Newton Rotary Club Meeting Notes October 20, 2021 Barbara Miller   Call to Order:  The meeting was called to order by Carl Lazarro at 12:30 p.m.  Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Carl led us in prayer and John Cuozzo led the singing of The Battle Hymn of the Republic.   Introduction of Guests:  Frank Eberhart introduced his wife Elaine, George Kaiser introduced his significant other Joyce, and Bob Shankman introduced his wife Kathy, noting that he has proposed her as a member so that she can pay for her own lunches.   Happy Dollars: Bud Luthman was happy to the tune of $2:  happy to have visited his family in Texas, but also very happy to be back home!  Alden Welch gave $10 and thanked the club for honoring him at this year’s golf outing.  John and Carl were both happy as well, but the reasons for their happiness escaped me!   Homeless Project: Denise announced that next week will be “CATCH UP” week for donations for the homeless project.  If you have not yet done so, please bring (a) scarves and hats, (b) socks, and (c) toothbrush/toothpaste.   Program:  The program was provided by Paul Mantell and Avery Hart, members of the Pequannock Valley Rotary Club.  They told of their work that began with a 2012 trip to a Maasai Village in Kenya, Africa.  There they witnessed incredible poverty, and female genital cutting and the sale of young girls to older men.  Mortified by this barbaric practice, they started a Maasai Girls’ Fund. Donating $400 per student, they were able to provide a full year of schooling, including room, board, books, transportation, and instruction. As the years have progressed, the Pequannock Valley Rotary Club has established a Foundation to continue providing funds for the education of women, and others in their club have made the trip to Kenya to witness firsthand the poverty and practices that exist.   George Kaiser passed around a basket and donations by individual club members were presented to Paul and Avery.   50/50:  John Cuozzo won $7.00 but left the bigger pot for next week.   Adjournment:  Carl adjourned the meeting at 1:30 p.m.