Our Greeter today was Ron Coleman and he did a marvelous job. And he was wearing his Texas cowboy hat.
President Amir Famili rang the bell at 7:30 A.M. opening the meeting and welcomed all. Then P-E Ralph Witcher gave a very nice invocation.
Pres. Amir shared with us Herb Klotz’s “Good News” e-mail message about Ronnee.
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. John then reviewed upcoming events.
GUESTS:
Richard Sundstrom, husband of Katrina; Patricia Witcher, wife of Ralph; and Dave Dries, Spring Township RC:
OUR APRIL 24-26 DISRICT CONFERENCE:
Barbara Kistler explained that we have 3 specific assignments for volunteers at the conference.
First is the Hospitality suite with Dottie Bloom in charge. We need donations of Beer and Wine, and volunteers to staff the room for a few hours on Friday and Saturday evening.
Second is the Saturday afternoon AWRC Display of our many projects at the “Summit.” Gail Micca is in charge and needs ideas and volunteers to explain things to visitors.
Third is where Barbara tells folks where to go. Our RC has the responsibility to have volunteers around the halls at the conference to direct traffic, etc. Right now we have 15 members registered -- we need 20 or more.
ALSO we really need at least one more $1,000 corporate sponsor.
ASH WEDNESDAY TRUE STORY:
Pres. Amir said that shortly after moving to the U.S. in 1977 while in the office he saw his boss arrive and he had something on his forehead. Amir, a Muslim, had no knowledge of Ash Wednesday traditions, and he got a damp cloth and tried to clean it off.
KINGDOM LIFE FOOD PANTRY VOLUNTEERS:
See separate article by Jean Masiko.
PARKLAND S.D. SNACK PACKING:
We had a very successful session with many volunteers last Wednesday and packed 240 bags.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY WORK:
Pres. Amir said that HFH is beginning new town houses soon, and volunteers are welcome and needed when the weather warms up.
HIGHWAY CLEANUP IS COMING:
Project Chair, Gail Micca, says It's looking like the date with be Saturday morning, April 4th. Please check your calendars and let her know if you can make it.
LEARN ABOUT ROTARY:
The Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) offers many levels of Rotary education. AWRC will reimburse the registration fee to members that attend the Saturday, March 28 session at DeSales University.
These courses are most worthwhile, especially to our newer members.
PARKLAND C.A.R.E.S. FUNDRAISER:
Please support the March 28th fundraiser.
LOWHILL FOOD PANTRY:
This great group still depends on cash donations from AW Rotarians. And volunteering for the produce pick-up and distribution on Saturday mornings is a very satisfying thing.
THURSDAY EVENING SCHEDULE:
TOMORROW, February 27th -- The meeting will be held at the Starlite Diner starting at 5:30 P.M. in the Lounge room. Scott Hock will discuss the 2020 Lehigh County Census.
NEXT MORNING MEETING:
March 4th at Luther Crest with Dale Heffner as our Greeter. The program will be the Nominations and election of Officers for RY 2020-21.
Pres. Amir introduced Sgt.-at-Arms Mitch Huston who conducted the drawings and collected Happy Dollars.
Mitch began by asking each of us who did NOT consume a Fastnacht yesterday to contribute a dollar. Some did.
The door prize bottle of wine donated by John Scott was won by Katrina Sundstrom --- after Mitch wrestled it away from Ralph Witcher.
The $77 pot of the 50:50 was not won by guest Richard Sundstrom’s ticket being drawn followed by a white marble. Six marbles will be back next time.
HAPPY DOLLARS:
John Scott is happy that he now has a level BM driver’s license that allows him to drive a bus and a motorcycle.
Gail Micca is happy to announce that we will be ordering new personal ID badges. If you want to correct anything and get a new badge, please use the signup sheet.
Katrina Sundstrom is happy that they took a good hike last Sunday.
Bill Palmer is happy to learn that Ronnee Klotz is doing well.
Ralph Witcher has multiple happy things:
He and Pat are going to a play.
Son Seth is performing for Capital One tomorrow.
Their youngest daughter in the Air Force just was promoted to Sergeant.
Pat Witcher is happy that their other son has safely returned from Nigeria, Africa, after traveling alone. He is studying to be a life coach.
Al Lewis is happy for the great news for Ronnee and Herb.
Then he asked “What’s a Fastnacht?”
Ernie Boll is just happy.
PROGRAM:
President Amir introduced Brad Maier to give his Classification Talk.
Brad used a photo of his family to introduce them. It shows wife, Natalie, Sloan who is 8 years old, daughter in sixth grade, and Jack who is in eighth grade. Brad says they are a very active family.
Brad grew up in the Lehigh Valley and he could walk to Dorney Park. He worked at Dorney sometimes. He attended the Parkland schools and was graduated from Westchester University with a degree in Criminal Justice. He met his wife there; she is from Miami, FL.
Brad then was graduated from the Police Academy, but the career opportunities were very limited. So he went to work in Sales and then management in the Pharmaceutical industry for 19 years. Wife Natalie is working in Pharma for 16 years so far.
Then in November of 2019 Brad opened a State Farm insurance office as his own business. It’s located in the K-Mart shopping Center just a bit from Luther Crest. There are three other employees, including our guest, Richard Sundstrom.
Brad’s approach is all about helping his clients. He said that Insurance is not a fun thing to spend your money on.
Brad is a board member of the Western Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. And he joined Rotary to be part of our community and to give back.
CLOSING:
Pres. Amir closed our meeting by our reciting the saying “One profits most who serves best.”