Today was a Zoom meeting, After some conversations President Ralph Witcher opened the meeting at 7:30 A.M. Ron Coleman gave a very nice invocation.
GUESTS ON LINE:
Pat Witcher, wife of Ralph; Capt. Nick Millward calling from Japan; and DGE Bob Hobaugh, Kutztown RC.
Pres Ralph began the meeting by having the members recite The Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag. Then he asked Marlene Heller to take over.
THE FOUR-WAY TEST EXAMPLES:
Marlene asked for a volunteer or two to tell a story indicative of their application of ethical standards recently.
Pres. Ralph explained that last week’s speaker, Kevin, was pleased to receive the gift of a raffle ticket. But he returned it to be used as a thank you gift to recognize a “Good Person” .
Pres. Ralph showed us a new recognition item he calls a “Wall of Hope” that lists names of people that are doing good things.
GREEN THUMBS GARDEN,UPDATE:
Gail Micca thanks Amanda Lawler for her continued work in our gardens.
WHAT ROTARY MEANS TO ME:
Ron Coleman said that as a Landlord for many years, he has seen many people in distress and in need. He recognizes the Rotarians for all that they do. He said that Rotary is the glue that helps hold the world together. AW meetings also provide education and information.
Pres. Ralph displayed the list of member celebration dates for August.
He also said that Rotarians are putting Generosity into Motion.
YVETTE PALMER 5K PURPLR PINKIE RACE:
The decision was made to have a “virtual” race this year, still on Oct. 24 which is World Polio Day. Some volunteers are needed; please contact John Scott.
AND we need some Corporate sponsors.
KINGDOM LIFE FOOD CENTER:
This Saturday starting at 8:30 A.M. there will be food distributed and volunteers are needed. Please contact Pres. Ralph if you will help.
LOTTERY RAFFLE UPDATE:
Tom Friday said that 193 Raffle tickets have been sold with about 4 weeks to go. Right now we have $3,130 net after expenses - a good start.
Ralph urged us to use Raffle tickets to acknowledge people in our community that are doing good things for others.
Gail Micca sent an e-mail to all that points out that Raffle tickets make great gifts to our families and friends.
“EAR SAVER” PROJRCT COMPLETED:
Lehigh Valley Health Network was the recipient of 100 ear savers made by Allentown West Rotarians. The project was started by Marlene Heller, after a discussion she had with a technician there about the discomfort of wearing masks with elastic bands behind her ears all day long.
The ear savers are crocheted, with buttons holding back the elastic bands, away from the ears. Jean Machamer and Jeanne Shipe contributed buttons to the project, and Marlene Heller did the crocheting. The ear savers were gratefully received.
Ron Coleman observed that these ear savers also are most useful for people who wear hearing aids. Marlene will make you one if you buy a raffle ticket!!
YOUR SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES:
Please take a look at this new section on the left side of this bulletin.
STATUS OF MORNING MEETINGS;
The AWRC B.O.D. has suspended all AWRC face-to-face meetings until further notice. Zoom meetings are now scheduled for each Wednesday at 7:30 A.M.
NEXT MORNING MEETING:
Wednesday August 19th starting at 7:30 a.m. We will use Zoom to meet Our program will be J. Matthew Vines, Esq & VP Sunbelt Health Partners discussing Health Insurance During the Time of Covid-19.
NEXT THURSDAY EVENING MEETING:
TOMORROW, August 13 as a Happy Hour Zoom meeting starting at 5:30 P.M. Please join us.
HAPPY DOLLARS and MEMBER NEWS:
Bill and Sue Weber were on their porch this fine morning.
Dawn Costello proudly said that she got on Zoom this morning by herself.
David Haight attended the meeting by telephone.
Referring to a number of as “retired,” Ron Colman said that he is just plain “tired.”
On line before the meeting officially began, Bill Weber purchased some Raffle tickets.
Chuck and Judy Ehninger reluctantly have returned from their trip to Saginaw Bay, Michigan.
Ralph Witcher said he uses Gwenn and Gary’s New Jersey Bay view as a calming backdrop.
