Our Greeter today was Jennifer Stinson, and she did a marvelous job.
President Mike Gschwendtner rang the bell at 7:30 A.M. to open the meeting. Ernie Boll gave a very nice invocation.
Pres. Mike began the meeting having the members recite the Five-way Test with the fifth question, “Is it Fun?” We recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the U.S.
GUESTS:
Ala, our Youth Exchange student from Poland, and her “host” sister, Becky. Alicia Ruiz Orbin, Emmaus RC.
NEW D7430 GOVERNOR NOMINEE DESIGNATE:
Janet Kolepp of the Bethlehem Morning Star RC has been selected by the District Nominating Committee to be our District Governor for RY 2020-21.
Pres. Mike showed photographs starting with our Thursday Evening meeting of Dec. 14th. Herb Klotz described that meeting and Dr. Murillo’s excellent presentation about elder care.
LOWHILL FOOD PANTRY:
Please remember that the Collection jar is at the registration desk for cash and check contributions.
“ALA” REPORT:
On behalf of the AW Members, Sue Weber presented a Christmas Gift to Ala. Then Ala thanked us and said she is doing very well. She has joined the Interact Club and has helped with Snack Packing.
Also she visited in NY City for two days where she went to the Theater and saw the Lion King. She also toured Times Square. And Ala also visited Philadelphia, and is looking forward to seeing Washington, DC.
SCHEDULE:
President Mike announces upcoming events at our meetings and a list of them appears on our website. A list of the appropriate contact information appears each week in the A-W bulletin.
THURSDAY EVENING MEETING:
ANOTHER CHRISTMAS PARTY IS PLANNED for the Thursday Evening Dec 28th meeting to be at Louie’s Italian restaurant -- 2071 31st St SW, Allentown, PA 18103 -- starting at 6 P.M. Please sign up by Dec 24th.
AWRC TEE-SHIRTS, etc:
P-E Jeanne Shipe had samples on display and had order forms for us. This was the “last call.”
NEXT WEEK:
Our Greeter will be Jerry Frank and the program will be a Holiday Friendship Meeting.
Pres. Mike introduced our S-a-A Mitch Huston who conducted the raffle drawings. Also he collected some “guilt” payments.
The door prize donated by Jennifer Stinson was won by Jeanne Shipe. .
The $84 pot of the 50:50 was not won by Herb Klotz’s ticket. FIVE marbles remain.
HAPPY DOLLARS:
John Scott last Saturday was installed as the Worshipful Master of the Masonic Lodge in Kutztown.
Jeanne Shipe just attended a re-enactment of the Valley Forge Winter as part of her connection with the D.A.R.
Jeanne also announced the engagement of her daughter, Sarah.
PROGRAM:
Our program today was AW Foundation Chair John Scott with an RI Foundation overview. John is the Vice President, Community Lender,
Community First Fund in Allentown. John became a member of AWRC in April of 2016 and recently became our Foundation Chair. He has been studying hard and has attended the last two club board meetings.
John brought with him today a donation form and two brochures. One is about RI’s Recognition Points program. The other discusses Rotary Grants.
John had a PowerPoint program and a video about the RI Foundation’s history. The Rotary Foundation (TRF) is a 501 ( C) 3 structure. Its motto is “Doing Good in the World.” Its Mission Statement is “is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.”
Since its start in 1917 by Arch Klumph Rotarians and friends have donated over $3 Billion that have been used around the world to do good works.
The causes supported by TRF are Promoting Peace, Fighting Disease, Providing Clean Water, Saving Mothers and Children, Supporting Education, and Growing local economies.
The two main TRF Funds that AW Rotarians support are the PolioPlus Fund, and the Annual Fund. Donations to Polio Eradication go directly to that purpose. We are very close; only 11 new cases in Afghanistan, and 7 in Pakistan have been reported in the world in 2017. Our annual 5K Race -- John is the Race Director -- raised almost $32,000 last October from the district Rotarians.
The Annual Fund (AF) is the Primary funding source for Foundation grants and activities. It Supports local and international grants through the SHARE system. Contributions are credited to both the donor and the donor’s club and applied to the club’s goal.
District Grants are Smaller and shorter term local and international grants funded by both the RC and the District, and administered by the District 7430 TRF Committee.
Global Grants are Larger international partner (greater than $30,000) projects that have sustainable outcomes, are funded by prior donations to the AF, and are administered by our District and The Rotary Foundation.
John noted that for any RC to participate in these Grants, one or more members must be currently trained and certified. And the RC signs an M.O.U.
John emphasized the TRF theme E.R.E.Y. -- Every Rotarian Every Year. He asks that each of us consider making TRF as one of our annual charities of choice. He explained that AWRC has a unique “Matching” program. Every dollar donated by a member up to $200 in a Rotary year will be matched by club funds. The donor gets the credit for the match for RI and IRS purposes. The funds start each year on July first, and may run out.
John reviewed the AW members’ donation history. Since we were chartered in 1962, AW members have given $335,000 to TRF. Currently our members include 36 Paul Harris Fellows at various levels, 6 Bequest Society members, 3 Major Donors, and 3 members of the Paul Harris Society.
Last RY we had an AF goal of $15,000 and we almost reached it. This year we have donated $7,000 so far, towards a $15000 goal. The PolioPlus donations are additive in each year.,
John reviewed the various recognition types for the levels of giving, starting with the Paul Harris Fellow. He explained the Paul Harris Society where donations are $1,000 or more each year, and the Major Donors who have contributed $10,000 in cash or more over time. And the Bequest Society is a way to put TRF in your Will.
We would appreciate $100 from each member this year, but are grateful for all amounts. John mentioned Rotary Direct which allows a donor to go on line once and authorize an automatic payment monthly, quarterly, etc. from a credit card.
CLOSING:
We closed the meeting by reciting the saying “One profits most who serves best.”
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