Bulletin for October 30, 2007
 

Last Week

 

Our guest speaker was downtown DM Rotarian Jim Swanstrom.  Jim is President and CEO of Community Health Charities and his topic was "Chronic Disease Management". 

 

Chronic diseases are ongoing, generally incurable illnesses or conditions, such as asthma, cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

 

He stated that we should all be concerned about chronic diseases because according to data from the Centers for Disease Control more than 75% of the $2 trillion the US spent on health care during 2005 went to treat chronic diseases.  We all pay for chronic disease in the form of higher cost of health insurance and increased co-pays.  And the higher the premiums the harder it is to make sure all citizens have health care.

   

Sergeant at Arms / Three Minute Speaker

 

Tom Narak shared excerpts from a book "Are you normal?" to raise some money.  We learned some interesting facts about "normal" behavior including:

 

1.              50% eat an Oreo without disassembling it (I dispute this one)

2.      28% of men, but only 14% of women say they have been skinny dipping with a person of the opposite sex.

 

Tom is the WDM Superintendent of Schools.  He has been married for 37 years, has three adult children.

 

Announcements:

 

November is Foundation Month:  Watch and listen for announcements concerning the Foundation. 

 

Linda Hulleman announced a possible community service and fundraising opportunity in May of 2008 when WDM will try to launch a signature event currently referred to as AMayzing days.  During the month of May there will be multiple activities and our club may have an opportunity to hold a pancake breakfast. 

 

A makeup, A little fellowship, a little food :;  Jamie Bunn announced that the site for the First Thirsty, .. Thursday.. gathering will be at Trostels Dish on University on November 1st at PM.  This a an easy makeup and good chance to get to know members a little better, and it should be inexpensive as President Todd has promised to pay for the first round of drinks.

 

Terry McLane announced that he has been communicating with WDM Human Services about our club adopting 4 families for Christmas this year.  Details will follow.

 

Thanksgiving dinner will again be provided by WDM Human Services.  Tom George is coordinating volunteers to serve.

 

RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Activity) which we normally sponsor in the Fall has been scheduled for April 15, 2008 .

 

Literacy R Us:  As part of our involvement with WDM elementary schools and their literacy program our club purchased several boxes of dictionaries.  Former El Presidente Al Cross requested some help in delivery and had no trouble getting members to volunteer

 

Salvation Army Bell Ringing: Dave Carlson offered to head up this annual volunteer opportunity.  Watch for sign ups.

 

Membership:  Grand Poobah Todd promises to induct a couple of new members at one of the next few meetings.

 

Planning ahead: There will be NO MEETINGS on December 25, 2007 and January 1, 2008 .

 

Weak joke of the week  Paul Wielage told us  that recently three boys found a $10 bill and decided to have some fun with it.  After some discussion, one of the boys was chosen to go into a store and get something that would be fun. 

 

He came out with a box of tampons.  When his friends asked why, he pointed to the box and said "look at all the fun things we can do, we can go bowling, play tennis, go horseback riding..."

 

Bumper Sticker observed recently:

 

"A day without sunshine is like night"

 

Thoughts for the day from Larry the Cable Guy:

 

Light travels faster than sound.  That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.