We're legal.....

Al Jean filed our newly required tax returns for the club. Just thought it was news worthy.

Beginning in 2008, USA and Puerto Rican Rotary clubs and districts with gross receipts of $25,000 or less will be required to file Form 990-N , an electronic e-Postcard report. This report is required annually starting 15 November 2008. Failure to meet the annual filing requirement for three consecutive years will result in revocation of the tax-exempt status of the club or district in question.

Way to go Al !!

Merrimack Valley Rotary Sponsors Antiques Appraisal Nigh!

Is there a fortune in your attic? Dig it out! Dust it off and bring it to the next Merrimack Valley Rotary Club's Antiques Appraisal Night? Appraisal tickets are only $20 before November 14. And $25 after that! Want to just come and watch the show? Tickets are only $7. Want to go with a friend? Two general admission tickets are only $10. Want to get more information? Call Dan at 978-256-1915 or write to MVRotary@gmail.com. See you there!

Merrimack Vally Rotary Is On Facebook...Visit Us, And Become A Friend

wwww, Facebook.com .........we want you to become a friend of Merrimack Valley Rotary on Facebook!

Bell Ringers Needed!

Once again, the Merrimack Valley Rotary Club will volunteer to 'ring bells' for the Salvation Armies Red Kettle Campaign. Two dates have been set and we are in need of volunteers to fill the provided time slots. The first date is Wednesday, November 12th from 5pm to 8 pm and the second date is Saturday, December 6th from 9am to 5pm. The Walmart in Chelmsford will serve host for the campaign. A sign-up sheet will be passed out at this weeks meeting, and any hours of volunteering would be greatly appreciated!

Rotaries Honored At Heroes Evening

Merrimack Valley Rotary (shown in the photo) and seven other local rotaries were honored by Community Teamwork Inc at their 15 Annual Evening with Local Heroes. Rotary was cited as being an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide and whose main mission is to provide service in the community, the workplace and throughout the world. The organization went on to say that rotarians develop community service projects that address many of today's most critical issues, such as children at risk, poverty and hunger, the environment, literacy and violence. Rotarians also support programs for youth, education opportunities and international exchange for students, teachers, and other professionals, and vocational and career development.

How Many Ice Creams Did Dan Eat?

The question is: How many ice creams did Dan eat at the recent Community Teamwork Heroes Night! Is this picture a set up or the truth! Only those who were there know the answer.

Reminder...

The club meeting will not be held at the Cafe Madrid this week. Instead we'll be meeting at Lenzi's Restaurant in Dracut for the CTI awards. Our normal schedule will resume the following week. Looks like Ken and I will be there for coffee just in case someone shows for a make up. See you at Lenzi's.

Talk On Line With Rotary Immediate Past President

“A YEAR OF SHARING”Participate in an on-line discussion with Immediate Past Rotary International President Wilf Wilkinson

Here is your chance to get "up close and personal" with immediate past RI President Wilf Wilkinson in an on-line discussion in the International Computer Users Fellowship of Rotarians (“ICUFR”) Community Forum to discuss Wilf's “Year of Sharng” and other Rotary topics.
Fresh from "A Year of Sharing" as he traveled the Rotary world as our President, Wilf Wilkinson will again be sharing his thoughts in response to your questions. The ICUFR has generously agreed to once again make its “Community Forums” Internet site available so that Rotarians around the world can get their questions answered by one of the most knowledgeable Rotarians. Past President Wilkinson, who currently serves as Chairman of the "Reach Out to Africa Ad-Hoc Committee" and as a National Advisor for PolioPlus, will next year begin another four year term as a Foundation Trustee.
The on-line discussion with Past President Wilkinson will take place over a 51 hour period beginning at 6:00 P.M., EDT, on Wednesday, October 22nd and ending at 9:00 P.M. EDT on Friday, Friday, October 24, 2008. This informative discussion, in response to your questions, with Past President Wilkinson will take place at the web site http//www2.icufr.org. (Please note the “www2" in the address.)
To ask Past President Wilkinson questions and to participate in the discussion, Rotarians must register in the ICUFR Community Forum. To do that, go to the website and when asked to enter information beside the "D:", enter your district number. Once in the Community Forum, click on ‘Register’ at the top section of the opening page of the Community Forums (http//www2.icufr.org) . A ‘Terms’ page will next appear and, once you accept the terms, you will automatically go to the ‘Registration’ page. Please complete all ‘required’ information. When you register, please make sure you make a personal, private record of the ‘User Name’ and ‘Password’ you decide to use when registering in the Community Forums. It will be necessary to add your club name and district, and additional information in the profile, if you wish.
After you “register”, you will receive a confirming email from an ICUFR volunteer confirming your registration. After receiving the confirming email, you must post messages and participate in other services on the web site. Registering for the Community Forums carries no obligation, and you will not be placed on an email list as a result of registering.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have previously registered in the ICUFR Forum, you do not need to do so again. Just enter your district number at the "D:", and log in by entering your “User name” and “password.”
You also may enter the Forum as a ‘guest’ and read the discussion in the Community Forum but you will not be able to ‘post’ without registering.
We suggest you go to the ICUFR’s Community Forums now, register (unless you already have done so) and then look around for a while to get a ‘feel’ for the Community Forums. Post a message or two in any of the sections and topics, make some friends, and be ready for the discussion with Past President Wilf Wilkinson. On Wednesday, October 22nd, on or after 6:00 P..M. EDT, you can log into the ICUFR’s Community Forums, and be ready to go. Scroll down to ‘Guest Speakers Q&A Discussions’, click on ‘Q & A Sessions’ and then click on ‘Discussion with Past President Wilf Wilkinson”. Then fire away with your questions.

