Co-President Brad Ruth opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Program host, Mike Kostyack followed with the invocation, giving thanks for the day and asking for strength and guidance.
CELEBRATION:
Rotary Anniversary: Congratulations to Bob Sweitzer as he observes 11 years as a Rotarian this week and to Steve Dunton as he celebrates 6 years in Rotary.
HAPPY BUCKS:
Annette Oborn told us that her dog, C.J. is so thrilled with the snow that she can hardly keep him inside.
Annette also reminded us that coffee is being collected for the Haven of Rest again this year. You can contribute three ways: 1): Drop cans of coffee off at the Oborn's home, 381 Silver Valley Blvd, Munroe Falls, 44262. 2): Mail checks for purchase of coffee to Annette. 3): Purchase it yourself and arrange for the Oborns to pick it up.
Marty Tass, zooming with us from Florida, told us they were about 10 miles away from the Florida tornado and were glad that it missed them.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Needs from Interact: Dinah Henderson, Interact Advisor, was on the call before the meeting even began to share these items with us.
The club is collecting gallon-size clean plastic milk jugs so that they can have one in every classroom so that students can bring in tabs from the tops of cans for Ronald McDonald House. The club is also gathering plastic caps (no metal or paper insides should be included) so that they can be recycled into a bench for the high school's Memorial Garden. They need 127 pounds of the tops for a bench. Dinah just says to keep collecting them at our homes until we meet in person again.
Interact will be helping to pack Bulldog Bags after school today.
Four- Way Speech Contest Brad needs someone to volunteer to head our club's Four-Way Speech contest where the high schoolers present speeches, based on the Four-Way-Test, after school, judged by our club members. Then, the winner goes to a district competition in April. Check with Brad if you are able to help. He has the information and will pass it on.
Golf Outing: Scott Miller, chair of the event is working on getting his committee established, and could use more people to participate. Let Scott know at 234-788-7498 if you are willing to serve on the committee. We have targeted Monday, June 6 as he date for the outing and Scott is going to confirm this with Silver Lake.
Zoom for February: At last Friday's Board Meeting it was decided that the club will continue on zoom through February. John Pribonic said that Silver Lake has been informed. The minutes of that meeting are attached to these minutes.
Career Tech Month: Dick Hall told is that everything is all set for Career Tech Month in February. Mary Jane Stanchina, Executive Director of the Six District Compact will be the speaker for the February 2 meeting, which will be on Zoom.
Bulldog Bags: The next items we should be collecting for Bulldog Bags are: Microwave pasta cups, small bags of goldfish crackers and cash donations for shampoo. Donations are especially encouraged by February 9 and can be dropped off in the appropriate box in the lobby of City Hall.
PROGRAM:
Mike Kostyack, Program Host, talked about his COVID experience. When the epidemic first began, Mike's daughter lived across the street from them, so they were able to do activities together every Friday night. That helped. This second year of the virus, Christmas had to be postponed to New Years because Mike and his wife and ultimately the whole family had COVID. They lost his wife's cousin and a good friend to the illness.
Mike introduced Scott Campbell, Director of Operations for the Stow-Munroe Falls Schools. He graduated from Perry High School and The University of Mount Union. He came to Stow-Munroe Falls from Perry where he led the system in several renovations, bringing the private and public sectors together.
He was a Rotarian when he was in Perry and feels that schools and Rotary need to have a strong partnership. With the changes that the pandemic has created, Scott has been excited about the pride in our community and the way the schools and the cities have cooperated. He talked about the state of education right now, saying that staff absences due to COVID are still a real problem. People have assisted in areas that may not be their job such as helping in food service and as assistants in other places. His philosophy is that we must be competitive in the education that is offered, including a strong emphasis on career tech. The schools must be a community hub, including both the public and parochial school systems.
There are several projects that are necessary in order to have a strong system that is providing what people look for in today's education. Several of our buildings are approaching 100 years of age and need some help. Some buildings are too small to accommodate the school's population and have mobile trailers to augment the buildings. Even the high school which was built in the 80's is in need of a new roof. That project has been going on in stages since 2013. At this point there is a committee working on a master facility plan to address the issue of building needs. Several different plans are being discussed but it is likely that the Stow-Munroe Falls area will be looking at a bond issue in the near future. At this point, we have the second lowest school tax in the county. A survey will go out seeking what the residents feel is important and how to accomplish what is needed.
JOKE: Gail Moseley told us a great joke about a job interview. Ask her to tell it to you. Next week Steve Dunton will have the joke for us.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Wednesday, January 26, 7:30, a.m. morning meeting on Zoom. Paul Harris of Victim Assistance will be our speaker.
Wednesday, February 2, 7:30 a.m., morning meeting on Zoom. Mary Jane Stanchina, Executive Director of the Six District Compact will be our speaker.
Wednesday, February 2, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Volunteer time at the Akron-Canton Foodbank. It is important to have a large volunteer representation since our photo will be taken for a reward that we are gong to receive from the Foodbank. Wear your work shirts and contact Mary Dula at 330-715-6358 to let her know you will be there.
Saturday, February 5, 9:00-2:00 Akron Rotary Club's Chili Open at Hale Farm in Bath to raise money for the Rotary camp. Go to chiliopen.net for details.
Wednesday, February 9, 7:30 a.m. morning meeting on Zoom
Wednesday, February 16, 7:30 a.m. morning meeting on Zoom
Monday, June 6. Our club's Golf Outing.
Submitted by Andy Denton