Janice Teetsell 2011-03-02 00:00:00Z 0

DO YOU HAVE A LIBRARY CARD?

Posted by Janice Teetsell on Jan 13, 2011
We are so lucky to have the Melissa Kopecky of the South Orange Public Library as a member of our club. When it’s her turn to provide speakers we get such a treat. This last week Melissa was accompanied by Ellen Columbus, from the south Orange Public Library and we not only learned about the many things that our library card can get us (including downloads for our E-Readers), but we also discussed the historical houses in South Orange.
 The big deal is that the South Orange Public Library (SOPL) subscribes to a variety of databases. All you have to do is log-on to www.sopl.org, click on Reference on the left, and then click on a link for any of the variety of databases available, i.e. AccessScience (providing fully searchable access to all the articles, fully illustrated, from the latest edition of the McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology); EbscoHost Magazines  (full-text magazine and journal articles from over 4,600 general interest, business and health periodicals, newspapers, children’s magazines, reference books and primary source documents); Reference USA Directory (information on millions of U.S. and Canadian businesses and households and 600,000 U.S. doctors and dentists) and WilsonWeb Biographies (over 111,000 biographies and obituaries and over 32,000 photos).
DO YOU HAVE A LIBRARY CARD? Janice Teetsell 2011-01-14 00:00:00Z 0

SOMETHING FOR YOU TO THINK ABOUT ON A SNOWY EVENING

Posted by Janice Teetsell on Jan 12, 2011
For those who love the philosophy of Ambiguity, as well as the Idiosyncrasies of English:
1.       Don’t  sweat the petty things and don’t pet the sweaty things.
2.       One Tequila, Two Tequila, Three Tequila, Floor
3.       If man evolved from monkeys and apes, why do we still have monkeys and apes?
4.       I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, “Where’s the self-help section?” – She said…”If she told me, It would defeat the purpose”
5.       What if there were no hypothetical questions?
6.       If a deaf child signs swear words, does his mother wash his hands with soap?
7.       Is there another word for synonym?
8.       Where do Forest Rangers go to “get away from it all?”
9.       What do you do if you see an endangered animal eating an endangered plant?
10.   Why do they lock gas station bathrooms?...Are they afraid someone will clean them?
SOMETHING FOR YOU TO THINK ABOUT ON A SNOWY EVENING Janice Teetsell 2011-01-13 00:00:00Z 0

SOPAC - Michael Bollinger Presents

Posted by Janice Teetsell on Dec 13, 2010
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Michael Bollinger, Executive Director for the South Orange Performing Arts Center, took center stage at the December 9th meeting. His presentation was like having an old friend over for lunch as he recounted his journey from college to Artistic Producing Director of Missouri’s Lyceum Theatre and Founding Director of Mainstage Theatre Company. A recipient of two Missouri Arts Awards, he has presented over 100 eclectic performances ranging from orchestra to family to Grammy Award-winning artists.
Michael gave us an insight as to his views on the  importance of SOPAC to the South Orange Community and how we can all work together. Suggestions were also made as to how SOPAC can take advantage of the marvelous resources in South Orange, including the massive auditorium in South Orange Middle School. SOPAC, for all its splendor, seats just more than 400 patrons in its theater and has only one room that can be used for educational purposes and local fund-raisers – the Loft.
Yet there is no argument that the 2010-2011 SOPAC season is nothing short of marvelous. Michael described each coming event with personal pleasure. We just missed the Nutcracker performed by the New York Theatre Ballet, but still have time for a “Tribute to Red Skelton” starring Tom Mullica on March 19-20; the McCoy Tyner Trio on December 18 (get your tickets NOW), “If You Give A Cat a Cupcake” presented by the Omaha Theater Company on February 6, 2011; and Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars on May 21, 2011.
SOPAC - Michael Bollinger Presents Janice Teetsell 2010-12-14 00:00:00Z 0

