President Bob Sweitzer opened the meeting by leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mary Dula, Program Host led in the invocation.
PROGRAM:
Mary Dula, Program Host introduced Kristopher Maruna who has been with the Stow Police Department since August of 2018, and K9 RIP who has been with the department since 2023. Officer Maruna graduated from Stow High School in 2008 and spent 5 years in the Navy. RIP was trained at the VonderHaus Gill Police K9 academy located in Wapakaneta, Ohio. He is a German shepherd and was trained to respond to commands in German.
Aside from being trained to sniff drugs, RIP is also trained to track people. Officer Maruna explained that he loves working and is also very social. They work together in 12 hour shifts with the average working time of a service dog being 5-6 years. They mainly work in Stow, but can be called to assist other areas. New environments are sometimes challenging. RIP has found narcotics in cars and has tracked someone who had committed a crime for 2 hours. They do not give up.
Stow is fortunate to have both Officer Maruna and RIP with us. We could tell that RIP was happy to be with the club this morning as he ran around and greeted people. We also saw how the greeting time ended with just one word, in German, from his handler. Impressive
CELEBRATIONS:
Happy Bucks:
Bob Oborn thanked everyone for making his Installation as District Governor so special. He especially thanked Dinah Henderson, Gail Moseley and Mary Dula for their work on the tree centerpieces.
Bob Sweitzer said he appreciated everyone's support at the parade last Friday. His helpers distributed 150 pounds of candy and really could have used about 20 pounds more.
Rotary Anniversaries: Gale Stawiery and Elizabeth Kargbo both are celebrating their first anniversary tomorrow and Sunday, Eric Weber will have been a Rotarian for 14 years.
Birthdays:
Don Coughlin had a birthday yesterday, so Annette led us in singing really well to him.
Drawing:
Jeff Film's table had the winning ticket, but he drew the six of hearts, so the pot will continue to grow.
Congratulations : The club received the AZ Baker Award last week providing official recognition for all that we do as a club. In addition, at the Banner Exchange and Bob's Installation, Brad Ruth and Maria Ferrara received recognition for their outstanding work in membership.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
After thanking our guests, President Bob thanked Steve Dunton and Dave Renninger for welcoming everyone this morning.
Foodbank: Tonight is our volunteer time at the Akron Canton Foodbank and we only have 4 people signed up so far. If you can at all help, please just show up.
Board Meeting: Our next board meeting is this Friday, July 9 at 7:15 a.m. at City Hall. Everyone is welcome. The minutes of the June meeting are attached to these minutes.
Plastic Bags: Andy reminded everyone to bring any extra plastic grocery bags to meetings between now and July 23. Our speaker is involved in a project with them and this could be a great way to thank her.
Football Books: Dick Hall is bringing the books to meetings this year. You may take books now and pay later but you must turn in payments with the stubs. That is the only way that your book will be entered in the drawing. Cost of the books is $20.
Rubber Ducks Tickets: Chief Film is now collecting money for the game tickets you signed up for. If you pay by check, make it payable to the club. Cost of each ticket is $13.00. That night, please wear a Rotary shirt, or at least a blue shirt! Remember that Bob Oborn will be throwing out the first pitch!.
Dues Time: Dues are due now. Payment for the whole year is $200 or ½ year is possible for $100. He would really appreciate not having to send invoices to club members, so do our treasurer, John Long, a favor and just bring your check to the meeting next week made out to the club. Or, you can mail the check to our PO Box which is PO Box 1352, Stow, OH 44224.
Adopt a Spot: Keep on signing up to weed, The rain has not only made the plants grow, but also the weeds.
Bulldog Bags: During the school year we participate in gathering items for Bulldog Bags. Attached to these minutes you will find a list of what they would like from us each month. The other side of the sheet shows the times when packages are packed and delivered. Print it out now and make plans to help. Once the time is a little closer, that information will be included in these minutes.
Zoom Link: The link that is attached to these minutes is new for this year Discard the old one and bring in the new. Thanks to Brad for providing this.
President Bob closed the meeting by leading in the Four-Way Test:
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Tonight: 4:30-6:30 Volunteer time at the Foodbank
Friday, July 11, 7:15 a.m. Board meeting at City Hall
Wednesday, July 16,7:30 a.m. Don Coughlin will be in charge of the program for our morning meeting when we meet at The Center.
Wednesday, July 30, No morning meeting but we will attend the Rubber Ducks game in the evening.
Friday and Saturday, August 8 and 9, Stuff the Bus
Wednesday, October 8, Reverse Raffle and Silent Auction in the evening at The Center.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrea Denton
330-414-1934