Reported by Leslie Bagby
President Sara Pantin called the meeting to order right at noon. Chris Ray led the pledges and Jack Wolfe gave the invocation. Peter Pfeiffer led us in reciting the “FOUR WAY TEST.” Barry Curlee was our greeter at the top of the stairs and Carl Noble checked-in our visitors and guests.
President Sara introduced our newest members, Dan Graham, sponsored by Harold Ingersoll and Sam Greer, sponsored by Judge Lee Yeakel.
Mark Johnson announced that The Rotary Club of Austin will host only one Membership Soiree this year and it will be on Thursday, September 7, 2017 at the Headliner’s Club. Attendees are required to bring one prospective member.
RSVP to swanson@centric-re.com by September 3rd. Early Act First Knight Tournament of Champions events coincide with the beginning of the school year. Come out and
join in the excitement as the students watch the knights and horses and learn about our Rotary values!
Thursday, August 24, 2017
9 am
Hart Elementary
8301 Furness Drive
Austin, Texas
Friday, August 25, 2017
9 am
Dawson Elementary
3001 South 1st
Austin, Texas
Tuesday, August 29, 2017
9 am
Pecan Springs Elementary
3100 Rogge Lane
Austin, Texas
Mike O’Krent announced that there are many ways to be involved with Camp Enterprise. Volunteers are needed to interview at area high schools starting in September. For more information, contact Mike O’Krent or Ann Graham.
President Sara Pantin received a note from the President of The Helping Hand Home for Children, Ann Bauer. (Past -President Meade’s wife) The children and the staff appreciate the continued support for the home and especially the Back-to-School Splash Day last Saturday.
Save the Date: Charles and Betsy Doty will host a wine tasting at their home on September 15, 2017.
Michael Portman announced that former member, Anita Motloch, is doing much better and is hoping to come back to Rotary meetings.
Richard Tagle introduced Allison Ivey, Executive Director of Learn All The Time (LATT). This non-profit organization supports the many organizations providing enriching opportunities for the time that students are out of school. These opportunities can come through clubs, sports, church, travel, books and music. This is called O.S.T. or “out of school time.” Allison explained that while students learn in school for approximately four hours each day, this is not enough. The single greatest indicator of academic success is an additional 300 hours of learning per year outside of school. The goals of LATT are to build systems, focus on quality programs and expand access.
Austin is ranked the #1 most segregated city in the U.S. The non-profit programs that are free to low income students are East of I-35 and the for-profit programs tend to be on the West side of I-35. OST programs close the gap to provide enrichment and 21st Century skills for success in today’s workplace. High quality programs demonstrated decreased teen pregnancy and drop out rates as well as decreased juvenile detention. Most importantly, there are proven outcomes of increased school attendance, academic performance and improved graduation rates for students.