MAY 20 , 2005 ANNUAL FOUNDATION DINNER
Rotary District 7150

The 89th annual recognition dinner honoring District 7150 Paul Harris Fellows and other donors was held at Dibbles Inn in Vernon, NY on May 20, 2005. Our featured speaker was Robert J. Grantham, Past District Governor District 7170. A social hour and hors d’oeuvres began at 6:00 pm and dinner was served at 7:00 pm. The honors ceremony followed dinner.

Following hors d'oeuvres during cocktail hour, dinner choices were: Top Sirloin of Beef Au Jus; chicken du Jour; Fresh Steamed Seasonal Vegetables; Baked Zitti with Meat Sauce; Seafod Entree du Jour; Italian Sausages with Peppers & Onions; Home-Made Italian Meatballs in Sauce; Chef's Choice Potato; Assorted Fresh Cold Salads; Fruited Gelatin Mold; Fresh Rolls and Butter. Coffee, tea, decaf, and dessert will be served by your Waitress.

Like prior years, the dinner was $25.00 per person if registered by May 15th, and $30.00 per person thereafter. It is important that we have an accurate count of numbers and guests to keep costs in line. Registration forms were forwarded to each club. You may also download the registration form.

The honors ceremony included recognition of new and multiple Paul Harris Fellows (April 1, 2004 through March 31, 2005); Recognition of Major Donors, Benefactors, and sustaining members.

More information was available by contacting: DGN Carol Anthony by at 315-687-9339 or email Carol.

DGN Carol Anthony (Chittenango Rotary), welcomes Rotarians to the 88th annual recogniktion dinner honoring D7150 Paul Harris Fellows and other donors	L to R: Joanie Austin, Linda Miers, District Governor Jim Austin (Tully Rotary), District Foundation Chair Michael Miers (Oriskany Falls Rotary)
PDG Bruce Frassinelli (Oswego Rotary) leads us in song with that great baritone voice	District Foundation Chair Michael Miers shares our District's foundation successes
PDG Ed Paparella (Greater Utica Sunrise Rotary), gives us an update on the amazing job D7150 is doing in contributing to the Polio Eradication Campaign	Robert Batley (Eastwood Rotary), gives us an update on our Ambassadorial Scholars
DGE Jerry Gortner (Canastota Rotary) watches his Convention Chair share information about District Conference	The Canastota Chairs do a fun Karmac takeoff while inviting us to a luau in Lake Placid
PDG Don Reese (Utica Rotary), introduces our Guest Speaker	PDG Robert Grantham, (District 7170) gives us an inspiring "I Have a Hope..." speech
Dean Burth (Greater Utica Sunrise Rotary) presented with special presentatio	And new Paul Harris Fellows are recognized and congratulated

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APRIL 30TH, 2004 FOUNDATION DINNER
by Gerald H. Taylor, Dinner Chairman

The 87th annual recognition dinner honoring District 7150 Paul Harris Fellows and other donors will be held at Dibbles Inn in Vernon, NY on April 30, 2004. Robert A. Coultas, Past RI Director will be our featured speaker. A social hour and hors d’oeuvres will begin at 6:00 pm and dinner will be served at 7:00 pm. The honors ceremony will follow dinner.

This year, the dinner choices are: chicken cordon bleu with rice pilaf; baked stuffed haddock; prime rib (regular cut); the usual potato/rice pilaf selections will be available along with the chef’s choice of vegetable. Coffee, tea and decaf will be served and the dessert will be vanilla ice cream with creme dementhe topping.

The registration forms will be forwarded to each club. Please note that not only will an accurate number of attendees be necessary, but also an accurate count of which dinner choice. Like prior years, the dinner will be $25.00 per person if registered by April 9, 2004 but will be $30.00 per person thereafter. It is important that we have an accurate count of numbers, guests, and their choice of dinner to keep costs in line. Download registration form.

DG Andrea Ives	Speaker - PRID Robert Coultas
DGN Jerry Gortner	DGE Jim Austin
PDG Ed Paparella	Donna Schonewetter pins Stephen Woiler
Edward Rosman	Charles Choi
Tim Jones	Joel Arsenault
John Frigolette	Linda Curtis
George Maslankowski	Paul Engle
Robert Young
James Throneberry	Hamilton's AG David Craine
Susan Gustafson	Douglas Powrie
Ron Ramsden	Deirdre Purdy
DGE Jim Austin & wife, Joannie	Richard Poppa
Larry Calabrese	AG Don St. Louis
Anita Brown	Bob Coultas & wife receive gift from DG Andrea

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Notice of the Annual Foundation Recognition Dinner

The Annual Foundation Recognition Dinner, held on Friday, April 25th, 2003, took place at Dibbles Inn in Vernon, NY. Social Hour will began at 6:00pm dinner began at 7:00pm. In the past this event often ended rather late, for those with a long distance to travel, so we went with the buffet style meal, in hopes of getting to the program portion of the evening sooner. The completed reservation form was returned to the Tully Club, sponsors of this year’s event.