Sue Weber is happy to celebrate husband Bill’s birthday today. WE sorta’ sang to him.
Sue also is happy to have such a blessed beautiful day today.
Bill Palmer is happy that yesterday the Exterminator killed all the bald faced hornets in the large nest outside his front door.
Amir Famili recommends that we try Portuguese melons. He finally found a farmer who had some.
PROGRAM:
Pres. Ralph Witcher introduced Ann Borysowski discussing The Red Cross and you.
Ann Borysowski is a Volunteer Recruitment Specialist with the American Red Cross. She’s worked for the organization for a little over five years. Ann has worked as a volunteer engagement representative for biomedical services for a little over three years and has been a recruitment specialist with the Tri-County Chapter and now the PA Rivers Chapter. Prior to joining the American Red Cross Ann worked in social services after graduating from the University of Delaware with her Masters in Public Administration.
The following is a transcript of Ann’s presentation.
The Red Cross, born of a desire to bring assistance without discrimination to the wounded on the battlefield, endeavors—in its international and national capacity—to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found. Its purpose is to protect life and health and to ensure respect for the human being.
At the Red Cross, we have seven fundamental principles that we share with our Global Red Cross Network. The 7 principles are:
Humanity - The Red Cross is here to meet a person’s basic human needs when they need it most.
Impartiality - We are here to help anyone and everyone.
Neutrality - We do not choose sides.
Independence - The Red Cross is not a federal agency. We maintain our own identity separate from the U.S. Government.
Volunteer Service - 94% of the work force of the American Red Cross is made up of volunteers.
Unity - There can be only one Red Cross or one Red Crescent Society in any one country. It must be open to all and it must carry on its humanitarian work throughout its territory.
Universality - Red Cross Societies from all across the world come together as one to restore humanity and to provide relief. All Red Cross societies worldwide share the same responsibility: to help people.
These are not just the principles of the American Red Cross, but are the principles for all Red Cross national societies throughout the world. It’s important for volunteers to always follow these principles in all Red Cross activities.
Red Cross volunteers and staff work to deliver vital services – from providing relief and support to those in crisis, to helping you be prepared to respond in emergencies.
Disaster Relief
Lifesaving Blood
Training & Certification
International Services
Military Families
We respond to more than 70,000 disasters each year, including house or apartment fires, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hazardous material spills, transportation accidents, explosions, and other natural and man-made disasters.
Volunteers opportunities include:
Disaster Action Team Member: Respond to local disaster scenes to meet the needs of those affected, providing Red Cross services to fulfill needs for things such as shelter and food.
Disaster Responder: Get trained to respond to local or national disaster relief efforts. Disaster responders meet the needs of those affected by disasters, providing food, shelter and comfort for families affected by major disasters such as floods, hurricanes and tornadoes.
Disaster Public Affairs: During disasters, tell the Red Cross story to your community.
Community Preparedness Presenter: Educate individuals and groups on how to be prepared before a disaster occurs.
Community Disaster Education Instructor: Community Disaster Education Instructors assist the Red Cross by educating community members, organizations and agencies on how to prevent and prepare for emergencies.
The Red Cross is one of the nation’s largest blood collection organizations.
Blood donors play an important role in today’s healthcare system. Many life-saving medical treatments and procedures involve blood transfusions. That would not be possible without a safe and reliable blood supply from our donors.
Every unit of blood a person donates can help save up to three lives.
Volunteers opportunities include:
Donor Ambassadors: Ambassadors are the first and last person our blood donors interact with at a blood drive. If you like being out in your community, talking with and meeting new people and working with a team, this is a great position for you!
Transportation specialists are mission critical. They need to be reliable and dependable to ensure the donated blood they are transporting reaches its destination safely. If you prefer to work independently and like driving, you would be perfect in this role.
Team leader / Scheduler: There are lots of ways volunteers can support biomedical services with their office and leadership skills. Engage with fellow volunteers to ensure each volunteer shift has a full complement of volunteers.
