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WalkerRotaryWalkerRotaryA Global Network of Community Volunteers

2012 NewsletterPublished by

The Pilot-Independent & The Co-Pilot

On the � rst day of school, these energetic Walker-Hackensack-Akeley second-grade students accepted a challenge from the Walker Rotary Club to read 5,000 books. Principle Lee Furuseth (standing le� ) has pledged to spend the night on the roof of the school dressed in a bunny suit when the students achieve their goal. Teachers Kara Widman (front le� ), Tim Slough, Natalie Faust (back row) and Superintendent Dr. Mary Donohue Stetz (stand-ing right) said that the 62 second-graders are o� to a good start and are con� dent the students will get the job done. � e Walker Rotary Club has many surprises in store for these “Rotary Readers” as the year progresses. more info on page 5

WHA second-graders start reading challenge

Interact Students in HondurasFrom Walker to Houston to San Pedro

Sula to Santa Barbra to San Fernando to Roatan and back home to Walker. This year fi ve brave and adventurous Interact members jumped at the opportunity to go to Honduras to volunteer their time. Sarah Knight, Patience Hanson, Gabbie Scott, Caitlin Murphy and Chris Walters had been counting down the hours and the days until the trip.

To us, our journey truly began when we took that fi rst step off the airplane in San Pedro Sula to fi nd Jose Antonio waiting for us. He brought us from the airport to his home, which he graciously let us stay in for two nights. While s taying

with him we met two young men we will never forget. They spoke very little English but with the help of Patty Knight and Google Translate we were set! Their names were Arturo and Juan Ramon, and they traveled with us throughout most of our trip.

One of the many great experiences we had was to travel to a little village named San Fernando. The ride there in the back of a pick up truck was almost enough of an adventure. Pulling into the village children chased after the truck, just thrilled to see us when in reality we were just as thrilled to see them! Keeping in mind none of us are exactly fl uent Spanish speakers, we were able to communicate very well with them by playing games in their courtyard, or even singing songs together.

We wanted to be able to understand something of what the children go through in their daily lives, so we went with them to do what they make a

Honduras continued on page 6

stay in for two nights. While s taying

www.clubrunner.ca/walker

WalkerRotaryWalkerRotaryA Global Network of Community Volunteers

2012 NewsletterPublished by

The Pilot-Independent & The Co-Pilot

PAGE 2

The Walker RotaryMeets on Tuesdays at noon

WALKER AREA COMMUNITY CENTER105 TOWER AVENUE

Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 32,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas.

� e Four-Way TestEncouraging high ethical standards in one’s profession and respect for all worthy vocations has been a hallmark of Rotary from its earliest days. In their business and professional lives, Rotarians abide by the Four-Way Test of the things they think, say or do. 1. Is it the TRUTH? 2. Is it FAIR to all concerned? 3. Will it build GOODWILL & BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? 4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Rotary FoundationThe mission of The Rotary Foundation is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace by improving health, supporting education and alleviating poverty.

Rotary InteractInteract is Rotary’s service club for young people ages 12 to 18. Interact clubs are sponsored by individual Rotary clubs, which provide sup-port and guidance, but they are self-governing and self-supporting. Interact is your chance to make new friends, improve your community, develop leadership skills, and make a difference in the world.

About Rotary Rotary Avenues of Service

Focuses on strengthening fellowship and ensuring the

effective functioning of the club.

Encourages Rotarians to serve others through their vocations

and to practice high ethical standards.

Covers the projects and activities the club undertakes

to improve life in its community.

Encompasses actions taken to expand Rotary’s humanitarian

reach around the globe and to promote world

understanding and peace.

Recognizes the positive change implemented by youth and young

adults through leadership development activities,

service projects and exchange programs.

By participating in local and international ser-vice projects, club members can volunteer their time and talents where they’re most needed.

The four Avenues of Service are Rotary’s philosophical cornerstone and the foundation on which club activity is based.

As a Rotary Youth Exchange student, you’ll spend up to a year living with several host families and attending school in a different country. Whether you participate in Rotary’s long-term or short-term Youth Exchange programs, you’ll learn a new way of living, a great deal about yourself and maybe even a new language.

You’ll also be an ambassador, teaching people you meet about your country, culture and ideas. You can help bring the world closer – and make some good friends in the process. More than 8,000 young people each year have experiences like these through Rotary Youth Exchange.

It’s the opportunity of a lifetime. If interested, contact Alice Groth at 218-547-4057

Rotary YouthExchange

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is Rotary’s leadership training program for young people. RYLA participants can be ages 14-18. RYLA emphasizes leadership, citizenship and personal growth, and aims to • Demonstrate Rotary’s respect and concern for youth • Provide an effective training experience for selected youth and potential leaders • Encourage leadership of youth by youth • Recognize publicly the young people who are rendering service to their communities

Rotary Youth Leadership