Meeting on January 14, 2020

Minutes from meeting.

Greeting:  President Roger Sidoti welcomed Rotarians and guests to the Rotary Club of Kent.

The patriotic song of the day was America the Beautiful, played by Mrs. Roegher.

President Sidoti led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.  Walt Strawman offered the invocation.  Mrs. Roegher led us in singing Side Walks of New York.

The Rotareminder author is Michael Lewis, and Todd Kamenash will take photos.

Visiting Rotarians Nathaniel Billow from Akron

Lee Higgins introduced Dan Trege Ace Hardware, Bill Childers introduced three guests, Pacifique Niyonzima, a KSU PHD student from Rwanda, Keona Savage, United Way marketing intern, and  Lamar Hilton from KSU.

Birthdays – Jeff filling in for Sherry Joy.  The birthday question this year is, what form of media influenced you the most prior to your 21^st birthday?

Birthdays:

            January 16      Matt French

                        22^nd     Stacey Richardson – MTV

                        29^th      Jim Author

                        31^st      Larry Lohman – Internet

The birthday winner was not in attendance.

Bill Childers – MLK celebrations will be held at the Kent United Church of Christ on Saturday at 9 AM.  Contact Bill for tickets.  The Skeels Center in Ravenna will hold a celebration on Monday at 10 AM.  Also, The King Kennedy Center in Ravenna at 2 PM.  Any questions please call Bill.

The Bill White Charity bowling tournament will be held February 1^st.  The tournament will raise money for the Miler House.  Again, call Bill with any questions.

Paul Organ announced there has been $550 donated to the Rotary Foundation in honor of Tom Halls mother who has recently passed away. 

Steve Dennis gave an update on the Every Rotarian Every Year initiative.  Currently the club has 86% participation.  The average per Rotarian is $115.

Nathaniel Billows gave information on the upcoming Chilly Open.  It is held in February at Hale Farm and Village.  It involves eating chilly, drinking beer, and golfing if you would like.  The have a goal of $300,000.  He challenged us to beat the Tallmadge club who bought $300 in raffle tickets and will be back next week to give us another chance.

President Roger announced there is a Board meeting at Hometown Bank on Thursday.  He also updated the club that Austin Brewster, due to no fault of her own, returned early from Taiwan due to difficulties in her education.  We expect she will be in to share with the club all of her experiences.

Will Underwood announced Olivia Pilon has agreed to be the program chair for the 4 Way Test Contest.

Will Underwood introduced the Kent Rotary Book Club.  Inspired by Mary Beth Harper, Laing Kennedy, Jim Bear.  All are invited to attend.  Currently 7 Rotarians are listed.  Everyone will take a turn choosing books.  They will alternate between fiction and non-fiction.  Recommend something you have read.  Monthly meeting at homes of members.  Discuss the book and keep on track.  Food and beverage will be available.  Over the last year many books have been read and discussed.  The neat thing is it gives you books to read outside of what you normally would.  Each member in attendance shared books they enjoyed with the club.  A complete listing of books read is attached.

Stacey Richardson was impressed with the titles and vast array of topics.  She also shared possible topics for future meetings.  She thanked them for sharing their year of reading.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael Lewis