We asked clubs to submit the names of all persons in their club receiving either their first or a multiple Paul Harris since April 1st of 2002. We had a list from the Rotary Foundation but we wanted to make sure nobody got missed. We also asked for the names of any major donors, sustaining members and benefactors so they could also be recognized at this celebration.

We held fast to our payment schedule of $25 dollars per person for registrations in prior to April 15th. After that date, registrations were $30. Payment was required along with registration for reservations to be secured. - Rev. Jim Austin, DGN, Area 5 AG, D7150

Download '03 Dinner Registration Form

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Annual Foundation Dinner Speaker

Dr. William Cadwallader
Past Director of RI

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Arnoldas Pranckevicius

Colgate student named Rotary Scholar

HAMILTON, N.Y. Arnoldas Pranckevicius, a senior at Colgate University, has received a prestigious Rotary World Peace Scholarship from Rotary International. He is among only 70 persons so honored worldwide, and this is the Peace Scholarship program's inaugural year. He was nominated by the Rotary Club of Hamilton and endorsed by Central New York Rotary District 7150.

"The fact that he was chosen from nearly 300 candidates attests to the fine qualities that this young man possesses," said Bruce Frassinelli, governor of Rotary District 7150. "There is no doubt that he will not only make substantial contributions to his homeland, but also will further Rotary's goal of achieving world peace."

Pranckevicius plans to use his scholarship to earn a masters degree in international relations at Institut D'Etudes Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po). Ultimately, he says, he wants to return to his native Lithuania to help with its effort to join the European Union (EU). "The [Sciences Po] graduate program in Paris, capital of one of the main driving forces of the European Union, will allow me to observe closely how European institutions function and how they reform themselves in order to accommodate future [EU] enlargement," he said. "This would be invaluable knowledge to bring back and apply in Lithuania, a would-be EU member."

While still in high school, Pranckevicius served on his local school board and worked to make the post-Russian-occupation curriculum better reflect Lithuania's democratic values. He also was active in theatricals and youth theater, acting in plays throughout Europe. As a member of the Lithuanian national debate team, won the European championship and participated in the World Debate Championships in Israel in 1998.

At Colgate, Pranckevicius is majoring in international relations and has written an honors thesis: "Is joining NATO in the national interest of Lithuania?" He is host of The World Matters, a weekly program on Colgate's television station that he originated after the events of Sept. 11. He has written more than 250 bylined articles for national newspapers in Lithuania and weekly papers in the United States, has served as an intern in the office of U.S. Senator and Balkan Caucus Chair Richard Durbin (D-IL) and also interned at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Washington, D.C. Pranckevicius is the son of Algimanta Pranckeviciene and Vilhelmas Pranckevicius of Panevezys, Lithuania.

"Arnoldas is a treasure, almost literally shining with enthusiasm: for learning, Colgate, international relations; for Lithuania, his homeland; for the television program on world events that he moderates here and the newspaper work he does at home," said Colgate's interim president, Jane Pinchin. "He uses language with precision and, yes, beauty. How lucky we are to have had him here."
For more information about the Rotary World Peace Scholarships and how to apply, go to www.rotary.org or call the Rotary club in your area.

D7150 Rotary Note: On 18 April 2002 during a briefing at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, Rotary announced to the world the first class of scholars to study at the Rotary Centers for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution.

 

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The Rotary Foundation
D7150's 85th Annual Dinner
Friday, April 26th, 2002, Dibbles Inn, Vernon NY
6 pm: Social Hour, 7 pm: Dinner & Program

Honoring D7150 Paul Harris Fellows,
Benefactors, & Major Donors

View 2002 Program * View 2001 Awardees & Pictures

Recognition Form * Registration * RI RF materials

Program:
6:00 to 7:00 p.m. - Registration and Cash Bar
7:00 p.m. - Call to Order
Master of Ceremonies - Andrea Ives, DGN
Welcome - Bruce Frassinelli, DG
Pledge of Allegiance
“America the Beautiful”
District Foundation Update - Don Cossette, TRF Chair
Upcoming District Events - Don Reese, DGE
Invocation - Jim Austin, DGND
~ Dinner ~
Intro. of World Peace Scholar - Charles Young, WPS Chair
World Peace Scholar - Arnoldas Pranckevicius
Introduction of Keynote Speaker - Andrea Ives, DGN
Speaker - Dick Drukker III, PDG, D7470
Special Presentation - Ward Vuillemot, PDG
Bruce Frassinelli, DG
Introduction of Paul Harris Fellows - Ward Vuillemot, PDG
Introduction of D7150 Benefactors - Ward Vuillemot, PDG
Closing Remarks - Bruce Frassinelli, DG

Print Version of Program


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Top 10 Reasons you should attend

10. You will have the chance to see the Rotary Foundation in action at its Annual Dinner!

9. A great opportunity to hear in person what a difference your foundation dollars meant!

8. A fun way to earn a "Make-up Credit"!

7. Enjoy an enlightening, motivating, and inspiring speech by our very own District 7150 Ambassadorial Scholars

6. Great food ... great fellowship ... great price!

5. Meet, greet and share in honoring our 2005-2006 class of Paul Harris Fellows!

4. Your partner deserves a nice night out. A great way to kill two birds with one stone (especially if you choose the chicken)!

