Our Greeter today was Gwenn Carr and she did a marvelous job.
Again the new arrangement with the table lectern farther in the room made for a more inviting setting.
President Jeanne Shipe rang the bell at 7:30 A.M. to open the meeting and welcomed all to AWRC. Then Gwenn Carr gave a very nice invocation
Pres. Jeanne began the meeting having the members recite the 4 Way test, followed with our saying the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag.
GUESTS: Just us today.
Pres Jeanne showed a number of pictures from last week.
APRIL 28TH is TT5:
Gwenn Carr distributed information detailing the need for donations of saleable items for the TT5 Auction. We need about 150 things.
MEALS ON WHEELS PLAN:
A sign-up sheet for next Monday - Presidents’ Day, was sent around.
Dorothy Bloom previously explained that the merger has added more stringent requirements for new volunteers. But those AW Volunteers who have done it before are “grandfathered in” and may continue.
JANUARY DINING OUT is TOMORROW, Thursday, January 24, 2019 at Curious Goods 6PM.
FEBRUARY DINING OUT:
On Feb 28th at Tacos & Tequila in the 500 block and Hamilton in Allentown.
NEXT MEETING -- Jan 30th -- Our Greeter will be Dan Crane. The program will be Bernie Story +and Chris Borick all about a Community Assessment Report.
Pres. Jeanne introduced our Sgt-at-Arms, Mitch Huston who conducted the drawings and collected Happy Dollars.
The door prize donated by Gwenn Carr was won by Scott Hock.
The $39 pot of the 50:50 was NOT won by Jeanne Shipe’s ticket being drawn followed by a white marble. Nine marbles will be around for next week.
HAPPY DOLLARS:
Bill Palmer is most happy that his grandson Christopher was a Guest Conductor of the Allentown Symphony Orchestra for one selection last Saturday evening. He has a B.A. in Music from Lehigh University and was gifted the privilege by his Grandpa.
Shawn Fejes said that daughter, Quinn, celebrated her first birthday on January 13th.
Gail Micca is happy to be alive.
Bob Gordon is happy to announce that there is a bedroom open for AW Rotarians to visit in his new 3 bedroom Condo. In Sarasota, FL.
Gwenn Carr is happy to report that Gary’s 98 years old Mom did very well after having a tooth removed.
Once again Ernie Boll is just plain happy.
Dottie Bloom is happy that she and Rick are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary.
Dan Crane told a joke that drew some groans.
PROGRAM:
. Our program today was our new member Marlene Heller giving her Classification Talk. She is our AWRC Public Image Chair.
Marlene asks that all AW Rotarians belong to Facebook and that we follow AWRC activities with a “Like,” and pass them on to our friends.
Marlene summarizes her talk as:
“Have you ever noticed how many people begin a speech or conversation with the word “so?” Marlene Heller has, and it makes her grit her teeth and grab her red pen. As an editor, writer, and all-around communications professional, Marlene finds it hard to hold her inner editor at bay when she sees a misplaced apostrophe or an out-of-place comma.
“Marlene knew she would be a writer/editor from a young age. But it wasn’t until she became the mother of children with special needs that she learned to become an advocate. “Motherhood changed my whole life,” she said. “I had to learn about being the squeaky wheel. Before that, the thought of speaking in front of a group like this would have kept me up all night. But now, it’s no big deal.”
“Marlene and her husband, AW Rotary member Gary Heller, have two children. Their daughter was born with Sturge-Weber Syndrome, a rare disorder that, Marlene said, “I’m sure no one in this room has ever heard of before and will never hear of again.” Their son was born with global dysphasia and central auditory processing disorder, or more simply, “without the ability to communicate. He couldn’t process receptive or expressive language.”
“Raising her children was a full-time job. While her daughter thrived, proving all the doctors wrong with their projections, her son continued to exist in a non-communicative bubble. Finally, at the age of four, a language pathologist was able to diagnose him and offer intensive therapy that put him on the path to the successful adult he is today.
“Along the way, Marlene learned the value of getting out in front of the crowd, building a support group from the ground up, sharing information with others in similar situations, and believing in herself as she took on the bureaucracy.
“When both children were in school and able to handle life on their own…the youngest was 11…Marlene went back to work as the editor of a community newspaper.
“Most recently, Marlene was the director of Marketing/communications at a senior living group in Milwaukee. Under her direction, the organization underwent three website revisions, developed its social networking presence and created a public image that brought it into the 21st century. Working for and with nonprofits is her specialty, which makes Rotary a very comfortable fit.”
Marlene said that each new job in her career has ended up to better than the last.
CLOSING:
We closed our meeting by reciting the saying “One profits most who serves best.”
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