PRESIDENT ROB asked us to keep the following in our thoughts and prayers: BOB BROCK, ROY WHISTLER, FRANCIS PRITSCHER (FRANCIS would appreciate visits and calls from Rotarians). Special thoughts for Dr. Wagner, Flora Rotarian, who lost his spouse and 2 children in a house fire. Also, Connie, spouse of BOB GRIFFITHS, who had surgery this week.

DG (above Left) TOM FISHER presented President ROB GALBRAITH with the SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, which recognized the 2008-2009 outstanding Rotary Club. In a letter signed by RI President D.K. LEE, he stated that our club not only serves as a model for exemplary service for addressing special needs in our community, but for best work in the district and the world, and also serves as an inspiration for other clubs. President Rob thanked JAYNE FEATHERS (above Right), who thanked DG TOM FISHER for his assistance in helping us achieve the grant. JAYNE gave special recognition to JOHN CARPENTER (deceased) whose service helped launch the Backpack Program at Miami Elementary. More than 55 Rotarians made this program a success.
Backpack workers present at the meeting:
Back: Sorenson, Gann, Rahdert, Hills, Kelley (L), Galbraith
Front: Smith (S), Robledo, Norberg, Howells, Feathers, Kelley (J)

The 2008-09 Rotary Backpack Steering Committee consisted of: CATHY BARRON, BETTY DOVERSBERGER, JAYNE FEATHERS, ROB GALBRAITH, RALPH GANN, SUSAN HENSON, GENE HILLS, CHARLOTTE HOWELLS, JEAN JACKSON, JACK and LETA KELLEY, JAN GRIFFIN- KOEHLER, TIM LUZADER, DALE McHENRY, JEANNE NORBERG, DICK RADHERT, BECKY ROBLEDO, JOHN SANDERSON, JANE and KEITH SMITH, SUSAN SMITH and ELAINE TODD. JAYNE also recognized TOM MORAN and the GUS MACKER program and committee for their support.

President-Elect CHRISTA KECK introduced our speaker, HERBERT A. PIGMAN, General Secretary RI from 1979-1986 and 1993-1995. Following retirement in 1986 he directed Rotary's Polio Immunization Task Force, which in 3 years launched Rotary's participation in polio eradication in more than 90 countries. He served as Rotary's liaison with WHO, UNICEF and with national health ministers. He developed and led for 4 years Rotary's Polio Eradication Advocacy Task Force which secured almost $2 billion in donor funding for the polio eradication initiative. Mr. Pigman is the author of the book, "Conquering Polio", published by Rotary International in its centennial year.

Pigman is a graduate and former trustee of Franklin College o Indiana, from which he holds a degree in journalism and an honorary doctorate in the humanities. He and his wife, Betty, live in rural Warren County, Indiana, where both are members of the Rotary Club of Boswell. Mr. Pigman stated that his great-grandfather was a bookseller in Lafayette in the 1880's.

Over the past 30 years Rotary has played a key role in the eradication of polio. RI vision is a polio-free world. RI has become a model for public/private cooperation/donation in the eradication of polio. Mr. Pigman stated that small pox was eradicated in 10 years at a cost of $300 million. The last case was in Somalia in 1977.

RI is on the threshold of the same victory. With billions of donor dollars and thousands of volunteer hours, over 2 billion children have been immunized against polio.

Polio victims are mainly children under the age of 5. It is a real problem, and since there are no external symptoms, adults can be carriers of the virus. In 2009, 134 countries were polio-free. The 4 remaining "pockets" are Nigeria, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Failure of the Sabin oral vaccine does not produce a good response in children suffering from malnutrition, etc. There is volunteer fatigue along with convincing Islamic leaders that the vaccine is a good thing and will not give the women HIV or make them sterile.

Afghan President Karzai and the political leaders in Nigeria have provided strong support for the vaccination of children. Through the good works of RI, there are over 200 Rotary Clubs throughout Turkey.

Today, one of the new "tools" is monovalent polio vaccines, which give better results. Dr. Margaret Chan, director-general of WHO, has made polio eradication WHO's top priority with over 3,370 national and international workers and 20 million volunteers. Polio eradication has come with not just monetary costs, but has taken the lives of Drs. Kaker and Taheri and their driver in a roadside bombing near Kandahar on September 18, 2008. The current SWAT Valley situation is both a problem and an opportunity.

There is no cheap way out. Bill Gates, of the Bill and Malinda Gates Foundation, has invested $355,000,000.00. Rotary and RI has been challenged to match his donation with $200 Million US dollars by 2010.

This truly is the "final inch". The next time you use your cell phone, please text "POLIO" to 90999 to make a $5.00 donation, which will purchase 50 doses of the vaccine. End Polio Now!!

INTRODUCTIONS OF GUESTS: Lola, spouse of LARRY HUGGINS; Jen Bushore, guest of VICKI BURCH; Robert Woerner, guest of ED HEMMER; Dr. George and Nerlene Ramsey, guests of JACK KELLEY; Autumn Keller Hicks, Todd Ambassadorial School will be going to Glasgow Scotland to major in fine arts, guest of SUZANN SHACKLETON, Attica-Williamsport Rotary Club.

DISTRICT GOVERNOR TOM FISHER, The Indianapolis Rotary Club; PDG JERRY ERSKINE, Lebanon Rotary Club; PDG BILL BATT, The Indianapolis Rotary Club; Past General Secretary of Rotary International, HERBERT PIGMAN and his spouse Betty; District Governor-Elect JUDY HOLLANDER.

Money Collectors: DENNIS WEIDENAAR and GENE HILLS; Greeter: ELDON ORTMAN; Invocation: WES McDIVITT; Piano: RAY PEETERS; Song Leader: BOB VERPLANK. Help with attendance and facilitating a smooth meeting: JO WADE and TOM MORAN; Help with Ripples: VICKI BURCH and BILL FULLER.

PRESIDENT ROB'S THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:

"Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you."
Princess Diana.
Now, keep serving Rotary, the Community, and the World.

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