The Rotary Club of Carbondale-Breakfast

Club History - At Fifteen Years

Contents
  Introduction Club Communications Service Beyond the Club
  Club Service Safe Night The Super Block Gazebo
  Community Service Past Members Remembered Book Depository Project
  International Service Polio Eradication Paul Harris Fellows, Benefactors, & Major Donors
  Vocational Service Heartland Dental Clinic Awards
  Carson and Barnes Circus Foundation Grants Acknowledgements

Introduction

Our first decade was commemorated in November 1998 with a rollicking ten-year anniversary party planned with in-house entertainment (you had to be there). Some Charter members who had moved away attended, including colorful Master of Ceremonies David Bateman. Our club mentors - PDG Sidney Matthews and Charles ("Chunk") Hindersman -were present; Sid was honored as a lifetime honorary member, and our Rotarian of the Year award was named in his honor that night.

The Rotary Club of Carbondale-Breakfast has continued to mature during the 1998-2003 years. Membership has stabilized, traditions have been institutionalized, our financial status is secure, our community service role is recognized, our leadership in the district is unquestioned, and we are poised to provide a second Governor for District 6510, Jack Langowski.

One characteristic of Carbondale-Breakfast is that we are a hands-on club (as contrasted with a check-writing club). Another is that "old" members continue to actively participate, serve, and lead. They have proven their commitment to Rotary's service ideals. At the risk of omitting some who should be mentioned, those who immediately come to mind are David Coracy, John Holt, Jack Langowski, Terry Mathias, John Mead, Jim Romano, Marcia Sinnott, Blanche Sloan, Monty Smith, and Janet Vaught.

Unfortunately, we have lost some dependable members as they have moved elsewhere or dropped out for other valid reasons. We still miss these former members.

All of our major community service projects have their own space in this book. They include three editions of the Carson and Barnes Circus, with proceeds going to community and youth purposes; three editions of Safe Night Carbondale; volunteers and grant support for SIU's Heartland Dental Clinic; the gazebo at the Super Block (page 12); two big yard sales, proceeds going to Carbondale youth projects and to Polio Eradication; and reinstatement of the Mother's Day Plant Sale, proceeds shared by the Carbondale Women's Center and Polio Eradication. We also donated an all-weather book return for the Carbondale Public Library.

The long-term service project called "Share the Spirit! Toys for Carbondale Kids" was deemed to have run its course and in 1999 was discontinued. We have concentrated on identifying a comparable signature activity, which at this time appears to be assisting with the operations of the Carbondale Soccer Tournament.

Total financial support for community service, excluding scholarships and grants, amounts to $28,122. Scholarships awarded to CCHS graduates to attend either SIUC or John A. Logan College totaled $12,500.

In an area previously unexplored, grants from The Rotary Foundation's Community Assistance Program (CAP) and the District Simplified Grant (DSG) program have enabled our club to underwrite grants to the Carbondale Women's Center, the Heartland Dental Clinic, and the Black Diamond Ranch. Grants received totaled $3,611.

For the academic year 1999-2000, Carbondale-Breakfast nominated Angela Bolton as an Ambassadorial Scholar candidate, and she was selected by the district for significant academic and ambassadorial responsibilities. She studied at Universität Klagenfurt in Austria.

A second activity related to International Service was the sponsoring of delegations from Russia in 1999-2000 and 2000-01. We also hosted Group Study Exchange teams each year that our district received such a team from abroad.

To enable our club and district to benefit directly and indirectly from programs of The Rotary Foundation, our members have given generous financial support to the Foundation, and the club has won district awards for leadership in this area. Twenty-seven new Paul Harris Fellows were recognized in the past five years, as well as two new Major Donors. Numerous members are on record with The Rotary Foundation as Sustaining Members ($100 per year, open-ended). Currently four members are in a Sustaining Member Group within the club.

The club has won the Rotary International Presidential Citation in three of the past five years for balanced achievement in all four Avenues of Service.

Vocational scholarships represent a new area of interest for our club. For the last three years, we have sponsored an essay competition for vocational students at CCHS, with scholarships as the reward. Three winners have been able to enroll in vocational programs with the assistance of these scholarships, and this activity has strengthened our participation in the Avenue of Vocational Service.

Each club president has had socializing as a goal, and frequent social events such as TGIF, the White Elephant Exchange, and the Awards Banquet have promoted this goal.

The club that Carbondale-Breakfast sponsored in 1997, the Rotary Club of the Greater Carterville Area, is flourishing, due in no small part to our mentoring.

Three additional happenings that don't fit into any specific category occupy important places in the record of the past five years. The first was the visit to our club of then-RI Director Elect James R. Shamblin of Shreveport, Louisiana, who is the highest-ranking senior Rotary leader ever to visit our club. During his second year as a Director, he was selected by President Bhichai Rattakul to serve as RI Vice President in 2002-03. Our club entertained him appropriately for three days, during which time he also visited Rotary clubs in Carterville and Du Quoin.