Community Outreach: Do you want to share the mission of blood services to recruit blood donors? Do you like to work with the public? Do you have the ability to connect with individuals with diverse background? You should consider volunteering as a Community Outreach Specialist.
Warehouse Assistant: Warehouse volunteers help assemble kits for blood donation centers and blood drives, and help us get necessary materials where they need to go.
Note: Warehouse opportunities are only available in select areas.
Our chapter falls into an area that is not covered by an American Red Cross Blood Region. Thus, at this time, we have limited volunteer opportunities for this line of service. However, it is important for you to know about this area as it is a vital part of the services of the American Red Cross.
Through offices worldwide, the American Red Cross provides a continuum of care throughout a service member’s career and after their military service ends.
The American Red Cross provides training opportunities and services to military members, veterans and their families to build resiliency. This includes PHSS courses, outreach with preparedness information and coping skills.
The Red Cross responds to military families experiencing an immediate need by providing emergency communications, family follow up, access to financial assistance, and disaster services.
The American Red Cross serves the military community and military medical facilities around the world including military and VA hospitals, VA outpatient clinics, military community health care clinics, Veteran Centers, Veteran Community Living Centers, and Veteran State Homes.
Volunteer opportunities include:
Supporting clients during emergencies - Reach out to families experiencing an emergency to ensure needs are being met.
Work at Military and VA Medical Facilities - Lend a hand to patients. Serve as a greeter, work in a clinic, or assist with the numerous needs of the ill and injured and their families.
Education and outreach - Provide education and information to military members, veterans and their families; including Deployment events, Military Family Days, providing preparedness information and coping skills through the SAF Resiliency Program.
Manage Programs - SAF relies on volunteers to lead and administer programs and services.
Program support - Programs and service need a variety of support to include office coverage, data entry, and logistics.
Preparedness and Health and Safety Services is the prime provider of education on first aid, CPR, AED, aquatics, and water safety.
For more than 90 years, the American Red Cross has helped people learn how to keep their families and themselves safe as part of the organization’s mission of emergency prevention and preparedness.
Do you like teaching and want to make a difference in your community by empowering people with the skills and confidence to help in emergencies and save lives?
Volunteer instructors can teach first aid / CPR / AED classes or babysitting classes.
International Services helps vulnerable people and communities around the world prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural disasters, humanitarian crises, and health emergencies, through mobilizing the power of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
Volunteer Opportunities include:
IHL Youth Education Raid Cross Facilitator: Even war has limits. IHL Youth Education Raid Cross Facilitators teach the rules of war with youth and young adults through an interactive simulation, facilitating discussion about the rules of war and the roles of various actors in armed conflict and humanitarian crises.
International Tracing Services: Assist in the international search for persons living overseas, in war-torn countries or thought to be living in your community.
There are even more ways that you can volunteer with the Red Cross.
Fundraising: An average of 91 cents of every dollar goes to supporting the American Red Cross mission. It is important we raise money in order to continue our mission for many years to come.
Special Events: Support fundraising and special events.
Grant Researching/Writing: Assist the fundraising team as they research, write and execute grants.
Communications / Social Media: Be an online advocate and tell the mission of the Red Cross.
Volunteer Management: Assist with volunteer recruitment, placement, scheduling, record keeping and recognition. Help us with our online volunteer management system, Volunteer Connection
Community Outreach Volunteers: Represent the Red Cross in your community at fairs, festivals and other special events. Educate the public about our life-saving work and share ways individuals can get involved.
Office Volunteers: Be part of the behind-the-scenes Red Cross team by volunteering in our offices. Hone skills to build your resume or keep skills fresh as you contribute to vital projects.
Board Members: Serve on local boards and help with fundraising and marketing programs. Be the face of the Red Cross in your community and ensure we are serving your community well.
Find the right volunteer opportunity for you!
Apply at www.redcross.org
Ann Borysowsksi, Volunteer Services Specialist
Nick Millward said that as a Marine that Red Cross people are great to work with.
CLOSING:
Pres Ralph led us in the saying “One profits most who serves best.”
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