Committees are where the work of Rotary happens, but many long-term RCL members agree that committee meetings are also where fellowship begins. The new year has seen teams working closely together to make rapid progress with our strategic plan. In addition to coming together at the initial “Call to Action” meeting on January 11, at least several of the 10 smaller committees have been meeting and networking independently.
This week’s every-committee meeting is intended to encourage further teamwork and maintain momentum on projects. Our “Call to Action” programs shine the spotlight on our service mission on alternate weeks, and provide a convenient meeting time for all of our committees, especially the 10 smaller ones that handle project initiatives. There will be no Zoom Meeting again this week.
As always, it’s expected that everyone, as committee members, will attend and get to enjoy the teamwork and fellowship. Committees will meet individually in the Farm & Home Center at the conclusion of lunch.
In the meantime, the Board reiterates that these meetings are designed to keep us centered on service without detracting from our high-quality guest speaker programs on most Wednesdays. The Meeting Planning Committee, whose responsibilities include speakers and programs, is working hard to line up interesting presentations, and has a number of them set for the coming months. The committee is asking for ideas on topics and speakers from all members.
Past President Bob McClenathan walked members through some of the global medical work that RCL contributions help make possible in a fascinating report on "Project Braveheart:" a project in the Philippines to correct congenital heart defects.” He also brought us up to speed on our tentative project in Zambia.
The Project Braveheart team corrected heart defects characterized by a hole in the heart that can be corrected with new technology. These problems include Atrial Septal Defect, Ventricular Septal Defect, and Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. The fix is achieved by the insertion of a Muscular VSD occlude into the hole. After the insertion, the device locks itself in place, closing the hole. The three Project Braveheart projects have treated 33 children in 2017, 105 patients in 2019, and 120 patients in Braveheart III.
Funding was provided by $10,000 from RCL. Another $40,000 was provided from Mount Joy Club, the District 7390 Passport Club, and individual donors. After these funds were matched by District funds and Rotary Foundation, a total of $141,000 was raised -- this is enough to treat 120 patients.
Next, Bob gave us an update on the Zambia projects in south-central Africa. The three 7-day projects in April will provide eye, dental and medical care, in addition to equipment and training. Our club is primary sponsor of the eye team and will be associate sponsor of the medical and dental grants. We are the principal sponsor of the eye care grant. Bob says they expect to examine between 1,200 and 1,500 patients and train health care professionals in techniques that are helpful in rural settings. They also expect to see 75 to 100 patients with albinism.
In the eye care effort, they will provide glasses, medications, and low-vision aids for people who need more than eyeglasses alone. Teams will provide screening in rural areas for diseases that can be treated in Lusaka, the Capital. These are for glaucoma, cataracts, and complications from diabetes. In rural areas, these problems are rarely if ever diagnosed.
The problems associated with albinism are greatly magnified in Africa where the condition is fairly obvious and these people are marginalized and even victimized. About one person in 2,000 suffers from albinism; that is 7 times the rate in the US. The victims usually have poor vision and severe light sensitivity, so eye care is essential for them to even have a chance to live a somewhat normal life. Besides providing sunscreen, sunglasses, tinted eyeglasses, and low-vision aids, the team will provide social education in the community. Bob noted that the Bellinger House, an eyeglass frame manufacturer in Denmark has provided all of the eyeglass frames and additional funding.
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Club News
Service Opportunity - New Zambia Project
RCL International Service Project Opens Opportunities for Members
Under the guidance of PP Bob McClenathan, chair of District/World Committee, and with Board approval, Rotary Club of Lancaster will soon partner in important healthcare projects in Zambia, in south-central Africa. The 7-day projects in April offer opportunities for project volunteers to assist in work provided under Rotary’s disease prevention area of focus.
The projects will provide eye, dental and medical exams, in addition to equipment and training. Our club is primary sponsor of the eye team and will be associate sponsor of the medical and dental grants.
Anyone interested in volunteering to accompany the teams should contact Past District Governor 7430 Cindy Hornaman at hornamca@ptd.net,(610) 360-4875.