Another topic that elicited intense interest for several months was that of changing our club name. In the process of considering this possible change, we adopted an updated club Constitution and Bylaws. (We didn't change our name after all!)

We have taken pride in the membership in our club of several Carbondale officials, now topped by Mayor Brad Cole, elected in March 2003. A large contingent of Rotarians was on hand for his swearing-in.

As we conclude our fifteenth year, the Rotary Club of Carbondale-Breakfast looks forward with anticipation and confidence to supporting the governorship of Jack Langowski during Rotary International's Centennial Year and to hosting the best-ever District Conference.

Club Service

From its chartering in 1988, the Rotary Club of Carbondale-Breakfast has been blessed with devoted members who give generously of their gifts and graces. Members serve in diverse leadership roles, some continuously, others in shorter-term commitments as their time allows. Moreover, members share their time and talents to plan and conduct the very active set of programs that the club sponsors, often bringing to light their hidden skills and creativity.

Among the cadre of members who assure the successful functioning of the club, several people deserve attention for their long-standing service in specific roles. Jane Hughes coordinated monthly programs for many years until the demands of her profession prompted her resignation in late 2002. Bill Crain is the perennial Sergeant-at-Arms, always with a witty remark, always arriving early on meeting days to set up the Cambria Room with the club's flags, banners, and podium (which he constructed as a surprise contribution). Terry Mathias has edited and produced the monthly, then weekly bulletins since 1996-97; he has recently taken on the added role of program coordination. Janet Vaught is an able source of information about club matters and club history in general, but especially the Paul Harris Fellow and Sustaining Member programs of The Rotary Foundation. Marcia Sinnott deserves praise for handling new member orientation as well as participating in numerous other projects and activities with her unique grace and wit. John Holt, quietly and insightfully, contributes a wealth of wisdom and recall that spans his many roles in the club.

Behind the scenes, but most certainly no less important, Jim Romano has generously shared the use of his high-quality photocopy equipment, not only for such regular printing needs as the weekly bulletin, but also for preparation of a host of one-time and special-need printing projects. George Waring developed the club web site-one of the best in the district-and adds the weekly bulletins and other items on a regular basis. Jack Langowski provides the web server on which the club's web site resides.

However, two members stand above all others for their sustained and self-sacrificing service. Blanche Sloan, even in the press of her responsibilities at the district, zone, and international levels of Rotary, unfailingly shares her knowledge of club history and Rotary International to keep the club true to its role as one of the leading clubs in District 6510. Jack Langowski, known for a "can-do" spirit and gifted leadership to match, has provided the spark for many club activities: the circus, Safe Night, "Share the Spirit!," and his unique brand of fundraising for the worthy programs and projects of The Rotary Foundation. It is no surprise that they are applauded for their leadership beyond the club level.

Each year, the club secretary shoulders the often-unrecognized burden of completing a flow of reports to the district and to Rotary International, including but not limited to monthly attendance figures, semiannual membership reports, and periodic other documents. In the last five years, these people have served as club secretary: Corene McDaniel, Jenna Smith, Kara Jones-Daly, Randy Craig, Craig Hinde, and Jim Calloway.

Similarly, the club treasurer devotes many unseen hours to maintaining the club's financial books, preparing summary monthly reports, depositing the weekly "pig" and coffee revenues, and monitoring the club's invested funds. As special projects come around, club treasurers are involved in assuring the availability of funds for working cash and tallying and depositing the resulting income. During the last half-decade, Dennis Lyle, Randy Bernhardt, George Waring, Kyle Harfst, and Dan Becque have fulfilled this valued role.

Club service also includes involvement in standing and ad hoc committees. Each year, the Board of Directors includes the president, president elect, past president, secretary, treasurer, and the directors of the Four Avenues of Service. They meet at least monthly to conduct the work of the club, monitor ongoing projects and activities, address a range of individual and organizational needs, and bring to reality the vision of the club for fulfilling its role in the Rotary world as well as the district and community. A listing of club officers and directors for the past five years is displayed below.

Beyond these, most worthy of note is the camaraderie that marks the nature of this club. While other Rotary clubs often become "checkbook clubs," doing little more than paying dues and attending weekly meetings, this club has long been known for its hands-on participation, no matter the task at hand. The club's major projects and activities are planned with the expectation that each member will have a role in the outcome. Clearly, such projects as the circus, Safe Night, "Share the Spirit!," the dental clinic, yard sales, plant sales, etc. would not have been as successful-or as meaningful-without the full participation of the club's members. That esprit de corps often shows up- sometimes unexpectedly-for weekly meetings in the form of the witty remark and the friendly ribbing that enlivens an early Tuesday morning get-together.

