Bruce Richter also introduced our speaker and guests today: our speaker, Britt Etheridge, has played an active part in the District Youth Exchange Committee since 2012. Britt is a member of the New Braunfels Rotary Club and professionally is a mortgage lender for Caliber Home Loans. Britt's daughter Brittney also joined us - she is a junior at New Braunfels High School.

 

Dan Stanley, an electrical contractor, was Bruce Richter's guest today. Our frequent visitor and friend Dave Jower was also on hand - Dave is a member of the Northwest Rotary Club.

 

President Fred announced these upcoming club events:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allyson Hamlin was sorry she missed the meeting last week - she traveled to Raleigh North Carolina for business. Next week she will be traveling to Arkansas.

Destiny Mujica confessed that she wasn't here last week because she woke up to a flat tire. 

Ken Donoughue confessed that somehow he lost his badge.

Barry Abrams was all aglow when he said that he and his wife Jerri traveled to California. They welcomed the newest member of their family - granddaughter Sydney!

 

 

Bruce Richter shared that the Board approved a $500 contribution to the VetStrong program. Ramon Gonzales extended his gratitude for our donation. This organization is mostly volunteer run. They are looking for useable household goods for vets who are in need. Please send photos of the items to be donated to Bruce Richter. VetStrong is in need of temporary warehousing of a large amount of donated items from USAA. Club members are offering suggestions for warehousing and hopefully help will come soon!

 

Britt Etheridge spoke to us today about the Rotary Exchange Student Program.  He and his family have been actively involved and they hosted their first 5 Rotary Exchange Students starting in 2008. Because of his interest and passion regarding Youth Exchange, Britt was asked to join the District Youth Exchange Committee in 2012, Since 2012 he served the committee as Treasurer, Club Trainer and now as the Co-Chair of the Committee with Lilia Marek. Six clubs in our district participate in Rotary Youth Exchange from a high of 20 at one time. Britt says "this is one of the most important parts of Rotary." Rotary International requires 2 host families in order to expand their culture experience. Since the Rotary program feels that it is important that the students have a continuum with their studies,  the students must be able to attend the same school during their time here. Britt said that it's hard to find 3 host families in one school district. The vetting process includes criminal background checks. The students are provided free room and board and a free education and a stipend. Students may qualify for scholarships. Students must be 15 to 18 1/2 when they arrive and should have a year left in school. The students don't drive due to liability. The host family is not required to know the student's native language. The goal is for the student to learn about and enjoy Texas culture. We were told that Whataburger and Chick Fil A is popular among the exchange students. Britt's daughter Brittney was a Rotary Exchange Student in Spain for a month. When she returned home she brought her host sibling back with her to live for a month. Brittney said she found it interesting that in Spain everyone enjoys a two hour siesta - all business shuts down. Dinner is typically very late, usually at 10:30 pm. She is looking forward to another time abroad with the Rotary Exchange Program. For more information please visit Rotary Youth Exchange HERE! Thanks Britt and Brittney for speaking to us today about this very important Rotary program!  We would love for you to visit us again soon!

For our wine selections today, John Legris described the Gruner Veltliner as a "dry white wine with the flavors of green pepper and lime." The red choice was Trapiche Vinters Select Malbec, "tasty, similar to merlot." John shared with us that he once was an exchange student in Vienna Austria, a section of the Alps now in Italy. President Fred won the opportunity to draw the 2 of clubs and win the prize of $525. As luck would have it he drew the 5 of clubs. He donated his red wine choice to the speaker. Bil Trodlier owned the second ticket drawn and was happy to receive the white wine. 

 

It just doesn't get much happier than this!!!!  Makeup is optional....Come join us at the Outback Steakhouse - typically the third Thursday of the month. Meeting time seems to be when everyone gets there - between 5:30 & 6:30?  Come join your friends and unwind on June 20!

 

 

 

 

 

Ken Ruiz and Mary Denton completed Rotary Leadership Institute Part 2 recently.  They wanted to share some photos with you!  Our own Ken Donoughue continues to do a great job teaching Rotarians to help them strengthen their clubs!  Thanks Ken for your continued leadership and service to Rotary!

Pictured on the left were the leaders for this session. Pictured on the right were the students for Part 2. They were all smiles when they received their certificates!

 

If you have not yet attended RLI you might consider going - you will meet other dedicated Rotarians who are leaders in their clubs. You will learn a TON of useful information that you will want to bring back to our club to grow our club and make it even stronger!