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Welcome to Allentown West Rotary! 
Western Lehigh County    Club No. 5415    
Zone 32    District No. 7430
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April 10, 2024
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ON THIS DAY...

  • 1972 The US, USSR and 70 other nations agree to ban biological weapons at the Biological Weapons Convention
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK
 
 "Kaleidoscopic changes are taking place, many of them without our will. Even to hang on to the fringe of this fast-changing world is about all most of us can do. Rotary simply must continue to pioneer or be left in the rear of progress."
~ Paul P. Harris
 
Allentown West Rotary Club
 
Meeting Notes April 10, 2024
 
CLUB BUSINESS

Gwenn Carr opened the meeting, ringing the bell at 7:30.

Marlene Heller gave the invocation/reflection, focusing on the "love language" of Rotarians, which is service, and welcoming our new members.

LisaWalton brought in spring flowers for sale, with profits going to our club.

 

John Scott is our Rotarian of the Month. He has spent months in negotiations with the IRS, getting our penalty for a late filing waived, and saving our club $6,000.
 
MEMBERSHIP MOMENT
Our District Conference is April 26-28. There is still time to register.  A one-day Saturday opportunity is available if you don't want to commit to the whole weekend. The District Training Assembly will be held on Saturday afternoon. Location: Wind Creek Resort. Several members of our club are attending.
 
IRON PIGS
Michelle Steiner reminded us that we still have two Iron Pigs events on the calendar: April 24 and May 9. If you are interested in the game on April 24 or working the event on May 9, get in touch with Michelle and she'll make it happen! Enjoy the game with your friends, and earn $$ for your club!
 
ROADSIDE CLEANUP
Contact Sharon Goldner if you can join the cleanup team on April 28th. 
 
DINING OUT
A dining out experience is planned for April 17 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.
 
NEXT FUNDRAISER
Chili Cookoff:  May 19; tickets are $25 per person, each couple or family attending will also provide a potluck dish. We will coordinate with you to ensure that we have a variety of dishes. Please collect gift cards, and provide baskets and bottles of cheer.  The website to purchase tickets is www.rotarychilicookoff.org 
 
ONE MORE THING TO SIGN UP FOR...
We are partnering with the Allentown Rotary Club to have a booth at MayFair, which is a cultural, music and fun event to celebrate the arts, held at Cedar Crest College. We need volunteers to staff the booth May 24 from 12-4, and May 25 and 26 from 12-10 p.m. We hope to have people sign up for 4-hour shifts. Contact Gwenn for information.
 
PROGRAM
Foundation:
Our schedule was packed today, starting with guest Bill Erdman, District Area 1 Foundation Coordinator, who talked to us briefly about the importance of supporting the Rotary Foundation. He likened the Foundation to the heart of a body; both keep the blood pumping. "Rotary is sometimes the only NGO allowed in a country. It’s a tremendous tribute to Rotary and the Foundation that supports it," he told us.
 
Paul Harris: 
Herb Klotz presented Diana Dunn with her Paul Harris pin, for donating $1000 in the past year. Thank you, Diana!
NEW MEMBER INDUCTIONS
John and Sue Geiger, who were sponsored by Ron Coleman, were inducted into the Allentown West Rotary Club today, and thereby into the worldwide Rotary family. Ron told the club he has known the Geigers for several decades and, now that they have retired from their working lives, they are ready to spend time in the Rotary world. We are delighted to welcome them into the world of Rotary! Laurie Grube inducted them and presented them with their information folders and official club pins.
 
EXCHANGE STUDENT
Our exchange student, Francesco, gave an activity-filled report of the many ways he has spent his time in the United States this year. In perfect English, he told us about visiting New York, the Outer Banks, going skiing, seeing the ocean (as opposed to the sea), playing sports and being on the championship Northwestern team, making friends from all over the world, and generally having a wonderful time. We viewed a slideshow that included photos of his life in Italy, his home here in PA, and the many friends he has made. 
 
 
CALENDAR ALERTS
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 24, we meet at Parkland High School, where we will honor our Interactors.
 
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
 
Gilbert Keller                       April 9
Marianne Barbaz                   April 16
Michelle Steiner                      April 18
    Melanie Sanchez-Jones     April 21
 
 
ANNIVERSARIES
 
Thomas & Pearlene Friday  April 16   41 yr
 
 
JOIN DATES
 
AJ Henry                 April 15        32 yrs
John Scott             April 06       8 yrs
Earnie Bliss       April 12            1 yrs
 
 
ENDPOLIONOW_4p Image
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
 M
eeting 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.
 
WEBSITE
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Board and Committee Members 2023-24
 
Current Executive Board:
 
Presidential Committee
Gwenn Carr, Gary Englehardt & Herb Klotz
 
President-Elect
Chris Blechschmidt
 
Immediate Past President
Gail Micca
 
Treasurer
Gary Englehardt
 
Secretary
Michelle Steiner
 
Sergeant at Arms
Mitch Huston
 
Directors:
Membership Chair
Herb Klotz 
 
Community Service Chair
Bill Keba
 
Public Relations Chair
Marlene Heller
 
Fundraising Chair
Dhruv Seshedri
 
Youth Services Chair
Gail Micca
 
AWRC Foundation Chair
Amir Famili
 
RI Foundation Chair
Herb Klotz
 
Others:
Program Chair 
Gwenn Carr
 
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Opportunities for Service
 
Here is an update for service opportunities in the coming weeks:
 
Community Service:
Habitat for Humanity – Any Tuesday or Thursday morning.
Contact Amir: 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. 
 
Chili Cookoff
Prize baskets are needed, as are raffle gifts and event workers. Sponsors would also be welcome. 
 
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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
 
Membership: 
Herb Klotz
herbs.rotary@gmail.com
 
Public Image: 
Marlene Heller marleneheller@mac.com
 
Fundraising: 
Dhruv  Seshadri
dhruv.seshadri@gmail.com
 
Dining Out:
Various 
 
Park Cleanup: 
Dennis Houser  houserdah@gmail.com
 
Highway Cleanup:
Sharon Goldner 
 
Miracle League: 
Barb Kistler  Barbara.kistler@rcn.com
 
Meals on Wheels:
Helen Papathanasiou  elenavasso@gmail.com
 
Camp Neidig:  
Nicole McGalla  mcgallan@parklandsd.org
 
Student of the Month: 
Nicole McGalla  mcgallan@parklandsd.org
 
Scholarship Committee: 
Laurie Grube Laurie.grube@midpennbank.com
 
Speaker suggestions: 
Gwenn Carr 
 
Website Editor:
Peter Wohlsen
peter@wohlsendesign.com
 
RLI:
website www.rlinea.org        
 
Speakers
Apr 10, 2024 7:30 AM
Assembly
Apr 24, 2024 7:30 AM
Parkland Interact Club
May 08, 2024 7:30 AM
Joshway
May 22, 2024 7:30 AM
Mongolia 21|21 & Peacebuilding Camps
Jun 12, 2024 7:30 AM
Impact Club
Jun 15, 2024
Fundraiser
Jun 26, 2024 7:30 AM
Changeover to 2024-2025 team
View entire list
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THE WORLD NEEDS MORE ROTARIANS
 
 
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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Check out the AWRC
See Home Page link
Bulletin Editor
Marlene Heller
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