Junior Achievement: A proven success in South Central PA
Rotary has a long-standing relationship with Junior Achievement, and many clubs in the Lancaster and York areas actively partner in their efforts. JA has a proven track record of inspiring and preparing young people for their own success and to have a significant impact on our local and global economies. Junior Achievement of South Central PA covers fourteen counties including Lancaster. The combined area includes 95 school districts. It might surprise you to learn that JA of South Central PA reached over 86,000 of those students in the 2021-2022 school year, a remarkable 24% of the total students. Of the 104 JA offices in the United States, JA of South Central PA ranks #4 in students served. JA of South Central PA recruits over 8,000 volunteers each school year.
JA programs help students see the relevance of what they are learning in the classroom and its application to the real world, acquire or enhance the skills they need to be successful in the workforce or postsecondary institutions, and recognize the value of an education. This knowledge helps students learn to manage their finances, understand basic economic concepts, explore careers, and develop in-demand job skills. Consequently, as adults, they will be more prepared to enter the workforce, make informed financial decisions, and contribute to the success of their local economy.
In 2015 Lisa Vaughn, a member of the York-North Rotary Club, joined Junior Achievement of South Central PA where she facilitated their Middle and High School Programs for 5 years. Then she spent 3 years in Volunteer Recruitment and Business Development. Last summer she took on a new role as JA’s Community Development Manager where she is expanding JA's reach and presence by working with local Rotaries, chambers, and organizations.
Lisa grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs and attended the University of Delaware where she got a BA in Communications and then the University of Pennsylvania where she got a Master’s in Communications.
She moved to York 22 years ago with her husband and 2 daughters.
RCL members gave our big Community and Fundraising Committees a very big boost.
Members gathered for the meetings of the Community Committee and the Fundraising Committee, the two largest committees.
The Community Committee is the heart of the RCL and the way we achieve much of our mission. The committee is focused on service to children and families in the Lancaster area. Club Secretary Eric provided a summary of their meeting:
Members of the Community Committee had a productive meeting, facilitated by President-Elect Beth and Club Secretary Eric. We reviewed the current state of the Rotary programs under the committee's umbrella that have carried over from the previous committee structure. We discussed prioritizing those programs and creating subcommittees wherever necessary. Members shared their experiences in our community service programs as well as ideas for how to make the most impact with the level of resources our club has today. We have four active subcommittees already making an impact in our community: the Rotary-McCaskey Mentoring Program, the Refugee Center, Power Packs, and the Summer Youth Experience.
Looking ahead, Past President Tom Baum stepped forward to lead the Strawberry Auction and Farmers Day programs in the future, beginning next year. No one has yet volunteered to lead the School District of Lancaster and Preserve Planet Earth programs, so if you are interested in helping in these areas please contact Community committee chair Joel Skundrich at joel.skundrich@goosehead.com.
Bill Boben reported that the Summer Youth Experience Subcommittee leaders, he and Chip Kirchner, met with the United Way liaisons, Julie Kennedy (Assoc. Dir of Community Initiatives) and Aliza Ashraf (Dir. of Equity). Julie will be the primary contact. They agreed to simplify the application and have scheduled the program announcement for March 1, starting the application process for March 8, the deadline for receiving applications for April 12, reviewing the applications for April 17, sending the application evaluations to UW for May 1, and meeting with UW to recommend funding priorities for May 10. The date for the United Way Board Meeting to approve funding recommendations of the UW/RCL Rotary Youth Experience Committee is May 18.
On the other side of the room during Wednesday's gathering, the Fundraising Committee was busy making plans for our upcoming Wheels & Wings Festival and 5K which is our only major fundraiser. The Fundraising Committee provides the "hands and feet" of RCL service to the community. It focuses us on giving to others and lives out our mission -- locally and internationally -- by engaging in fundraising efforts.
Led by Chair Amy Lewis, the committee started to map out action plans for the more than 30 tasks and responsibilities that need to be handled to make this year’s WW5K a success. Some are significantly more complex than others, like recruiting the hundreds of car exhibitors, runners, and Festival sponsors. One thing not on the list that will soon be a focus for our entire Club is the need for our members to “show up and pitch in.” Amy and Co-chair Jamie Alton made a special plea for volunteers. Please respond by being generous with your time for Saturday, June 24!
