October 24, 2024
Meeting Summary
Presiding: Kelly Neville
Meeting Room setup/takedown and general problem solving: Tom Mangan and Ron Van Ekeren
Inspiration: Natalie White
Professor’s Quote:
Foundation Flash:
Introduction of Guests: Dave Hansen
Guests:
Visiting Rotarians: Ryan Bennett, Anne Nelson
Junior Rotarians/RYLA/Young RYLA/Exchange Students: Lillian, Max, & Olafur
Rotaract/Interact Students:
Humor: Todd Pearson
Foundation Drawing: Shaun Bullock won $10 with $3,865.50 in the jackpot and 5 cards left.
O’Dwyers Drawing: Craig Cook
Announcements:
- Don’t forget to volunteer to work the greeting table!
- Do you know a family that would be willing to host Olafur? Let Caitlin White or Todd Pearson know.
- There will be no meeting December 26.
- If you are interested in being on the Taste of Laradise fundraiser committee, let Kelly Neville know.
- Natalie White told the club that Premier Bone & Joint is selling t-shirts for breast cancer awareness month.
- Kelly Neville reminded the club that United Way of Albany County pledge envelopes are on the front table.
Rotarian of the Week: Kelly Neville nominated Keith Rittle for agreeing to serve as the club board representative to the local club foundation.
Special Presentation: Laramie Connections with Tim Snowbarger was presented the donation check from Taste of Laradise!
Songs: Vive Le Rotary
Program: World Polio Day, Dr. Bob Tello
Introduction: Kelly Neville
The club donate $500 to Polio Plus. You can also make a personal contribution. Our club is also looking for a club designee to serve as a polio update contact.
In 2022, there was one New York adult diagnosed with the first case in the U.S. in more than a decade. Polio is still around. The virus was found in the NYC wastewater system and in surrounding counties, as well as the London sewer system.
Polio was prominent in 1916 when 6,000 died and 27,000 were paralyzed. FDR became paralyzed in 1921. In 1952, there were 57,000 cases and 21,000 instances of paralysis. In 1955, high numbers of children were admitted for polio. Many had to survive using an Iron Lung.
There are three strains of polio. It enters the digestion system through the mouth. Sometimes the virus is absorbed into the blood stream and into spinal cord cells.
Not everyone is affected with 75% of infected having no systems. One-five percent get meningitis and 1/200-1/2000 become paralyzed.
Today we are seeing adults dealing with post-polio syndrome, including weakness and breathing issues.
In 1938, a Rotarian looked at addressing the virus. An injectable vaccine was developed in 1955 with an oral vaccine developed in 1962. Polio Plus was created in 1985. The “plus” in Polio Plus is Rotary’s action related to sanitation, nutrition, other immunizations, malaria, health education, transportation, and COVID-19. Polio and COVID-19 are similar viruses.
Rotary set out to eradicate polio using volunteers. This is a difficult and dangerous job. As of 2020, polio was active in Pakistan and Afghanistan with 54 global cases. These were all paralytic cases.
Today the Type 2 strain is mutating and there are 187 global vaccine-derived paralytic cases. The oral vaccine has received a booster. In September 2024, 500,000 children were vaccinated, but we are still working.
Rotary must raise $50 million annually, which is then matched by other organizations. You can become a member of the Polio Plus Society for $100/year.
Response: Keith Rittle
‘Response: The Rotary Club of Laramie will make a donation to the public library children’s book fund in the speaker’s name.
NOTE: We Do Not Donate a Book!
Rotary 4-way test
Of the things we think, say, or do:
•Is it the Truth?
•Is it Fair?
•Will it build Good Will and
Better Friendships?
•Will it be Beneficial to All
Concerned?
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Website: laramierotaryclub.org
Spoke Editor: Caitlin White, 307-630-1965, cwhite@acplwy.org