Community Service

During the last five years, the Rotary Club of Carbondale-Breakfast continued its established tradition of focusing on children in its Community Service activities. The major monetary outlay over the last five years was providing the gazebo at the center of activities in the city's new youth recreation complex, the Super Block.

In terms of major volunteer labor and planning efforts, the focus also stayed on youth with the "Share the Spirit!" project, which we discontinued after 1998; the implementation of Safe Night in its many forms; our association with the Heartland Dental Clinic to provide equipment and volunteer staffing for the reception area; and, of course, our sponsorship of the Carson and Barnes Circus in 1998, 2000, and 2002. The circus was not only a major fund-raising effort for us, but also provided children-of all ages, as the saying goes-with live entertainment.

In addition, we installed an outdoor book depository for the city library, and there was our support of The Women's Center in Carbondale, an agency that shelters and gives guidance to battered women and their children. In 2002, RI announced a renewed funding effort as a push to finish the task of subduing polio world-wide by Rotary's centennial year, 2005. The new program is called Polio Eradication, and in our club, Fred Sloan agreed to take the lead in this new drive. In the spring of 2003, our club secured a grant from The Rotary Foundation to support the work at the Black Diamond Ranch for disadvantaged children.

Those are the major projects, but by no means the only projects, under the umbrella of Community Service. In the last five years, we grilled hot dogs for National Night Out in August, stuffed baskets for the Carbondale Food Pantry, helped the Carbondale Police Department with Kid Care at the University Mall, sorted medical supplies for Father Isaac Ihiasota's mission to Nigeria, rang the bell for the Salvation Army, sponsored students to attend RYLA, helped direct parade traffic at Lights Fantastic-a holiday season lighted parade, conducted Mother's Day plant sales and yard sales, and increased our scholarships to high school students.

Community Service remains a very active part of our club. The directors of Community Service during the last five years include Gary Reinhardt (1998-99), Rick Jefferson (1999-2000), Bob Swenson (2000-01), Craig Hinde (2001-02), and Debra Nalder (2002-03); when Debra moved away in mid-year, the team of Dave Coracy and Janet Vaught replaced her.

As we begin the new Rotary year, we are about to engage in a new project. In October 2003, we will help Carbondale Soccer, Inc., with its tournament that attracts hundreds of players and their families from all around the region. This is the organization that administers the soccer league and organizes its tournaments. We are entering the activity with an eye toward either taking over that task in the future or developing a new youth sports tournament venue.

International Service

Russian Visits and Group Study Exchange

Our club has become increasingly active in international projects. In April 1999, we hosted a five-member Group Study Exchange team from Mexico. The following month, we took on one of our largest international endeavors - partnering with the Center for Citizen Initiatives, we hosted a group of twelve citizens of the former USSR. All were involved in food preparation and the restaurant business. One purpose of the visit was to help chart innovative paths in the private sector in Russia.

During their two weeks in Carbondale, we had many relaxing social events, including an outdoor picnic, dinner at Giant City Lodge and, of course, barbecue at 17th Street Bar and Grill. We laughed together, at times pointing and making hand signals for communication, but above all we dispelled some myths, fears, and stereotypes.

In 2000-01, we hosted another Russian group, this time, people involved in auto repair and service. They visited Carbondale in October and so were introduced to American football. Trying to explain fourth downs, field goals, and rules of the game to two gentlemen just arrived from Moscow was no easy task.

The automotive program at SIUC was a wonderful resource, as was Vogler Ford (thanks to Monty Smith). The Rotary clubs in Carbondale, Mt. Vernon, and Waterloo worked together to provide resources and hospitality to this group.

As a Rotarian hosting two Russian gentlemen, Connie Bosworth provides this vignette: "One of my fondest memories is this: Early one morning I heard shouting outside. I looked out of my bedroom window only to see Vasily and Aleksandr doing calisthenics and wind sprints. So much for sleeping late."

In the spring of 2001, our club hosted a GSE team from Argentina, and in April 2002, we welcomed a GSE team from Italy.

Other International Activities

One of our members, Jackie King, was selected by District 6510 for a Grant to University Teachers To Serve in Underdeveloped Countries. She spent six weeks in Nepal working with nurses and other medical-related groups on projects of health education. The grant was funded by The Rotary Foundation.

Our club continues to give financial support each year to the district-sponsored Belize Crippled Children's Project, which, in cooperation with Shriners Hospital in St. Louis, brings children with orthopedic problems to this country for orthopedic surgery and recovery. Our club has recently been instrumental in placing one such child with a host family in Carbondale. And in 2002-03, through the initiatives of Linda Young, we supported Rotoplast, a medical project in which a team of surgeons corrects the cleft palates of children in foreign countries.

Vocational Service

In August of 2000 at a meeting of the Vocational Service Committee, Bill Caldwell suggested sponsoring a project to support the Carbondale Community High School Cooperative Education Program. The Board of Directors voted to pursue the idea.

