Today was a Zoom only meeting with 29 of us on line.
GUESTS:
Leilani Katz, Blue Bell RC and Rev. Kris P. Snyder-Samuelson.
CHAT TIME:
The Webers will be coming back home from Hilton Head next week. They hope Spring will be here.
One of the first images on line was John Scott strapped into his car driving daughter Addison to school. She is in 9th grade and loves art.
Ernie Boll joined us at 4:15 a.m. Arizona time. Sandi and he will be coming back here next Tuesday.
Gail Micca never needed her Visa to go to Vancouver, since she was in Washington state.
Tori Morgan was driving to a business event, so we did not see her image.
Gail Micca told us how she met with the Girl Scouts last evening. She told them about our Garden and how they all are future Rotarians.
Amir Famili explained that Ramadan starts this Saturday. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community.
OPENING:
Pres. Gail Micca at 7:30 rang the bell and started the meeting.
Bill Weber gave a very nice invocation.
Then Ron Coleman led us in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the U.S. Gail then led us in the recitation of the Four Way Test to which we added “Is it fun?”
AWRC HISTORY STORY:
Past President Ernie Boll delivered today’s story about AWRC Communications over the last 60 years.
STEM-YEA HELP NEEDED:
Last week Amir Famili asked us to consider volunteering to help for some of the 4 days in July to make the STEM-YEA event a success.
AWRC LEADERSHIP NEEDS:
AW members are asked to step up and fill some needs:
Vice President
Fundraising Comm. Chair
Co-Chair for the Service Comm.
CELEBRATIONS:
Pres. Gail displayed the list of March member celebration events.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
FOR UKRAINE:
Ukraine needs our help. Please contact Gail Micca to donate. Generators no longer are needed. Gail has a list of needed items.
PARKLAND C.A.R.E.S.:
Gail Micca says she needs help at the Pantry this weekend. Katrina Sundstrom noted that they usually serve about 140 families.
KINGDOM LIFE FOOD BANK:
The next distribution will be on April 9th. Volunteers are needed. Contact Jean Masiko.
HIGHWAY CLEANUP PLAN:
The Highway clean-up project is back !!
Sharon Goldner will lead the event on Saturday, April 9th and needs volunteers. Good donuts and good coffee are served.
Having your non-Rotarian friends help out is a good way to introduce them to Rotary.
DISTRICT 7430 ANNUAL CONFERENCE:
Pres. Gail said that right now she, Herb Klotz and the Webers are registered for this event. Try it. You’ll like it.
NOTE, you can just sign up for a day and not the whole event.
AWRC 60TH CHARTER NIGHT PARTY:
Please register before the deadline. We have 25 signed up so far.
ROTARY DAY OF SERVICE -- APRIL 30:
Jeanne Shipe will lead the AW Rotarians who will work with members of the downtown Allentown RC to operate a day of “Shredding” at the Lower Macungie Township Building on Brookside Road. Anybody can bring up to 4 boxes of items to be shredded.
Volunteers are needed for 10 A.M. to 1 P.M.
SNACK PACKS:
Pres. Gail will Chair this program for the next 3 months.
NEW DATE -- Wednesday, April 20th for Northwestern Lehigh with Jean Machamer leading..
April 27th is the next packing event at Parkland H.S.
MEALS ON WHEELS_
Helen Papathanasiou will Chair the M.O.W. program for the next 3 months. Please let Helen know if you will substitute.
This program is going well.
AWRC GREEN THUMB GARDEN:
Our April 20th in-person meeting will be held at the Parkland Community Library. It will be followed by a tour of the AW Gardens. Bring your family and friends and wear suitable footwear for the tour. Breakfast food will be by the Buttered Crumb !
AWRC DISTRICT GRANT APPLICATION:
Treasurer John Scott said that we will apply for funds to purchase as many as five Bike Tune-up stations for our community. You can see one already at Rodale Park.
NEW CHESS CLUB PROPOSED:
Gail Micca said that there is an effort to start a new chess club for beginners in our area. This Chess Club is looking for support from our club in two ways: $500 in supplies and Members who want to volunteer. Gail will e-mail more details.
MEMBER PHOTOS ARE NEEDED:
Please send your high resolution picture of you and your significant other to Gail Micca for inclusion in our special 60th anniversary Directory.
HAPPY DOLLARS:
Bill Palmer is pleased to report that Dave Dries is recovering nicely from his surgery last Thursday.
Gail Micca is happy that she spent a long time with their son in Washington state. He is feeling much better now.
Katrina Sundstrom is happy that they have completed a new Parkland C.A.R.E.S. video for their website.
Len Salines is happy and is moving around more as his knee heals.
R.Y.L.A CAMP NEIDIG:
Our 2022 Camp Neidig Youth Leadership Program will be held June 17th- June 20th at Camp Manatawny. AW Rotarians are needed to volunteer for this weekend.
NEXT MORNING MEETING:
Wednesday April 6th via Zoom starting at 7:30 A.M. Come on early and chat. Our program will be James Pepe, Sr. Dev Mgr-American Cancer Society to discuss Lehigh Valley Vs. Cancer Campaign.
PROGRAM:
Program Chair Ralph Witcher introduced Megan Fox, Refugee Coordinator for the Episcopal Church of the Mediator to discuss The Global Refugee Crisis: A Pathway for Local Community Impact.
About The Episcopal Church of the Mediator -----
The Episcopal Church of the Mediator is a welcoming community of faith, empowered by the Holy Spirit, celebrating and proclaiming God’s love as we minister in the parish, in our community, and the world.
The Episcopal Church of the Mediator - Goals include:
• Facilitate connections for mutual relationships
• Support the social adjustment and well-being of refugees & asylum-seekers
• Advocate on behalf of newly arrived and/or socially disadvantaged international populations, providing resources for community integration and self-sufficiency
The global refugee crisis reveals refugees and other forcibly displaced persons (FDP) are uniquely vulnerable consumers on a dynamic pathway precipitated by trigger events that have disrupted or fractured marketing systems requisite for safety and well-being, resulting in dangerous journeys to temporary or permanent settlements.
The global refugee crisis is so vast, complex, and rapidly-changing that it can be difficult to know where to begin in offering help for people in need. We are seeing new and urgent needs in our country, as well as the local community. In response, The Episcopal Church of the Mediator function as a safe space for new refugee and asylum neighbors to find hospitality and connection. Much of The Episcopal Church of the Mediator work focuses upon adult English language education, trauma-informed children’s programming, advocacy, accompaniment, and hospitality services.
Their mission is to welcome refugees who are living in the Lehigh Valley; extending hospitality and friendship as we build community together.
Their Goals include:
Facilitate connections for mutual relationships
Support the social adjustment and well-being of refugees & asylum-seekers
Advocate on behalf of newly arrived and/or socially disadvantaged international populations, providing resources for community integration and self-sufficiency
Megan began by emphasizing that all of the relocation groups are under staffed and underfunded. A one bedroom apartment in Allentown is about $1,200 a month. This is way more than a refugee can afford.
The relocation program is for 3 months during which the person has to learn English, process tons of paperwork, find a job and get transportation to that job.
Megan said that their Church is just a starting point. There are now 40 refugees relocated to the area and supported by Bethany Christian Service. She told some stories about these nice people and the local folks that help.
Megan said that she believes that the wave a Ukraine refugees will have some coming to the Lehigh Valley.
When asked what Rotarians might do to help, Megan said that co-sponsoring a refugee family would be one significant step.
CLOSING:
Pres. Gail led us in reciting our motto “One profits most who serves
best.”, rang the bell and adjourned the meeting.
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