Today was a Zoom meeting with 25 on line.
Pres. Gail Micca rang an imaginary bell to open the meeting at 7:30 A.M. And she welcomed us all.
GUESTS ON LINE:
Nick Millward, calling in from Kyrgyzstan.
OPENING:
Pastor Jean Masiko 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:
Past President Chuck Ehninger delivered today’s story about our fundraising history.
MEMBERSHIP MINUTE:
NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION ZOOM MEETINGS ----
Barbara Kistler introduced this new part of future meetings as her part of the membership committee.
On Dec 1, 2021 starting at 7:00 PM there will be a Zoom conversation with all new members. Everyone is invited, but the focus will be on “getting started and involved” with the Allentown-West Rotary Club.
This meeting is a form of orientation with more interaction in hopes of answering questions and getting new members more comfortable and involved. Barbara Kistler will be leading rounds of inquiries to get to know you and what information you may need to be a successful Allentown-West Rotarian. It will last no longer than one hour. A Zoom link will be sent out with a reminder.
New members are also strongly encouraged to attend the District 7430 sponsored orientation to Rotary entitled “ Welcome to the World of Rotary” . These Zoom orientations to the wider world of Rotary are held every two months. The next one is January 11, 2022 beginning at 5:30 PM. Watch for information via email.
QUESTON OF THE WEEK:
Pres Gail tried again to challenge our members with a Rotary question about motorcycles in a Rotarian magazine article. No takers.
HAPPY DOLLARS & STUFF:
Tori Morgan believes that we need a rule that no Christmas decorations can be displayed before Thanksgiving.
Gail Micca advised those who helped crimp pies at the Buttered Crumb that one of their staff has covid19.
John Scott told Len Salines how to “un-cluster” his e-mails.
Jean Masiko is much better now after putting up with covid19 most of October.
Herb Klotz is happy to tell us that our speaker from last April, Marty Peak Helman, Peace Initiative Committee Chair, has been appointed a Trustee of the Rotary Foundation. He hopes to have her visit us again.
Marlene Heller is happy that her 6 and 8 year old grandkids have just been vaccinated. This means that in January they can go to school instead of being home schooled.
Marlene also is happy to tell us that when she and Gary had dinner with the Webers, Sue was doing very well now.
Nick Millward is happy that he met with four of the “Babushkas” in the group he is helping. He went grocery shopping and delivered food to them and got great smiles.
Also on Dec 1st we will hear a speaker talking about this effort.
Amir Famili told us that Habitat for Humanity ReStore is seeking volunteers to process donated items such as furniture and to work in the store. They are looking for furniture donations.
Gail Micca is happy that Ralph Witcher will lead the Dec 8 meeting while she is visiting her folks in North Dakota.
Ralph Witcher was happy to show a photo of Ron Coleman in his special suit and hat learning how to play blackjack.
Ralph Witcher said that today was the anniversary of the day he met Pat and fell in love with her.
CELEBRATIONS:
Pres. Gail displayed the list of November member events.
SNACK PACKING:
Today at Parkland starting at 2:10 p.m.
KINGDOM LIFE FOOD DISTRIBUTION:
The next distribution will be on November 20th. It will be busy and volunteers are needed. Contact Jean Masiko.
COATS FOR JFS:
Gail Micca on Nov 16 reported “8 coats donated by Gail were dropped off on behalf of AWRC today. Jewish Family Services of Lehigh Valley do the coats and cocoa event for the families who visit their food pantry. Chelsea Karp had spoken to our club last Winter about coat collections.
If anyone else would like to buy new coats for this cause, it’s not too late to bring them to JFS. Please let Gail or Marlene know.
DISTRICT CONFERENCE 2022 DEADLINE:
Pres. Gail reminds us that we must register for the Hershey conference by Dec 1st in order to get the discount.
ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY:
Saturday, December 11 will be our annual holiday party at Brookside Country Club in Macungie.
Pres. Gail said that so far 30 of us have registered. There is room for 20 more, so sign up and invite a friend.
There are 3 food options. Please register using: https://allentownwestrotary.org/page/holiday-party/
FAMILY PROMISE AND PEDIATRIC CAMCER:
Gift card donations for $25 for homeless and sick are coming along, but more are needed. Contact Kathy Ott.
MEALS ON WHEELS:
Kathy Ott and Katrina Sundstrom delivered on Tuesday.
Meals on Wheels still can use more backup volunteers.
VOLUNTEERS AT THE ZOO:
Volunteer Night at the LV Zoo is Thursday, December 2 from 4:30 to 10 p.m.
CASINO NIGHT AT THE WHEELS MUSEUM:
The date is January 29th. Pres. Gail said that we will do a “Wine Pull” as one event.
Jeff Steiner conducted a training course in how to plat blackjack.
Len Salines wants us to concentrate on getting sponsors and donations of prizes.
AWRC NOMINATIONS:
As our immediate Past President, Ralph Witcher described the positions open for the 2022-23 RY. We need members to step up and take on these new challenges.
Amir Famili nominated Tori Morgan for Vice President. Tori was pleased and will seriously consider it.
YOUR SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES:
There is an updated list of service opportunities in the coming weeks: on the left side of this bulletin. They are:
Habitat for Humanity – Any Tuesday or Thursday morning
contact Amir, familiamir@gmail.com
STATUS OF MORNING MEETINGS:
The first and third Wednesday meetings in November and December will be via Zoom. The second and fourth will be in-person at the Starlite Diner.
NEXT MORNING MEETING:
Wednesday November 24, starting at 7:30 a.m. in-person at the Starlite Diner. A zoom link will be available. Come on at 7:15 and chat. Our program will be Gwenn Carr & Gary Englehardt re STEM YEA: What's it All About & What does it mean to Allentown West?
PROGRAM:
Today was our quarterly Club Assembly. Pres. Gail Micca asked Chris to go first.
Treasurer Chris Blechschmidt reviewed our financial status. It has been a tough year for fundraising, but we have managed to have a good start for next year with John Scott. Our January Casino Night should provide enough proceeds to cover the rest.
Service Chair Kathy Ott reviewed the status of the STEM-YEA project.
Gwenn Carr and Gary Englehardt will present a program for us at next week’s meeting. The plan is to have a 4 day and overnight event for the students next Summer. Various pieces are coming into place. Fundraising will be a big job each year, including grant applications.
Kathy says it is a great program.
Membership Chair Herb Klotz described the 7 member committee and their specific assignments. He said that our goal this RY is to have 65 Active members by June 30, 2022.
Currently we have 58 Active members with 3 or 4 in the pipeline. So we still need more candidates. Invite them to help on projects, not just to come to a meeting. “INVITE TO EXCITE”
Secretary Michelle Steiner said that all is under control. And the second half dues statements will be out soon.
Service Chair Kathy Ott reviewed the many projects underway with our members.
Meals on Wheels is doing great.
Gift Cards are OK. She will deliver then on Friday.
Our second Snack Packing this school year is at Parkland H.S. today and the Interact students will participate.
There will be a project for Kindness soon.
Books for Kindergarten students is probably the replacement for the dictionary project.
The Dec. 2nd volunteer activity at the Zoo will continue after that.
Volunteers for STEM-YEA will be needed for next Summer.
CLOSING:
Pres. Gail led us in reciting our motto “One profits most who serves best.”, rang the imaginary bell and adjourned the meeting.
.png)
.png)