In October, Bill wrote to the teacher responsible for the co-op ed program, Ms. Catherine Jerrells. Excerpts from the letter are quoted below:

The Rotary Club of Carbondale-Breakfast would like to work with you, your school, and Operation Rebound to establish a program that supports your cooperative education curriculum and participants. We believe much needs to be done to give our youth the best possible start in preparing for the world of work and that future employers deserve to get well-prepared new workers. The program we propose promises to work on both of these fronts.
Specifically, we would like to establish an annual essay contest whose participants are cooperative education students writing about the businesses where they work during their school day. The twelve best essays will be published in local newspaper(s), and the essay judged best will provide a $1000 scholarship to the author. This scholarship may be used in any vocational or academic school that the student attends after graduation from high school or completion of a high school GED. . . .
Through this program, we hope to help students see the value of good academic preparation for life and of preparing now for their workplace of the future. We also hope to give recognition to the businesses that are participating in the cooperative education effort. These partners deserve a pat on the back. and these essays will provide some of that recognition. Finally, we hope to advertise and support the Education-to-Career programs of CCHS. These programs are making a significant contribution to the preparation of our youth for their adult responsibilities and deserve considerable public attention and support.

Ms. Jerrells accepted the proposal. The Southern Illinoisan agreed to publish the essays in the spring. In January, the essays were ready, and we put together a grading guide for the papers. Three members of the club evaluated the essays. The winner of the essay scholarship was Marisa Lather. Her scholarship was presented by President John Mead at the high school's Honors Night in May.

In the second year of the program, 2001-02, the author of the winning essay was Katrina Beebe, who was presented a $1000 scholarship by President Monty Smith.

In the fall of 2002, Bill left our club to take another position. When he left the club in December, the program was turned over to the new Director for Vocational Service, Dan Becque, who continued the process. The evaluation committee selected Adam Wagner as the winner of the $1,000 scholarship, and it was presented to him at the high school's Honors Night by President Morteza Daneshdoost in May 2003. Bill Caldwell's vision of supporting vocational as well as academic goals continues.

Carson & Barnes Circus

Near the end of Hugh Muldoon's 1997-98 presidency, the idea of bringing a circus to Carbondale was brought to the club by Jim Stroud, who unfortunately was soon transferred from Carbondale on business, leaving the project for others to develop. Hugh, Past President Janet Vaught, and1998-99 President Jack Langowski pitched in. Thus, our first circus was successfully launched in September 1998. Circuses have been held at the Southern Illinois Airport in September of 1998, 2000, and 2002.

The Steering Committees were co-chaired by Jack Langowski and Bill Caldwell. Their leadership and pep talks got everyone involved in one or more aspects of planning or implementing Circus Day. Two standing committee chairs, Terry Mathias (tickets) and Jim Romano (local arrangements), have served in their roles for all three circuses our Club has brought to our city; Amy Barr (1998) and later Steve Falat (2000, 2002) served as publicity committee chairs.

The support of the City of Carbondale has been vital to the success of the circus, whose proceeds have raised funds for youth projects in the Carbondale area. It was also a youth-oriented event, which has been the primary focus for our club since its founding. It required the hands-on assistance of every club member in one or more major planning categories and in the actual implementation on Circus Day, building esprit de corps in our club.

The Carson and Barnes organization was very helpful in providing organizational guidance and aspects of the publicity. Through the generous and consistent donations of local businesses such as Schnucks, Vogler Ford, and Planning and Management Consultants, Ltd., seed monies were raised to initiate our publicity campaigns with posters and signage around town and in the media.

Members became skilled in parking cars in daylight or darkness, in fair weather or during thunderstorms. With back-to-back shows, we needed to empty the parking field (no white lines!) and fill it again within one and a half hours. Not only did we do it without a fender bender, but we never lost a Rotarian either (although some of us made it close!). Marcia Sinnott, who coordinated the plan for traffic control, awarded Janet Vaught the title of "Supreme Commander of Traffic Control" for her valiant efforts to correct or threaten dozens of crazy regional drivers on their way to the circus!

The camaraderie was always evident, and we had a lot of fun while raising $5000 or more at each circus event to fund our club community service projects. The circus project is expected to continue in the future with the next one expected in 2004. Thanks, Hugh and Janet, for getting us started and taking the risk on an adventure that has had such a positive effect on our club and our community.

Club Communications

Our club is very proud of two forms of communication that we produce. One is our award-winning newsletter, a part of this club since its inception. The other is our club's web site.

From its beginning, the club has published "The Early Bird" (bulletin), first on a monthly basis, then on a weekly basis since 1997-98. Editors have included Linda Mathias, Linda Barrette, Jerri Uffelman, Janet Vaught, and Terry Mathias, with periodic guest editor or senior correspondent roles for Linz Brown, Marcia Sinnott, and John Holt. The bulletin earned District 6510 recognition in 1993 and won first place in 2003.