Levity for the Holidays

Posted by Janice Teetsell on Dec 10, 2010
 
 <><>   
The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending; and to have the two as close together as possible 
- George Burns 
<><>   
Santa Claus has the right idea. Visit people only once a year. 
- Victor Borge 
Levity for the Holidays Janice Teetsell 2010-12-11 00:00:00Z 0

TOYOTA INTERNATIONAL TEACHER PROGRAM TO SOUTH AFRICA

Posted by Janice Teetsell on Dec 03, 2010


We are very pleased to announce the inaugural Toyota International Teacher Program to South Africa! The program will take place July 24 – August 10, 2011. Full-time classroom teachers of all subjects and librarians, grades 7 – 12, are now invited to apply online.

The Toyota International Teacher Program is a fully-funded international professional development program for U.S. educators. Funded by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., and administered by the Institute of International Education, the program advances environmental stewardship and global connectedness in U.S. schools and communities.

The deadline to apply is January 23, 2011. The inaugural Toyota International Teacher Program to South Africa will provide teachers first-hand exposure to the social and environmental complexity of South Africa, focusing on sustainable development and emphasizing the links between history, culture, power, and the environment. Teachers will explore the country’s natural and cultural diversity through a range of site visits and hands-on activities.

Please help us reach out to educators by sharing this information with your members and constituents. If you post programs and professional development opportunities on your website, listserv, or newsletter, we would greatly appreciate you posting information on the program as well. The Toyota International Teacher Program greatly values diversity and encourages educators of all backgrounds, subjects, and school types to apply for this unique professional development opportunity.

Thank you for considering this request to help us spread the word about this unique opportunity. Teachers can visit our website at
www.iie.org/toyota
for application instructions, FAQs, and to apply online.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact MarDestinee Perez
by email at
toyotateach@iie.org
or by phone at (toll-free) 877-832-2457.

TOYOTA INTERNATIONAL TEACHER PROGRAM TO SOUTH AFRICA Janice Teetsell 2010-12-04 00:00:00Z 0

The Honduras Project

Posted by Janice Teetsell on Nov 30, 2010
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The Honduras Project took center stage at the Service Above Self Awards Dinner on November 4 as PDG Janice presented a photo board about the project using photos sent by Peace Corps Volunteer Brent Loree and his family. The Project also was featured on the inside cover of the Awards Dinner Program Journal.

One stumbling block that would have made it difficult to use Rotary Foundation matching funds is the fact that Honduras is part of a Future Vision District – and D7470 is not. PDG Janice has obtained the cooperation of a neighboring district that is a Future Vision District, and with the support of our District and neighboring clubs, we should be able to gather funding for the project.

The project will create a community library in the municipality of Tomalá, Honduras.  The municipality of Tomalá is located in the department (state) of Lempira near the southwestern border with El Salvador.  The community library that will facilitate the access to books and reading material for students and other community residents, while also offering services to improve the overall educational environment for the community.

The local Rotary Club in Tomalá will be a partner for this project.

The next step will be to prepare a grant application for the district Foundation Committee’s consideration.    The South Orange Rotary executive committee will make the determination as to how much our club will contribute and hopefully other clubs and organizations will join in this project. The next stop for the Honduras Project Display Board is the South Orange Public Library.       





 

The Honduras Project Janice Teetsell 2010-12-01 00:00:00Z 0

Service Above Self Awards - November 4, 2010

Posted by Janice Teetsell on Nov 26, 2010

Many thanks to all the Rotarians and guests who made our 4th Annual Service Above Self Awards Dinner a success. Our honorees were:

  • Pastor Molege Desir, South Orange/Vailsburg United Methodist Church, Service through Religion
  • Nancy Heins-Glaser, Service through the Arts
  • Patti Coleman, Service in Community Service
  • PDG Janice Teetsell Esq., Service in Rotary
  • The Domestic Violence Response Team, Public Safety Award

In addition to the Service Above Self Award, honorees received a Joint Legislative Resolution presented by Assemblywoman Jasey.