Our Antiques Appraisal night has a new location...

We've confirmed our location for the November 19th Appraisal night with Stuart Whitehurst of the Antiques Roadshow. The event will take place in Westford Center at the First Parish Church United. This is a wonderful location and facility, don't miss out on all the fun.

The show will begin promptly at 7pm. I've created a new blog which is linked under the Project Blogs on the sidebar. Communications will be posted here for all to read. Check it out when you get a moment. Sign up for posts and comments to stay up to date on this project.

Group Study Exchange (GSE) - The Phillipines

Need a little more information on the 2009 Group Study Exchange to the Phillipines? Click on the header for more information and contact names.

Photos From Rotary Medical Mission To Kenya

Merrimack Valley Rotary's Carl Good went on a medical mission to Kenya with 70 other people. Below is a photo of the group along with photos of some of the animal's Carl encountered on his trip.

Why Do Some Rotary Clubs Do So Much And Others Are Doing So Little?

Is your Rotary Club falling short of its potentials? Why?

Are projects, fundraisers, community activities, international events just too challenging for your Club? Why?

How Is Your Club's Self Esteem

Do you have any idea what might be the problem? Why are other Club's accomplishing so much while your Club struggles to accomplish much less. Maybe the essence of your problem is your Club's self esteem. It believes it has a low potential to be able to achieve projects. "We can't do that because ................." Is that really true. The truth is that your Club has the same potential to achieve projects as other Clubs do. The difference it in the belief.

All Things Are Possible

In the book The Secret, readers learn that if they want to get things done, they have to start by believing that all things are possible. The same is true with Rotary Clubs. To accomplish projects and activities, Clubs need to start with the premise that all things are possible. Because they are.....

Two Ways Of Thinking

Positive thinking attracts positive results. For example, which approach does your Club have toward projects and activities... 1) Project are hard for your Club to accomplish...or 2) Any projects your Club sets out to accomplished..it can accomplish. Which attitude do you think is the one that you think is best for your Club to make progress on projects and activities?

Think Positive

If your Club thinks that getting things done is a struggle, then your Club is setting itself up for failure. But if your Club believes that all projects can be accomplished ...then your Club will be be excited at each meeting about ongoing projects and new projects.

Starts With The President

And that attitude starts with the President of your Club. If the President does not believe in its Club's abilities or his or her abilities, then the Club is going to struggle. But if the President believes that anything is possible, then anything is possible. The Club is only as good as its leaders.

It Starts With Attitude

Positive thinking attracts positive opportunities to succeed. Negative thinking create barriers for success. All projects and activities are challenging but the difference between Clubs that meet those challenges and those that don't start with attitude.

Rotarians Treating Children At The Mukuru In Nairobi

This report and photos are from Merrimack Valley Rotarian Carl Good, who is on a Rotary mission in Kenya with 70 other people. The goal of the mission is to help people impacted by AIDS.

These pictures show some of the treatments being provided by the Medical teams. Children had their teeth extracted under rather primitive but effective conditions. However, a few children were very reluctant to see the dentist and held on tight to the first thing that was available. For very young children a graphical eye chart was used. One evening we were hosted at the house to the Deputy U.S. ambassador and the U.S. ambassador spoke to us at a reception hosted by the Rotary district chairman. please see the pictures.

Club meeting today...

At this mornings meeting we had two distinguished guests, Sandi Wilson of the Billerica Club and Elkin Montoya from the Lowell club. Sandi brought us up to date on the need for a leader from the District for the upcoming 2009 Group Study Exchange to Phillipines. Team member applications are being requested as well. Elkin visited us on behalf of his club to invite us to a fundraiser for Polio eradication. The event will take place at Lenzis Restaurant in Dracut Oct 21. donations are needed.

The club meeting Scheduled for October 22nd will be moved to and evening meeting at Lenzi's in Dracut. Area Rotary clubs will be honored for their contributions. All members are encouraged to attend.

A date for the Salvation Army is being set for December, more on the date and opportunities to serve as they become available. Pray for warmer weather!!

The food and the servers were superb as usual. We learned that one of our servers is recently arrived from Columbia and is learning english. Can you guess who?