Past president Rob Gallagher announced that the Board has received two nominations for the three openings in the Board of Directors and is seeking at least one more nominee. The nominee must have been a member of the Club for 3 years. Past presidents are also encouraged to consider returning to the Board. Other details are available in the club's Bylaws:
[https://lancasterrotary.org/transmitter/Bylaws.pdf].
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Summer Youth Experience Subcommittee to meet March 1 at 11:30 AM
The Summer Youth Experience Subcommittee will meet at 11:30am on our Club meeting date of Wednesday, March 1. This will be the initial organizing meeting for the Subcommittee to establish the critical deadline dates and activities for the 2023 Summer Youth programs.
Thank you to all for your continued support of this Summer Youth Experience as a signature effort of the Rotary Club of Lancaster.
Chip Kirchner
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Are You Coming to the Wed., March 29, Meeting to Pack Meals?
57 People Have Volunteered to Pack Meals
The club members will come together to pack 10,000 meals at the Farm & Home Center for Food Hub/Outreach on Wednesday, March 29, at the time we normally have a meeting.
If you signed up, we’re counting on you!
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Rotary Rendezvous meets again March 8!
Rotary Rendezvous has become a highlight of RCL business and social gatherings, and a fun event for current and potential new members. Anyone who is interested in joining our committee, looking for fellowship, or simply a night out, please join us for Rotary Rendezvous on Wednesday, March 8, 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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Have you updated your contact information?
RCL is updating our Directory!
In preparation for a new Member Directory, Secretary Eric Elliot previously 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.
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Give Prepaid Lunch Tickets to Prospective New Members
This is a great way to invite 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.
Early Reminder: Calendar the 2023 Wheels, Wings & 5K: Saturday, June 24
The 2023 Wheels & Wings Festival & 5K Run (WW5K) will be Saturday, June 24th. Save the date. We need you, your time, and your enthusiasm.
In 2022, only its fifth year, over 1,000 attended and over 100 runners participated. It raised $40,769 for charity. The 12 charities participating in the Summer Youth Experience received grants funded by the 2022 WW5K.
The festival typically features up to 250 classic cars competing for trophies, and about a dozen aircraft during the all-day fly-in, in addition to the more than 100 runners vying for medals in various age categories. It also includes live music and food vendors.
It’s not too early to reserve Saturday, June 24 for a day of Rotary volunteer service – and fun!
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IU13 Needs Volunteer Mentors for Literacy & Equivalency Programs
Josh McManness reports that IU13 is looking for 5 volunteers to help adult learners with the Literacy program or to prepare for the High School Equivalency test. Please contact Josh if you are interested at joshua_mcmanness@iu13.org.
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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 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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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
Rotary has a long-standing relationship with Junior Achievement, and many clubs in the Lancaster and York areas actively partner in their efforts. JA has a proven track record of inspiring and preparing young people for their own success and to have a significant impact on our local and global economies. Junior Achievement of South Central PA covers fourteen counties including Lancaster. The combined area includes 95 school districts. It might surprise you to learn that JA of South Central PA reached over 86,000 of those students in the 2021-2022 school year, a remarkable 24% of the total students. Of the 104 JA offices in the United States, JA of South Central PA ranks #4 in students served. JA of South Central PA recruits over 8,000 volunteers each school year.
Bill Boben reported that the Summer Youth Experience Subcommittee leaders, he and Chip Kirchner, met with the United Way liaisons, Julie Kennedy (Assoc. Dir of Community Initiatives) and Aliza Ashraf (Dir. of Equity). Julie will be the primary contact. They agreed to simplify the application and have scheduled the program announcement for March 1, starting the application process for March 8, the deadline for receiving applications for April 12, reviewing the applications for April 17, sending the application evaluations to UW for May 1, and meeting with UW to recommend funding priorities for May 10. The date for the United Way Board Meeting to approve funding recommendations of the UW/RCL Rotary Youth Experience Committee is May 18.
Wings Festival & 5K Run (WW5K) will be Saturday, June 24th. Save the date. We need you, your time, and your enthusiasm.
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