3. Enjoy a fun visit to Vernon without losing your $ on the horses!

2. You get a chance to wear your Paul Harris medal!

1. A great way to show your support for the District's Foundation Activities!

Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarships:

The Rotary Foundation's oldest and best-known program is Ambassadorial Scholarships, established in 1947. Since that time, more than 30,000 men and women from 100 nations have studied abroad under its auspices. Today, the Ambassadorial Scholarships Program of The Rotary Foundation is the world's largest privately funded international scholarships program. Through grants totaling approximately US$26 million, recipients from some 69 countries will study in more than 64 different nations. The purpose of the Ambassadorial Scholarships program is to further international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries. Today, the program sponsors several types of scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students as well as qualified professionals pursuing vocational studies.

District 7150 regularly awards an Ambassadorial Scholarship worth between $23,000 and $25,000 each year to a worthy candidate from our District. Candidates should be in the last year of regular college or a recent graduate who would like to spend a year of graduate study in another country. We will accept applications via local Rotary Clubs until July 31, 2002 for study in the academic year of 2003-2004. Chair Norm Kolb asks that "club presidents and secretaries to be on the lookout for good candidates in their towns and cities and forward their applications to me". Norm's address is in the District Directory.

Download the Ambassadorial Scholarships Leaflet, and an Ambassadorial Scholarships Application Form. Further information is available on the RI Website's Ambassadorial Scholar webpage.

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Scholar Eric von Wettberg's Report from Denmark:

Eric wrote an extremely interesting Final Report on his experiences as an Ambassadorial Scholar in Denmark. Read a large portion of his report in the February Credo Online, or read the full version in the pdf printable version here.

 

Scholar Sheila Maher's Report from Italy:

Dear Rotarians, I have been in Urbino now for almost two months, and it is already time for my first report back to the Rotary Foundation sponsor club, sponsor district governor, and the host district governor.

Professor Antonio Faxi is my Rotary counselor here in Urbino. He and his wife have been extremely helpful in everything form procuring my apartment and household necessities to helping me register for class and adjust to the Italian university system. The Rotary club in Urbino's most recent project was funding a restoration project of a chapel in Urbino from the 1500's. The president of the Urbino club, Carlo Inzerillo, is a teacher and takes a great interest in art. I suppose this kind of project is quite unique to Italy with all of their artistic treasures.

So far, I have attended one Rotary dinner and will attend another on Saturday, December 16th. At the dinner that I attended in November, our District Governor was present as well as several presidents of neighboring clubs. I was formally introduced there as the Urbino Club's Ambassadorial Scholar. I had the opportunity to meet and visit the Urbino Club president, the District Governor, and several other members. I expect to give a presentation to the Urbino Club later on during my stay.

I have just completed the first term of classes at the Universia di Urbino. I am taking three literature classes: Italian literature, Renaissance literature, and comparative literature. I am also taking an Italian linguistics class for foreign students. In addition, I am taking two "tutorial-type" classes that are offered to students taking the Italian literature course. It has taken a while to adapt to the many differences in the Italian university system.

The classes have "monographic" and "general" components. The monographic part of the course is what the professor covers throughout the year in class, and the general part is to be covered by the students on their own. The monographic part just usually covers one writer' works or one aspect of the general topic of the course. In the end, this leaves a very large part of the material for students to study on their own. During the school year, there are no specific reading assignments nor are there projects or papers assigned. So, I have discovered that this system is overwhelmingly autodidactic.

After Christmas vacation, I plan on writing a paper on Dante's Divine Comedy under the direction of one of my professors. She has agreed to advise me, and we have already discussed some possible topics. She has also suggested some critical sources to read in the meantime. Right now I am making my way through the "Inferno." Another challenge is accepting and adapting to the Italian attitude towards class. The classes are not obligatory. The professors tend to cancel class on any give day and without notice, and they are famous for coming to class at least twenty minutes late. However, most professors and my fellow Italian students are always ready to answer questions and be of any help.

Although, I have studied in Italy before, [as a D7150 Youth Exchange Student] I have made many new observations of this country's culture, and language. It has been much easier to step into the Italian culture this year having a solid language base. Understanding what I read in the newspaper, what I hear on the nightly news. And in daily conversation has opened and unearthed a lot of what I could not comprehend before. The Labyrinth of Italian politics is becoming somewhat more comprehensible. As a Catholic, I am realizing that the Church's political influence and historical presence are much more pronounced here in Italy rather than its religious impact on society.

Living on my own and cooking for myself has forced me to learn the ways of the "going to market" and cooking in Italy. Here in Urbino, I am fond of the thriving piazza life. The piazza is the heart of this small town, and it is a great sight to see at Christmas time. Filled with students, children, and elderly people. There is a rich history in Urbino. Its "Golden Age" was in the 1500's. The ducal palace is one of the main Historical/cultural attractions; it is quite an impressive sight. My studies are well underway, and I am enthusiastic about the coming semester. I am extremely grateful to the individual Rotarians who have helped me on my way to Urbino and during my stay here and to the Rotary Foundation for providing me with this opportunity to study and service.

Sincerely, Sheila Maher

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