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RCWP Archives

News and Notes and Photos Worth Saving

2022 Letter to Rotary International About Speaking Up For Ukraine

Background

Our club believes that R.I. has influence around the world and we urge R.I. to take a courageous stance supporting Ukraine in its defense from Russia's invasion, and use its voice to encourage countries that have not supported Ukraine to step up and do so.

Link to our letter as PDF

2022 Our 'Letter to the Editor' Published in ROTARIAN Magazine

Background

An article in the Rotarian magazine, December 2021, titled "The End of the World as We Know It?" disturbed us because it seemed to say that climate change isn't worth worrying about. RCWP member Paul Schwartz volunteered to draft a 'Letter to the Editor' expressing our disagreement with the article's message. Of course we didn't think it would be printed.

After a brief email back-and-forth between Paul and the Editor, we were informed that out letter would in fact be printed in the March 2022 issue of the magazine, along with 2 other letters from readers responding to the same article.

Here is the letter we sent to the magazine:

We were shocked and dismayed to read the article by Frank Bures ["The End of the World as We Know It?"] in the December issue. Bures equates the warnings about global warming to ancient mythology. This isn’t just nonsense; it’s worse than that. Rotary has clubs in parts of the world that are already feeling serious effects of climate change. For that matter, here in the United States the changing weather patterns are unmistakable.

Of all organizations on the planet, Rotary should be at the forefront, a leader in urging the adoption of policies to stem the creeping danger. It is shameful to see you instead giving space to someone whose message might well be summed up as: "Don’t worry, be happy."

— The Board of the Rotary Club of White Plains, New York

This PDF contains:

1. the original article from the ROTARIAN magazine ("The End of the World as We Know It?" by Frank Bures);
2. the three letters to the editor responding to the article;
3. and the email thread between Paul Schwarz and the magazine editor.

2022 Letter to Rotarian Magazine about Frank Bures Article.pdf
 

2021 Commemoration of Pearl Harbor
December 7, 2021 - Brief address by Andrew L. Mozello
Remembering and commemorating that day of infamy...

This is an excellent reading for the first December meeting each year,
just remember to adjust the anniversary year...
this speech mentions the 80th several times.

Click the logo to open the PDF

2021 Completed Community Potable Water System for Communities in Ecuador

With completion of the successful Global Grant # 1874107 from Rotary International, the Rotary Club of Bahía de Caráquez has now completed seven of these water projects bringing safe water to the homes of about 1800 families so far... a successful effort that would never have been possible if not for the goodwill and participation of Rotarians and their clubs.

RCWP continues to support the efforts of Rotarians in Bahia. Documentation of this project's conclusion and the letter from R.I. can be found here https://rotarywp.org/archives/projects/Bahiagrant2021.asp

Our club has worked with the Bahia club over the past 2 decades, arranging to help Bahia directly by, for example, donating an ambulance, providing fire-fighting gear, and helping build a school. A summary of prior projects can be found at https://rotarywp.org/ourclub/ecuador/Bahiasum.asp



Recent Stuff

RCWP Honored by RDC Center For Counseling Sept 16, 2020

Click for more details

Our Club's 100th Anniversary Gala October 19, 2019

Click here for the photographer's website with all the photos
https://www.mortonpictures.com/Public/Client-2/WP-Rotary-100-Year-Anniversary-2019/n-VTHFb6/

White Plains Rotary Marches in the Memorial Day Parade May 26, 2019

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Scholarships Awarded in 2019

Every June, we award scholarships to graduating seniors at WPHS and Stepinac High School

See the winners from recent years.

4th Annual Fundraiser "EAT WELL, DO GOOD" Gala festival, Jan 30, 2019

An evening of fine wine and food sampling -- a fundraiser evening not to be missed!
A crowd of 150+ assembled at the C.V. Rich Mansion in White Plains (Women's Club)
for delicacies from 10 restaurants and 7 purveyors of wines, beers, and spirits.

Click the picture below to open the photoalbum


Annual Performance
White Plains High School Honors String Ensemble

Every December, we are proud and delighted to host the WPHS Honors String Ensemble.
On December 18, 2018, we enjoyed a performance from the HONORS strings.
For more pictures and videos of the performance (including Mariachi!), visit the PhotoAlbum by clicking here.

White Plains Rotary steps up for Belize baby

A baby with a heart defect has a new lease on life, thanks to the White Plains Rotary Club.

RCWP Celebrated 30 years of Women in Rotary

On March 7, 2017, the club meeting marked the 30-year anniversary of women joining Rotary,
a movement initiated by members of the White Plains Rotary Club.

Click this picture below for the "rest of the story"


Evening Meeting at Clay Art Center, Sept 27, 2016

Evening meeting with the Rotary Clubs of Greenwich, Port Chester/Rye Brook and White Plains

Click the picture below for the photoalbum


Past Presidents Celebration, Nov 17, 2015

Honoring our club's past presidents were many PDGs and RI dignitaries


Hover here to see who they are...

