DGE Kessler Shares Plans for 2013-14 (Aired April 26 on AM & 28 on FM, 2013)

Seated: DGE Drew Kessler. Standing: Co-hosts Jonah Triebwasser, Sarah O’Connell.

Seated: DGE Drew Kessler. Standing: Co-hosts Jonah Triebwasser, Sarah O’Connell.

District Governor Elect Drew Kessler (North Rockland Rotary) describes his vision for Rotary District 7210 during his tenure as District Governor (July 1, 2013 – June 30, 2014). His emphasis will be on integrating Rotary into 21st century life. Mr. Kessler describes what he calls the “trilogy of life”: family, work, and service. Bringing the family into service events to help the younger generation recognize the rewards of service is one important way to accomplish this integration. DGE Drew Kessler also describes creative ways that many Rotary clubs can meet more conveniently for its members: cocktail clubs that would meet after a business day, early morning breakfast clubs, meetings centered solely around a service project, and eClubs for members around the world. Mr. Kessler ended his interview with heartfelt words to explain why folks should join Rotary.

Learn More:
District 7210
New Generations in Rotary
Innovate Rotary (Blog)

Did you like this? Share it:
April 26, 2013 · Posted in New Generations, Rotary District 7210, Youth  

Literacy and World Book Night (Aired April 19 on AM & April 21, 2013, on FM)

Seated: L to R: Margie Menard, DG Bill Bassett, Cassandra Beam. Standing: Co-hosts Jonah Triebwasser, Sarah O’Connell

Seated: L to R: Margie Menard, DG Bill Bassett, Cassandra Beam. Standing: Co-hosts Jonah Triebwasser, Sarah O’Connell

Rotary 7210 District Governor Bill Bassett (Wallkill East Rotary Club) introduces one of Rotary International’s major focus initiatives: improving literacy around the world. He provides important statistics about the high rate of functional illiteracy in the U.S. and therefore the need for all forms of literacy programs such as World Book Night and tutoring services. Margie Menard, Director of Kingston Library, and Cassandra Beam, CEO of the Ulster Literacy Association, both Kingston Rotary Club members, discuss the multitude of reasons for current illiteracy in the U.S. They facilitate tutoring programs and the yearly international project called World Book Night held on April 23 (Shakespeare’s birth and death date). During World Book Night some 80,000 volunteers around the world give millions of books to folks who find it difficult to gain access to books, with 25,000 distributed in the U.S. alone. This person-to-person approach has made for the yearly success of this initiative.

Learn More:
World Book Night
Ulster Literary Association
Literacy Connections of the Hudson Valley

Did you like this? Share it:
April 19, 2013 · Posted in Education, Literacy, Volunteers  

Hurricane Sandy: Remaining Devastation (Aired April 12 on AM & 14 on FM, 2013)

Seated: Bonnie Sirower. Standing: Co-hosts Jonah Triebwasser, Sarah O’Connell.

Seated: Bonnie Sirower. Standing: Co-hosts Jonah Triebwasser, Sarah O’Connell.

District Governor Bonnie Sirower (Rotary District 7490 in New Jersey) describes the lasting effects of Hurricane Sandy, one of the worst tropical cyclones in the history of New Jersey and New York. Many still do not have power or heat and are living in tents. Access to power, phones, roads, and other transportation was often lost. Businesses and homes have been destroyed. Ms. Sirower became the “command center” after gaining access to electric power, and when word went out, Rotary clubs and organizations from the U.S. and all over the world (including Australia, Russian, and Turkey) responded with donations. The website established by District 7490 identified what was most needed. Rotary District 7210 in thr Hudson Valley supplying the most vital initial donations: nearly 30 generators for use in New Jersey and on Long Island. Warehouses collected food and building materials, which ten were sent in convoys of trucks traveling from places such as Vancouver and Florida.

Learn More and Donate:
New York/New Jersey Rotary Disaster Relief
Hurricane Sandy
Shelter Box and Sandy

Did you like this? Share it:
April 12, 2013 · Posted in Disaster Relief, Housing Assistance, Humanitarian Service  

The Autism Spectrum (Aired April 5 on AM and April 7 on FM, 2013)

Standing: Jonah Triebwasser, Sarah O’Connell. Seated: Laurie Rich

Standing: Jonah Triebwasser, Sarah O’Connell. Seated: Laurie Rich

Laurie Rich, Esq., Foundation Director of Spectrum Services Foundation, discusses the autism spectrum and the schools in the Hudson Valley that provide education and special help for children on the spectrum. The autism spectrum spans disorders ranging from profoundly autistic who often cannot speak to Asperger’s Syndrome, with those in the latter category often particularly skilled in science and the arts. The schools involved encompass 14 counties in 55 school districts, with students referred by local public schools. Students enrolled in the program work on social skills to assure that their talents can easily be absorbed into the work force. Early intervention is more likely to promote greater improvement.

 

Learn More:
Center for Spectrum Services
Spectrum Services Foundation
The Autism Society
Hudson Valley Autism Resource Center

Did you like this? Share it:
April 5, 2013 · Posted in Children, Education, Health, Hudson Valley