" When an individual, a sect, a clique or a nation hates and despises another individual, sect, clique or nation, he or they simply do not know the objects of their hatred. Ignorance is at the bottom of it."
~ Paul P. Harris
Allentown West Rotary Club
Meeting Notes March 27, 2024
CLUB BUSINESS
Gwenn Carr opened the meeting, ringing the bell at 7:30.
She announced that our inaugural Irish Bingo event netted over $6,000. Great job, Rotarians!
We have already raised enough money for two Shelter Boxes in memory of Dawn Costello. You can still contribute. Each Shelter Box costs $1,000. www.shelterboxusa.org
Sue Geiger brought in cute Easter boxes filled with Easter candy, that she assembled to benefit the club. The cost was $15 each, suitable for children, or hiding from the family and eating by yourself. (Shhhh)
In honor of Francesco's birthday, we signed a card for him, sang happy birthday, and took a photo of the bagel-cake that was made to look like the Italian flag for him.
Chuck Ehninger gave the invocation, planning is required to make all thoughts and actions possible, leading into today's program.
Jeff and Barb Kistler are our Rotarians of the Month. Photo by Helen Papathanasiou
4-WAY TEST SPEECH UPDATE
Bill Keba reminded us that Than Smomlisky, the first-place winner of the AWRC 4-Way Test speech contest, will compete on the regional level on April 6. AWRC members are asked to attend and cheer on our contestant on April 6 at Willow Lane Elementary School in Macungie. Help to create an atmosphere of support and excitement as our candidate goes head to head with the other contestants. If he succeeds there, Than will advance to the district Finals on April 27 at the District Conference at Wind Creek.
IRON PIGS
Michelle Steiner reminded us that we still have room for more people to attend the Iron Pigs Game on April 24. All the names of people who had already signed up were put in a container and a name was pulled for the honor of the First Pitch of the evening. Herb Klotz won. He will be working on his pitching arm for the next month!
PUBLIC IMAGE
Marlene Heller asked everyone to please check the club's Facebook page once or twice a week and share our posts to their own pages, to widen the audience for who sees them.
Also, Marlene is bringing Tribute Cards (see below) to meetings so anyone who wants to purchase a pack of five can purchase them at the meeting. Cost: $25 for a pack of 5; proceeds go to the AWRC Foundation.
DINING OUT
A dining out experience is planned for April 17th at Madeline's. We have the backroom reserved and will order from the menu. Contact Barb Kistler or Helen Papathansiou to let them know you are coming.
PROGRAM
Our program today was focused on the RI Action Plan, the 4 pillars of which are Impact, Reach, Engage, and Adapt. The importance of engagement was emphasized, and we did a short activity to help formulate ideas of how we can create programs and activities that would help attract and retain members. Going forward, we will continue working on other aspects of the Action Plan. The more members who attend these meetings, the more the results will reflect the preferences of our actual members.
CALENDAR ALERTS
April 6: 4-Way Test Regional Contest at Willow Lane Elementary School
April 17: Lunch at Madeline's
April 20: Rotary Day of Service
May 19: Chili Cook Off Fundraiser
NEXT MORNING MEETING IN-PERSON:
On April 10, we meet at Cedar Crest College. It will be a Presidential Assembly. John and Sue Geiger will be inducted, there will be a Paul Harris Fellow award, a financial update, and some surprises.
TRIBUTE CARDS
First and last pages of tribute cards, to be used to send a donation in someone's honor, memory, to celebrate, or just because. The photo is of the Weber's farm, site of many fun AWRC picnics. On the back is an explanation of what Rotary is all about.
Inside the card, the text explains that a donation has been made to AWRC and there is room for you to write the reason for the card, and who it is from. A pack of 5 cards is $25. You can purchase the cards at in-person meetings or order on the website (an extra cost will be added for postage). All proceeds will go to the AWRC Foundation. Questions? Contact: MarleneHeller@mac.com
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BIRTHDAYS
Nayyer Famili March 6
Amir Famili March 7
Judy Ehninger March 9
Stefanie Wexler March 11
Murtaza Jaffer March 14
Jason Peters March 15
Jeff Morgan March 21
Diana Dunn March 25
ANNIVERSARIES
Lori & Jason Peters March 03 20 yrs.
JOIN DATES
Dave Dries March 1 31 yrs
Ben Long March 9 2 yrs
Katrina Sundstrom March 13 2 yrs
Jean Masiko March 15 31 yrs
Al Lewis March 15 49 yrs
Jeanne Shipe March 20 10 yrs
Bianca Rivera March 22 1 yr
Rotary Club of
ALLENTOWN WEST
Presidential Com. Gwenn Carr
Area 1 Asst. Gov. Rick Zayaitz
District 7430 Governor
Diane Donaher
MEETING OPTIONS:
Second and Fourth Wednesdays
are in-person
at Cedar Crest College
Meeting begins promptly at 7:30 a.m.
OTHERS
First Wednesdays are for Special Events, such as Dining Out, Business Tours, etc.
The third week is for Committee meetings.
Follow us on Facebook and watch your email for updates.
Zoom is available during most in-person meetings. Watch your email for the link.
Here is an update for service opportunities in the coming weeks:
Community Service:
Habitat for Humanity – Any Tuesday or Thursday morning.
ContactAmir: familiamir@gmail.com
KINGDOM LIFE
The upcoming dates for Kingdom Life Food Pantry Giveaway are
April 13 May 11
It is always the second Saturday of each month. Each time we start at 7:30 AM and usually are finished by 9:30 AM.
LOWHILL FOOD PANTRY:
We need someone to help Amir with the produce purchase and delivery to Lowell this month. Amir will give complete instructions on how and where to carry out this one-time task. Contact him at familiamir@gmail.com
MEALS ON WHEELS– takes place on the second and third Tuesday of each month. We can still use a few more substitute volunteers, low level of commitment, fun to do with family or friends. Contact Helen Papathanasiou.
SNACK PACKING:
The NWL snack packing takes place each month on the 3rd Wednesday from 2-2:35.
If you would like to help, email Diana Dunn at dunndianas@gmail.com
PARKLAND C.A.R.E.S. PRODUCE DELIVERY:
The Pantry holds its food distributions on the first Saturday of each month. Three volunteers are needed each time. Food collections for Parkland C.A.R.E.S. are held the third Wednesday of each month at the Pantry on Kernsville Road.
Club Service:
Help plan a Dining Out or Event for a First Wednesday. It's easy! Pick the place; find out if they can accommodate about 20 people. Confirm a date. We'll invite the club; you keep track of attendees.
Irish Bingo and Chili Cookoff
Prize baskets are needed, as are raffle gifts and event workers.
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CONTACT INFORMATION
AWRC ACTIVITIES
Kingdom Life Food Pantry:
Jean Masiko
masiko@aol.com
Parkland Snack Packing:
Diana Dunn dunndianas@gmail.com
Lowhill Food Pantry and Northwestern Snack Packing Amir Famili familiamir@gmail.com
Make it your business to share your Rotary story! When you meet someone who isn't aware of all Rotary has to offer personally, professionally, and to the world, it's an opportunity. Let them know you are one of the 1.4 million people in the world who make the world better by serving the community.
Offer them the chance to join us for an activity or a meeting to learn more. If you don't ask, they won't know! Be a Rotary Ambassador!
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FAMILY OF ROTARY
As you become aware of any member of our Rotary family who would benefit from our support with cards, flowers, or visits, please notify Marlene Heller at marleneheller@mac.com
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