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OKC Rotary NewsJanuary 17, 2023 | Volume 111 | No. 26
In-Person and Livestreamed from Christian Life Center - St. Luke's United Methodist Church | 11:55
Livestream Available 11:55am
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| Richard P. Lofgren, M.D., MPH, FACP, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of OU Health, Oklahoma’s only fully integrated, unified academic health system of hospitals, clinics and centers of excellence. He became the inaugural President and Chief Executive Officer of OU Health in March of 2022. As President and Chief Executive Officer of OU Health, Dr. Lofgren leads the overall health system, reporting directly to the OU Health Board of Directors. He is responsible for the strategic vision, clinical and operational direction READ MORE
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| Chair of the Day: Jennifer Schultz
Invocation: Charlie Smith
Introduction of Guests: Andy Koester
Teacher of the Month Introduction: Kim Henry
Attendance Scanning / Greeting: Lana Ivy, Mary B. Pointer, Jeff Simpsen
Registration: Evan Walter, Ann Ackerman
Roving Microphone: David Battles
Menu: Mixed green salad; Brussel sprout salad; Baked Chicken with Mushroom Brie Sauce; Ham Tortellini; Green Beans; Rolls
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In the NewsIf you have good news - honors, awards, new achievements - to share with the club, please let us know!
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Club 29 Breakfast Quail Creek Country Club | 7:00am | Wingspan Room
2022-23 Co-Chairs - Susan McVey and Bud Oehlert
January 19, 2023
Jane Jenkins, Downtown OKC Partnership
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Don't Drop the Ball
by Jim Priest
I don’t know if you wonder about things like this, but I do. Why do the “drop” the ball in Times Square on New Year’s Eve but we, in Oklahoma City, raise the ball? I know, there are more important things to wonder and worry about. The war in the Ukraine. The demise of civility in politics. I ponder these things too, but I wonder about things like the ball.
So I did a little research. The New York City ball has an interesting history. The tradition started in 1908, sponsored by the New York Times whose building was lit up with festive lights in an attempt to attract party goers to the Square named after it. Before 1908 spectacular fireworks would be set off at midnight. But, as reporter Meg Mathias explains,
The pyrotechnics made for an extraordinary show. But they also rained hot ash onto the New York City streets, a liability that worried city officials so much that fireworks were banned in 1907. Not to be deterred from putting on a fabulous show, the Times introduced a new gimmick to bring partyers to Times Square: the New Year’s Eve Ball.
Who came up with the idea of a ball? No one knows for sure but it was patterned after an old practice called “time balls” which were used as early as 1833. Back then few people had clocks or watches so a ball on a tall pole was installed outside the Royal Greenwich Observatory in London near the River Thames and it was lowered at specific times so people could verify the exact time, especially for ship captains on the Thames who needed to synchronize their chronometers. As more people carried watches or owned clocks, the time ball became antiquated and mostly disused. There are at least two remaining: one at the Greenwich Observatory and one at the US Naval Observatory. And of course, the Times ball which reminds people on New Year’s Eve that time is passing. READ MORE
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January Teacher of the Month
Kim Henry will introduce Jason Smith, Crooked Oak High School social studies teacher, as the January 2023 Teacher of the Month.
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Rotary International Announces 2023-2024 Theme
Rotary International President-elect R. Gordon R. McInally called for members to capture the world's attention and lead the way toward possibilities far beyond our current expectations.
McInally, a member of the Rotary Club of South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland, revealed the 2023-24 presidential theme, Create Hope in the World, during the Rotary International Assembly in Orlando, Florida, USA, on 9 January. He urged members to promote peace in troubled nations, help those affected by conflict, and maintain the momentum of initiatives begun by past leaders.
"The goal is to restore hope — to help the world heal from destructive conflicts and, in turn, to help us achieve lasting change for ourselves," McInally said at Rotary's annual training event for incoming district governors.
READ MORE
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Rotary Afterhours - February 21, 2023 | 5:30-7:00pmGrand House Asian Bistro
2701 N Classen Blvd
Cash Bar | Bring Guests RSVP
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Helping Hands $2125 Matching Funds Available
The Rotary Club of Oklahoma City in partnership with the Rotary Club 29 Foundation has established a $15,000 matching grant fund using domestic service project funds from our foundation's annual spending policy. The Helping Hands Matching Grant fund will match dollar-for-dollar charitable contributions made on or after December 20, 2022 by Club 29 Rotarians, in good standing, up to $250 per Rotarian, through Jan. 31, 2023 or such time as the funding is depleted. More information and online Form
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Rotary Dues Increase - Jan. 1, 2023 - A Message from President Wes Milbourn
Fellow Rotarians:
At the Sept. 27 luncheon meeting, we shared some news about a conversation that began over two years ago. Prior to the pandemic, it was clear to our administration committee, budget committee, and board of officers and directors that a dues increase would be necessary for the club to maintain a balanced budget. With the arrival of the pandemic, we were able to delay that conversation. As we’ve seen a return to normal club operations, meetings, and service, we’ve also seen an increase in almost every expense of the club due to inflation and we were forced to revisit the conversation. At the recommendation of our administration and budget committees, the 2021-2022 board of officers and directors approved a dues increase of $15 per quarter, or $5 a month, effective January 1, 2023.
READ MORE
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| Auto-Pay offered for Rotary Club Invoices
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| Annual Dues Payment Offered
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Answer the Call of the Wild! - OnePledge 22-23
"Rotary Expedition Africa Playground"
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Upcoming Events
February 21, 2023 - Rotary AfterHours - Grand House
April 30, 2023 - Memorial Marathon Service Opportunity
May 3, 2023 - Rotary OKC visits Rotary Tulsa
May 5, 2023 - District Conference - Okla. History Center
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| Address ChangesPlease report any changes in business or home here.
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Rotary Club 29 Online Directory - APP available in the App/Play Store
Rotary Club 29 has an online membership directory which contains current content information for all club members. The link to access the Club 29 directory can be found at the top of the home page of okcrotary.com or by clicking here.
OKC Rotary has provided this tool as a convenience to help members stay in touch with one another. The online directory, just like the printed roster, should only be used for Rotary purposes. If you need help in accessing the directory, please email the office.
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FUTURE PROGRAMS
January 24, 2023 - Dr. William Orr – “Why are drug prices so high?”
January 31, 2023 - Rotary Club 29 Foundation Update - Matt Bown & Tim Dowd and District Governor Deena Fisher
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ATTENDANCE & MEMBERSHIP
Membership
January 16, 2023 - 593
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| Celebrating Years of Service in Rotary Club 29 - January 2023
These Rotarians have been members of Club 29 from 40 years to 1 year.
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| Birthdays
Happy birthday to those Rotarians born in January!
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| Visit These Advertisers' Websites
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