The combination of inducting our club’s first 6 Lifetime Members and the presentation on the Steven/Smith Center drew a large number of members. All were rewarded with the privilege of honoring 6 distinguished members who we haven’t seen for a while, and learning the progress on the Steven/Smith Center.
This month the Why I Serve feature will be by Rakesh Popli.
The Communications Committee will report to the Club and also have a committee meeting.
The Membership Committee is having an important committee meeting.
–=]|[=–
Lifetime Member Awards
The new Lifetime Membership Category is to honor members and former members with 40 or more years of service who are unable to attend meetings. The designation entitles the holder to receive The Transmitter and other correspondence for life. The Lifetime Members were nominated by active Club members and approved by the board prior to recognition.
The sponsor all read their nomination and the members present unanimously approved all 6.
At the ceremony, each sponsor read their nomination and the Club members present unanimously approved all six. The honorees have a combined 259 years of service.
Bob Beers 40 years tenure PHF +1
Bill Fisher 42 years tenure PHF +2
Dave Heckel 47 years tenure PHF +1
George Kratzert 44 years tenure PHF +2
Don Roseman 44 years tenure PHF +8
PP Gene Hostetter 42 years tenure PHF +1
–=]|[=–
The 2023-4 Executives & Directors
Standing, left to right: Amy Lewis, Tug Harlan, Larry Miller, Clint Krushinsky, John Grove, Lisa Lewis, Malcolm MacDougall; Sitting in chairs: President Beth, Rakesh Popli; Sitting on stage: Jenn DeWalt, Jamie Alton, Eric Elliot, Mike Lutz. Not shown: Tom Wobber.
See a list of coming programs with brief descriptions (LINK)
–=]|[=–
Notes from last week's meeting:
John Herr introduced our two speakers from LancasterHistory, Tom Ryan, President & CEO, and Robin Sarratt, Vice President, who spoke about the Thaddeus Stevens and Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democracy.
Tom spoke first, addressing the building and the importance of Stevens & Smith in the nation’s history.
The Thaddeus Stevens home and office on the corner of Queen and Vine was built around 1750. Thaddeus Stevens moved his law practice to Lancaster in 1842 and eventually located at the house. In 2001, excavations found evidence that the building was on the underground railroad while Stevens owned the property. This fact helped gain access to funding for restoration. The Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster completed phase 1 to restore the basic structure in 2009.
Tom went on to speak about Stevens and Smith. Stevens was elected to the PA House of Representatives in 1833 where he championed free public education and voting rights for all men, black and white. In 1844, Smith along with her two sons moved to Lancaster to work for Stevens as his house manager and close confidante. In 1848, Stevens was elected to the US Congress. He later became very frail and Smith’s care was credited with keeping him alive during the last 10 years of his life. During this time he was instrumental in drafting and passing the 13th Amendment ending slavery, the 14th Amendment extending citizenship and all rights to all persons born in the US, black or white, and the 15th Amendment extending voting rights regardless of race, color, or previous servitude. Before he died in 1868, he claimed his greatest accomplishment was the preservation of free public education.
When Lydia Smith died in 1884, she had a number of properties in Lancaster and Washington, D.C.
Next, Robin gave us an update on plans for the Center. The project is now raising an endowment of $24 million, $19 million to complete construction of the center and $5 million to provide an endowment for ongoing operations. To date they have raised $14 million through grants, individual donations, state and federal support, and corporate gifts.
Plans for the Center include restoration of Stevens’ office and parlor. Other exhibits will include an introduction to period Lancaster, as well as the life and accomplishments of Thaddeus Stevens. Exhibits will also document the life of Lydia Hamilton Smith, her interaction with Stevens and her daily life. Exhibit will document the lives of the men and women most notable in Stevens’ endeavors.
The entire Center will be inclusive and accessible, without stairs but with all communications available in braille, oral and written form. Plans call for 50,000 visitors annually. The tentative opening date in early 2025.
We welcome our newest member, Lauren Beal. Her sponsor is Shane Moser. Dr. Beal is Executive Director of the Lancaster County STEM Alliance (LCSA), Curriculum and Instruction Supervisor of Lancaster-Lebanon IU13, and an Adjunct Professor at Lebanon Valley College.
–=]|[=–
Rotary Rendezvous meets Oct. 11!
