Meeting Notes June 17, 2015
Our Greeter this morning was Bill Weber and he did an excellent job.
President Barbara rang the bell at 7:30 a.m. Pastor Jean Masiko gave a very nice invocation with special mention of Don Grammes.
GUESTS: Wendy Weaver and Brian Peterka were with us.
RI FOUNDATION UPDATE:
Chair Jean Masiko reported that AW Rotarians and friends have exceeded $12,000 in donations to the RI Annual Fund so far this Rotary year which ends June 30th. We also have donated over $900 to Polio Eradication. Jean then asked PDG Bill Weber to make a Paul Harris Fellow award.
PAUL HARRIS AWARD:
Bill Weber asked President-Elect Herb Klotz to come forward. Jean added Herb’s new level 3 lapel pin as Bill gave some background.
The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Foundation of Rotary International. It was established in 1957 to show appreciation for and to encourage substantial contributions to what was then the Foundation’s only program, Rotary Foundation Fellowships for Advanced Study, the precursor to Ambassadorial Scholarships.
Bill emphasized that it truly is “Our” foundation, and AWRC receives many dollars from it in support of our District Grants -- snack packs -- and our Global Grant for Sierra Leone. And he compared the rankings of well-known charities emphasizing just how well respected Rotary is.
All Paul Harris Fellows (PHF) were asked to stand up -- well over half the room.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Gary Englehardt explained how a crack team of AW Rotarians came to his Mother’s house in Kutztown last Saturday and did all kinds of cleanup chores. Their efforts are greatly appreciated. Gary then presented President Barbara with a check to fund a third new scholarship award for May of 2016.
Our most recent evening meeting was last Thursday at the Holiday Inn. See separate report. Our next Thursday evening meeting at the Holiday Inn will be at 5:30 PM on July 9th.
The AWRC annual Changeover this year will be a dinner event at LCCC in the same room as we used for the scholarship awards. The date is Thursday June 25th starting at 6:00 PM. There will be no other meetings of AWRC that week. The Rotarian of the Year award will be presented and two new members will be inducted. There are 35 signed up so far.
Mike Henry said that our club's third annual Community Pig Roast Fundraiser is on Saturday July 18, 2015. It will be held at Ontelaunee Park in New Tripoli from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM with food being served starting at 4:30PM, including turkey for non-pork eaters. NOTE: There is a signup sheet for volunteers to work a shift to make things happen.
Please invite friends and family and join your fellow members for food and fun and fellowship at this community event. Adults $20 pp; Children 5 to 12 $8 pp; <5 free. Net proceeds will go toward the Snack Pack program.
The NWL SD Night in the Country will be on August 15th, Barb needs some members to form a group to decide how we will participate. The Interact students plan to sell candy for a ShelterBox again.
Barb noted that AW Rotarians are taking on the annual Purple Pinkie 5K run/ walk on October 24th. This is a district-wide fundraiser for Polio Plus and will involve Interact students from all over our five county district and an assembly.
Sue reminds us that the District Changeover and Awards Dinner is on Monday June 29th at the William Penn Inn.
LUCK of the DRAW:
The door prize donated by Bill Weber was won by George Ikeda. The $46 pot of the 50:50 was not won by Jeff Kistler who selected a white marble.
FINES:
S-a-A Don Davis fined Dale Heffner for leaving early, and Barb Kistler for having her picture in the paper five times.
HAPPY DOLLARS:
Dale Heffner is happy to say that he and Becky are leaving for Alaska on Friday to be with family for 4 weeks.
Herb was very happy today. First it is good to be back after missing three meetings because of traveling. Next he thinks that he is happy to be our AWRC President next year. And his daughter, the Teacher, has secured a job in North Carolina.
Dale Utt is happy to report that the Phillies managed to score 3 runs in last night’s game.
Mike Henry is happy that he attended Chad Butters’ military retirement party; it was a great event.
Jerry Frank is ecstatic that they were there to see his granddaughter’s Parkland HS softball team win the state championship. Then his granddaughter was selected to compete in the Carpenters Cup tournament.
Barb is happy that AW and Rotary got two pages of words and pictures about our scholarship awards published in the Parkland Press. Great PR by Barb and Gloria.
Dawn Costello is happy that her granddaughter set a new record for the 1000 meter race. And she was graduated from the 8th grade. Also grandson Alec was graduate4d from High School.
PROGRAM:
Our Speaker today was Susan Koomar about the Gift of Life Program. Gift of Life Donor Program, the nonprofit organization serving the Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, is responsible for recovering and distributing organs and tissues used in life-saving and life-enhancing transplants.
Founded in 1974 by the Greater Delaware Valley Society of Transplant Surgeons, Gift of Life is one of the oldest and largest of 58 organ procurement organizations (OPO) in the United States. Gift of Life is part of the nationwide organ and tissue sharing network run by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).
In addition, Gift of Life coordinates life-enhancing tissue transplants for area residents who are in need of corneas for sight-restoring procedures, as well as skin, tissue and bone to repair injuries. Gift of Life partners with 130 acute care hospitals to offer families from around the region the option of donation
Susan explained using slides that they had 447 donors last year, which is good, but many more are needed. Last month 52 donors provided 152 transplants which is a U.S. record for May. Organs used include kidneys, hearts, liver and lungs, as well as skin, bones and veins. Sue said that 22 people die every die because there was no transplant available.
Susan debunked some myths, noting that just because you are a donor does not mean that doctors will not do everything to keep you alive. Also ALL major religions support transplants. And age is not a problem with donors as old as 80 being used.
Less than 50% of Pennsylvania drivers are registered as organ donors. This number needs to grow. And you can go on line at any time and sign up; you need not wait until your driver’s license renews.
Todd Stickle is a volunteer speaker for the Gift of Life program. He told his story of needing a heart transplant and waiting for 15 months, the last four in the hospital hooked up to an IV. Post-op he started to exercise. In 5 months he went back to work. And in 10 months he completed a 5K race. Todd is a believer.
CLOSING: Barb hit the right note to start us singing a good rendition of “America the Beautiful” This was followed by the recitation of the Pledge to the Flag of the United States and then the saying “One profits most who serves the best.”
ocus on membership for our Club. 