Terry Mathias, current editor of "The Early Bird," has steadfastly and accurately kept us informed. He has kept us posted on upcoming events, future programs, visiting Rotarians and guests; summarized the preceding week's program and business meetings; highlighted messages from the District and Rotary International; called to our attention club activities; and given us relevant news about club members. Our club has truly benefited by such devotion and consistency.

Special and lasting thanks are due to Jim Romano for his continuing assistance in printing the weekly newsletter. The support of George Waring, who has posted the weekly bulletin on the club web site since 2002, demonstrates the effectiveness of our club communication.

Our club can also take pride in having one of the most attractive and informative web sites of any club in District 6510. We also were one of the first, if not the first, club in our District to go on-line.

The club's web site was developed by George Waring shortly after he joined our club in 1999. He had experience in developing web sites for Sigma Xi and the SIUC Department of Zoology, and he volunteered to design ours. However, this is no "canned" design - no pre-packaged software for George. He created the look and the organization of the pages from scratch, hand coding each html file. Our site features an attractive home page with links to several subheadings, such as Recent Service Activities, Club Newsletter, Club History, Rotary Scholarships, Board of Directors and other pages. In addition, it is linked to the Rotary International site and the District 6510 site.

Of course, a server was needed on which to file and post our web pages. Jack Langowski came to the rescue (as he so often has), offering the server at his business.

George makes the site as user friendly and useful as possible. He has been aided in this by obtaining the graphic elements of Rotary emblems from R.I. Further, he was readily able to include our ten-year club history, Constitution, and Bylaws because they were available in electronic form. Terry Mathias provided the ten-year history, and Jack Langowski provided our recently revised Constitution and Bylaws.

Two elements that George recently added are an electronic copy of our very first newsletter, made available by Linz Brown, and a photo of the presentation of a check to the Black Diamond Ranch for its work with troubled children.

Again, accolades go to George for keeping our site up-to-date. He takes pride in our long list of community service and other activities posted on the Web. Our site has continued to evolve under his vigilance, and it continues to be one of Rotary's best club web sites.

Safe Night

Safe Night began in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the late 1990s, and quickly became a national model as a youth violence and substance abuse prevention project. It was launched in Carbondale in September 1999, and immediately became a biannual event, hosted in September by community service and youth agencies in the city and county and in April by the Rotary Club of Carbondale-Breakfast. For the first year, our club's participation was under the leadership of Jack Langowski. For subsequent events, the reins were held jointly by Kara Jones-Daly and Jack.

The reaction from the kids helped make Safe Night an evolving success story. More than 700 youth attended the April 2001 event, held in two locations-the Eurma Hayes Center (Grades K-6) and the Teen Center (Grades 7-12). The younger group enjoyed games and prizes and a popular new event, created by Craig and Jan Hinde, called "Polaroid Cartoons" in which humorous painted flats were designed. Kids could put their faces into the scene, and Polaroid pictures were taken and given to them.

At the Teen Center, the older kids enjoyed games, bowling, air hockey, a D.J. for dancing, and significant amounts of food. The youth organized their own "Battle of the Bands" and put on a variety show of 16 acts including bands, vocalists, and dancers. Youth and adults jointly planned and conducted the events, and numerous businesses provided generous financial and in-kind support.

The most recent Safe Night of which our club took charge was held at the CCHS Girls Gymnasium on Saturday, April 20, 2002. Carbondale students (grades 6-12) were invited, and the program feature was "Showtime Carbondale," a talent contest for rappers, bands, vocalists, and dancers. Every club member joined a committee to plan and implement the event. Debra Nalder was chairperson of the program, in charge of scheduling the acts, and Jim Calloway was in charge of the stage setting with the assistance of the Dan Becque family. Craig Hinde organized guest personalities to appear in short interludes between the performances to talk about the importance of making good choices. The guest appearances were capped by SIUC basketball star Germain Dearman. Radio personality Jon E. Quest was master of ceremonies. Mayor Neil Dillard was on hand, as he had always been, to welcome the kids.

Randy Craig was in charge of security, and Jackie King, Connie Bosworth, B.J. Schwartz, and Jim Romano ran the registration desk. The headcount showed more than 325 youngsters in attendance. Food galore (pizza, small sandwiches, and soft drinks) was served all night by a large turnout of club members. Marcia Sinnott coordinated the publicity that attracted the kids to these biannual events.

Recognized by the National Crime Prevention Council as a model violence prevention program, a Safe Night is a party that includes time to learn how to resolve conflict peacefully. Three rules were enforced: no weapons, no alcohol or drugs, and no arguments.

Kids need a place to socialize without fear of harassment and undue pressures. Safe Night-Carbondale made this possible through the cooperative efforts of our club and several community agencies.

Past Members Remembered

The pace of life today presents a constant challenge to membership in service clubs everywhere, but when staunch members who play important roles in our own club have to leave us, we miss them. While we have been fortunate that some talented and active new members have joined, we have "taken a hit" in the loss of long-time members who have moved away during the past five years.

