The Rotary Club of New York

www.NYRotary.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fellow Rotarians,

 

Our next meeting on September 24th is Austria Day with many pleasant things related to Austria. Guenther J. Hude, General Manager of Austrian Airlines is the speaker. You can read more about Guenther J. Hude in the latest Bulletin on our website at www.nyrotary.org/Bulletin/bulletin092402.pdf.

 

Bonnie Mairs has created Reporter of the Week in the Bulletin with well-written information about the last meeting. Bonnie is Executive Director of YMCA of Greater New York International Branch and her classification is International Affairs. Bonnie has been a member of our club since 1995. Bonnie is also from Minnesota and I often listen to Garrison Keilor, so I could not resist asking her if there are a lot of Norwegian bachelor farmers in Minnesota.

 

Gift of Life Leader, Bill Curry has written in the Bulletin about the latest news about our successful Gift of Life Program, including the story about how Ed Gray sponsored Katherine Espinosa from Ecuador with a $5,000 donation. Thank you Ed for giving Katherine a new chance on life. Bill invites all Rotarians interested to learn more about Gift of Life to see him at the Rotary luncheon on October 1st.  2002. You can read more about it in the Bulletin.

 

I just found out that during the last couple of weeks many Rotarians did not receive the newsletter due to a technical Internet problem. I have therefore posted the recent issues on our website at www.nyrotary.org/newsletter/past_newsletters.html. I want you to know that if this happens again in the future, the newsletter will also be available on our website every week at www.NYRotary.org.

 

Last week I wrote about how the Rotary Club of New York successfully responded to the challenge of 9/11. It was such an important milestone in our legendary club’s history that I am including it again with this newsletter for those Rotarians, who missed it last week. Here it follows:

 

It is now one year since the World Trade Center disaster on September 11th, 2001 took place, a date that will always be remembered in history. It is a good time to reflect on what has been accomplished during the last 12 months.

 

The disaster happened in our own hometown and like other Rotary Clubs, we were eager to help our city during its difficult time. We did so with the support from compassionate Rotarians around the World.

 

Here is a list of what was accomplished in response to 9/11:

 

1.      The New York Rotary Foundation raised $1,460,912 for the victims thanks to the generous support from Rotarian around the world! We did not even ask for contributions. Compassionate Rotarians around the world gave it to us unsolicited. They wanted to help the victims and trusted that the Rotary Club of New York, as the local Rotary Club, would know best how to distribute the money. Many thanks to our President for 2001-2002 Helen Reisler, who spent many late hours tirelessly responding to all letter from compassionate Rotarians around the world. As a result, they really felt that we shared in their compassion. You can read more about it on our website at http://www.nyrotary.org/wtc_disaster/wtc_disaster_page.htm

 

2.      We created a "Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee" to find victims in need that we could distribute funds to. Our members did all the work.

 

3.      We have so far distributed $1,130.000 to the victims. You can read the full accounting on our website at www.nyrotary.org/Foundation/foundation.html. It does not only tell who received the money and how much. It also tells a story about each case.

 

4.      New York Rotarians helped out at "Ground Zero" for months, including 83-year strong Bill DeLong, who was the first New York Rotarian to volunteer.

 

5.      The Oklahoma City Rotary Foundation contributed $100,000. They understood better than anybody from their own experience what New York was going through. Rotary Club of Oklahoma City also provided us with valuable advice. You can read more about it at http://www.nyrotary.org/wtc_disaster/The%20Oklahoma%20City%20Foundation,%20Inc.PDF. 

 

6.      Missouri District Governors Bill Schuck, District 6060 and Larry Lunsford, District 6040 presented over $97,000 to the New York Rotary Foundation. District 6080 in Missouri raised a significant part of the money. Their District Governor Jerry Franklin was unable to attend. We are very touched by the great generosity shown by the Missouri Rotarians. You can read about it on our website at www.NYRotary.org.

 

7.      Our annual Firefighter’s Recognition Day on April 16, 2002 honored “The Lucky Six”, the heroes of the September 11 tragedy, along with Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta. You can read about it on our website at www.nyrotary.org/firefighters_recognition_day_2002/firefigthers.html. It also has 19 photos from this great event.

