1. Today is an important anniversary celebration. It is the 111th anniversary of Rotary, February 23, 1905.
    
   
2. Yesterday February 22 was George Washington’s birthday. George Washington was officially born on February 11, 1731.   At the time, the entire British Empire, including its North American possessions, were on the Julian calendar; the Empire, not being bound to the Catholic Church, had not yet adopted the modern Gregorian calendar that Catholic countries had adopted in 1582. Among the differences were that the British Julian calendar changed years on March 25 (instead of January 1) and that by the 1730s, the Julian was eleven days behind the Gregorian in date due to leap year differences. The British Empire switched to the Gregorian calendar in 1752; since then, Americans born prior to 1752, including Washington, have typically had their birthdays recognized under what their birthday would have been under the Gregorian calendar (“New Style” dates). Since, during the 1700s, February 11 under the Julian calendar would fall as February 22 on the Gregorian, Washington's birthday has been generally recognized as February 22.
    
   The Julian calendar, was introduced by Julius Caesar in 46 BC, & was a reform of the Roman calendar. It took effect in 45 BC, shortly after the Roman conquest of Egypt. It was the predominant calendar in the Roman world, most of Europe, and in European settlements throughout the world, until it was refined and gradually replaced by the Gregorian calendar, promulgated in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII. 
    
   
3. There next Breakfast Satellite meeting will be  March 2 @ 7:45 @ Joey Tate’s.
    
   The next Evening Satellite meeting will be tomorrow Night February 24  @ 5:00 p.m. @ Bernie’s Bar/ restaurant. 
     
   The Satellite Club meeting is established for any member who cannot make the lunch meeting, or for someone who misses the lunch meeting and wants to make up and catch up on the club’s activities
    
   
4. The Pancake Breakfast is scheduled for April 9. Bob & Bill are doing a great job in the preparation for this event. They need your help with soliciting sponsors.
    
   
5. Coin Bank; Change the World w/ pocket change; Help End Polio by contributing your change to the Polio bank.
    
   
6. Remember, crutches for Africa. Check your attics & garages for mobility devices; wheelchairs, canes, crutches.
    
   
7. There is an opportunity for anyone to advertise their business on the Club’s web site. The cost is $100/ calendar year. See Chris Heaven if interested.
     
8. Our Speaker today is Don Heebner, chairman of our District's RotaPlast program. Don has completed several deployments for this program.
   

Rotary’s founder, Paul Harris, believed that serving humanity is “the most worthwhile thing a person can do,” RI President-elect John F. Germ said, and that being a part of Rotary is a “great opportunity” to make that happen.
Germ unveiled the 2016-17 presidential theme, Rotary Serving Humanity, to incoming district governors on 18 January at the International Assembly in San Diego, California, USA.
“I believe everyone recognizes the opportunity to serve Rotary for what it truly is: not a small opportunity, but a great one; an opportunity of a lifetime to change the world for the better, forever through Rotary’s service to humanity,” said Germ.
Rotary members around the globe are serving humanity by providing clean water to underdeveloped communities, promoting peace in conflict areas, and strengthening communities through basic education and literacy. But none more important than our work to eradicate polio worldwide, he said.
After a historic year in which transmission of the wild poliovirus was stopped in Nigeria and all of Africa, Germ said we are closer than ever to ending polio.
“We are at a crossroads in Rotary,” he added. “We are looking ahead at a year that may one day be known as the greatest year in Rotary’s history: the year that sees the world’s last case of polio.”
Last year’s milestones leave just two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, where the virus still circulates. Polio would be only the second human disease ever to be eradicated.
When that moment arrives, it’s “tremendously important” that Rotary is ready for it, said Germ. “We need to be sure that we are recognized for that success, and leverage that success into more partnerships, greater growth, and even more ambitious service in the decades to come.”
Germ, a member of the Rotary Club of Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA, encouraged attendees to return to their clubs and communities and spread the word about Rotary’s role in the fight for a polio-free world.
“People who want to do good will see that Rotary is a place where they can change the world. Every Rotary club needs to be ready to give them that opportunity,” Germ said.
Enhancing Rotary’s image isn’t the only way to boost membership. “We need clubs that are flexible, so our service will be more attractive to younger members, recent retirees, and working people.”
He added: “We need more willing hands, more caring hearts, and more bright minds to move our work forward.”
Find more videos from the event
Download 2016-17 theme logo and materials
Follow the assembly on Facebook and Twitter using #IA2016
Download speech transcripts

By Ryan Hyland
Rotary News
18-Jan-2016