Charter member David Bateman moved to Charleston, but is still a Rotarian. Jane Hughes and Robert Swenson found the demands of their professions to be too great to continue with us. Charter members Jared Dorn and Debbie Tindall now belong to the Rotary Club of Carbondale. Pat Hewson and Hugh Muldoon, a past club president, had to resign for professional reasons.

Others contributive members who moved away include Ed Baruch, Jacqueline King, Betty Schmidt, Klay Tiemann, and Craig Fahringer. Klay and Craig were first inducted into Rotary in our club. Both remain Rotarians, and Klay was president of the Rotary Club of Sparta last year. Craig is also an active Rotarian who has since been elected to office in another Rotary club. Though not a member of our club for very long, Bill Caldwell, a former Rotarian when he came to Carbondale, continued when he took a position at a university in Missouri.

To lose Charter members is a loss indeed, but the following are still with us and serving as examples by their continuing leadership: Linda Barrette, Linz Brown, David Coracy, Jeff Doherty; Rick Jefferson, Terry Mathias, Barbara Jane Schwartz, Marcia Sinnott, Blanche Sloan, Monty Smith, and Bob Waldron.

Fulfilling Our Promise: Polio Eradication

The flagship project of Rotary International, for which it is recognized all over the world, is PolioPlus, launched in 1985 on the fortieth anniversary of the United Nations. Rotary pledged $120 million to buy polio vaccine in support of a global effort to immunize the children of the world. Rotarians came through by raising $247 million.

Since that year, a disease that has killed and paralyzed children for 5,000 years, polio cases have dropped by 99.8 percent-from 350,000 cases in 125 countries to 600 cases in 10 countries. More than two billion children have been immunized and four million spared death or paralysis. In this effort, Rotary has joined hands with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In addition to money for polio vaccine, the world's Rotarians have given millions of volunteer hours and leadership in more than 100 nations.

Rotary's goal in this second effort was to raise $80 million in new cash and pledges by 2005. At the 2003 Rotary International Convention in Brisbane it was announced that again Rotary had exceeded its goal, having raised $88 million either in cash or pledges.

Each Rotary district worldwide accepted a monetary goal and assigned a secondary goal to each club. The Rotary Club of Carbondale-Breakfast agreed to raise $3,000 to support Rotary in fulfilling its promise to the children of the world.

Fred Sloan was chairman of our club's efforts. A committee of David Coracy, Marcia Sinnott, Blanche Sloan, George Waring, and Billie Zimny mapped a strategy that included individual pledges, selling bumper stickers that say "Goodbye Polio-Thanks Rotary," the Mother's Day Plant Sale in May of this year, and a community yard sale held in the second month of the 2003-04 Rotary year.

We are happy to report that at the printing of this history, a total of $2,350 has been raised, given, or pledged to Polio Eradication by our club. It is apparent at this writing that we will exceed our pledge, but this is a club that always exceeds expectations. Every dollar given will help to insure that the wild polio virus will not jump borders and endanger children of the world. Although members of the Rotary Club of Carbondale-Breakfast weren't around to participate in the original fund drive, we are doing our part to fulfill Rotary's promise to eradicate polio.     "Goodbye, Polio-Thanks, Rotary!"

The Heartland Dental Clinic Service Project

Fall of 2003 marked the beginning of the fourth academic year that the club has provided volunteer support to staff the reception area for the Heartland Dental Clinic. The clinic, which is an adjunct to the SIUC Dental Hygiene and Dental Technology program, is for the benefit of the under-served (i.e., Medicaid-eligible) children and adults who might not otherwise receive dental services.

Our involvement took shape in the fall of 2000 within the Community Service committee under the chairmanship of Bob Swenson after a presentation and a request for help by the dental clinic staff. Early in 2001, Jack Langowski wrote an application for a RI CAP grant with Craig Hinde as grant administrator. A $1,011.00 grant was awarded to the club, and with it we purchased several items the Clinic had requested: a television/VCR player, dental health and children's entertainment videos, dental health brochures, and two exterior signs directing patients to the clinic.

At the beginning of the spring 2001 semester, we began staffing the reception area with two volunteers from our club each Monday evening the Clinic was in session. Club members donated toys, games, and reading materials for the young patients. We also designed an award certificate that was given to young children following their visit with the technician. It featured a Cheshire Cat's broad smile and applauded the child for courage in achieving good dental health. The certificate was assembled with the computer skills of Linz Brown and printed in color by Jim Romano,

Beginning the next academic year, in the fall of 2001, Connie Steudel took responsibility for coordinating our Monday night volunteers and developing guidelines for reception room duties. She has been steadfast in guiding our volunteers and has been "on duty" most Monday nights during the last two academic years. The number of patients the clinic serves has climbed steadily.

