Chatham Rotary’s noon meeting on January 15 featured an extremely interesting and informative program presented by Ms. Robin Haymore, who currently serves as Associate Superintendent for Support Services at Pittsylvania County Schools.  Previously, she was a Director of Special Education and is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist.  Robin began her career as a Special Education teacher and has extensive experience in both inclusive and self-contained classroom settings specializing in Early Childhood and Elementary Education.  As an advocate for educational reform, Ms. Haymore has a wealth of experiential knowledge in the areas of Multiple-Tiered Systems of Supports, Data-Informed Decision Making, Academic and Behavioral Intervention.  Dr. Mark Jones, Superintendent of Education for Pittsylvania County and a Chatham Rotarian introduced Ms. Haymore.

Ms. Haymore’s discussion covered the new and highly effective educational program initiated for selected elementary students in the county’s school system.  The program, Ready for Success (RFS),based in Chatham at the old National Guard Armory which has been repurposed to house the innovative service delivery model providing brief, intensive therapeutic intervention to elementary students in grades Kindergarten through 5^th who are experiencing social, emotional and/or behavioral challenges.  The RFS Program goal is to teach appropriate replacement behaviors and return students to their base-school within a specific period of time.  This presentation addressed the RFS structure, curriculum, progress data, and financial implications.  Success of this innovative program has been demonstrated by the students who have completed the prescribed courses and returned to their schools for continued successful mainstream education.

Chatham Rotary President Phil Mauger presented a special recognition plaque to Hargrave Military Academy for their continued support of Chatham Rotary Auction project since 2004 through the donation of a Hargrave Military Academy Summer School slot to be auctioned off nation-wide on-line for each year’s auction.  This donation has been one of the largest fund-raising gifts each year of the auction and has enabled Chatham Rotary to provide over $35,000 in funding for community service and improvement.  

Colonel Mike Brown, the current President of Hargrave and a recent new member of Chatham Rotary Club was joined by Dr. Wheeler Baker, Past President of Hargrave and Chatham Rotary in receiving the plaque for recognition of Hargrave’s contributions to Chatham and Rotary.  Other Hargrave Rotary members Nick Morris, Lee Martin, and Walter Sullivan joined Colonel Brown & Wheeler Baker in accepting the plaque and gratitude of the Chatham Rotary Club.

January 8th, the Chatham Rotary Program hosted Robert David, Youth & Gang Violence Prevention Coordinator, for the City of Danville.  Robert is the Author of Stand Up and Breathe: Four Steps to Recovery from Failure.  He is a motivational speaker, former Natural Mr. Universe and four-time Drug Free Powerlifter World Champion, owner of David Management Youth Intervention Services and Sirbigness Mobile Fitness.

The program, sponsored by Chatham Rotarian Rachel del Campo Gatewood, was well received as Robert embraced the struggle of the at-risk youth for over 20 years by providing outreach programs and individual mentoring.  He serves as the liaison between the community, the youth, and the city to develop and manage programs that address the problems of youth violence.  He shared with the Chatham Rotary Club the success of the City’s first Project Imagine.

Featured during the January 8th meeting was Rotary Assistant District Governor Area 7, Barry Richmond, who presented certificates to Chatham Rotary for their outstanding support of Rotary International’s Fight Against Polio.  Chatham Rotary ranked second in contributions from over 85 clubs in District 7570 with over $8,000 in contributions.  Chatham Rotary also was recognized by the District for maintaining over 90% of its membership as Rotary International Sustainers.

Saturday, January 26th
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Community Center at Chatham
115 S Main Street, Chatham

Be one of 50 volunteers who will package 10,000 meals to be distributed to hungry people around the world. We will gather at 9 AM for setup and begin packing meals at 10 AM. We expect to wrap up between 12:30 – 1:00 PM.  After we adjourn, we’ll head to lunch for an optional “dutch treat” lunch.

Volunteers must sign up in advance at a club meeting or by registering online
or by emailing Inez Rodenburg 

What to Expect
Volunteers set up and take down packaging stations and equipment, fill bins with raw ingredients, scoop ingredients into meal bags, weigh and seal the bags, box and stack them on pallets, and load the pallets and equipment onto a truck. Volunteers should wear comfortable shoes and casual clothes.  Rotarians should wear their Rotary shirt.

Guests are Welcome
Prospective members will learn about Rotary. Rotarians will receive a makeup. Family and friends are welcome to sign up with Rotarians. Teens age 14 and up are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult. Inviting a guest is easy! Just use the share links in this email. 

Clayton Myers, Driving Club and Range Director from Virginia International Raceway presented a program the the Chatham Rotary Club on Tuesday, December 18, about the programs and amenities offered at the track. VIR is known for racing, but also offers many programs for the community in gun and automobile safety, including Navy SEAL training, law enforcement training, defensive driving, and more. Skeet shooting, a Go-Cart track, meeting facilities for both small and large groups and a wonderful restaurant are just a few of the offerings available to the public. They also offer rehabilitative programs for veterans and juveniles, and opportunities to involve the community.  

ALSO…

Officers for the upcoming year

Alisa Davis – President
Mark Moore – President Elect
Phil Mauger – Treasurer and Past President
Lisa Tuite –  Secretary
Walter Sullivan – Sergeant at Arms

Directors:
Nina Beth Thornton
Alvin Crider
Rachel Gatewood
Chris Lund

We had a delightful time at this year’s holiday gathering. Phil Mauger presided, Debbie Sparks and Lisa Tuite were surprised with Paul Harris Fellow awards, and Robert Adams was honored as a Major Donor of the Rotary Foundation. Everyone enjoyed the lovely surroundings and delicious food from Reid Street Gallery. And for those who lingered, there was spirited Christmas carol karoke! Thank you, Walter Sullivan, for the photos.

Learn about the history of the Rotary Dictionary Project here.

A dictionary for you, and a dictionary for you, and… a dictionary for everyone! Dictionary Day at Hurt Elementary School was a hit. Rotarians Dianna Burkholder, Todd Breaux, and Lisa Tuite thank the principal, teachers, and Third Grade students at Hurt Elementary School for their hospitality. Use those dictionaries to achieve great things!

The object of the Rotary Dictionary Project is to provide third grade students a personal dictionary of their very own that will serve them at least through elementary and middle school. Many educators and researchers see this as a key to better reading, speech, and writing. These skills will improve student performance in other subjects as well. Receiving the dictionaries from Rotary members is beneficial to students as well. The young people meet successful adults in their community who care enough about them to purchase these dictionaries and come to their school to present them personally. The brief explanation of Rotary service in the community and around the world gives students a lasting positive impression of Rotary and the ideal of service.