Rotary International has six overlapping areas of focus that help improve the human condition in third world countries. One of the areas of focus is improving local economies. Rotary International focuses on local economies because nearly 800 million people live on less than $1.90 a day. That is less than the cost of a cup of coffee at Starbucks.

Rotary International through the Rotary Foundation strives to strengthen local entrepreneurs and community leaders, particularly women, in impoverished communities. Rotary International does this by providing training and access to well-paying jobs and financial management institutions. Rotary International selects projects that help individuals overcome obstacles to their success. Rotary projects include bringing solar lights to remote, off-the-grid homes, allowing people to work and learn at night; providing individual with microloans to allow them to become street vendors, rickshaw drivers, weavers, and tailors; and loaning entrepreneurs in rural communities money to buy livestock or plant crops, or get training in sustainable farming.

The Rotary Foundation spent $9.2 million to grow local economies and reduce poverty last year. Your pledges to the Rotary International helped to make meaningful changes to lives around the world.

James A. Kohl

Las Vegas Rotary Club Meeting: October 11, 2018

• President Jim Kohl called the meeting to order. Michael Williams gave the invocation. Steve Casey with back up assistance from Sidra Kain led the club in singing God Bless America, followed by President Jim leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance. The Sergeant at Arms was Arlene Sirois.
• There were (5) International Rotarians, (1) visiting Rotarians and (5) Guests of Rotarians introduced.
• President Jim encouraged members to share the live stream of our meeting on social media to share our message and our Club with others;
• PP Jim Hunt got the spirit moving for the 23rd Annual Santa Clothes scheduled for 12/6, giving the event history (11 clubs now participating, over 365 children served and more than $1M total value since inception) and an inspiring video of what the event is all about, capping it off with the announcement by Deb Granda our Holiday Party will follow that evening at Treasure Island
• PP Russ Swain announced the UNLV Tailgate Party is happening 10/19 with parking in the Scarlett Los on the west side, with set up at 4:00 p.m., and eating beginning at 5:00 p.m.; Luci Parodi reminded members to sign up for the Halloween Party at the Distillery on 10/26 from 6:30 -9:00 p.m., and a reminder to donate for the canned food drive; Stu Lipoff announced the upcoming Wine2Water event scheduled for 11/15 at Total Wine’s Tasting Room in Town Square, $30/PP and Jaime Goldsmith reminded members to join the Walk 4 Water run on 10/12; Marie Walsh announced the October Breakfast With Books brought 184 children and 101 adults, thanking the members who volunteered; Bill Houghton gave details concerning TLC coming up 11/30-12/1 and related detail; PP Jim Hunt announced the success of the 17th Cigar Social, earning $1128 and over $58,000 since starting the event; and
• The weekly drawing began at $3,041 plus this week’s donations. The Ticket Winner was Bill Stieren, who received a prize of $10, and the Lawry’s Bucks Winner was Steve Kwon.
• Randy Frost introduced our program speaker, his son, Scott Allen Frost, who provided an incredible presentation of life, hope, faith and determination, describing the day in 2009 when, on a whim, he went dirt bike riding with his friend, and his life as he knew it changed him and his world forever. The journey traveled by Mr. Frost was described in poignant detail, including bits of humor and determined organization, from his rescue from the accident site, to his hospitalization and rehabilitation, to his lessons learned, clearly made his audience reflect and provide inspirational insight. The 5 lessons learned, (1) nobody wants to take care of or work for ‘a jerk’; (2) be the hope; (3) that things don’t happen to you, but rather for you; (4) don’t listen to ‘they’; and (5) the two things you can control; your effort and your attitude are words to live by resonated with everyone in the room
• President Jim presented our speaker with a “Share What You Can” award to benefit a veteran in need and then adjourned the meeting.