Our club's relationship with the Clinic is excellent. The director has stated that we are an integral part of their success. The need for dental health care among the under-privileged remains great. We have assisted the Clinic in operating in a cost-effective manner, providing opportunities for dental hygiene students to gain practical experience with children in a clinical setting, and most importantly, providing dental health care to a population that otherwise might not be served.

Foundation Grants: Tools for Community Service Support

Now Batting 3 for 3!

It is especially heartening to note that our Club has become very involved in utilizing Rotary Foundation Humanitarian Grant funds for use in support of community service projects. Our Club has applied for three such grants and has been successful with each grant application, receiving nearly $4000 in grant awards! Here is a brief synopsis of what we have accomplished through the use of these grants.

Our first Community Assistance Program (CAP) Grant was approved in Rotary Year 2000-01 to support the Southern Illinois University Carbondale Dental Hygiene and Dental Technology Programs. These agencies opened their respective clinical facilities for use by Medicaid recipients who live in southern Illinois. The clinic opens for one evening per week and is known as the SIU Heartland Dental Clinic. The clinic offers dentists in the southern Illinois area additional access opportunity to care for Medicaid-eligible patients. The clinic is self-supporting and includes continuous involvement of the Rotarians of our Club. The project coordinators were Craig Hinde and Barbara Schwartz. Jack Langowski prepared the grant application.

Our second CAP Grant was awarded in Rotary Year 2001-2002 to support the Women's Center in Carbondale. The project included the purchase of a computer and appropriate software to assist Center residents in training for preparation of job applications and for word processing positions. Debra Nalder began the development of this project and filed the application. Dave Coracy, Janet Vaught, and Jim Calloway were instrumental in completing the project. Jim also constructed a computer work station and supervised the preparation of an appropriate work room for the new equipment. This project is expected to end this calendar year.

Our third grant was awarded under the new Rotary Foundation program known as the District Simplified Grant (DSG) Program. The application was submitted and approved during Rotary Year 2002-2003 by Jack Langowski and Morteza Daneshdoost to provide sponsorship for 7 week-long scholarships at the Black Diamond Ranch in Cobden.

The Diamonds in the Rough Respite Center assists youth 7 to 18 years, all nationalities, both sexes, and of all different household types, to function in an integrated social and recreational setting. The program was developed for youth with disabilities (down syndrome, deaf, cerebral palsy, blind, etc.), special needs (A.D.D., A.D.H.D), behavioral disorders, learning disabilities, etc.), youth in foster care, and adoptive system or single-parent families. Some youth do not possess any disability, but are in need of self-esteem, social interaction, and a positive environment.

The Black Diamond Ranch is unique because it combines needed social interaction with the joy of riding and caring for horses. Horses provide the eyes and legs that some of the children lack, and the special crafts program features Native American themes, such as dream catchers, walking sticks, and necklaces.

Our Club has found a significant resource through these grants, and plans are under way to continue to use this Rotary Foundation Program as a funding tool for future community service projects. It is a wonderful example of how our contributions to the Foundation can be returned to us for these valued projects.

Service Beyond the Club

John Holt. District Treasurer; member, District Finance Committee

Jack Langowski. Chairman, District Annual Programs Fund; chairman, District Permanent Fund of The Rotary Foundation; Deputy Governor for the Foundation; Deputy Governor for Clubs; District Governor Elect; Zone 29 Strategic Advisor for the Annual Programs Fund of the Rotary Foundation.

John Mead. Chairman, District Rotary Foundation Information; Chairman, Annual Programs Fund.

Oval Myers. Member, District Ambassadorial Scholarship Committee.

Blanche Sloan. Member, District Scholarship Committee; Belize Committee; Council of Governors; member and chair, DG Nominating Committee; District Trainer; delegate to 2001 and 2004 Councils on Legislation; Zone 29 and 30 Executive Committee, 1998-01; editor, Zone Directory, 1998-00; Institute Registrar, 1998-00; Institute Program Chairman, 2001; chair, Institute Program Committee, 2002-04; convener, Nominating Committee for Director, 2003; RI Task Force, Public Relations and Rotary's Image, 20001-01; Task Force, Family Values, 2001-02; RI President Bhichai Rattakul's Representative to District 7210 Conference, 2002; member, 2004 Osaka Rotary International Convention, 2002-04 (highest assignment yet given to a woman Rotarian).

Fred Sloan. Assistant Governor; District Historian.

Connie Steudel. Member, District CAP Grant Committee.

The Super Block Gazebo

During the 1994-95 Rotary year, the club was offered an opportunity to assist the Friends of WSIU with their major annual fund-raising activity, the Fantasy Auction. The SIUC Broadcasting Service offered 20% of the net proceeds from the auction in exchange for assistance in rounding up donated goods and services to be included in the June 1995 auction. The auction was very successful, due in no small part to club members' ideas and efforts to obtain a wide array of unique and appealing contributions. When all was said and done, the club received nearly $8,000. The club's board had earmarked the proceeds for "area youth projects and activities," though did not designate a specific activity or project at that time.

