Co-President, Steve Dunton called the meeting to order by leading in the Pledge of Allegiance. Dave Renninger, Program Host, followed with an invocation from The Book of Monbeck. Steve thanked Gail Moseley for checking us in this morning and welcomed our guests, Jack Evans, Mike Dunton and Gale Koritansky.
NEW MEMBER INDUCTION:
Michael Love, who is the Director of Human Resources for the Stow-Munroe Falls School District was installed as a member this morning. Co-President Jeff Film led in the membership ceremony and sponsor, Dinah Henderson presented him with his pin. Mike has been with the school system for 16 years, is married to Lauren and has 2 young sons. Welcome Mike!
PROGRAM: Steve introduced Dave Renninger for the joke of the day and to introduce the program, Do you know why the golfer had two pair of pants with him? Ask Dave for the answer.
Dave explained that Gale Koritansky has had 20 years of library experience and came to us in September of 2020 as the new Director. Her Masters Degree in Library Science is from the University of Pittsburgh.
Gale started her presentation with a couple of Fast Facts from a brochure that she presented to everyone. Here are a few. Last year's most popular book was The Women, by Kristen Hannah. 4,597 individual patrons use their library card each month. On every open day, an average of 453 people visited the library. In 2024 13,744 unique individuals used their library card. And, 41,907 attended programs at the library last year.
She went on to explain some recent changes that have happened. In 2021 the library joined CLEVNET, which is an inter library loan system in which 72 libraries share items through daily deliveries. Thanks to Dave Renninger, the library is now fine free and items can be renewed up to five times. There are digital comics and magazines available and there is unlimited access to major news websites. With a library card, it is possible to have a digital subscription to the New York Times, The Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal for free.
Other items that are available through the library are mobile hotspots, museum and zoo passes, instruments, gardening items including seeds, hobby and recreation items and the library can help with video conversion. The library also has notaries that assist with obtaining passports. People with special needs have the advantage of hearing loops, large print books, e-materials and a partnership for libraries for the blind. Items can even be delivered to their homes. A book mobile was purchased last year that goes to assisted living facilities, preschools and even makes appearances at summer pop-ups through Parks and Recreation.
A lot of remodeling has gone on. There are now two study pods, remodeled meeting rooms, a local history room in honor of the library's 100th anniversary, new cabinets and a check-out area and a pavilion for outdoor programs. Material pick-up lockers have been put in outside of the library.
Two big fund-raisers are the Silent Basket Auction put on by the Foundation and the Friends of the Library Book Sale. The next basket auction will be online from April 6-12. Annie Hanson Hilaire explained that they are accepting baskets right now for the auction. The next Book Sale will be April 3-5. Proceeds go to library programming. Our Club Interact is a huge help in the success of that sale. Go to the library's website at smfpl.org. for more exciting information.
HAPPY BUCK: Mary Buck shared that her daughter, Francine, who was our speaker a couple of months ago received the Outstanding Artist and Theater Award from Summit Artspace
CELEBRATIONS:
Wedding Anniversary: Debbie and Lloyd Clark celebrate 31 years of marriage today.
Birthdays: Several Rotarians have birthdays this week: Dawn Miller, Elizabeth Eaken, JoAnne Loparo and Jeff Film. Maria Ferrara led us in singing really well to Jeff.
Drawing: The President's Table had the winning number but drew the 6 of diamonds. Since this was the first week after last week's winners, the joker is really hidden.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Golf Outing: Dick Hall asked everyone to think of donating for prizes at the June Golf Outing. Golf balls are needed as well as gift cards in $10 or $25 denominations.
Book Sale Help With Interact: Dinah Henderson explained that adult help is needed to work with the Interact students in preparing for the library's book sale. Books will be moved from 3:00-5:00 from the first to the second floor. (There is an elevator) Pizza will be available at 5:00.
Soles4Souls: Bob Oborn thanked everyone for their participation in the project. It was announced at the President-Elect Training that over $50,000 was raised, which means that many Ohio kids will receive a new pair of athletic shoes.
Board Meeting: The minutes of last Friday's Board Meeting are attached to these minutes. Jack Evans was approved by the board for membership, so give any comments to either of the presidents during the next two weeks. His application is attached to these minutes.
Club Interact: Dinah said that this year's district project will be to make baskets for chemo patients of Cleveland Clinic. More details will follow for us. This week a fundraiser is going on at the high school for the project.
Club Assembly: Next week's meeting will be a Club Assembly. Board members should be prepared to do a short update about their area. We will hold elections for new board members. So far Brad Ruth and Mary Dula have submitted their names.
Four-Way Speech Contest: The Stow contest will be held on Tuesday, April 1 at 3:00 at the high school. If you are interested in judging, text John Pribonic at 330-842-9687.
Scholarship Committee: The committee to review scholarship applications will meet on Monday, April 7 at 4:30 at City Hall. There are already a few people on the committee but if you are interested, text John at the above e-mail.
The meeting adjourned after the club united in reciting the Rotary Four-Way Test.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Wednesday, March 26 7:30 a.m. Morning meeting at Bellacinos where we will have a Club Assembly.
Tuesday, April 1, 3:00 Four-Way Speech Contest at the High School
Monday, April 7, 4:30, Scholarship Committee meeting at City Hall
Wednesday April 9, 4:30-6:30 Foodbank Volunteer time.
Friday, April 11, 7:15a,m, Board Meeting at City Hall
Saturday, April 12, Bunny Trail Hop
Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26, District Conference at the Cleveland Marriott in Warrensville Heights
May 10, Heroes Day
Mary 10 in the evening, Club Interact Talent Show
Friday, June 13, Golf Outing at Fox Den
Wednesday, October 9, Reverse Raffle/Silent Auction
Respectfully Submitted,