Wednesday August 23rd

Kelly Payne and Deana Engelkens from our Interact club with Harold Crawford. Why is this man smiling?



Rod Funderburk introduces our speaker


Andrew Schwark, our Ambassadorial Scholar

President Molly called the meeting to order. Lyman Whitehead delivered our invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Lyman also provided us his usual health and happiness humor.

Michael Seguin reminded members about the upcoming Okra Strut to be held September 29th and 30th. He will be providing sign up sheets for volunteers at next week’s meeting. President Molly reminded members about the joint Rotary Foundation Meeting scheduled for September 22, 2006, at the Radisson in Columbia and encouraged members to attend. Molly also reminded us that our guest speaker next week will be 7770 District Governor, Bernie Riedel.

Rod Funderburk introduced our guest speaker, Andrew Schwark. Andrew is a 2005 Rotary Ambassadorial Year-Long Scholar, sponsored by District 7770 and Lake Murray-Irmo Club. He will be hosted by District 9100 and the Saint-Louis, Senegal Rotary Clubs. Andrew will be leaving for the nation of Senegal on September 25th and returning in June, 2007. He will be studying at the University of Gaston Berger in Saint Louis, as well as taking language classes at the ACI-Baobab Center in Dakar.

Senegal is a small nation in western Africa that is primarily a Muslim country and where the official languages are French, Wolof, and Pulaar. It is a stable democracy and its primary industries are tourism and agricultural (especially peanuts). The climate there varies from tropical to desert and the major cities include Dakar, the capital, and Saint Lousi, the former French colonial capital. Andrew chose Senegal because he has been utterly fascinated by Africa since high school and he has a passion for the French (Senegal is a part of the
francophone or French speaking world).

Andrew described the long and involved Rotary Scholarship Application process, but expressed that it was a very worthwhile effort. He thanked all involved in shepherding him through the process, particularly Rod Funderburk and George Staples. We all wish Andrew a safe and memorable trip and look forward to his report when he returns.

The meeting concluded with a rousing Happy Dollar session. Molly then thanked Andrew for his presentation and wished him well on his upcoming journey. The meeting was adjourned.