Reported by Michael Eden

President Bill called the meeting to order. Sharon Francia led the pledge to the United States flag and Past President Barry Curlee gave thanks for Past President Julie Benkoski, then gave our invocation of the day. Nick Hesselsweet greeted each member and guest as they arrived and Carl Noble introduced our guests and visitors.

President Bill announced that our speaker, Earl Ameen, had been cancelled in light of Julie’s passing and would be rescheduled at a later date; and he shared some remarks about how much Past President Julie had meant to him. He then called up Mary Reynolds who read a poem titled “When Tomorrow Starts Without Me” (ed. note—see page 6).

Ann Marie Ellis introduced Father Wally who shared a story of how he and Past President Julie met and began working together and what an inspiration she was to everyone around her. He also gave an update about the communities and people that the Panama Water Project Global Grant would serve.

Luma Jaffar gave an update about the Iraqi Children Foundation (ICF), including highlighting what our continuing funding has helped them accomplish. She reported that since its inception, ICF has helped over 800,000 Iraqi orphans and continue to invest in their futures.

President Bill opened the meeting up for Fellowship then called us back to order at about ten’til 1:00 to announce that our speaker next week will be Jeremy Martin with the Austin Chamber of Commerce. He then adjourned the meeting several minutes early after Manny Cavazos led us in saying the Four Way Test.