The room was full of youngsters when 30 Congress of Leaders high school students, accompanied by former SJ Rotarian Hilda Brizzie, attended our meeting. In addition, we heard from the two schools (Robinson and Tasis) who participated in the Youth Wellness Project/Peer Leadership and Depression Prevention, a joint project of Wellesley Rotary and our Club. To cope with anxiety, stress and depression and to understand that mental problems should not cause shame nor stigma. It was news when Director Dr. Johnny Rullan spoke of the 20% of young people nationwide who have considered suicide at one time or another. School principals, Maritere Matosantos (Tasis) and Dan Hildebrand (Robinson) were accompanied by students active in the Project. Spearheaded by Bob Anthony of Wellesley and President Jorge Gonzalez, the Project will continue with more schools participating thanks to the approval by The Rotary Foundation for a $35,000 Global Grant Award.
Our Club and its leaders were recently honored with District Awards at the District conference in Carolina. Receiving high recognitions with Immediate Past President Juanita Morris for organizing and directing this year's District Conference; Director Raymond Erb as leader of RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership); and our newsletter, La Garita, for quality and content. San Juan Rotary congratulates District Governor Jose Rivero Olmedo for his leadership of District 7000 in 2014-15.
PP Juanita is shown in the photo receiving the award as President of the District Conference Committee. To her left is the representative of the President of Rotary International, Jose Moreno from Guatemala, and to the right is Jose M. Rivero, Governor of District 7000. Juanita was the first women in 76 years to run the District Conference included speakers such as the Secretary of State, David Bernier, the Comptroller of Puerto Rico, Yesmin Valdivieso, and two representatives from the Agricultural Department, the Under Secretary of Agriculture and the Executive Assistant.
The following candidates were considered by the Board of Directors for membership in the Rotary Club of San Juan. If there are no objections received by the Secretary at: rotaryclubofsanjuan@gmail.com by May 18, 2015, they will be scheduled for orientation. The final decision rests with the Board of Directors.
Gary Goodman (Business Service: Fund Manager) CPA & Fund Manager of Theta Capital, LLC, sponsored by Troy W. Fields
Anita Roberts, Ph.D. (Business Service: Consultant) T.I.A. & Associates, sponsored by Ralph Bixler.
A PERIOD OF SILENCE was held in memory of Mona Gordon, Past President SJR (1998-99) and Past District Governor (2002-03) who passed away in Sarasota, Florida. Richard, the youngest of her three sons, asks that we publish his email address: richard@yakitome.com for those who wish to express their condolences. He will see that the messages reach his two older brothers.
Our District "Sistema" has a special offer through September 30. New members can sign on without the initial cost of $25. The only requirement is that you are a Rotarian age 75 or younger.
See Pat for more information on how the Sistema works and brings benefits to its members.
