Canfield Rotary Program - October 11, 2019
Meeting Chair: Lesley Butler
Greeter: Jack Saunders
Pledge of Allegiance/God Bless America: Rob Huberty
Invocation: Margot Baird
Song Leader: Craig Olsen
Fellowship: Gail McCullough
Today's guests included Steve Kandray, Katie Swain, Natalie Pappada , and Caroline Olson.
Agenda:
- A reminder of several upcoming events. Be sure to mark your calendars ---
- November 1st - Halloween Party at Baird Pavilion
- November 10 - Pancake breakfast at Canfield High School
- December 7th - Lighting of the Green
- December 13th - Christmas party at the Hampton Inn
- Flags for this year's final distribution honoring Election Day and Veteran's Day should begin October 26th. Please let Ted, Dale, or Tom know if you need help with your route.
- There will be a board meeting next Friday, October 18th, at 7:30A.M. One of the topics of discussion will be new project ideas. Please let Lesley know if there are any project possibilities you would like added to the discussion.
- Lesley shared with the club a fundraiser sponsored by Youngstown Rotary, Pints vs. Polio, scheduled for October 24th at the Boxcar Lounge in the B & O Station in recognition of World Polio Day. Proceeds from each pint sold will go to the polio plus fund, and Youngstown Rotary will match funds for each pint sold. Bill & Linda Gates Foundation will then match 2 for 1 each pint sold! Bottom line--when factored against the cost of a polio immunization, each pint sold could save 14 lives! All club members are invited to share in this amazing fundraiser.
- Anthony announced there will be a Lighting of the Green meeting at Belleria Pizza on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 6:30. There are once again 65 trees to be sponsored this year and it's time to get started!
- Nicole Ramson distributed tickets to be sold for this year's Pancake Breakfast and Community Showcase. Each member is asked to please try to sell 15 tickets. If you not yet received them, please see Nicole at this week's meeting.
- Margo Baird, Interact Chair, shared with the club that our Interact Club membership is steadily increasing. Great to see the young students being involved and contributing to the community!
- Lillianna Best, Canfield High School student and 2018 exchange student presented a flag from the Rotary Club of her host country in Spain to Canfield Rotary President Lesley Butler. She thanked Canfield Rotary for the amazing experience she had as an exchange student. Welcome home, Lillianna!
This month's featured speakers:
Troy K. Rhoades
On October 4, Eric Axelson introduced the featured speaker, Troy K. Rhoades, First Energy Regional External Affairs Manager of Youngstown, Ohio. Mr. Rhoades became a member of Youngstown Rotary in February of 2018 and is an Air Force Reserve veteran who was activated during Iraq and Afghanistan in security forces. (Troy, we thank you for your service!) His experiences in military security forces transferred well into his First Energy role as manager of physical security and a 5-state responsibility with a role in external affairs. He is involved with elected officials in Mahoning, Columbiana, and Stark counties, providing answers and support for questions about storms, forestry, and street lighting.
In one of its roles, First Energy supports economic development and is active in foundation work which provides resources for local and non-profit schools. Mr. Rhoades stressed the fact that there is a need not only for academic professionals but also for trade trainees as well. To help meet this need, First Energy is a strong advocate and supporter of STEM, a term used to identify the academic disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The instruction of these STEM subjects is presented through an integrated approach that offers hands-on and relevant learning experiences. By exposing students to STEM-related concepts, they may develop a passion for them and consider pursuing a career in a STEM related occupation. Internships and mentoring are assimilated into the education fields which is important in helping students "find the right fit" before joining the work force.
First Energy advocates the concepts of diversity and inclusion in a skilled, qualified workforce with the vision of new ideas in order to "find the utility of tomorrow!"
Janet Loew
Today Janet Loew, Communications and Public Relations Director of The Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County, gave updates on current library programs as well as future programs. One new program offered is through an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest, called the NEA Big Read which will be presented October 15th at the Main Library and feature Luis Alberto Urrea, author of "Into the Beautiful North," in a meet and greet. Through a grant from the NEA, Ms. Loew generously gave copies of Mr. Urrea's book to club members with an invitation to celebrate the NEA Big Read on October 15th. For any information on this event or upcoming Big Read events, go to www.libraryvisit.org/big/read or call 330-744-8636, ext. 50066.
Ms. Loew also shared with the club that renovations for the Main Library are getting underway: "The library has planned carefully, setting aside funds for over a decade." There are many new features and additions in the plans. View a digital version of the Happenings newsletter at LibraryVisit.org/library-publications to find out a wealth of information about what is going on at the local libraries. The Public Library of Youngstown/Mahoning County literally has something for everyone! CHECK IT OUT!!
vvvv