Addison Rotary Meeting

August 1, 2007

 

Members present:

Ron Burns
Tony Cimino
Matt Delawder
George Ellefsen
Cal George
Tom Geraghty
Ben Gulino
Scott Helton
Diane Junokas
Jim Krage
Jim Lesko
Steve Morrison
Gary Sinagra
Bob Smith
Bob Watson
Don Weiss


Guests: Carolyn Boni, Denise and Edgar Urueta, Abner Ganet

Meeting opened with Pledge, Rotary motto, prayer and luncheon.

The August 15 meeting will be held at Mario's on Lake Street .

Cal George shared information about Rotary Enactment 07-231 which expanded the number of members on the Nominating Committee for Rotary International President from 17 to 34. The Addison Rotary voted to oppose Enactment 07-231.

Minutes of July 25 meeting were shared.

Raffle tickets were sold for the TV raffle and the weekly raffle.

A sign up sheet was circulated for the Rotary booth at Community Days. Members are requested to work sometime during the following hours: Friday, Aug. 10 5-8pm, Saturday, Aug 11 noon-8pm and Sunday, Aug. 12 noon-8pm.

Ron Burns reminded members to sign up for the Arlington Park Rotary event to be held on August 26 at 11:00am. Parking is free. A box seat and bistro lunch are included for $16. Addison Rotary members can purchase their tickets through the club for $8.00.

Cal George introduced the guest speaker, Abner Ganet. Mr. Ganet shared information about his experience as part U.S. Army division that liberated the prisoners of the Buchenwald concentration camp on April 11, 1945.

Mr. Ganet has been a member of the Board of Trustees of Elmhurst College for 18 years. Elmhurst College has sponsored a Holocaust Week each year to raise awareness and inform students about the Holocaust. During this event 13 years ago, Ganet met Elie Weisel who was scheduled as a speaker. Weisel, who had been a prisoner at Buchenwald , thanked Mr. Ganet for being part of the liberation effort that saved his life. Weisel encouraged Mr. Ganet to share his experiences with others so that people would understand that the events of the Holocaust did occur, so Mr. Ganet has been making presentations to a wide variety of groups for the past 13 years.

He shared photos and memories of the horrible conditions the soldiers witnessed when they entered Buchenwald 62 years ago and said that groups like Rotary that share a message and mission of peace are vital in the ongoing fight against prejudice and injustice.

The meeting adjourned at 1:35 p.m.