President, Bob Sweitzer called the meeting to order by leading in the Pledge of Allegiance. Dick Hall followed with the Invocation.
PROGRAM
Mary Jane Stanchina, head of the Six District Compact then gave an overview of today's program. It featured the Compact's opportunities for students who have disabilities. Project SEARCH features ways that students can learn at Summa Hospital. Career Quest features a relationship with Kent State University where students learn potential careers through internships there. And finally, students can learn through a program at Laurel Lake.
Michael Dodson, the teacher of Project SEARCH explained that the students are housed at Summa Hospital for this training and are called interns. They gain work experience in areas of nutrition, laundry, housekeeping and logistics. Many students are eventually hired by the hospital because of the skills they have already learned there. At this point 22 former Project SEARCH students are working at the hospital. It is obviously a benefit to both the hospital and the students. The program's fiscal agent is the Cuyahoga Falls City Schools.
Rachel McMahan, PhD. heads the Career Quest part of the career tech training that builds relationships with Kent State's Hotel and Conference Center. Based out of Kent Roosevelt High School, these students have already completed their graduation requirements and are looking for help in making the transition from school to work. There are both paid and unpaid internships in the program where interns work in areas such as exercise, pool maintenance, housekeeping, laundry and banquet facilities. The goal is for students to match their training with positions in the community. The Kent-Roosevelt school system is their fiscal agent.
Ms. Stanchina then explained the Launch at Laurel Lake program. It is a two or three year effort where students spend ½ of each school day on the Laurel Lake campus. Students may be enrolled here, with or without disabilities. Fields such as general maintenance, food service, health, salon assistance, grounds maintenance, landscaping, hospitality and guest services are all offered. A unique part of what they do is to build relationships with seniors and learn how their skills and personalities might meet their needs for life skills in general or employment opportunities. The Hudson school system is their fiscal agent.
Once again we learned how important career tech education is to students in our area and how fortunate we are to have such a varied list of offerings, Go to the Six District Educational Compact's website at www.sixdistrict.com or call 330-655-2247 to seek information on any of the programs. All sections of the Compact are available to students from Cuyahoga Falls, Hudson, Kent, Stow-Munroe Falls, Tallmadge and Woodridge. There is an elaborate and well-organized transportation system that addresses those needs.
MEETING:
Bob thanked Todd Hearty and Dave Renninger for welcoming everyone today and introduced Greg Landis as a visitor.
Happy Bucks: We had three happy bucks this morning.
Ray Evans was shocked to hear the news about the avalanche in the Lake Tahoe area because members of his family are skiing there. He could not reach them by phone last night but gratefully heard from them this morning with a text saying that all are well.
Dick Hall reported that he and Gale attended a black-tie wedding in New York City this past weekend at St. Patrick's Cathedral. There were many celebrities in attendance which made Dick and Gale feel like they were part of a movie set.
Bob Sweitzer shared that his grandson, Robert Joseph Karam was baptized this weekend and wore a baptismal suit that past generations had worn.
Celebrations:
Birthdays: Denise Green, Cyle Feldman and John Long all have birthays this week. Annette Oborn, who celebrates her birthday all month long, led in the singing to Denise and Cyle.
Drawing: Tom Loepp's table had the winning ticket but drew the 4 of hearts so the pot will continue to grow.
Announcements:
Board Meeting: The board met last Friday and the minutes are attached to these minutes.
District/Cluster Project: The project, “Packaway Hunger” will be another step toward addressing food insecurity in our area and throughout the district. See Bob's Monday bulletin for more information about the project and how you might help. Annette added that at the District Conference in April the food will be packed after the noon luncheon on Saturday where youth and their activities will be recognized.
Ronald McDonald House Meal: Todd Hearty reported that we will be cooking for Ronald McDonald House on February 24th. The Greens and he will lead the effort but he is looking for three new volunteers to help from 2:00-5:00 in the afternoon. Call him at 330-283-2661 if you are interested.
Coffee Drive: We are still collecting coffee for the Haven of Rest. Bring your donations to a meeting or have Amazon deliver them to the Oborns at 381 Silver Valley Blvd. Munroe Falls, OH 44262.
Shark Pond: Annette reports that the money has been distributed for our Shark Pond projects in Africa. They will be updating us with pictures.
Foodbank: Our next Foodbank time will be March 11 from 4:30-6:30. We need extra people for that time because a couple of the regulars will not be able to attend. You can register on Akron Canton Foodbank's website to make it easier to sign in when you get there, but please sign up to help as you sign in for our meetings. Thanks to Steve Dunton, Julie McLain, Rich Bedell, Dave Christman and Leslee Salhany who volunteered in February.
Bob closed the meeting by leading in the Rotary Four-Way Test.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Tuesday, February 24, 2:00-5:00 Cooking for Ronald McDonald House.
Wednesday, February 25, 7:30a.m. Regular weekly meeting at The Center with a Landscaping and Forestry presentation for Career Tech Month
Friday, March 13 7:15 a.m. Board Meeting at City Hall
Wednesday, March 11, 4:30-6:30 Foodbank Volunteer time at the Foodbank
Wednesday, March 18, 3:00 p.m. at the High School, Judging of the Four-Way Speech Contest
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 in the evening, Reverse Raffle/Silent Auction
Respectfully Submitted
Andrea Denton