After President Bob Sweitzer opened the meeting by leading in the Pledge of Allegiance, Dave Christman presented the invocation.
PROGRAM:
Dave then introduced Mary Jane Stanchina, Executive Director of the Six District Compact. She explained that she is always happy to share what the Compact does in the field of career tech education. In addition to the 30 programs that the Compact currently provides, she disclosed that next year, in conjunction with Kent State University, there will be a Fashion Merchandising, Design and Innovation program added to the offerings. It will be based at Tallmadge High School.
She then introduced today's featured part of the Compact, the Collision Repair Program, based in Woodridge High School. She first introduced Albert Di Tommaso, Principal of Woodridge and then Todd Jones who has taught that program for 19 years.
Mr. Jones explained that he had worked for his uncle in the same field for 19 years and liked that, but when he was presented with the opportunity to train the next generation, he found his calling. His passion for the program and his students was obvious. Students are with him for their junior and senior years of high school from any of the schools in the Six District Compact, Cuyahoga Falls, Hudson, Kent Roosevelt, Stow-Munroe Falls, Tallmadge and Woodridge. They spend half the day with him and the other half in their home school. Seniors who are half way through their senior year are able to be employed. By the time they finish the program, they have 720 hours of training.
The Faber Foundation in Cuyahoga Falls, at 1872 Front St. is where the repair training is based. The equipment cost is funded through the schools and the rest of the costs are covered through charges to those who have their cars repaired. To get an estimate, just drive up before 3:00 and you will receive an estimate. They process between 5 and 8 cars during the course of a week.
In addition to learning that there never must be part left over when doing repairs, they learn the value of a good work ethic and giving their best. Every Friday he reminds the students to make good choices over the weekend so there are not tragedies to talk about on Monday morning.
BUSINESS MEETING:
Bob thanked Todd Hearty and Dave Renninger for getting us checked in this morning. They also welcomed our visitors, Patrick Scherer and Nancy Binzel in addition to those who were part of the program.
Celebrations:
Happy Bucks: Julie McLain, of the Stow-Munroe Falls Chamber of Commerce presented a certificate of membership to Bob Sweitzer.
After that she invited everyone to consider attending their Elite Business Awards on Wednesday evening, March 4 at The Center. Individuals from both Stow and Munroe Falls will be recognized during the elite and elegant evening. The Stow-Munroe Falls School District as well as the Chamber will benefit from the event. For further information and to register, go to www. FMFCC.org.
Rotary Anniversary: Pat Messmore is celebrating 23 years as a Rotarian this week.
Birthdays: Jill Smith, and Bonnie Housley are celebrating birthdays this week and of course it is still Annette Oborn's Birthday Month.! We sang very well to Jill.
Thank you and Concern: Don Coughlin reported that his grandson Landon, now has a schedule for his chemotherapy in Columbus and expressed gratitude to the club for their financial gift last week toward expenses.
Drawing: The winning ticket was at Jill Smith's table but even though it was her birthday week, she pulled the 8 of clubs, so the pot will continue to grow.
Announcements:
Coffee Drive: Remember that we are working on collecting coffee for the Haven of Rest until the end of February. One place that has coffee on sale this week is Acme with a Folgers special. Either bring your coffee to a meeting or have Amazon deliver it to the Oborns at 381 Silver Valley Blvd., Munroe Falls, Ohio 44262.
Foodbank: Foodbank is tonight from 4:40-6:30 at the Foodbank. Help if you can and join the group for dinner afterwards,
Board Meeting: Our board will meet this Friday at 7:15 at City Hall. Don't let the fact that it is Friday the 13th scare you away. The minutes from the January meeting are attached to these minutes.
Grants Committee: Patrick Scherer, Chairperson of the District Grants Committee was with us to explain the necessity of a club needing two people to attend the Grants Committee training if we plan to apply for a grant this next year,
New Opportunities: Bob explained that we will be hearing more soon about “Packaway Hunger” where clubs and individuals will be asked to fight hunger by raising $8000 to provide 20,000 meals. We also will be given an opportunity to participate in funding Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.
Bob closed the meeting by leading us in the Rotary Four-Way Test.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Friday, February 13 at 7:15 a.m. Board Meeting at City Hall
Wednesday, February 18, 7:30 regular meeting time when Rachel McMahan, Michael Dodson and Katie Poulin will discuss Career Quest-Project SEARCH and Launch at Laurel Lake.
Wednesday, March 18 at 3:00 judging of the Four-Way-Speech Contest at the high school.
Friday April 24 and Saturday, April 25, District Conference at the Marriott in Warrensville Heights on Harvard Rd.
Saturday, May 9, Heroes Day
Friday, June 12, Golf Outing
Wednesday, October 14, Reverse Raffle Silent Auction
Respectfully Submitted,
Andrea Denton