Today's Program: Ken Hatfield/ Former U of A Head Football Coach

Last Week's Program:

President, Jonathan Moore, led the Club with singing “America " and saying the Pledge of Allegiance. Invocation by Biff Averitt. Rick McLeod led the singing for our Tetrazzini Dinner “It’s Tetrazinni Time”.

Rick McLeod introduced our guest speaker, Ruthann Hill, Director of the NWA Chapter of the American Red Cross. Ruthann spotlighted some major things that have kept the local chapter busy since January 1, 2008:

• January tornados that produced straightline winds and was freezing cold

• 62 housefires in January

• Feb. 13th tornados that swept a 123 mile path through our area

• 2 snows of 15” or more

• Floods affecting 25 counties

• 13 deaths from tornados (4 in our area)

• Cargill fire in Bentonville

• Rain, wind and hail in Ft Smith (1 death) just last week

• Fort Chaffee fire

The local chapter of the Red Cross has seven (7) mobile kitchens and 12 emergency shelters. There are 267 spontaneous volunteers, 192 people handling shelter registrations and 25 big emergency response vehicles.

Ruthann charges everyone: “You must be ready.” You need to have enough supplies (water, food, etc., to be able to take care of your family for 72 hours. You need to know first aide and keep an emergency kit available at all times. Also consider that if you have small children you will need to be able to entertain them and keep them busy so plan on some activities and keep a kit ready for them.

Ruthann says that her job is to take care of you so that you can take care of your family by assisting you in times of needs. Then, you can play it forward and give back - one way might be to become a volunteer yourself.

100% of your donation goes to the relief efforts that you specify. The best way to donate is to specify “disaster” That way your money can be used as they best see fit to support disaster relief.

To learn more about the work of Red Cross in our area, Ruthann invites you to have breakfast will her. She handed out business cards with dates that they will be having breakfasts (once a month). For reservations call: 479-306-4688 ext 215. Seating is limited (Ruthann herself is the cook!). Breakfast programs starts promptly at 7:30am and lasts no more than one hour.

Announcements:

• Rick McLeod discussed last minute Tetrazzini Dinner details with the Club. Need clean-up detail (get double make-ups). Thanks to Randy Shofner for printing the flyers for the Tetrazzini Dinner. Need shoppers for Wednesday.

Visiting Rotarians and Guests:

Ruthanne Hill - Springdale
Harlan Withington - Rogers Early Risers
Jeff Jeffus - Fayetteville Downtown

Beth Stephens introduced Holland Hayden
Bruce Branch introduced Jason Owens
Brad Bridges introduced Ray Bunch

Bob’s Student Guests
Bobby Pennington, son of Roger and Roxanne Clement
Logan Jostad, son of Mark and Lisa Jostad

Chad’s Members in the News:
Betsy Reithemeyer and Greg Hines
Dick Trammel and wife Nancy at the pre-gala VIP reception
Dick Trammel at the NWA Naturals opening day
Mark Curtis - in Canada at the 19th International World Curling Championship

Atta Boys and Girls (makeups)

Mark Curtis 3X
Jene Huffman-Gilreath
Jill Wagar

Upcoming Programs

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.