Looking for ways to connect with fellow RCL members and focus more on fun and fellowship than a structured
meeting? Drop by our popular Rotary Rendezvous! It’s not your standard Rotary meeting. Rotary Rendezvous is focused on camaraderie and has become a highlight of RCL business and social gatherings, and a fun event for current and potential new members. If you're looking for fellowship, or a night out, please drop by Rotary Rendezvous on Wednesday, October 11, at Southern Market in Lancaster. Parking is available at the Steinman garage or folks can find side street parking.
Rotary Rendezvous meetings are on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month.
Arrive anytime between 5-5:30pm for drinks and fellowship.
Details
Location: Southern Market Parking: Steinman Garage or on street Arrive: 5-5:30pm for drinks and fellowship Trivia: Begins at 7:00 PM
Thanks, we hope to see you there!
- Tom Baum and Rendezvous Committee
–=]|[=–
“Lifetime” Member nominations open.
The Board is accepting nominations for the new Lifetime Membership category for members in good standing who are
unable to attend meetings and perhaps have stopped paying dues. The designation foregoes dues and entitles the holder to receive The Transmitter and other correspondence for life. Lifetime Members need to be nominated by active Club members and approved by the board
–=]|[=–
Club goes cashless
Since our meals are now are included in our dues, there is only a need to pay for meals when we bring guests. Cash will not be accepted. Only credit cards will be accepted.
–=]|[=–
Leave of Absence Dues Modification
The new dues structure remains in place. However, any member may request a 3-month leave of absence. Dues will be $122 for this three-month period.
Rotary Means Business on Oct. 5
at Lancaster Holiday Inn
October 18th and 25th - This year, we will host the Democratic candidates for Commissioner on October 18th, and the Republican candidates on October 25th.
The Democratic candidates are Alice Yoder and Bob Hollister. Republican candidates are Josh Parsons and Ray D'Agostino, both current commissioners. There are 3 seats open.
Each candidate will have the opportunity to make their pitch, describe their qualifications, record, and share their plans and objectives should they be elected. They may also share thoughts about their opposition. Rotarians will have an opportunity at the end of the meeting to ask any questions, providing that such questions are respectful and honor the Rotary 4-way test. You may invite guests to this meeting as well, however at this time we request that any questions to the candidates come from Rotarians only. If we have extra time after Rotarians have asked questions, then we may open it up to guests.
Rotary has a great history of hosting these types of forums and engaging in civic discussions. Let's show our speakers that Rotary still has an important role to play as a hosting organization as well as an audience, by showing up for these programs. We hope you will mark your calendars and make sure to join your fellow members for these upcoming meetings.
–=]|[=–
REMINDER: Share Your Program Ideas! We welcome interesting speakers, and engaging programs.
Our Club is always looking for ideas to add to the list of potential programs. If you have any ideas for programs, please contact Christine Sable (sableccim@gmail.com) 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.
Program Committee Resources to help you suggest speakers and programs::
Guidelines as to what is appropriate for a club program (download)
Form for outside speakers or organizations to propose a program (download)
Form to request information from an approved speaker (download)
The programs the Lancaster Rotary Club offers are important for our club and, with your help and participation, have often been truly phenomenal.
–=]|[=–
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.
–=]|[=
Joys & Concerns
Joy: We are all happy President Beth is back from Spain.
Joy: We are all happy for our 6 new Lifetime Members and appreciative of their dedication and service.
–=]|[=–
Thanks to Jamie Alton for submitting these photos from PP Rob’s Rotary picnic. Rob’s pet project is restoring a 1953 Dodge Power Wagon. He took guests for rides on his beautiful property on Octarara Creek. The delicious BBQ chicken was from a nearby Amish business.
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
Rotary Club of Lancaster
John Herr introduced our two speakers from LancasterHistory, Tom Ryan, President & CEO, and Robin Sarratt, Vice President, who spoke about the Thaddeus Stevens and Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democracy.
Next, Robin gave us an update on plans for the Center. The project is now raising an endowment of $24 million, $19 million to complete construction of the center and $5 million to provide an endowment for ongoing operations. To date they have raised $14 million through grants, individual donations, state and federal support, and corporate gifts.
Looking for ways to connect with fellow RCL members and focus more on fun and fellowship than a structured
.jpg)
Announcement or Photo:
