Allentown West Rotary Club
Zoom Meeting Notes – February 2, 2022
Today was a Zoom meeting with 31 folks on line.
CHAT TIME:
The hot topic this a.m. was whether the groundhog would see his shadow. He did. So 6 more weeks of Winter
Tori Morgan has never seen a groundhog. So Bill Weber invited her to visit their farm when Spring comes.
Gary Englehardt has an issue with X-Finity service who say his account number is FFFCCC.
Tori Morgan likes the hat Ron Coleman is wearing.
Len Salines is healing and is working some half days.
The Witchers daughter, Rachel, is decompressing as she waits for her next Air Force assignment.
GUESTS ON LINE:
Helen Papathanasion, almost a member; and Jill Kearney, almost a member.
OPENING:
Pres. Gail Micca rang a real bell at 7:30 to start the meeting.
Bill Weber gave a very nice invocation.
Then Pres. Gail led us in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the U.S. She then led us in the recitation of the Four Way Test to which we added “Is it fun?”
AWRC HISTORY STORY:
PDG Herb Klotz, delivered today’s story about Rotary’s Peace Centers.
NEW MEMBER INDUCTIONS:
Laurie Grube performed our formal induction of Jill Kearney and Helen Papathanasion as Active members of the AWRC. WELCOME JILL AND HELEN.
CELEBRATIONS:
Pres. Gail displayed the list of February member celebration events.
HAPPY DOLLARS:
Herb Klotz is not happy that the groundhog predicts 6 more weeks of Winter.
Marlene Heller’s 6 year old grandson received a valentine. His older sister is not pleased.
Gail Micca is happy that on Feb 9th she will travel to Vancouver and then North Dakota to see her parents.
Tom Friday’s oldest grandson will be 7 years old tomorrow.
Jill Kearney is happy that she now is an official Rotarian.
Helen Papathanasion also is happy to be a Rotarian now.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
AWRC 60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION:
This event will take place on Friday, April 29th at Madeline’s at 1250 Turnstone Dr, Fogelsville, PA 18051.
ROTARY DAY OF SERVICE -- APRIL 30:
Kathy Ott said AW Rotarians might do our Rt 222 highway cleanup, or our new book project. And she has an offer from the Allentown RC to have AW volunteers help out at an area shredding event on Brookside Rd in Macungie that day as well.
RI ANNUAL CONVENTION – HOUSTON, TX.:
Limited time only: Save on the 2022 Rotary International Convention
In response to questions and concerns raised by members worldwide, we are pleased to announce that the Rotary International Board of Directors has confirmed that the 2022 Rotary International Convention will be an in-person event 4-8 June in Houston, Texas, USA. We are excited to offer a special registration rate of US$495 through 28 February.
In addition, the Board has determined that all participants, including Rotary International preconvention participants, must either be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) OR provide a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before their arrival at the convention. Check convention.rotary.org for updates as we continue to determine what safety protocols are necessary, based on the current CDC recommendations for safe gatherings.
Don’t delay, because this special registration offer expires 28 February. You’ll have the opportunity to cancel for a full refund, minus a $50 per person administration fee, until 30 April.
Karen Rodgers will lead the produce packing for Parkland C.A.R.E.S. on February. 5th.
KINGDOM LIFE FOOD DISTRIBUTION:
The following are the dates for the Kingdom Life Food Bank Drive through food distribution through June 2022:
February 12 March 12 April 9 May 14 June 11
SNACK PACKS:
Kathy Ott said that the next packing will be February 16 at Parkland H.S. Also that date will be snack packing at Northwestern Lehigh.
MEALS ON WHEELS:
Volunteers still are needed.
KINDERGARTEN KINDNESS PROJECT:
This new project will start to present books to kindergarten children in the Spring. Planning is going well.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY:
Amir Famili last week announced that the construction site is now open for volunteer workers.
AFGHAN FAMILY SUPPORT:
Amir Famili told Pres. Gail that the family is now in their apartment, and they now have sufficient furniture.
SHOWCASE TUESDAY:
Marlene Heller said that the Feb 8th Showcase Tuesday will be about the Rotary Peace Centers and we may see Nick Millward there.
D-7430 ANNUAL CONFERENCE:
Pres. Gail reminds us to register for this April event.
SERVICE PROJECT:
See the left side of this bulletin.
STATUS OF MORNING MEETINGS:
We will be meeting via zoom for the month of February. In March we plan to be back to meeting each 2nd and 4th Wednesday at our new location - the Parkland Community Library.
NEXT MORNING MEETING:
Wednesday February 9 via Zoom starting at 7:30 a.m. Come on at 7:15 and chat. Our program will be Reuben DeMaster, Owner - The Willow Haven Farm to provide an overview of the farm.
MEETING SITE CHANGE:
Our March in-person meeting will take place at the Parkland Community Library at 4422 Walbert Ave, Allentown. This was arranged by Debbie Jack.
Stephanie Fenstermacher of the Buttered Crumb will supply some breakfast food.
We need some volunteers to set up a coffee station each time.
PROGRAM:
Program Chair, Ralph Witcher, introduced Nicole Mehta McGalla, Director of Community Relations and Development for Parkland to deliver her Classification Talk. Ralph said Nicole is amazing.
Nicole said she is pleased to be here today. She made her slides with hearts for Valentine’s Day.
Nicole’s family Overview:
Mom is a volunteer, believes in healthy living, and is a builder of community partnerships.
Mark, her Husband, Father of two, Elementary Principal, coach, and is sports enthusiast.
Son Kai: 11th Grade at Parkland HS, has a Lawn Business, and is a Soccer Player, is a fitness enthusiast, and is a youth elder in The First Presbyterian Church.
Daughter Aneri: 8th Grade at Springhouse Middle School, is a great basketball baller, and is 6 ft 10 inches tall, like her brother.
Nicole and Mark are natives of Pittsburg. Nicole said that her ancestors are from India, German/Saxon, and Poland/Slovakia.
Nicole attended Mt. Lebanon High School and earned a Bachelor’s Degree from New York University. She loved New York City and worked there for 5 years. She has Marketing Work History in the Music Business, Software, and American Eagle Outfitters.
For the Parkland School District Nicole’s role as Director, Community Relations and Development with responsibilities for::
● Communications
● Media Relations/Spokesperson
● Staff, Student & Constituent Recognition Activities
● Community Liaison/Business Partnerships
● Development/Foundation/Advertising/Sponsorships
● Founder, Parkland Education Foundation
Nicole’s other positions/Interest:
First Presbyterian Allentown
Women’s Business Council
Camp Fowler
PA School PR Association
Nicole’s hobbies include Healthy Cooking, Reading, Yoga/Exercise/Hiking, and Women’s Leadership/
Nicole has been in her job for 16 years and loves what she does, and is very busy. And she thanks Tori Morgan for getting her into Rotary.
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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