Special, One-Day Opportunity to Become a Paul Harris Fellow

    Have you thought about becoming a Paul Harris Fellow? If so, here is a golden opportunity. This Wednesday, February 23, for one day only, you can become a Paul Harris Fellow for half the usual price. According to a Rotary International/Rotary Foundation release, in celebration of Rotary’s birthday, if a “donor is not already a Paul Harris Fellow and contributes $500 online on 23 February to the Annual Programs Fund … the donor will receive a Recognition Amount of 1,000 for their [sic] $500 contribution, which would make the donor a Paul Harris Fellow.” Those who are Paul Harris Fellows may contribute similarly and become a “PHF+1” or above.

    However, this can only take place on line. And to contribute on line, you must register. According to the release, registering is easy to do: “On the www.rotary.org homepage, click the Member Access button in the top right corner, then click Register Now to create an account. You need a valid e-mail address to create an account. You may be asked to provide additional information to help us determine your relationship with Rotary International and match you with your record in our database. You will receive a verification email with a hyperlink within 24 hours. You must click on the verification link to complete the registration process. If you do not see the e-mail in your Inbox, check your Spam/Bulk/Junk folder.”

    Because the registration process could take 24 hours, you should register today. Then, “once you are registered for Member Access, you can contribute at www.rotary.org/contribute.” But for the biggest bang for your buck, make your contribution tomorrow, Wednesday, February 23, 2011.

    The Rotary Foundation does a lot. Whether helping to eradicate polio or providing matching grants for vehicles to transport juvenile cancer patients in Fortaleza, Brazil, or playgrounds in Edmond, Oklahoma, the Rotary Foundation is a force for good worldwide. Please take this opportunity to put into practice the RI motto, Service Above Self.

Four-Way Test Speech Contest

    Do you know an Edmond area student in grades 9 – 12? If so, encourage that student to enter the Rotary Club of Edmond’s “Four-Way Test Speech Contest.” According to contest chair Peggy Geib, “We are asking high school students to present a 5-7 minute speech taking the Rotary Four-Way Test and applying it to real life.” Three Edmond Rotarians will judge the speeches on March 7, at 7:00 p.m., at the Fine Arts Institute of Edmond. And get this: There will be cash prizes for the top three speeches, of $600, $300 and $200, respectively. And the winner will go on to compete for additional prizes at the District 5750 level. Students should register by March 1, and may contact Peggy Geib for more details either by telephone at 717-4756 or e-mail at pgeib@francistuttle.edu.

Please Welcome AT&T Oklahoma President, Bryan Gonterman

    Our special guest speaker this week is Bryan Gonterman, President of AT&T Oklahoma. Gonterman, who has been in his position since July, 2008, is active in community affairs. He and his wife, Andrea, have two daughters, Sophia and Isabella.

    Andy