FRIDAY, April 9, 2010 MEETING NOTES Volume 44, Issue 28
We had 21 Optimists & guests today. The only guests were our speakers. The Mystery Greeter was Milt Rewey who greeted Charlie Clark. John Dutcher, John Urness, Charlie Clark, Maxine Lane, Ernie Thalmann, Gary Engelke and Tom Nall wore their Optimist shirts today.
Today’s Speakers – Ian McGregor & Bridget Rathman - UW-P Engineers Without Borders
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Ian McGregor and Bridget Rathman are members of the UW-P Chapter of Engineers Without Borders. EWB is an international non-profit organization. The UW-P chapter was founded in 2006 and works with Engineer mentors to improve conditions in developing countries. The UW-P chapter works with 6 villages near Accra, Ghana. They have already done 3 projects. One is the Nsumia Culvert. A main road was eroding due to poor drainage. They removed a section of culvert and installed a channel to improve water flow. Another project is at Papase School. The school foundation, front yard and driveway were eroding. The students designed and built a solution that includes rip-rap around the foundation, terracing the yard and regarding the driveway with gutters to improve drainage. |
The third project is Gidi Bridge. In the rainy season, children cannot cross a stream to get to school and people cannot access a train station. The students designed and built a 50 foot long concrete pedestrian bridge. In addition to Engineers they try to bring other majors – like Bridget – a reclamation major, to assist with other aspects. They review needs of the villages so they can plan for future projects. In addition to their engineering projects, they assess what the villages need for future projects, they bring text books and soccer balls for the kids also. Currently they are working on plans to build a school in 2 years. They will need to help the villages raise the $20,000 - $50,000 to build the school. |
Another project they are working on is a low-tech sand filter system to provide clean water for the village. Most people get water from a creek and many die from the pathogens in the water. Ian is from Wauwatosa and came to UW-P from the concrete jungle to the “wilderness”. Bridget is from Baraboo and originally wanted to be an Environmental Engineer. She likes the small town atmosphere. They both said that their experience has changed them. They are thankful to be in the USA with our infrastructure. They like sharing what they have learned to help others. They wish to thank Dr. Sam Owusu-Ababio for his mentoring, plus donations from engineering firms, the UW-P Foundation and PACCE and support from many members of UW-P and the community. Thanks for the wonderful speech! |
This Friday - Ashley Morga - Red Cross - Summertime Disasters
UPCOMING EVENTSApr 30 – Fifth Friday Social – FNB Community Room 6 - 9 PM May 8 – SWIS Conference – WI Dells |
UPCOMING SPEAKERSApril 23 – Howard Crofoot - 2010 Projects and Roundabouts April 30 – George Krueger - PAIDC |
MISCELLANEOUSFrom the Board Meeting, they recommended moving the Bike Safety rodeo to the fall.
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On the web site is the sign up for the Fifth Friday Social. The theme is “Games People Play”. Those who sign up by April 15 get in for $7 per person. Those who sign up by April 22 are $8 per person. Those who sign up by April 29 are $9 per person. Those who sign up on April 30 or at the door are $10 each. It will be held in the First National Bank Community Room. The cost includes entry fee (prizes) and a meal from Quiznos. |
JOKER DRAWTom Nall was the lucky one selected. He drew the Jack of Spades and won $2. Good Luck to next week’s winner. BOARD MEETINGThe next Board Meeting will be on Thursday, May 13th at 7 AM at a location TBD. |
Optimist International | SWIS District | Platteville, Wisconsin--Information
Please send comments, questions and suggestions about the web page to Howard Crofoot at crofooth@platteville.org
Last Modified: April 29, 2010