Copy of Copy of July 16 2020 (Sep 25, 2020)

Club Newsletter
The Rotary Club of Wakefield,

Rhode Island

Thursday, 09/17&24/2020

Place & Time:

Virtual ZOOM Meeting

Meeting Thursday @ Noon

RITUALS

Pledge of Allegiance - Dick
Object of Rotary poster was referenced.
Moderator: Glen Zibolis
Reporter Judy

VISITING ROTARIAN AND GUEST INTRODUCTIONS

Attendance

There were no guests aside from our featured speaker.

Club Business and Announcements

Charitable committee: Ed, Phil, Nancy, Val, and Ken Desareau. Board meeting Chris asked for a matching grant to Water for Cambodia. Sent to International committee for review and approval.

All but eight members have paid their dues. Dick will resend email with invoice for anyone in need.

Chris van Hemerick spoke to members about the Wakefield Charitable Foundation brochure that will be used to inform public of the foundation and expand donor base to grow funds. : WR Charitable Foundation brochure. Talked to board about WRC Foundation. Doesn't function as a charitable org. Try to expand donor base to grow the foundation and then provide funds to the club for designated projects both internationally and local. Funds can be given as restricted or unrestricted. Unrestricted funds are presented to board for majority votes for approval. Restricted refunds don't require preapproval from the membership. Will notify membership of what.

Chris is current President of the Wakefield Charitable Foundation. Jim B, Dennis , Linda, and Harry comprise the members. Combined assets in Rotary advised fund and RI Foundation is in excess of $500,000. There is currently $12K available which represents 4.5% interest from Donor advised fund. The club should have $24,000 available to be used for projects needed locally or international from combined assets of two funds

Water for Cambodia: clubs are encouraged to participate in district grants.

The Wakefield Charitable Foundation has been working to apply for a global grant for the past couple of years. Grants will lose 50% match from cash contributions next near. Kris David suggests splitting the grant into two; one with district grant. The WCF would like to apply for a district grant and need 2 other clubs in district to join.

Community Service: Donna - blood drive: poor showing at this point on sign ups. 5 people at most to date.

The blood drive code is # 1425. Contact Donna for more info.

Working with Critter Hut and has ordered dog food. Animal Rescue RI will be the recipient. Linda asked that someone get a photo at blood drive and dog food drive

Donna - Current initiatives for community outreach include assistance to the elderly and the Million Mask Challenge. Going to Animal Rescue to deliver at least 50 lbs. BD was successful 12 combined with Elks 36 people are reached. Thanks to all.

Sunshine

Val announced Lori and Elizabeth have birthdays coming up on 9/30. Nancy and Val have induction anniversary dates in September.

Happy Bucks

Jay asked me to pass this information to the club.

South County Habitat for Humanity is quite familiar with adapting to change, but COVID-19 has surely put that to the test. We were heartbroken to cancel our in-person "Hammers & Hope 30th Anniversary Gala", but excited to share that it will now be a Virtual Auction taking place October 1-15th! Join us from the comfort and safety of home to bid online on more than 70 packages from stunning pieces of one-of-a-kind art to family fun baskets and gift cards to local eateries, there is something for everyone! All auction proceeds benefit South County Habitat's mission of working towards the day every one has a place to call home.

Visit schhri.org/auction for more information.

Donna gave $5 for something.

Program 9/17/2020

Speaker: Kate O'Malley

Africa Unite began as a small group in 01 an became an org in 04.

Director of Africa Unite Zoe will moderate the presentation.

Nyathi Cresencia - Human rights org run by young adults for young adults. 3 provinces. Growing culture of violence and crime in area. Young adults took a stand. So many social and economic needs.

Bongeka Gumede - school club program was launched in 2014. Events and campaigns provide awareness on climate change, xenophobia, etc. Creates accountability from young people. Food insuffiency.- created a feed scheme for tribe members to tap into for their families..

encourage immigrants to give back to host country
Cultural Exchange Heritage Day: culture through sports
Lobbying and Advocacy
Civil Society partnerships and projects
working to make this a global program
Social Innovation and Social Impact

COVID 19 Activism

Mira Modise - development worker for Africa Unite

social emotional learning forum
youth reporter program - trained on how to run a weekly podcast

Program 9/24/2020

Speaker: Dennis introduced Holly Gray from Edesia which is a nonprofit organization addressing malnourishment in children globally.

Edesia packages and distributes ready to use therapeutic foods as a standard treatment worldwide for children that suffer from malnutrition. 144 million children are malnourished and this contributes to half the deaths of children worldwide.

Malnourishment occurs from poverty ,political conflict, persecution , and natural disasters.

Plumpy Nuts - developed i n France from France . A box of Plumpy nuts successfully treats malnourished children within six weeks for $50. Success rate when reached is over 90%.

Edesia has temporarily stopped tours of the Edesia plant. Products for schools designed as a prevention to malnourishment also are packaged and shipped. Other products help pregnant and nursing moms. A goal is to reach children within the first thousand days of life.

Holly answered a number of questions ranging from shelf life of products , product patents, how the organization funds the initiative, and where Edesia recruits it's employees which turns out to be from the refugee population here in Rhode Island. Holly explained that the organization is self sustaining through the packaging and distribution of the products to customers like the U.S. Government, Doctors Without Borders. Edesia bids on orders and ships on a huge scale. Currently has shipped over $600K of product and will reach over one million sales by year's end. Edesia is part of a network of Plumpy Nuts manufacturers and is the 2nd largest producer in the world.

Holly played a factory tour video to show members the process.

For more information please try the link below.

https://www.edesianutrition.org

Photos

ADJOURNMENT

Next Meeting: Thursday October 1, 2020

Many thanks to the reporters and photographers!

Please make every effort to attend our next Wakefield Rotary meeting.

Better yet, bring a friend!