President Gail Moseley opened the meeting this morning by leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance and then followed with the invocaion.
She welcomed our many visitors, Dave Henderson, Dustin Smith, Pratikshya Kafley, Gabby Schmidt, Mary Biggs and Adelle Toquero and thanked Steve Dunton for getting everyone checked in and welcomed.
CELEBRATIONS:
Wedding Anniversary: Marty and Debbie Tass are celebrating 48 years of marriage today.
Birthdays: Since Scott Miller is celebrating his birthday, next Tuesday, Annette Oborn led us in singing to him.
CONCERN: Bob Oborn has been in the hospital but expects to come home today. He is scheduled to be in charge of this weekend's District Conference so Annette has picked up a few extra jobs to do. (Thanks to both of you for all that you do.)
DRAWING: Carrie Malotte had the winning ticket but drew the 5 of spades, so everyone has another chance next week.
HAPPY BUCKS:
De-de Mulligan told us that it was a great experience to take our winners to the District Four-Way Speech competition last Saturday. Our first-place winner, Vidya Niroula made it to the finals and received and Honorable Mention. Joshua Jordan, did very well and since he is a freshman, should have a bright future in speech.
Dinah Henderson said that her daughter will graduate from Bowling Green this Saturday.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Foodbank: Our opportunity to serve is this evening from 4:30 to 6:30 at the Foodbank.
Adopt-A-Spot: We are glad Marty Tass has returned from the south. He is back just in time to recruit volunteers to plant our Adopt-A-Spot which is again at the corner of Darrow and Graham by the Doughboy. The planting will be on Saturday, May 20 at 10:00 a.m. He will have a sign-up sheet for us next week.
Clean-up Stow: Since the project to clean up Stow is that same day, Gail suggested that the planters move on to clean-up when they are finished. A flier about the clean-up is attached to these minutes and everyone is welcome to help. Sign up instructions are available at the bottom of the flier.
Golf Outing: Chairperson, Scott Miller said that things are going well. We have a lot of sponsorships that have already come in and more are expected. Now we need golfers, and donations of gift cards, golf balls and items for the gift bags. Sponsorships will be listed and put in the gift bags so that hopefully the golfers will patronize some of the donors. The next meeting of the committee is Monday, May 1 at 6:00 at the Silver Lake FOP. The golf outing is Friday, June 16 at Fox Den. A golfer registration sheet is attached to these minutes.
District Conference is this Friday and Saturday. Gail, Bob and Annette will represent us there.
Bulldog Bags: Hopefully we can all donate at least one of the requested items for the next Bulldog Bag distribution. Needed items are: individual bowls of cereal, packs of granola bars, cash for sunscreen, 16 oz. jars of peanut butter and 18 oz jars of grape jelly. Items can be brought to meetings or dropped off at City Hall or the Library by May 10.
Library Basket Raffle: Remember to shop the Library Foundation's basket raffle on line through Sunday, April 29 at 5:00. Go to www.smfpl.org/foundation to see the items and bid.
Board Meeting: Our board met last Friday. Minutes are attached to these minutes.
PROGRAM: Carrie Malotte introduced Dinah Henderson, a member of our club and the advisor of Club Interact at Stow-Munroe Falls High School. She is also an Intervention Specialist and teaches tenth grade English. Five members of the club were here with Dinah to explain the purpose and accomplishments of the club, which is the high school version of Rotary with the same motto, of "Service Above Self".
Dinah explained that there is a weekly meeting of the officers on Tuesday where they decide on and update each other about available projects. Then, the whole group meets on Wednesday of each week. In addition to Rotary, the students are involved in helping at the library, Bulldog Bags, the Foodbank and assisting the city's Park and Recreation Department. In addition, they have made over 300 tie blankets with 120 going to Briarwood and the rest to Children's Hospital and Ronald McDonald House. They often partner with other clubs in the high school and are now involving Kimpton Middle School in the blanket making.
Gabby Schmidt, president of the organization expressed appreciation to Rotary and then talked about how much of a growth experience Club Interact has been for her. She has found leadership skills that she didn't know that she had as she participated in different projects. Next year she will attend Kent State University and while there will work with other Club Interact students to try to establish a Rotaract group on campus.
Dustin Smith is another senior who has gained so much from the club. Initially he joined just to earn service hours. But, as he volunteered at the Foodbank and worked on the Homecoming float, he found that he was developing a sense of selflessness and looked forward to giving back. He will be attending Kent State majoring in accounting.
Mary Biggs is a sophomore who will be moving to the state of Washington this summer, but feels she has gained so much from her time in Interact here. She has found others who want to make a difference and hopes to find people in her new school who will want to start a Club Interact there. Delivering blankets to the nursing home made a real impact on Mary.
Pratikshya Kafley talked about the importance of giving back to the community even in doing a lot of work behind the scenes and how much she has gained from Club Interact. When she went the the Akron Children's Hospital radiothon and shared information about the blanket project, it was obvious that hours of volunteer work could turn into fun too. She will attend Kent State's College of Nursing in the fall.
AdelleToquero has learned how much work goes into preparing for events as she worked on "Glow With Stow" and other projects. She emphasized how anyone can make a difference. Adelle said that Club Interact has been one of the best things she has ever done. She will also be attending Kent State's College of Nursing.
It was not a surprise that the students continually mentioned and thanked Dinah Henderson for her leadership and influence. Dinah pointed out that all of the students are involved in other organizations and in addition have part-time jobs while still finding time to volunteer. They have participated in over 80 events this year, including managing the Teacher Supply Store where teachers can pick up needed items every Saturday after the teachers submit their requests.
They are presenting a Carnival along with the "Pull the Bulldog Bus" to benefit Bulldog Bags on Saturday May 6. Four Rotarians are needed to help with selling tickets. One shift is from 9:30 to 12:30 and the other from 12:30 to 4:30. Grab a friend to help. Only two people are needed for each shift. Please contact Dinah at ST_HENDERSON@SMFCSD.ORG to let her know you can help, if you did not sign up this morning.
Rotarians are invited to their End of the Year Celebration at Leona Farris Lodge on Monday, May 8 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. when 15 graduating seniors will be honored. See the invitation attached to these minutes and respond to Dinah at the above e-mail by Monday if you can attend.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Tonight: 4:30-6:30 p.m. Volunteer time at the Foodbank
Friday April 28 and Satirday, April 29, District Conference at Marriott East in Warrensville Heights
Wednesday, May 3, 7:30 a.m. Morning meeting at Bellacinos with Director of Operations for Stow-Munroe Falls School District presenting the program.
Saturday, May 6, Interact Carnival and Pull the Bulldog Bus, 10:30 to 3:00 at the high school
Monday, May 8, 6:00-8:00 p.m. SMF Club Interact End of Year Celebration at Leona Farris Lodge at Silver Springs Park
Wednesday, May 10, Bulldog Bag items due
Friday, May 12, 7:15 a.m. Board Meeting at City Hall
Saturday, May 13, Heroes Day
Saturday, May 20, 10:00 a.m. Adopt-A-Spot Planting
Saturday, May 20, Clean up Stow Day
Friday, June 16, Golf Outing at Fox Den
Wednesday, October 11, in the evening Reverse Raffle/Silent Auction
Submitted by Andy Denton