Mike Mitchell, Exec. Dir., High Center at Elizabethtown
"The State of Family Business and Family Business Education"
In 1995, a group of businesspeople, family business owners, and representatives of Elizabethtown College, came together to fill a recognized need. With family businesses comprising the backbone of our economy, the group was convinced that strengthening entrepreneurial families would have a great impact on the community. The S. Dale High Center for Family Business has since become one of the largest and oldest centers in the country committed to helping family-owned businesses succeed.
The High Center serves over 180 member companies, and facilitates 28 CEO and Key Executive Peer groups. Under the leadership of Executive Director Mike Mitchell and Director of Member Services Len Kopec, the center has continued to build on the founding principles Dale High set forth 25 years ago. By serving and strengthening family and privately held businesses through succession planning, leadership training and legacy building, the High Center has significant impact and now provides membership opportunities for all of South Central Pennsylvania.
The center delivers the top business speakers in the country to share their message to local business owners and executive teams. The Center's peer group program is helping more than 200 executives gain a competitive edge in today’s competitive business environment.
Mike Mitchell is the Executive Director of The High Center at Elizabethtown College. Prior to joining the High Center, he was an owner of Amelia’s Grocery Outlets and served as President and CEO of the company from 1997- 2012. He oversaw all aspects of the 15-store grocery chain and a 100,000-square-foot warehouse in Leola, Pennsylvania. Mike, his father, Melvin, and his brother-in-law Jeff, grew the business and expanded the concept from a couple of small Weaver Chicken Outlets into a full-line grocery outlet chain. The business was sold to a private equity firm, Berkshire Partners and Grocery Outlet Inc., a 442-store chain based in Berkley, California, in January 2012.
Mitchell is a graduate of Elizabethtown College and has an MBA from the Wharton School of Business. Prior to joining Amelia’s in 1996, he worked as a Marketing Manager for several packaged goods companies including Heinz, General Mills, and Unilever. He has served in several board positions with the Boys and Girls Club, the Lititz Rec Center and several other for profit and non-profit organizations. Michael was the 2010 Lancaster Chamber Small Business Person of the Year and a 2019 Central Penn Most Admired CEO.
See a list of coming programs with brief descriptions (LINK)
Notes for last week's program on LCSWMA and recycling:
John Herr introduced Kelly Morris of Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority. She covered the history of how LCSWMA became what it is today. This Integrated System not only saves significant landfill capacity, it also creates clean, renewable energy. Kelly debuted LCSWMA's campaign to safely dispose of all rechargeable batteries.
A huge Lancaster Rotary Welcome to our newest member, Dr. Daniel Diehl who was inducted at our meeting on July 26, 2023. His sponsor is Bob McClenathan.
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Lancaster Rotary Sign from first home
Members of the club are happy to find a Rotary sign dating back to when RCL used to meet at the Hotel Brunswick between 1915 and 1965.
It was found in a warehouse at Lancaster Truck Bodies, which was owned by Past President Ron Hill 1985-86, by Sam Altdoerffer, Jr.
RCL spent its first 50 years at the Brunswick, then moved to the Odd Fellows for a short time, then to the Holiday Inn on the Lititz Pike, and eventually to the Farm & Home Center where it has been since 1970.
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Rotary Rendezvous meets August 9!
Looking for ways to connect with fellow RCL members to 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, August 9, 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
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Club goes cashless in August
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 be accepted in July, but in August only credit cards will be accepted.
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Dues modification during Leave of Absence
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.
Carlisle Clubs Host Rotary Networking Event Tue. Aug. 29
The event is FREE and will have hors d'oeuvres, wine, beer, soft drinks and water available for all attendees. Click here to RSVP NOW!
The Rotary Clubs of Carlisle and Carlisle Sunrise will host the fourth event of the RMB 2023 season at the Frederick House, 219 N Hanover Street, Carlisle, PA on Tuesday, August 29 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Hoffman Funeral Home and Crematory will once again be the Major Sponsor for the networking event.
This will be another in a longstanding series of great business networking opportunities and fun and fellowship events. Do not miss it. Also, please consider bringing potential Rotarian guests and Family of Rotary.
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Great Speaker Programs coming! Check the Schedule!
If you’ve been able to attend you’ve noticed: RCL speaker programs have been timely and engaging. See the Speakers listing toward the end of this issue for schedules, but here’s a sampling of some you won’t want to miss and will be time well spent for you and your potential new members:
• The State of Family Business and Family Business Education
• Preventing Youth Gun Violence
• Spotlighting RCL Achievements and Member Regognitions
• A noted Intuitive/Psychic
• The State of the Real Estate Market in Lancaster County
• New SDL Superintendent Dr. Keith Miles
• Noted expert on China, the environment, US-China relations
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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.
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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
center has continued to build on the founding principles Dale High set forth 25 years ago. By serving and strengthening family and privately held businesses through succession planning, leadership training and legacy building, the High Center has significant impact and now provides membership opportunities for all of South Central Pennsylvania.
The event is FREE and will have hors d'oeuvres, wine, beer, soft drinks and water available for all attendees. Click here to .jpg)
If you’ve been able to attend you’ve noticed: RCL speaker programs have been timely and engaging. See the Speakers listing toward the end of this issue for schedules, but here’s a sampling of some you won’t want to miss and will be time well spent for you and your potential new members:
Announcement or Photo:
Joys & Concerns
