May 17th 2017 Newsletter

After Andy Denton led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, Rich Bedell provided the invocation.

 

Mark Lucco and Dave Renninger were thanked for welcoming us this morning.  We were glad to see visitors Eugene Mills of the Ravenna Rotary and Connie Krauss, this morning's speaker. 

 

CELEBRATIONS:  Five of our founding members are celebrating 37 years in our Rotary club this week.  Mark Lucco, Marv Mills, Dave Renninger, Ron Taggart and J.T. Stimler were all with us today. 

 

Bonnie and Mike Housley are celebrating 27 years of marriage this week and Christina and Ethan Gary are celebrating 13 years.

 

Birthdays this week are being celebrated by Rick Archer and Dave Renninger.  Linda Trevorrow led us in singing to them.

 

DRAWING: Tom Loepp's table had the winning ticket but drew the 8 of diamonds.

 

HAPPY BUCK: Annie Hanson called our attention to this morning's article that was in the Beacon Journal about the new arrangements with Ford and with Kent State that will benefit the Akron Public School students through Next Generation and the College and Career Academy.  Special opportunities will be available to explore college and career options in specific fields.  In addition, high school students will be able to earn financial credit in high school which can be used toward education at Kent State.  Read the complete story in today's Beacon but thank Annie for her involvement in making this happen through her employment at ConxusNEO.

 

Our next time to volunteer at the Foodbank will be June 7.  Say that you can participate by signing up at the sign-in desk.

 

We will attend the Pride Breakfast on June 28th instead of meeting at Silver Lake.  Tom Bahr will have a clipboard for us next week so we can sign up.

 

Brad Jagger talked with us about Heroes Day.  Everything seems to be coming together with everyone's help.  He wants to make sure that the team captains have all contacted their hero for specific instructions.  He also wants people to take photos of the event as they do their work.

 

Ray Evans reminded us that there are only 19 days until the June 5, Golf Outing.  We still need more golf balls and in addition any company items that could be used for goodie bags.  We also have space for a few more golfers.  Dick Hall reminded us that he has 50/50 raffle tickets for the event.  They are available now and will also be at the event at a cost of $5.00 per ticket or 5 tickets for $20.00.

 

Jeff Film reminded us to sign up to attend the Rubber Ducks game with the club on August 11.  Cost is $13.00 per person for you game ticket and a light supper.  Checks can be made out to the Rotary Club of Stow-Munroe Falls.

 

Rick Archer announced the winners of the scholarships that Rotary awarded at the Senior Banquet at Stow-Munroe Falls High School last night, based on classroom excellence and service.  Those who each received a $1000 scholarship are: Delany Ruth, Autumn Simpson, Megan Fragola, Kayla Ramsey, Kate Czerworry, Austin Bunham and Michael Connor-Hough.  In addition, the Buckey Burger Rotary Scholarship went to Julia Schneider.  Congratulations to all!

 

The Installation Breakfast will take place on June 21st when Katie Wright will pass the gavel to Brad Jagger and the other officers will be installed.

 

Becky Brittain will make polio a reality for us next week as she recounts what it was like to be a polio victim as a child when she presents our program.  This will put everything in perspective as to how important it is that Rotarians are helping to make polio a disease of the past. 

 

Rich Bedell introduced Connie Krauss who is the Director of Community and Economic Development at Summit County.  She began by sharing with us that her father was a Rotarian and in charge of the Exchange Program.  She talked about how she still is in touch with many of the students who stayed in their home and what a valuable aspect of her life that has been.

 

Connie went on to explain that the county is organized as a business and gave us a table of organization.  The top of the table lists the citizens of Summit County who she said are like the Board of Directors for the County.  The council person for Stow-Munroe Falls is Gloria Rogers. 

 

85% of the growth and job creation in the county happens through small businesses.  She is going to small businesses and asking them what they need from the county. 

 

She explained that her department has a close relationship with Annie and ConxusNEO are working on workforce development to align organizations to drive transformational change so that students are given training for the skills that they need to meet the needs of the companies.  Interestingly companies say that the potential employees need to have serious training as to how to be a valuable employee and to care.  Once they have that, companies can do some of the specific training. 

 

The Job Center, part of the county system is a tool where paid training can lead to employment. They work with a wide variety of people who are seeking employment.  They provide some training money, help screen potential employees and advertise jobs and offer a GED certificate.   All of those services are free.  The Job Center is available for employees who have been downsized or where companies have closed, no matter what level of employment is being sought. This includes an executive group which is make up of job categories such as accountant and attorney.   People who are living in HUD housing have specific benefits through the Job Center and HUD working together. 

 

The county is working on helping people succeed because that is for everyone's benefit.  There is work on attracting younger people and keeping them employed. Through data collection, the county works with people from the cradle to the grave to help them be successful.  AMHA, for instance has a program where they teach parents to begin working with their children toward reaching success. 

 

Saturday, May 20, 8:00a.m. Heroes Day send off at The Church in Silver Lake

Monday, June 5, 9:00a.m. Golf Outing at Silver Lake Country Club

Wednesday, June 7, 5:00-7:00p.m.  Volunteer at the Foodbank

Friday, June 9, 7:15a.m. Board Meeting at Silver Lake Country Club

Wednesday, June 21, Installation Breakfast for our regular meeting.

Wednesday, June 28, Stow Pride Breakfast instead of our regular meeting

Friday, August 11, Rotary Evening at the Rubber Ducks Stadium

Wednesday, October 11, Reverse Raffle/Silent Auction at Guys Party Center.