Proceeds from the dinner will go towards service projects, including the Honduras Project.

Pictures from the dinner are on our website.

Service Above Self Awards - November 4, 2010 Janice Teetsell 2010-11-27 00:00:00Z 0

IT'S DICTIONARY TIME!

Posted by Janice Teetsell on Oct 16, 2010

South Orange Rotarians - it's time to deliver dictionaries to the third graders in South Orange and Maplewood.

We have been doing this for at least the last 8 years and it is important that we do not lose our enthusiasm for this project. A joint project with Maplewood Rotary, we have given out thousands of dictionaries over the years - and the expressions and reactions of the 3rd graders is worth the hour you have to take from work.

John Mousseau of Maplewood has been working with JudyLevy, director of communications for the Board of Education, to set up dates. Right nw we are shooting for dictionary distribution on Wednesday, October 27 and Thursday October 28 and November 1. Every member of the club is asked to contribute one hour during one of these date to distribute the dictionaries

For more information contact Janice Teetsell @ Jteetsell.com or by calling 973-953-6737.

IT'S DICTIONARY TIME! Janice Teetsell 2010-10-17 00:00:00Z 0

Harriet C. Connolly 1920-2010

Posted by Janice Teetsell on Oct 16, 2010

For those who have been in the South Orange Rotary for a long time, the news of the passing of Harriet C. Connolly is particularly sad. When I first joined the So. Orange Rotary Club, Harriet was known as a former Rotary Ann who joined Rotary when women were allowed to be admitted. She was a dignified gentlewoman who was an inspiration for this writer.

Harriet C. Connolly 1920-2010 Janice Teetsell 2010-10-17 00:00:00Z 0

Every Rotarian Every Year

Posted by Janice Teetsell on Sep 21, 2010
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South Orange has the distinction of having the Assistant Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator as a member. Lucky us. Which means that if any club should have 100% Every Rotarian Every Year, South Orange is it.

Every Rotarian Every Year is one of Our Rotary Foundation's methods of getting every member involved in the good works that Rotary is doing throughout the world. While we have been promoting every member being a sustaining member ($100 per year) it is equally important to have every member participate in giving to The Rotary Foundation. The new year started July 1. We hae credit for $214 raised through WalkFest that will go to End Polio Now. But we really need to give to the Rotary Foundation. Our goal for 2010-11 is $1000 - that works out to $91 per member. But in order to achieve 100% Sustaining Member status each of our members must give $100 before June 30, 2011. Okay, it's almost October - how do we do that? $11 per month? Please consider donating to Our Rotary Foundation. Every dollar that we give to Our Foundation benefits someone - no dollar goes to waste.

See PDG, ARRFC Janice Teetsell for more information about Our Rotary Foundation.

Every Rotarian Every Year Janice Teetsell 2010-09-22 00:00:00Z 0

THANK YOU FOR A SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL SUPPLIES COLLECTION

Posted on Aug 31, 2010
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PDG Janice thanked everyone for making this one of the most successful school supply collection we've done. With the assistance of coupons and in-store sales, South Orange donated supplies worth at least $250 to St. Andrew & Holy Communion Episcopal Church. The ultimate beneficiary is Apostle's House in Newark, a shelter for families. In addition to donations from Rotarians, friends made donations to the cause. Jana Handwerk, a guest of Dr. Greg LaMorte, donated several backpacks.

Many thanks to everyone who contributed.  

THANK YOU FOR A SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL SUPPLIES COLLECTION 2010-09-01 00:00:00Z 0

MORE ROTARY FIRSTS

Posted on Aug 19, 2010

(From the "ABCs of Rotary")

  • Rotary became bilingual in 1916 when the first club was organized in a non-English- -speaking country--Havana, Cuba.
  • Rotary established the "Endowment Fund" in 1917, which became the forerunner of The Rotary Foundation.
  • Rotary first adopted the name "Rotary International" in 1922 when the name was changed from the International Association of Rotary Clubs.
  • Rotary first established the Paul Harris Fellows recognition in 1957 for contributors of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation.
  • The Rotary club which first held meetings on a weekly basis was Oakland, California, the Number 3 club.
  • The Rotary emblem was printed on a commemorative stamp for the first time in 1931 at the time of the Vienna Convention.
  • The first Rotary club banner (from the Houston Space Center) to orbit the moon was carried by astronaut Frank Borman, a member of that club.
  • The first Rotary International convention held outside the United States was in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1921.
  • The first head of state to address a Rotary convention was U.S. President Warren G. Harding in 1923 at St. Louis.