During the presidency of Hugh Muldoon, the Community Service Committee was charged with identifying a youth or community-oriented project to which these funds could be applied. Club members provided an array of intriguing suggestions to an ad hoc committee established to develop recommendations for club consideration.

At an early meeting of the committee, City Manager and club member Jeff Doherty raised a tantalizing possibility. The City of Carbondale was starting to formulate plans for what would come to be known as the Super Block, including recreational fields for a wide variety of sports. The initial idea was donation of funds for one of the baseball diamonds (or perhaps a soccer field or basketball court, among other suggestions). Further exploration showed that such projects were beyond our means; however, the clear intention was to contribute in some visible way to the Super Block.

A dormant period followed, during which the City of Carbondale, school districts, and the Carbondale Park District cooperatively acquired the land, developed plans, and began construction of new schools and recreational facilities. When the actual costs of constructing playing fields became known, it was apparent that our club must identify a different gift for the Super Block. An ad hoc committee was asked to identify an appropriate contribution; this committee recommended-and the club members settled upon-a Rotary blue gazebo to be placed near the playing fields.

With assistance from the city, the structure was selected and purchased in 2002-03. The City of Carbondale provided the foundation and concrete floor and actually erected the structure. Appropriate signage was added to mark the club's contribution, and the gazebo was dedicated in April 2003. The possibility of additional club contributions to enhance the site has been discussed; as other needs are identified in the near future, these discussions may lead to further development.

Book Depository Project

Early in the presidency of John Holt, the Community Service Committee set out to find new projects to fill the void left by the discontinuance of the "Share the Spirit!" project. The committee elected to undertake two projects. The first was Carbondale Safe Night (page 10). The second was to contribute some needed gift to the Carbondale Public Library. Head Librarian and club member Connie Steudel provided a wish list, and the committee settled upon a drive-up book depository. The appropriate box was selected and purchased for installation in the parking lot of the library, where it is in daily use, adorned with a Rotary emblem for community visibility.

Paul Harris Fellows - 1988 to Present

  Linda J. Barrette, 1988 Sharron L. Lamb, 1988
  Robert D. Keen, 1989 David L. Coracy, 1990
  Blanche C. Sloan, 1991 Richard J. Brooks, 1993
  Ronald D. Paquette, 1993 Jean Dorsett-Robinson, 1993
  John K. Holt, 1994 Janet M. Vaught, 1994
  Harry Haynsworth, 1995 Helen D. Coracy, 1995
  John S. Mead, 1996 Dollean York-Anderson, 1996
  Thomas R. Frenkel, 1996 John W. Corker, 1996
  Catherine Sloan, 1996 Martha Jane Hughes, 1996
  John F. Langowski, 1996 Linz C. Brown, 1996
  James E. Sinnott, 1997 Terry Mathias, 1997
  Jeanne Hurley Simon, 1997 James A. Romano, 1997
  David N. Bateman, 1997 Marcia B. Sinnott, 1997
Multiple PHFs
  • Linda Barrette +1
  • Connie Bosworth +1
  • David Coracy +1
  • John F. Langowski +7
  • Marcia Sinnott +1
  • Blanche Sloan +7
  • Fred Sloan +4
Benefactors
  • Joan Langowski
  • Jack Langowski
  • Blanche Sloan
  • Fred Sloan
  • Janet Vaught
Major Donors/Bequest Society
  • Blanche and Fred Sloan
  • Jack and Joan Langowski

Sidney E. Matthews Rotarian of The Year

  • 1998-99    Blanche & Fred Sloan
  • 1999-00    Kara Jones-Daly
  • 2000-01    Jack Langowski
  • 2001-02    Connie Steudel
  • 2002-03    Fred Sloan

Distinguished Service Award

  • 1998-99    Connie Bosworth
  • 1999-00    Ed Baruch
  • 2000-01    Craig Hinde
  • 2001-02    Debra Nalder
  • 2002-03    Jim Calloway

Acknowledgements

This five-year update of the club's history was produced in September and October 2003 in preparation for the club's 15th Anniversary Celebration. Many club members, past and present, provided articles and summaries: Dan Becque, Connie Bosworth, Bill Caldwell, Morteza Daneshdoost, John Holt, Rick Jefferson, Kara Jones-Daly, Jack Langowski, Jackie King, John Mead, Marcia Sinnott, Monty Smith, Connie Steudel, Janet Vaught, George Waring . The members who planned, compiled, edited, and produced the update included Craig Hinde, Terry Mathias, and Blanche Sloan. Scanning of photos was performed by Dan Becque. Printing services were provided courtesy of Jim Romano. Binding services were provided courtesy of Jack Langowski.

For comments or more information.
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