President Andy Browne called the meeting to order. Shirley Burke led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, George Steinbronn performed the 4 Way Test and Pastor Heather Sugden gave the invocation. Alicia Fichera was our notetaker.
Please keep Rotarians Nancy Spinelli and Charlie Girard in your thoughts and prayers as both are in the hospital.
Our Program: Caitlin Terry, Hydromissions
Hydromissions International is a faith based nonprofit that provides safe water systems, sanitation facilities and hygiene education programs to remote communities worldwide. So far they have serviced in 40 countries across 5 continents. 790 million people still lack basic water services, among them, 144 million collect drinking water from unsafe surfaces. We would not want to bathe in that water let alone drink it. This is the reality for millions of people. In addition, the burden of carrying that water falls on women and children. They miss out on school and opportunities when their days are spent carrying water for their families.
The tool Caitlin and Hydromissions uses to drill wells is a manual auger, a transportable tool that is not limited by vehicle access. They place those in small canoes, strapped to donkeys and even split up pieces to carry by hand to the villages. As long as they don’t hit rocks, they can go to depth of 100 feet to reach water. After they reach water, they protect the water sources with PVC pipe, filter pack and cement. Then they figure out manual ways to retrieve water from the well. They design the pumps based on items that are locally available and affordable to create sustainable systems. After training is complete, the drilling tools are donated to the community so they can drill as many wells as they want. The process of training and equipping them with the tools encourages ownership which results in sustainable wells. If they cannot reach water by drilling wells, they move on to rain water collection systems. These systems utilize metal roofs, gutters and water storage tanks to capture and store water for later use. In each of their projects they provide 10,000 years of water storage to central facilities such as schools, churches and medical clinics.
Not just water - Sanitation too
After they are done with water, they focus on sanitation. 673 million people still practice open defecation. This is a huge reason why water gets contaminated. They construct different types of latrine systems to promote proper sanitation systems in communities. They also provide hygiene education for small classes. They teach them not only why they should wash their hands but they give them ways to do it. A tippy tap is a very easy, hands free washing station provides minimal water to get the job done.
Caitlin said the greatest impact Hydromissions' programs can have is to share the gospel of good news and hope in Jesus. They explain that Jesus loves them and that He is the one providing for their needs as they dedicate each and every project to the Lord.
To learn more about Hydromissions, including how you can support the work, check out www.hydromissions.org
Caitlin has been doing this for 15 years. She is back and forth from the US to overseas. That lifestyle is hard sometimes because nothing is consistent in her life. She doesn’t have a constant or a place where she can go where she feels she has family - EXCEPT for Rotary. It is so special to her and words could not describe how grateful she is for those people here who encourage her and support her. She thanked us for being there for her and being her family, her constant… when she is home.
Over 1 million people are estimated to die each year from diarrheal diseases as a result of unsafe drinking water, inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene practices.
Caitlin showed us photos of the water tanks and hand washing stations that Rotary helped provide last year (see photo). She thanked Rotary for the grants provided. She presented a well which was dedicated to Rotary this year. (see photo)
She also explained to us that she received an email today stating that someone was giving her a $10,000 donation. That covered 1/3 of their Nepal project.
Jay Einstein closed the program with a recap of how hard it is to imagine there are so many places in the world without safe water. It is truly remarkable and God's work what Caitlin does.
Jay mentioned how proud the club is of Caitlin. She is an exceptional woman and we are so proud to be a part of her amazing journey in making a difference in the world.
President Andy ended the meeting thanking Caitlin and mentioned how happy he is that Caitlin is a part of our club.
Your Proposed Slate of 2024-2025 Board of Directors
Andrew Browne, Immediate Past President
Jay Einstein, President
Josie Spinelli, VP of Programs
Joseph O’Rourke, VP of Fundraising
David Schad, Charities Treasurer
Bonnie Laube, Club Treasurer
Melody Montgomery, Club Secretary
Sherry Soutiere, Community Service Chair
Karen Bauman, Club Administration Chair
Gail Marino, Membership Chair
Maureen Simmons, Foundation Chair
Sandy Hearing, Youth Services Chair
Susanna Philippoussis, International Service Chair
To Be Announced, Community Awareness Chair
2024 Rotary Day of Service
Join 30,000 Rotary members around
the world in helping us feed the hungry
and engage in other service projects
District 7505 Volunteers, teaming up with Rise Against Hunger will prepare about 20,000 meal packets, at two locations on two days.
This is part of a worldwide effort. We are joining more than 800 Rotary clubs, over 30,000 Rotarians, and thousands of volunteers spanning ten states and seven countries who are joining forces June 8 also to tackle wide-ranging projects from collecting clothing for those experiencing homelessness and refurbishing long-neglected parks to feeding those with food insecurity.
Mark your calendars for this special event and get your tickets soon! See Preston Centuolo for more information about this amazing event that raises funds to support the Youth Alliance.
continents. 790 million people still lack basic water services, among them, 144 million collect drinking water from unsafe surfaces. We would not want to bathe in that water let alone drink it. This is the reality for millions of people. In addition, the burden of carrying that water falls on women and children. They miss out on school and opportunities when their days are spent carrying water for their families. 
access. They place those in small canoes, strapped to donkeys and even split up pieces to carry by hand to the villages. As long as they don’t hit rocks, they can go to depth of 100 feet to reach water. After they reach water, they protect the water sources with PVC pipe, filter pack and cement. Then they figure out manual ways to retrieve water from the well. They design the pumps based on items that are locally available and affordable to create sustainable systems. After training is complete, the drilling tools are donated to the community so they can drill as many wells as they want. The process of training and equipping them with the tools encourages ownership which results in sustainable wells. If they cannot reach water by drilling wells, they move on to rain water collection systems. These systems utilize metal roofs, gutters and water storage tanks to capture and store water for later use. In each of their projects they provide 10,000 years of water storage to central facilities such as schools, churches and medical clinics. 
.png)
