Today was a Zoom meeting starting at 7:30 A.M. with conversations starting at 7:15 A.M. There were 19 of us on line.
GUEST:
Just us today
CHAT NEWS:
Gail Micca, who does not drink much alcohol, said that they had beer and wine every day in Houston at the RI Convention last week.
Tori Morgan has been crazy busy these days, and is heading to an 8 a.m. meeting soon.
It seems that Ed Micca dropped Gail and Helen at the Philadelphia airport to go to Houston. Logically he went to Philly to meet their return flight -- which was in Newark. Tsk. Tsk.
Bill Palmer thanked folks for displaying their U.S. flags yesterday -- in honor of his son’s birthday, i.e. Flag Day.
Bill mentioned the Emmaus RC’s Flag plan that puts up and takes down the flag at your house for all appropriate U.S. events for a nominal fee.
OPENING:
Pres. Gail Micca at 7:30 rang an imaginary bell and started the meeting.
Past President Ralph Witcher gave a very nice invocation.
Then Ron Coleman led us in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the U.S. And Marlene Heller led us in the recitation of the Four-wat Test, and adding “Is it Fun?”
CELEBRATIONS:
Pres. Gail displayed the list of June member celebration events. Gail noted that Karen and Geoff Legg are celebrating 56 years of marriage.
DISTRICT CHANGEOVER:
The Rotary District 7430 Changeover Dinner is on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 from 5:30 pm- 9:00 P.M. at Brookside Country Club- Pottstown, 850 N. Adams Street, Pottstown, PA 19464
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
STEM-YEA NEEDS YOU:
Please join us as a volunteer on July 11, 2022 at Albright College, 13th & Penn Streets, Reading, PA to help with the District wide Allentown West Rotary Foundation STEM Youth EXPLORER ACADEMY.
You do not need to volunteer every day.
You will attend classes with the students, learn about telescopes and meet our three AWRC STEM YEA students.
Your responsibilities include: walking students from dorms to cafeteria to classrooms and green spaces.
We have certified teachers to provide instruction, you do not need any teaching experience. Each group of 15 students has one certified instructor, two Albright college intern and two Rotarians.
We also need overnight monitors also.
STEM YEA volunteers will receive a cool STEM YEA tee shirt and meals during their shifts.
Contact me by June 15th to volunteer!
I have included a one page document about STEM YEA to this note.
Thanks, Gwenn and the District 7430 STEM YEA team
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY:
Amir Famili said that they now are constructing 8 town houses. He noted that Diana Dunn has been volunteering there and loves doing it.
More volunteers are needed for Tuesdays, Thursdays, and sometimes Saturdays. Please contact Amir.
RODALE PARK MULCHING:
Herb Klotz and 5 other AW Rotarians spread the mulch for an hour and a half and then went to eat.
KINGDOM LIFE FOOD BANK:
Ron Colman said the weather was great for the June 11 food distribution that he and Jeanne Shipe helped. There were about 160 families served, which was lower than expected. But nothing goes to waste.
PARKLAND C.A.R.E.S.:
Their food pantry work day will change from Saturdays to Tuesday evenings.
On June 14th the soccer team helped pack 180 bags. And they benefited from produce from our Library garden with some radishes, greens and herbs.
MEALS ON WHEELS:
Helen Papathanasiou still needs more volunteers.
Pres. Gail delivered yesterday.
GARDENING CLASS:
This will be held in the evening of June 22nd at the Library. Contact Gail for details.
GREEN THUMB GARDEN:
The stuff is thriving, except for the beans which seem to have a parasite problem.
FIFTH WEDNESDAY MEETING:
On Wednesday June 29th we will meet in the evening at The Green Thumb Garden and have some pot luck snacks as we tour. Then we plan to go to a nearby restaurant for supper.
MOTE that the entrance to the garden has become complicated.
NEXT MORNING MEETING:
Wednesday June 22nd IN-PERSON at Madeline’s in Fogelsville starting at 7:30 A.M. Come early and circulate.
Our program will be our annual Changeover celebration.
HAPPY DOLLARS:
Bill Palmer is happy that his 5 year old retriever is eating again. Last Saturday she consumed her yarn based toy and finally passed it yesterday evening after a visit to the Vet.
Amir Famili is happy that their older son is getting married in San Francisco in August.
Herb Klotz is happy to report that he had a great time at the RI Convention in Texas.
Gwenn Carr reviewed all of the STEM YEA activities for these 7th grade students in July. They still need volunteers.
Amir Famili is happy to thank Gwenn and Gary for their hard work in making the STEM YEA event happen. He also thanks AWRC Foundation for its financial support.
Gwenn is happy to report that the STEM YEA project has over $70,000 to pay for this year’s event.
PROGRAM:
Pres. Gail led a presentation about the RI Houston Convention. She showed a series of slides, starting with a photo of Herb and Mr. Rotary. She loved the Hall of Friendship and wanted to do more there. This was Herb’s 4th RI Convention. He and Gail already are registered for the 2023 convention in Melbourne, Australia.
Gail attended a pre-convention meeting all about Interact Clubs and how they create a group of future Rotarians.
Herb attended a pre-convention meeting about Rotaract and its role in growing membership. There were 150 Rotaractors present.
Rotaract is for folks 18 thru 35 years old. These clubs are formed around a college group, but also can be just community centered. We plan to add the latter going forward.
At the convention itself Herb conducted a Membership breakout session that had 350 participants and dozens were turned away.
Gail attended a Youth Exchange session where she learned about Rotex, which is a group of members who have been through Exchange Programs. Gail has volunteered to work at the D7430 level to help organize these folks into a working group.
A new group is called Rotary Youth Network. The plan is to connect all youth program students into one network with communications.
Gail showed photos of folks she met with Herb and Helen. She was really impressed with the Woman who spoke on the Rotarian assistance in Ukraine. RI has raised over $15 million, and many RCs have donated even more.
Herb, Helen and Gail raved about the amazing speakers at the convention. We may even try to have one speak at one of our meetings.
Helen noted the use of Satellite RCs to grow membership.
Herb said that the attendance was about 11,000 which is quite low because of the pandemic.
CLOSING:
Pres. Gail led us in reciting our motto “One profits most who serves best.”, rang the imaginary bell and adjourned the meeting.
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