O'Rourke Irish Step Dancing Team March 15, 2016

Founded in 1995, the O'Rourke Irish Dancers include Regional and National Champions as well as World medal holders! This was their final performance before heading to Scotland for the world championships.

Click the picture below to see photos and videos of their spectacular performance!

St. Patrick's Day Parade in White Plains March 12, 2016


Saturday Service Project: One Sandwich At A Time

Warm and caring hearts prevailed on Saturday, January 31, 2015
25 RCWP members braved biting, bitter winds and temperature below 10°
for a day of service: we made, served and delivered food to the homeless.


Harry Bright Speaks to All

2013 - Harry Bright's Motivational Speech to Track Stars

Our club sponsors the annual Loucks Track Meet, and Harry gave a motivational speech to the WPHS athletes on April 23, 2013. This is a 5 minute video; it's a really good speech.

Click here to watch the video of Harry's 2013 speech

2018 - Harry Bright's TV Interview "Gotta Run"

Harry O. Bright was a world class runner, and a pioneering member of the New York Pioneer Club. In this interview, Harry discusses his running experiences throughout his life, including track meets around the world, his US Army track events, and more. Throughout his life, Harry confronted and (usually) overcame the societal institutionalized racism that blocked his path as he continued to run and succeed in his career.
This is a 28 minute video made just one month before Harry's 89th birthday; it's so much fun listening to Harry recount many life experiences.

Click here to watch the video of Harry's 2018 interview
WPHS Holiday Performance

Holiday Performance 12/16/2014
We were fortunate to have the WPHS Choir AND the WPHS String Orchestra perform for our annual Holiday luncheon. Wow!
    
youtube duration:2:34

 

2012

Scholarships 2012

On June 12, 2012, we awarded 26 scholarships to exceptional seniors in the 3 high schools in White Plains.


Click here to see names of Scholarship Winners since 2010...


2012 Our FIRST (and only) "annual" CAR SHOW (6/3/2012)


11/15/2012 - Received the "Community Partner Award"

... from the Association of Development Officers (ADO) for 93 years of service to White Plains.

"The Community Partner Award is presented to a corporation, organization, or private community foundation that has demonstrated outstanding leadership, financial support, in-kind contributions, and/or volunteerism for the good of our communities." (ADOonline.org]


Our first 2012 fundraising event raised $10,000 for homeless veterans. We proudly donated to Base Camp, Inc.


Kurt Kannemeyer honored in 2012

Rotarian Kurt Kannemeyer was named to the 2012 Class of Rising Stars for the Business Council of Westchester. This is an elite group of "40 under 40" young movers and shakers. Way to go, Kurt!




Pre-2010

Dave Schribman (r) received the prestigious "Four Avenues of Service" award from President Ted Nygreen at the June 24, 2008 meeting.


Our club received the Presidential Citation from Rotary International!




Important Early Years

1986-87
Rotary Brings Hope

It was during this Rotary year that women were admitted for membership. Our district governor was Glen Nygreen, and our club president was Andy Morzello. Both played a part in having women admitted as members.

1986-87
Rotary Brings Hope

R.I. president MAT Caparas came to White Plains in June 1987 and inducted 3 women members into our club. It was the first time a president of R.I. inducted a woman. Read about our club's role in this historic event.

1994-95
Be A Friend

Andrew Morzello was district governor in the 1994-95 year. It was due to Andy's friendship with MAT Caparas that the R.I. president visited our club to induct 3 women members in 1987.

2001-02
Membership Card

2003-04
Membership Card

During the 20th century, Rotarians were expected to carry membership cards and present them as proof of membership when visiting other clubs. Old-timers may also recall how important it was to obtain "make-up" slips when visiting other clubs, because the attendance requirement was real, and you could really lose your membership if you missed too many meetings. By the turn of the century, we purchased paper member cards as shown, and used Word's mailmerge function to create a personalized membership card for each Rotarian in the club. It was a giant step forward to use plastic cards in 2003-04.
 
The Rotary Club of White Plains is Club 5043, District 7230, Zone 32, Region USCB, Federal tax ID 13-6111471. The "Foundation of the Rotary Club of White Plains" is tax exempt, New York State #219346, tax ID 13-6165380.

The Rotary Club of White Plains was chartered October 1, 1919, charter number 540. Mailing address: P.O. Box 1712, White Plains NY 10602. Website created August 2001.


Website comments to tnygreen@alumni.princeton.edu. Page last saved 07-Aug-2023. Today is 10/3/2024 4:42:10 PM ET

White Plains Club Links

Rotary International Links

The Rotary Club of White Plains is Club 5043, District 7230, Zone 32, Region USCB, Federal tax ID 13-6111471. The "Foundation of the Rotary Club of White Plains" is tax exempt, New York State #219346, tax ID 13-6165380. The Rotary Club of White Plains was chartered October 1, 1919, charter number 540. Mailing address: P.O. Box 1712, White Plains NY 10602. Website created August 2001.

Website comments to tnygreen@alumni.princeton.edu. Today is 10/3/2024 4:42:10 PM ET