Club Hears About Election Law Changes

Bill Henderson was the guest speaker at Newport Rotary on Monday evening, September 23, 2013. Mr. Henderson, a lifelong Newport native son, is the Democrat (minority) member of the Carteret County Board of Elections, and former Chairman of the Board. He is the owner of H&H Electric. He was invited by Rotarian Bevin Wall to speak on the subject of upcoming changes to elections laws in our state.

Rotary Club Secretary Joe Garner with Guest Speaker
Bill Henderson from the Carteret County Board of Elections

After making it clear that the recent legislative changes did not effect the upcoming 2013 municipal elections, Mr. Henderson outlined recent changes to election law including changes to Early Voting, Voter ID, Provisional Ballot and the Straight Party Ticket. The club members were very interested in the details of several of the changes, to which Mr. Henderson ably provided detail and examples. He stated that his philosophy was to make try to make it easier for people to vote but that it was also important that people have confidence in the system, and the concept of Voter ID may provide such confidence. He stressed that the mandate of the County Board of Elections was to follow the law, as may be changed from time to time. More information may be seen on this topic in this article from WRAL.com entitled Q&A: Changes to NC Election Law.

Sharon Howard prepared delicious snacks. Secretary Joe Garner filled in for Pres. Pam Wall who was ailing. 

Newport Rotary Hosts BackPack Friends

Danielle Abraham of BackPack Friends delivers a heart-
felt message about the hunger that children face daily
in our local communities 

Danielle Abraham of the BackPack Friends ministry at Cape Carteret Baptist Church was the guest speaker at the Newport Rotary Club on Monday afternoon, September 16, 2013. The project started out as a ministry of the church in 2009 and has grown exponentially throughout Carteret and Onslow Counties as other churches and civic organizations have gotten involved.

BackPack Friends provides nutritional meals and snacks to children who may need a little extra over the weekend. By supplying these bags, their goal is to assist in meeting the child's (and often the family's) nutritional and mental needs and overall well-being. BackPack Friends targets kids who access free and reduced-price breakfasts and lunches at school. Children are identified as “in need” by school guidance counselors and site coordinators. Backpacks are filled with healthy foods and are discreetly distributed to children before weekends or holiday vacations and empty backpacks are recollected and refilled for the next weekend’s use.

District Gov. Andy Chused

District 7730 Governor Andy Chused and Assistant Governor Bill Kaeser were present at the meeting and presented a check from The Rotary Foundation for $5,100 to support the project in the western part of Carteret County. A total of $8,000 is being distributed in Carteret County from this grant to BackPack Friends, with the balance being administered buy other Rotary clubs. The funds are part of a Matching Grant of The Rotary Foundation, which was instigated and sponsored by Rotarians in India as a "thank you" for projects being done in their country. Newport Rotarians will be "hands-on" in the project by helping stock the bags and deliver them to the schools.

Ms. Abraham was joined by Becky Rowland, also involved in BackPack Friends, as guests of the club. Both were invited by Club President Pam Wall.  

Click here for the Brochure on the BackPack Friends Project. Click here for the BackPack Friends webpage. 

Rotary Foundation Grant to be Awarded for Backpack Project

Backpacks will be stuffed with durable food
goods and sent home with at-need students
as selected by their schools

A number of local and Rotary dignitaries are expected at the Newport Rotary Club meeting on Monday, September 16, 2013.

At that time, a check for over $5,000 will be delivered to the club so that it can participate in the county-wide Backpack Project, a child hunger project in association with the Carteret County School System and other local church and community groups. Newport Rotary will take the largest portion of the grant, and deliver backpacks to the most children among the participating Rotary clubs.

The Grant is funded by The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International for local community service projects. Rotarians, their significant others and other guests are invited. The club meets at 5:30pm at the Newport Rotary Building, Howard Blvd.    

What Attracts & Engages Younger Members - by A Younger Member

Speaker Brian Boyette and
Newport Rotary President Pam Wall 

Brian Boyette, President of the Morehead City Rotary Club, was the guest speaker on September 9, 2013. His talk centered on his personal story and what attracted and engaged him at his current club, which is an older, smaller club, similar to the Newport Rotary Club.

Brian shared these points:

• He wouldn't have joined if someone wouldn't have asked. 
• Every Rotarian needs to ask qualified members to join their club. Like what was discussed at the D7730 Membership Seminar, it's a culture of asking, not just a "membership drive"
• A "no" can sometimes turn into a "yes" if the prospects situation changes. 
• Friendships are a key component of his club experience. 
• Quality and community-connected programs keep him in Rotary.
• We need to ease new members into Rotary and not overwhelm them with jargon and duties. 
• Make-ups are a real benefit of Rotary membership.       

Brian is celebrating his 10th year as a Materials Engineer at the Naval Air Depot at Cherry Point. He is a native of Kenly, NC and was a recipient of a Rotary Scholarship in High School, and received his degree at NCSU in 2003. Brian, we thank you for your insights! 

Featuring Ms. Jane's Cookies

Rotarian Larry Howard happily poses with a tray of Mrs. Jane Garner's
molasses cookies! Believe me, they were a hit on September 9!  

Past President Recognized

Newport Rotary Club Immediate Past President, Steve Blizzard, was recognized by the club with his Past President's Pin during the September 9, 2013 meeting of the club. The pin was presented by 2013-14 Club President Pam Wall. (both pictured at left)