MEETING OF APRIL 25, 2002
By Clyde Noel
Editor: Dick Blanding
Webmaster - Steve Gruber
Partners for New Generations needs your help If you missed the Los Altos Rotary Club's April 25th meeting, you missed one of the most exciting events of Pres Firooz's tutelage. Eight students from Santa Rita Elementary School, sporting different international flags, performed the salute to the flag from the stage.
Young Artem Kreimer, a Santa Rita elementary student, did a lively Russian dance straight out ofCossack culture. Dancing in front of a packed house of Los Altos Rotarians, he silently reminded them of their inflexibility of muscle tone.
Firooz's calculated meeting time was organized to provide the luncheon and appreciation for Partners for New Generations, but before the main course, SAM HARDING introduced Wajeeh Sleiman, a member of the building committee of the Orthodox Church of the Redeemer.
After a 10 minute explanation on how the church was organized, including a history up to the point of it's disastrous fire, Slieman requested funds to help rebuild the church on Magdalena Ave. "We forgive the person who did this, but now our interest is concentrated on rebuilding the church with your help," Sleiman said.
GINNY LEAR presented this year's final poster explaining Fine Art in the Park. She also showed a post card that will be mailed to local residents. The poster can be viewed at http://www.losaltosrotary.org/poster.html
Program: Partners for New Generations
When people volunteer at Partners for New Generations, they become the rescue squad for the community. The volunteer program is designed for adult mentors to help students get back on their feet, and give them a jump in life.
Presently there are 76 volunteer mentors in grade schools, 48 in high schools and several Rotarians in the child advocate program. Ed Sox asked people to stand if they were involved in either the high school or elementary programs and it became obvious very few people remained seated. The program circulated at each table listed the 123 volunteers who have helped to make the program a success. It also discussed the mentoring program and what a mentor does in a school situation. Dorothy Dickson, a school teacher speaking for the elementary program, said more volunteers are needed since the defeat of Measure A. "There will be larger class sizes next year and we really need your help." Dickson said. "Tutors can help children make reports and provide pride because the report was on time." Dickson said not all students live in affluent houses. Many students live in apartments and trailers and live with multiple families."Those parents want everything you want, but have to work two jobs and don't have time for their children." Dickson said. "To help students with a spelling text, listen to them read and make out that report is meaningful for the student and the mentor." Dickson praised volunteer Ginny Lear for contributing her time as a mentor in one on one situations. "It's learning together. One on one undivided attention between a mentor and a student is what its all about," Dickson said.
Ed Sox is a mentor who takes out Ed Pereversev, an Alta Vista student, on the twice a month lunch
program. "I've been going to lunch for quite a while now with my mentor, but I've never been to Sizzler. He took me to a Stanford basketball game," Pereversev said. "It's like a personal friend. You talk about life and sports and you get a lot out of it."
Alta Vista student Joel Gruber said he has never been to so many restaurants. "It's an experience. It's not like talking to my grandfather. He's a friend and it's cool."
Ed Sox described a mentor. "He's a listener. High school students need someone to speak to other than a peer or a parent. They want a responsive adult who can create a meaningful and positive relationship." Ed told how hard it is to find volunteers to work in the program. "The biggest source is right here in the Rotary Club. Tell a friend, your neighbors or anyone who can volunteer. We need help in the program." If you want to become a volunteer, call Partners for New Generations at 949-5908 x4. Chances are you will be placed at your choice of school, and you can discuss the academic area you prefer.
CRES McFALL, spoke about the child advocate program as another phase of volunteering. "The children need you to keep their lives from becoming more insane." McFall said.
STEVE SHEPHERD displayed a golf trophy that can be earned May 3, at the golf tournament and barbeque. Golf starts at noon at Palo Alto Municipal Golf Course, followed by a barbeque at BOB ADAMS' house at 6:30 p.m.
SAM HARDING says he will collect your checks for rebuilding the church on Magdalena. Checks should be made payable to "CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER REBUILDING FUND."
During the meeting, MEL KAHN asked if people would be willing to walk with him at the Human Race at the Coyote Point Park in San Mateo County Saturday, May 11. "I think I have seven or eight friends who would like to walk with me." Mel said. "Call me at my home if you must, but walk with me. Your donations are tax-deductible and the money benefits more than 60 local community organizations."Webmaster's Notes: A new club handbook will be distributed in a couple of months, and we wanted to take this opportunity to remind everyone that the information in the handbook is for Rotary use only. Use of the postal address or e-mail addresses in the handbook for commercial purposes is prohibited.
Programs and EventsMay
May 2 - Dan Stober, San Jose Mercury News reporter and author of A Convenient Spy, on "Wen Ho Lee: Spy, Victim or Hero?"
May 3 - Golf tournament and barbeque, starts at noon at Palo Alto Municipal Golf Course, followed by the barbeque at the Adams' at 6:30 p.m.
May 9 - Rotacare
May 16 - Dr. Avis Begoun: "Identifying and Resolving Patterns of Conflict in Couple Relationships"
May 23 - Rotary Scholarships
May 30 - Rotary Aids Project
June
June 6 - LAREF
"Information in this newsletter is intended for the exclusive use of the members of the Rotary Club of Los Altos to facilitate the work of the club and to promote club fellowship. It is not to be used for any commercial or outside, unrelated, non-profit purposes. No publication of material in this newsletter should occur without the express permission of the club President or the Editor of the Rotator."
Copyright 2002 The Los Altos Rotary Club
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