Quarterly Newsletters

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• Volume 1, 2008
• Volume 2, 2007
• Volume 1, 2007
• Volume 2, 2006
• Volume 1, 2006
• Volume 2, 2005
• Volume 1, 2005
• Volume 2, 2004
• Volume 1, 2004
• Volume 2, 2003
• Volume 1, 2003

Newsletter	Volume 2	2006

Print Version

Rotarians for Hearing Regeneration
Newsletter - July - December 2006

Activities

Although the summer months and vacations can slow many organizations down this was not the case for Rotarians for Hearing Regeneration.
Early in the year we began planning for hosted dinner fundraisers and found individuals and Rotarians who agreed to do this.
The first dinner was hosted by our Secretary Treasurer Dr. David Cotant, his wife Terri, Sydna Koontz, Clover Park Rotarian and her husband Dr. Clyde Koontz. This dinner was primarily focused on Pierce County ENT Physicians, hoping that they would join with us in raising funds for research.
The second fundraiser was hosted by Larry and Natalie Humphrey of Lakewood, their daughter Dede Powell and her husband Patrick. Dede has suffered hearing loss since childhood and has a Cochlear Implant.
A third event was held at the Tacoma Club and was hosted by Don Lloyd, Tacoma # 8 Rotarian, his wife Judy and Allen Olsen, former Clover Park Rotarian and his wife Jane.
At these three events $6500.00 was raised and then matched by the Oberkotter Foundation challenge grant to total $13,000.00.
RfHR board members had hoped to raise more but every little bit helps.

At our annual board meeting it was announced that Gene Pankey, PDG Dave Sclair and Dr. David Cotant remained in leadership positions by election. John Manley and Floyd Olson were re-appointed to the board. Dr. Erin Wright resigned to take a year off of Rotary to care for a newborn child. PDG James Harris resigned but agreed to join the honorary board. New additions to the board are PP Brian Knutson, Pres. Ed Chandler (Clover Park) and PP Don Doman (Tacoma # 8).

It was announced at the board meeting that Clover Park Rotary has approved $6000 to update the current video, “Hope for Hearing Loss”, and an additional $2000 for promotional materials. We are grateful for this continued support from Clover Park.

Don Doman gave a presentation to the board regarding a fundraiser that perhaps could be organized by the early part of 2007. RfHR will continue to meet monthly to pursue this idea.

It was announced that 12 past, present and future District 5020 Governors have agreed to serve as honorary directors. Dave Sclair and Floyd Olson are also PDD bringing a total of 14 who are now involved and supporting our effort.

Our organization and Gene Pankey were mentioned in an article in the October Rotarian (Now Hear This) on Page 13. Gene also appeared on the Comcast Local Edition program that precedes CNN News. He was interviewed by Tony Ventrella a local television personality.

Membership

Our Secretary Dr. Cotant says that RfHR now has members from 8 countries, 10 states including British Columbia, 23 Rotary Districts, and 42 Rotary Clubs. However the total is gone down from last year to only 125 so we have some work to do with our membership. We continue to hope that Rotary Clubs will begin to appreciate the progress we are making and will join us for annual dues of $500, $1000 or $1500 depending on the size of the club. Rotarians can join individual for only $10 per year or $100 for life membership. You can join on our web site and we do need your help.

Donations

Our Web Master Don Bonner, Nanaimo Rotarian has now completed our Donor Page.
You can make secured credit card donations very easy now on our web site.

Salt Lake City

We are making plans now to attend the convention at Salt Lake City. As we did in Chicago two years ago we will have an exhibit booth in Friendship Hall. We will take 1500 copies of our newly updated video, Hope for Hearing Loss as well as a new brochure and other hand outs. If you attend, please stop and see us. We also could use some help at the exhibit. If you would like to pull a shift, let us know.

Oberkotter Foundation Challenge Update

As readers will recall, Oberkotter Foundation gave Virginia Merrill Bloedel Hearing Research Center $1.5 million outright in 2005. But they also gave an additional $1.25 million in the form of a matching grant. Here are the results so far:

2005 - $250,000 raised and matched

2006 – Progress made but actual amounts donated not available now

2007 - $500,000 needed

If these funds come in the Hearing Regeneration Initiative will have $ 4 million US and hopefully this will challenge other organizations to finish the job. $10 to $20 million will be needed, but this may very well result in a breakthrough that could lead to a permanent cure for hearing loss. Please read more on our web site or go directly to VMBHRC and get more information.

How you can help

Please go to the end at our last newsletter and you can find out how you can help.
We welcome your inquiries and we hope you will join Rotarians for Hearing Regeneration.