 

MORE ROTARY FIRSTS 2010-08-20 00:00:00Z 0

News from the District

Posted by Janice Teetsell on Jul 14, 2010
At a recent District Leadership meeting, District Parliamentarian PDG Ted Krisanda announced several resolutions passed by the Council of Legislation that will directly impact our clubs.

Districts may have up to 2 E-Clubs and all E-Clubs are now official - if you do a make-up at an E-Club your home club must accept it. The "Rule of 85" has been changed - you now must be at least 65 years old and have at least 20 years of Rotarian membership to be eligible for excused absences. An excused absence would not affect the attendance figure for the club.

News from the District Janice Teetsell 2010-07-15 00:00:00Z 0
New Member Inducted Gregory LaMorte 0

Join Us for a Conversation on Cyberbullying

Posted by Gregory LaMorte

At my South Orange Rotary meeting discussed our planned "Conversation with the Community on Cyberbullying--- Sponsored by BCB Bank" on Tuesday, July 29 at 7 pm at the Bank on Valley Street

Join Us for a Conversation on Cyberbullying Gregory LaMorte 0

What is the Rotary Community Corps?

Posted by Janice Teetsell
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At last week's business meeting it became clear that there are a lot of Rotary programs that we have very little knowledge about. For the next few weeks we will focus on a Rotary Program. This week we look briefly at the Rotary Community Corps.
What is the Rotary Community Corps? Janice Teetsell 0

Traveling in Style

Posted by Janice Teetsell
PDG Jan took on the Segway in Gettysburg at the District Conference. Even with titanium knees and other orthopedic problems the Segway provided a great way to tour the Battlefields in Gettysburg.
Traveling in Style Janice Teetsell 0

So Many Events - So Little Time

We are nearing the end of the Rotary Year and there are so many events that we could be involved with. Please check the Events Calendar for the latest updates on things to do - places to go.
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WalkFest - A Girl and her dog

Posted by Janice Teetsell
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PDG Jan and her dog Cleopatra represented our Club at this year's WalkFest at Loantaka Brook Reservation on Sunday, April 25. More than $300 was raised - half will go the End Polio Now and half will come back to the Club. Thanks to all to donated.
WalkFest - A Girl and her dog Janice Teetsell 0

Appreciation for Service

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PDG Janice displays her Certificate of Appreciation awarded for her leadership in coordinating our recent Service Above Self Awards Dinner on March 4, 2010. The real appreciation goes to all the members who stepped up to make the evening a success.
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WHY GIVE TO THE FOUNDATION?

Posted by Janice Teetsell
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Recently we have been asked to set goals for Foundation giving in 2010-2011 and fulfill the goals set for 2009-2010. At a recent meeting we had a discussion of what the Foundation does, but perhaps we need to understand why we do what we do.
WHY GIVE TO THE FOUNDATION? Janice Teetsell 0

Rotary Key Messages

Posted by Janice Teetsell
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Often you will be stopped along the way and asked "What is Rotary?". Here are some points you can use to explain what Rotary is and what we do.
Rotary Key Messages Janice Teetsell 0

Website Sponsorship Available

Posted by Gregory LaMorte

Our Club is actively seeking one or more sponsors for our website.Please contact Greg LaMorte for details at 201-563-8983 or at drlamorte@perio.org.

Website Sponsorship Available Gregory LaMorte 0
Become a Sustaining Member Gregory LaMorte 0