Today’s Program: Ruthanne Hill/ American Red Cross

Last Week’s Program: Jan Skopecek, Executive Director Rebuilding Together of NW Arkansas

President, Jonathan Moore, led the Club with singing “America” and saying the “Pledge of Allegiance”. Invocation by Biff Averitt. Allison McElroy led the singing with “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean”.

Dan Morris introduced Jan Skopecek, Interim Executive Director for Rebuilding Together of NW Arkansas (RTNWA). Jan was the Executive Director for NWA Home Builders Association and is currently an independent contractor. RTNWA will work on 10 homes this year with approximately 40-50 volunteers per home. RTNWA does make a difference in people’s lives, both the recipients lives and the volunteers lives. Rebuilding Together of Northwest Arkansas is a locally funded, non-profit organization dedicated to changing the lives of those we help and those who help in Benton and Washington Counties. Their mission: Preserve and revitalize homes, assuring low income homeowners, particularly the elderly, disabled and families with children, live in warmth, safety and independence.

RTNWA was started 30 years ago and was named Christmas in April. There are over 250 affiliates across the US. They are the 7th largest home improvement company in the US.

Qualifications: Low income, own or occupy home in Benton or Washington County, elderly, disabled and families financially or physically unable to do the home improvement work.

Why is RTNWA needed:

• Over 6,000 family homes fall in poverty levels

• 3,000 individuals over 65 in NWA fall below poverty levels

• 1,300 households in NWA are without complete plumbing

• 92% of retired individuals prefer to age in their own homes

• Falls - leading cause of injury related deaths for those over 65 and #1 cause of death for those over 80.

Benefits of Rebuilding Together:

• Change lives of those we help

• Change lives of those volunteers involved

• Direct hands on to help others

• Better understanding of needs of disadvantaged and elderly

• Cost effective - they quadruple every dollar.

Rebuilding Day is Saturday April 26th fro 8:00am - 5:00pm (or until work is done). How our organization can help: Direct financial assistance, committee or board service, referrals and site selection and house sponsorships. Contact: Rebuilding Together of NWA, 614 E. Emma Ave., Ste 205, Springdale, AR 72764, 479-725-2488, fax: 479-725-2487, email: rtnwa@jtlshop.jonesnet.org  www.rebuildingtogethernwa.org

Announcements:

• Rick McLeod reminded members that the Tetrazzini dinner is next week - April 17th. Tickets are in envelops at the sign in desk. He will bring them next week also. Sign up sheets are on the tables.

• Induction of new member Dr. Joe Hines, Chiropractor. Introduction by Greg Hines. Buddy Rogers gave the charge.

Visiting Rotarians and Guests:

Hal Savage introduced the visiting Rotarians:
Jayne Lowe - Bentonville
Chris Clifton - Bentonville
Steve Hughes - Overland Park, KS

and Guests:
Dan Morris introduced Jan Skopecek
Mike Dodge introduced Rob Boaz
Dick Trammel introduced Tim Nichols
Jeremy Portmann introduced his brother, Josh Portmann

Atta Boys/Girls:

Doug Schrantz

Chad’s Members in the News:

• Nathan Gairhan, presenting a check for $5,000 from First Western Bank to Tim Nichols, Exec. Dir of NWA Children’s Shelter and also another $25,000 check.

• Dick Trammel with Jenny Robertson, chairwoman of the heart walk

• Dick Trammel with Becky Paneitz, President of NWACC and Jim Purcell, Dir of AR Dept of Higher Education at a fundraiser

• Dick Trammel, one of the dancers with a local “Dancing with the Stars” competition to start the festivities at the Children’s Museum fundraiser

• Kay Riazzi, Altrusa member, at Altrusa International of Springdale’s food drive

• Greg Hines at Benton Co. Republican Women meeting

• Stennett Thompkins, NWA Red Cross chapter’s board chairman and Bentonville mayor Bob McCaslin holding a proclamation issued declaring March as American Red Cross Month in the City in honor of the local NWA Chapter.

• Betsy Reithemeyer and Bruce Branch (pictured separately) at the American Cancer Society Physician Showcase

• Bruce Branch with Extravaganza chairman, Matt Elmore

Bob’s Student Guests:

No student guests today

Future Programs

April 22nd Ken Hatfield/ Former UofA Head Football Coach
April 29th Robin Greene/ The Cancer Challenge 2008
May 6th Kathy Dent/ Update on the Fayetteville Shale
May 13th No Program - Meeting will be held on May 14th (Wednesday)/ District Governor

The meeting ended with President Moore leading the Club with the Four-Way Test.