 

8.      We honored one of the Finest, a New York Police Hero on our "Police Recognition Day"

 

9.      Rotarian Magazine published a feature article in the December 2001 issue about New York Rotarians during 9/11. You can read this article on the Internet at  http://www.nyrotary.org/rotarian_dec_2001/RI%20The%20Rotarian,%20December%202001.htm. The article has been translated into many different languages.

 

10.  Rotary’s Global History Project has published many pages on its website with information about the Rotary Club of New York during 9/11 at http://rotaryfirst100.org/ny/. I would like to thank Rotary History Chairman Jack Selway for helping us when we needed help most.

 

11.  Rotary Radio interviewed New York Rotarians Matts Ingemanson, Helen Reisler and Jim Thomson. The interviews were broadcast for a full hour worldwide on the Internet. You can listen to the interviews on the web at http://12.162.161.64/cart/ProductDetail.asp?PR_ProductID=329

 

12.  The Rotary News Basket on the Rotary International website published an article with the headline Rotarians remember 11 September attacks at www.rotary.org/newsandinfo/newsbasket/index.html.

 

13.  We are featured in a Documentary made in New Zealand about 9/11

 

14.  The "Staten Island Advance" newspaper wrote about our club.

 

15.  Eight families of victims were “adopted" by Rotarians in different states

 

16.  We sent rescue workers on vacation to the islands of New Zealand, England, and Nantucket.

 

17.  We hosted rescue workers, families of victims and fund contributors.

 

18.  We maintain an "up-to-date " website, which is indispensable in providing information to Rotarians around the world.

 

There is also the following information on our website about 9/11 achievements. Just click on each line to find our more about them:

 

Letter from President Helen Reisler

 

Matts Ingemanson's eyewitness report of the World Trade Center Disaster

 

Matts Ingemanson's Rotary History Newsletters  

 

Rotarian Bill DeLong lends a helping hand in the WTC Disaster

 

Involvement by Cindy Erickson's American Lung Association

 

Littleton Rotary Club and District 5450 in Colorado contributes $8,281

A Brief Visit to New York City by Elfi Smith, Littleton Rotary Club

 

Watsonville Rotarians delivered a check for more than $10,000

 

Letter to Werner Kobelt, Past Foundation Chairman

 

Letter from Rotary International President Rick King

 

Some of these documents require Acrobat Reader, which you

can download for free by clicking on the following button:

 

 

 

We did not see much of New York Rotarian Jeff Burkes in the last 12 months. He wrote us the following letter:

 

I am the Chief Dental Consultant to the Chief Medical Examiner's Office.  I, with many other forensic dentists, are responsible for identifying those victims who cannot be identified by any means except their dentition.  This, as you can imagine, is a very tedious and laborious task because of the condition of the bodies.  I had hoped that following the bombing of the WTC in 1993 I would not have to experience working on another terrorist disaster. Please keep us in your prayers, as well as all the others who are called to respond to this disaster.

 

My best regards

Jeff Burkes, D.D.S., Chief Forensic Dentist, The City of New York

(New York Rotarian since 1991)

 

 

We recently received the following greetings from Rotarians around the world remembering the 12 months anniversary of 9/11:

 

Dear Matts

This year, as President of Conwy Rotary Club, I have initiated a series
of International Toasts to other Rotary clubs around the world, with the
aim of raising awareness of the internationalism of Rotary and also to
provide an opportunity for fellowship.

Given the tragic events of 12 months ago, I consider it appropriate that
the Rotary Club of New York receives the International Toast at our club
meeting on Monday 9th September.  Prior to the toast being made, I shall
give our members some background information about your club - gleaned
from your website - and obviously make reference to the tremendous work
done by your club in the aftermath of 9/11, in addition to your other
good works. At this first anniversary, our thoughts will be with you,
with those who suffered and with those who continue to suffer.

Please pass on my regards to President Silvio and to all the members of
the Rotary Club of New York.

Regards

Chris Sweeney

President 2002-03
Conwy Rotary Club
http://www.conwyrotary.org


 

 

Dear President Silvio and Member of the Rotary Club of New York.

 

Greetings from President Terry Daley and members of the Rotary Club of Rockhampton North.

