Eastern Cities Dinner and Haunted Hampton are the same evening, Sunday October 28th.  Please sign up for either at an upcoming meeting.

 

Our 501(3)c Irondequoit Rotary Foundation is closer to becoming a reality.  All the necessary paperwork has been filed with the IRS and we are now awaiting approval.  Once approved, we can make sales tax free purchases for our fundraising events held to support the Irondequoit Rotary Foundation.  Donations made to the Foundation will be tax deductible.  Thanks to Peter & John Mendick for making this happen!

 

Lou DiPrima mentioned that we received a nice thank you letter from Crafters Who Care for our club's recent donation.

 

Prince of Pasta Dom Fantauzzo says we are behind last year in Pasta Dinner sales.  Need to increase effort in selling tickets.  President Dave wants to see a 10% increase over last year earnings.

 

See the side panel for upcoming Dictionary give-away dates.

 

Camp Haccamo was busy for the Adult weekend as we had 25 more campers than last year.  Ray Holla thanked all who came out to help serve dinner. 

Dick Butler has been closely following developments in China especially from articles in Wall Street Journal over the past 2 years.  He looks at China as a formidable competitor to the US in many respects.  Our relations with China are more important now than ever. 

 

China is as large as the US geographically but most of the population is at the coasts.  China has many bordering countries so has always needed to be careful of enemies.  China's economy eclipsed that of the US last year and has been gaining for a long time since the 2001 Trade agreements.  US was hoping that the China markets would open up and become market driven but that has not always been the case due to the Socialist/Marxist political system.  China has been successful in bring over 20 million of their people out of poverty.  They are suffering now because the "one child rule" has created an imbalance between male/female and there are not enough children being born to continue trends and take care of the elderly.  China invested heavily in rare earth minerals and now that is one of nine different markets that it dominates across the world.  They have an ongoing strategy to increase trade with Europe and Africa thereby replacing US interests.  Called the Belt and Road Initiative, The Chinese government calls the initiative "a bid to enhance regional connectivity and embrace a brighter future".Independent observers, however, see it as a push for Chinese dominance in global affairs with a China-centered trading network.  

 

Militarily, China is also making many moves to further itself.  It is building airstrips out of S. China Sea islands to claim the territory and hinder trade routes.   The US continues to combat this by keeping warships in the area to keep trade routes open and free.  Interesting presentation that exemplified US's need to be careful and strategic in our ongoing relations with China.

Multiple Contributions for:  Dick Butler's presentation, Terri Bastuk's new job, Mark Hiscock's mother-in-law's passing, and Mendick brothers 501(c)3 work.

 

Mark Hiscock - Elaine's mother passed away; Peter Mendick - Louis DiPrima's daughter baby in progress; Jim Kozlowski - Daughter meeting CEO of Revlon and Laura Bush at her new job; Dick Butler - home being resided and upcoming new member meetings; Norb Rappl - daughter being home; Terri Bastuk - Bob Sheidt helping get her new job; Bob Scheidt - daughter having kidney stone issue but still able to photograph wedding on same day and daughter Stephanie expecting 2nd grandchild any day now; Deb Van Dieren - FLA hurricane, Polio, foundation; Kenn Van Dieren - Dictionary days and club donating $141 to Polio; President Dave - challenge to increase Pasta Dinner ticket sales and health of all members currently with issues.