Today was a ZOOM meeting and there were about 40 of us on line. After 15 minutes of talking amongst ourselves with our Greeter being President Amir Famili, he opened the meeting at 7:45 A.M. Sue Weber gave a very nice invocation. We prayed for PDG Clifton Mowrer, Jr who died last Saturday.
GUESTS ON LINE: Dave Dries, Spring Township RC: Dr. Ann Bieber, President, LCCC: DGN Bob Hobaugh, Kutztown RC: Kassidy Cuningham, Scholarship recipient from LCCC; Ginny Mahalek, LCCC Advisor; Judy Ehninger; Pat Witcher; Sandi Boll; and Sharon Goldner, guest of Gail Micca;
Secretary John Scott began the meeting by having the members recite The Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag. Then he led us in reciting the Four Way Test.
Pres. Amir thanks all “first responders” for what they do and asks all to pray for them. And he reminds us that we are people of action.
KINGDOM LIFE FOOD CENTER:
Jean Masiko has reported “We served 587 families at KLFC this morning April 25. We stood for hours and hours serving them. Only one Rotarian besides myself. Thanks to Ron Coleman who helped to the end. Three faithful EWB returned, John and Gretchen Cecchini and Tom Power.
Jean needs more AW volunteers for future Saturdays.
DRIVE-IN CHURCH SERVICES:
The AW Sound System continues to be used to allow the Living Stone Church members to meet.
SNACK PACKING UPDATE:
See separate article by Gail Micca.
HELP OUR TEMPTING TASTES FRIENDS:;
Our leaders have agreed to Gwenn Carr’s suggestion to publically ask members and friends to support the Restaurants and food suppliers that have supported us in the past. Using Facebook, our weekly A-W Bulletin, and by buying gift cards and food from them.
Restaurants and providers are now hungry for our support. Please consider ordering from them when you are looking for a break from your own cooking! You can also support them with the purchase of gift cards, for yourself or others. This week’s Featured Food Provider is The Mediterranean Café and Grill. See separate article.
LOHILL FOOD PANTRY DONATIONS:
Apparently there is a plethora of fresh eggs these days.
HELP FOR SMALL BUSINESSES:
Laurie Grube and her Bank are available to help small businesses work through the new government support options. They are very busy now.
AWRC PEN SET AVAILABLE:
Pres. Amir showed a picture of a Rotary pen set with AWRC on it for sale at $100. Each purchase will put $90 into an account to provide food for the hungry Thanks go to Gail Micca for making this happen.
MORNING MEETINGS;
President Amir Famili has suspended all AWRC face-to-face meetings until further notice. ZOOM meetings are now scheduled for each Wednesday at 7:30 A.M.
THURSDAY EVENING SCHEDULE:
No meetings for Thursday evening are scheduled yet.
NEXT MORNING MEETING:
Starting at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday May 6th. We will use ZOOM to meet together with appropriate distancing. Our program will be Dr. Allison Blechschmidt discussing “Managing anxiety during the Pandemic.
SCHOLARSHIP AWARD:
Barbara Kistler conducted the ceremony that gave a $1,000 scholarship to Kassidy Cuningham of LCCC. The Selection Committee includes Amir Famili, Gwenn Carr, Gary Englehardt and Laurie Grube.
LCCC Advisor, Ginny Mahalek said very complimentary things about Kassidy. And Kassidy explained that she will attend either Kutztown University, DeSales University, or Moravian College. See separate article.
HAPPY DOLLARS and MEMBER NEWS:
Pres. Amir conducted this part and kept score on who owes how much money. BTW it is $2 for ZOOM happiness.
When Gail Micca learned that LCCC has two groups distributing food she agreed that AW Rotarians would provide snack packs for them.
Ernie Boll was all smiles.
Bill Palmer is very happy that the PA State stores are now open for takeout.
PROGRAM:
Pres. Amir introduced Dr. Ann D. Bieber, the President of Lehigh Carbon Community College. She began her career at the college in 1981 and over the years held numerous positions including Senior Vice President of Administrative Services and Dean of Continuing Education. She stands as a model to students by working tirelessly while getting degree after degree and raising a family.
Dr. Bieber serves the community as a member of the Lehigh Valley Partnership Board, the Lehigh Valley Workforce Investment Board, the Manufacturers Resource Center Board of Directors, the DaVinci Science Center Board and Future Empresarios Foundation Board.
Dr. Bieber said that she was honored to be meeting with us today, and thanked us for the invitation. Using a series of slides, Ann told the story of LCCC and how they are operating these days. Virtual Education is keeping the five LCCC locations open.
The main LCCC campus is about 299 acres. Right now there are 1,300 courses being taught online. There still is a need for about 100 computers for students who never needed one at home. Ann noted that Counselling for students is available by phone. And they have a Critical Incident Team that meets every day.
Both Summer sessions also will meet online. All events are virtual. Their Career Fair was successful a bit ago, and Graduation is coming soon. The Fall semester probably will be on line.
They eagerly await the Governor’s release to occupy campuses again. They have established distancing and cleaning protocols.
Finances are a major concern. But LCCC will not increase its fees. Only one of the 14 Community Colleges have a lower cost to students. Yet they have been asked to cut their budget 10 t0 20%. This means cuts in personnel.
Ann answered some questions and received applause.
CLOSING:
Pres. Amir led us in the saying “One profits most who serves best.”
Photos by Gary Heller
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