6-23-2011 Rotary Club meeting

The June 23, 2011 meeting of the Rotary Club of Chickasha opened with a prayer, pledge and song.

Guests included Matt Metry and Logan Tibbetts.

Prayer concerns include Gary McNatt, whose uncle died.

President Mark Tibbetts reminded members that matching points for Rotary Foundation contributions are available through June 30.

The deadline for making reservations for next Thursday's installation banquet is today because Ann Manchester has to turn in a head count to USAO.

There is a board meeting Friday at noon in the community room at Chickasha's First National Bank.

Conrad Duprez, Rotarian and chairman of the Chickasha Emergency Food Pantry told club members about a FEMA  meeting at First Baptist Church next Wednesday to discuss how to discuss the long-range recovery and rebuilding efforts after the May 24 tornado. About a half dozen Rotarians expressed interest in attending the meeting.

Ballots were distributed for club members to vote on Rotarian of the Year. The selection will be announced at next week's officer installation.

President Mark introduced Chickasha Middle School math teacher Kevin Wilda as our guest speaker.

Kevin, formerly an engineer for Ditch Witch, became a teacher eight years ago.

He has developed software for teachers to use with Smartboards, which are interactive big boards used as a teaching tool in classrooms.

Kevin's goal was to develop a program that would encourage teachers to use Smartboards. He said his students love the interactive capabilities.

He has written generic programs for all teachers, which can record attendance and other classroom functions. He also has developed multi-grade math specific programs.

"I try to overcome the boredom of math by making it more exciting for the kids," Wilda said.

His goal is to purchase PC tablets to connect with the Smartboards. He is about $3000 shy of his goal of aving 35 of the tablets for students to use when school starts in August.

Wilda is making the software available at no cost to any Chickasha teacher but has formed a small business to market his innovation to other school districts.

Thank you Mr. Wilda for a very informative program.

The meeting ended with recitation of the Rotary 4-Way Test.