Our January 11th program will be a special one because not only will we get to know Chama, but it also her birthday so we have two reasons to attend the January 11th meeting.  

     This will be an interesting and informative program and one that you will want to attend in person at Memorial Hall or via zoom.  Eric Moe will introduce our presenter and act as Rotary Host.

     Chama is from Thailand and will be living in Pecatonica and attending Pecatonica High School.  Her first host family are Peter and Kelli Kang.

     The following information was taken from Chama's Youth Exchange Application which was approximately 25 pages long and was very interesting to read.

     Chama's mother is Patchananp Yanthitiworakorn, who is a financial advisor, and her father is Chanothai Chaithammachok, who is a mechanical engineer.  She lives with her mother and grandmother in Udonthani province.   

     Her typical day at home is up at 6:00 AM to have breakfast and her mother drives her to school at 6:45 AM.  At her Donbosco High School, she has 7 subjects a day and covers 20 subjects in a year.  These include Mathematics, Thai language, Chinese language, Math in English, English listening reading and writing, social study, basketball, science, physics, biology, chemistry, psychology, computer science, history, girl guide, art, Thai dance, music, home economics, and science in English.  Each glass is about 50 minutes, and her last class is finished by 4:00 PM.  Her mother picks her up and she is home by 5:00 PM.  After dinner, Chama looks after her pet hamster, takes a shower, does homework and goes to bed.  She has been studying English and Chinese for 9 years.

     During her free time, she likes to watch movies in order to practice her English, clean and tidy her room, and cooking and spending time with her family.  On holidays, she likes to travel to Bangkok by herself to visit her cousin for a couple of weeks.  She traveled to Hong Kong with her mother and grandmother (before COVID) to visit her aunt and uncle.  She went to Hong Kong Disneyland and other Hong Kong attractions.  They also took a ferry to Macau Venetian in Asia.

     When asked what she hoped to accomplish as an exchange student, Chama said "I best wish to gain more experiences in oversea especially culture, art, new expat friends, western lifestyle and new classroom including classmate too.  Moreover, this is a chance for me to improve my English language skills in both of formal and informal styles".

     If you get a chance to meet Chama during this year, make an effort to greet her and welcome her to Rockford Rotary.  As is our custom, Chama will be presenting at least one program during the year where she will tell us about herself and her adventures as our Youth Exchange Student.

 

I have a big family.

 

I always cook food in my free time.

 

This is my pet.  It is a hamster.

 

This is my house.

 

 

 

 

     Our January 4th meeting was a vocational presentation by President-Elect Mike Foreman.  Since the COG editor was unable to attend the presentation, he cannot give a formal review of Mike's presentation.  However, we were given the following review along with the above picture.  "Mike did an outstanding job behind the podium.  He's going to make a great Prez.".  It sounds like it was great program. 

 

     The January 18th Meeting will be open for committee meetings.  Committee chairs will be contacting their members with details.

     If you are not having a committee meeting, feel free to join us for lunch and some socializing.

 

 

     Pete Rundquist

     President 

     815-985-3976 

 

        

 

01/18/24 - Committee Meetings

               - Club Update

 

01/25/24 - Congressman Darin La Hood

               - Host - John Mecklenburg

 

 

     Starting with our September 7th meeting, we will be having lunches at our noon meetings.  We will be starting with a package from Beef-A-Roo.  It will consist of a Wrap, salad, chips, cookie, and a soda or water.  There will bea variety of meats in the wraps.  This is a work in progress and things may change.  Lunches will start on September 7, 2023 and will be available at 11:45 AM the day of the meeting.

     PLEASE.  If you plan to bring a guest, PLEASE let us know 3 days in advance so we can make arrangements for food.  It will be your responsibility to cover the cost at $12.50 per meal.

 

     Thanks

     Pete Rundquist - runky907@comcast.net

     President, Rockford Rotary