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Nominations are open for the Board of Directors
Past president Rob Gallagher announced that the Board is extending an open invitation for nominations for the Board of Directors positions. The nominee must have been a member of the Club for 3 years. Other details are available in the club's By Laws [https://lancasterrotary.org/transmitter/Bylaws.pdf].
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Give Prepaid Lunch Tickets to Prospective New Members
Crystal has "prepaid" lunch tickets that you can purchase and give to prospective new members when you invite them to a meeting. This way you don't have to worry about paying for their meal when they come or, for that matter, even being present when they come.
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Are You Coming to the Wed., March 29, Meeting to Pack Meals?
Crystal needs to have RSVPs by February 17.
The club members will come together to pack between 15,000 and 20,000 meals at the Farm & Home Center for Food Hub/Outreach on Wednesday, March 29, at the time we normally have a meeting.
For the first time in more than seven decades of operation, takeout packaging has become necessary for the Lancaster County Food Hub to distribute meals safely — and a Lancaster Cares grant helped it do just that.
The Food Hub does not serve meals directly to clients. Rather, the 74-year old organization stores inventory in its 7,200 square-foot facility at 812 N. Queen St., from which food is then distributed to church-based community meal programs.
Each meal site may serve anywhere from 75 to 300 people at each meal, for a total of around 5,000 to 6,000 meals per month.
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RCL is Updating Contact Information for Members
In preparation for a new Member Directory, Secretary Eric Elliot announced that the Club is checking with all members to make sure their contact information on file with the club is correct. This includes telephone numbers and email addresses. Crystal passed around the current member information at the January 18th meeting. If you didn't verify or update your information at that meeting, you can contact Crystal with your current information or wait until she contacts you. She can be reached at: RCOL7390@lancasterrotary.org.
Our Club is always looking for ideas to add to the list of potential programs. Thanks to those who have come up with ideas and to our terrific speakers, and to all who attend our meeting programs. If you have any ideas for programs, please contact Christine Sable or another member of the Meeting Planning Committee or any Board member, who will pass them along. Both live and virtual (Zoom) speakers are welcome. The programs the Lancaster Rotary Club offers are important for our club and, with your help and participation, have often been truly phenomenal.
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Amazon Smile is Shutting Down on February 20, 2023
After a 10-year run, Amazon announced on January 18, 2023, that it would shut down the AmazonSmile program on February 20, 2023. We thank those who participated in AmazonSmile for the Rotary Club of Lancaster or any other charity. It was a great program that was easy to use.
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Have Something to Share? To Add, Edit or Discontinue an Announcement or Photo:
Transmitter Editor, Steve Henning, will gladly add a new announcement, edit an existing announcement, or discontinue an announcement that is no longer relevant. Please contact Steve at: rotarians@earthlink.net. Photos of Rotarians in action are always welcome. Send photos to Steve at: rotarians@earthlink.net.
It is important and easy! Help Keep the Club Calendar Updated
All Rotarians – especially committee chairs – are encouraged to help keep our new Club Calendar full and updated with the great things that our Club is doing in the community. Please submit any items you would like added to RCOL7390@lancasterrotary.org. Examples include the schedule of McCaskey Mentoring Sessions, Committee Meetings, Power Packs or Salvation Army Bell Ringing. If it’s happening, let’s get it on the Calendar for all to see! Your help will keep us all updated with what’s going on within the Club AND will showcase our very active Club to the Lancaster Community and to prospective members. The Club Calendar is available atwww.LancasterRotary.org
Under the guidance of PP Bob McClenathan, chair of District/World Committee, and with Board approval, Rotary Club of Lancaster will soon partner in important healthcare projects in Zambia, in south-central Africa. The 7-day projects in April offer opportunities for project volunteers to assist in work provided under Rotary’s disease prevention area of focus.
Crystal needs to have RSVPs by February 17. 
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After a 10-year run, Amazon announced on January 18, 2023, that it would shut down the AmazonSmile program on February 20, 2023. We thank those who participated in AmazonSmile for the Rotary Club of Lancaster or any other charity. It was a great program that was easy to use.