 

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all as the City of New York approaches the first anniversary of the infamous 11th September tragedy.  Our rotary club meets on a Wednesday Evening and so on Wednesday 11th September 2002 we will remember you and drink a special International toast to the Rotary Club of New York on that evening.

We wish you every success in your endeavors

Yours in Rotary

 

  

Gordon Kerkham

International Director

Rotary Club of Rockhampton North.

 

 

 

 

If you could help, I would love to let the victims loved ones know how we honored them.  The day began with 5 of us working on the project.  Throughout the day we were joined by strangers; tourist from all over the country, a family from Japan, Nashvillians and one man who was homeless.  All who just wanted to be apart of it, who wanted to help honor those lost.  We lit a candle for each individual who was lost that day and put the candle in a luminary bag with their name, age, hometown and rank (if any).  We lined the candles up in rows on the steps of the Parthenon in Nashville, TN as Martina McBride sang the national anthem.  Thousands filed by to read the names and pay their respects.  Many of the bags were claimed by loved ones.  Those not claimed will be burned and their names will be called out.  I hope this brings some comfort to them.

 

Michelle

Nashville, TN

 

 

 

Dear Helen,

Thanks so much for traveling out to our district and, specifically, the Nevada City/Grass Valley area to deliver your message of compassion and hope.  You and the New York Rotary are to be commended for all your hard work and intelligent approach to the post 9-11 crisis.  I'm glad I had the opportunity to meet you.

Yours in Rotary,

Dave Bianchi, Lt. Gov.
District 5190

 

In addition to the 9/11 accomplishments during the last 12 months, we also continued with our regular club activities. You can read all about in our Bulletin Library on our website at www.nyrotary.org/Bulletin/bulletin.html. Our Bulletin Library includes every Bulletin issue since February 13, 2001.

 

Don’t forget to reserve your table for our next meeting. You can do so via e-mail to our office at ny.rotary@verizon.net, or call Andreas or Ana at 212-633-1311. You can also fax in the RSVP form, which you can download at

www.nyrotary.org/Bulletin/rsvp092402.pdf. Our fax number is 212-633-1954. Princeton Club’s culinary staff will serve Wienerschnitzel (Veal Viennese style). Don’t miss out on this culinary experience!

 

I recommend that you visit our New York Rotary website every week at www.NYRotary.org.

 

 

Proud to be a Rotarian!

 

 

Matts Ingemanson

Internet Communication Officer

The Rotary Club of New York

www.NYRotary.org

 

Vice Chairman

Rotary’s Global History

www.rotaryhistory.org

 

 

 

 

This newsletter has also been posted on our website at www.NYRotary.org.

 

I want to thank our Executive Director Andreas Runggatscher and his Executive Assistant Ana Rivas for working so hard every week creating and mailing the Weekly Bulletin. In addition to mailing it out to our members, they also send me the electronic Bulletin so I can upload it on our website. They are also working very hard with the administration of the World Trade Center - Disaster Relief Fund.

 

In order to read the PDF file of the Bulletin-on-the-Web, you need the latest version of the Acrobat Reader (Version 5.0). If you don't have Acrobat Reader 5.0, you can download it for free from the web at:

 

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html

 

 

You can find the following interesting websites at:

 

1.      New York Rotary Club at www.NYRotary.org/.

2.      Rotary’s Global History at www.rotaryhistory.org

3.      Rotary Youth Leadership Awards at www.rotaryryla.com

4.      Rotary Radio every Tuesday 5-6 PM EST or 2-3 PM PST at http://12.162.161.64/cart/ProductList.asp?SearchFor=Rotary+Radio&x=36&y=6

 

5.      Matts Ingemanson, Helen Reisler and Jim Thompson from the New York Rotary Club were interviewed on Rotary Radio Tuesday July 9, 2002.

http://12.162.161.64/cart/ProductDetail.asp?PR_ProductID=329

 

You need Windows Media Player to listen to Rotary Radio. Windows Media Player is included with Windows Millennium and Windows XP. If you use Windows 95 or Windows 98, you can download Windows Media Player for free from Microsoft.

 

Click here to download Windows Media Player