Today our meeting was an “Open House” for members to bring guests to learn about Rotary and specifically our AWRC.
As usual we gathered and talked and drank coffee before the meeting started. President Jeanne Shipe projected a series of slides all about AW Rotarians in a continuous loop for all to see.
President Jeanne rang the bell at 7:30 A.M. to open the meeting and welcomed all to AWRC. Then John Scott gave a very nice invocation.
Jeanne began the meeting having the members recite the 4 Way test, followed with our saying the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S.A.
GUESTS: Andrea, our Y.E. student from Croatia; and Carrie Reed Ballek, guest of the club.
Pres. Jeanne read a nice Thank You note for the dictionaries from the Parkland School District 3rd Graders.
AWRC PROJECTS:
Pres. Jeanne reviewed the many domestic and international projects that our Rotarians take action regularly to make good things happen. She described:
- We support two Interact Clubs, one at Northwestern Lehigh HS, and one at Parkland HS.
- We fund and staff “Snack Pack” programs in the Northwestern Lehigh and Parkland School Districts for underfed school children throughout the school year.
- We help fund and staff the Lowhill Food Pantry; and we work with the Second Harvest Food Center as well.
- We stock shelves for the Kingdom Life Food Pantry with our volunteers.
- We do Park clean-ups and maintenance work.
- We plan and manage an annual District-wide 5K Race to raise funds to eradicate Polio from the world.
- We help maintain the Band Shell at Ontelaunee Park.
- We have funded numerous projects for the Centennial School in Sierra Leone for books and lighting.
- We host an international Youth Exchange student in our homes each academic year.
President Jeanne then introduced some members to a Story Telling Time. The idea is to remind us of what we do and the many rewards we receive from doing them.
District Governor-Elect, Herb Klotz, said that starting in 2010 there have been Nine trips by AW Rotarians along with Engineers Without Borders folks to Sierra Leone to plan and oversee the many projects involving a Water Well and distribution, adding solar panels to provide electricity , Rehabilitating damaged buildings, and more.
Jeanne Shipe described how donations to the RI Annual Fund-Share continue to provide funds for projects because 50% are returned after 3 years to our district to pay for Grants.
Past District Governor, Bill Palmer told two stories about delivering dictionaries to the Salisbury 3rd grade students. One girl asked if the dictionary was hers to keep and Bill said “Yes.” Then when she started to cry Bill asked why. The girl said “I never owned a book before!”
Past District Governor, Bill Weber emphasized just how excited the 3rd grade students are each time we deliver the dictionaries.
And Past Assistant Governor, Sue Weber explained that the Teachers continue to want the dictionaries in spite of the kids having cell phones. The physical book still is important.
Gail Micca said that as a member of about a year she got hooked working with the Snack Pack programs. It is a great experience, and there are plans to expand the service.
Gwenn Carr discussed the various levels of sponsorship for our 5th annual Tempting Tastes fundraiser. They range from $250 to $5,000 with varying degrees of perks.
Gary Englehardt said that this Friday’s TT5 meeting at the Holiday Inn will be postponed because of the snowy weather forecast.
Chris Blechschmidt told of the wonderful experiences his family has had over the last two years hosting Ala and now Andrea, our recent Youth Exchange students. It has been a pleasure and lasting friendships are made. Chris said that any of us should take Andrea to an event to continue her learning about Americans.
Ron Coleman remarked that our Rotary Organization is helping the world and it is wonderful.
Sue Weber said “We serve and have fun, and have fun as we serve.”
ANNOUNCEMENT:
Amir Famili reminds us that donations to pay for the dictionaries still are needed.
Ronnee Klotz said that we need to sign up for the Holiday Dinner Party by November 28th. Brookside CC need the headcount number.
Sue and Bill Weber volunteered for Meals on Wheels on Monday. They have confirmed that Rotarians who have been used before need not go thru another security check.
DOOR PRIZE DRAWING:
While we do have a few more member candidates considering joining, only Carrie was here this morning. Therefore S-a-A Mitch Huston awarded her the door prize.
Then Pres. Jeanne showed a 2 minute video about Rotarians as People of Action.
PKINGDOM LIFE DATE CHANGE:
We are changing the date for stocking shelves at Kingdom Life Family Center Food Bank for December to the second Friday.
LOWHILL FOOD PANTRY:
P-E AMIR FAMILI SAID that the volume of clients using the Food Pantry has increased markedly, and donations are still needed.
Please remember that the Collection jar is at the registration desk for cash and check contributions.
THE NEXT THURSDAY EVENING MEETING will be December 13th at the Holiday Inn in Breinigsville.
RI FOUNDATION REPORT:
During the month of November we will be matching every dollar given by members with either points or treasury dollars getting you ever closer to a coveted Paul Harris Fellow award.
We encourage every member to give what they can; those giving $100 or more this fiscal year will be given a Rotary sticker for their badge.
ANNUAL AWRC CHRISTMAS DINNER:
Dec. 7th – Friday - at Brookside CC in Macungie from 6 to 9 P.M. There will be great appetizers, a cash bar and a buffet dinner. Entertainment will be by Seth Witcher and his Guitar
Cost is $50.00 per person (check made to: Allentown West Rotary Club) At meeting or mail to Ronnee Klotz, 2004 Kingsview Road. Macungie, PA 18062. Sign up by November 30, 2018 so we have the headcount fixed.
AWRC ANNUAL SERVICE AWARD:
Chair Chuck Ehninger announced that a winner has been selected, Michelle from LCCC. The award will be made at our December 5th regular Wednesday meeting.
VOTING for NEXT YEAR’S OFFICERS:
At our Dec 12th morning meeting and Dec 13th evening meeting we will be voting for AW officers for the 2019-2020 RY.
NO MEETING on December 26th.
JANUARY DINING OUT:
January 24, 2019 – Dining Out at Curious Goods 6PM
NEXT MEETING -- Nov 21st -- Paul Harris Fellow recognitions and socialization time. Our Greeter will be John Scott.
CLOSING:
We closed our meeting by reciting the saying “One profits most who serves best.”
