President Bob Sweitzer opened the meeting by leading in the Pledge of Allegiance. Dinah Henderson, Club Interact advisor, followed with the invocation.
PROGRAM
INTERACT RECOGNITION: Dinah began by introducing the seniors who will graduate tomorrow and thanked them for taking care of things with the younger members while she was out on leave. The seniors and their families were invited to be at the meeting this morning so that they could be honored by the club for the work that they have done. Katie Walker, Ty Phillips, Cooper Adams and Hannah Garman were recognized.
The students presented a power point presentation of all that they had accomplished during the year. They worked on many service projects with Rotarians such as Summer Sunset Blast, Stuff the Ambulance, Stuff the Bus, Teacher Supply Cupboard, Holiday Helping Hands, Salvation Army Bell Ringing, Foodbank, Bunny Trail Hop and Heroes Day. In addition they had their own activities such as their Homecoming Float, Snacks to Schools, Trunk or Treating, Bow Wow Book Buddies at the library and Children's Hospital Radiothon. These are just samples of the many activities that they students did to make a difference in the life of Stow-Munroe Falls. They also were involved in conferences and other learning experiences.
Each of the graduates then spoke about their time with Club Interact and how it had made a difference in their lives.
President Katie Walker explained that she joined her freshman year and found that the club pushed her outside of her comfort zone and helped her grow. She said that she learned that service can be small acts as well as big events. RYLA Leadership Camp was another important benefit that will carry her on to The Ohio State University where she will major in Biomedical Engineering and become part of Rotaract there.
Ty Phillips has been in Interact for 2.5 years. Through Interact she learned the value of being truthful and how to develop the right kind of friendships. In the future she plans to study psychology and to become a therapist.
Hannah Garman will head to Ohio Northern to become an occupational therapist and feels it is an honor to have been a part of the club. She said that the Rotary Four-Way Test has had a huge impact on her and guides the way she acts. She feels that Interact has helped her to be a better student, employee and friend.
Cooper Adams has been a part of the club since his sophomore year. He too values the Four-Way Test as a pilar of guidance in his life. He also feels that Camp RYLA opened ways of leadership and volunteering and how to touch and connect with others. He will go on to the University of Dayton to major in mechanical engineering.
All of the students then received gifts of recognition for their service, and received the awards from Bob Sweitzer, Leslee Salhany, Dick Hall and Steve Dunton. They received service pins, a Rotary coin, senior cords and a banner to hold their service pins. A special service award went to Katie Walker. In conclusion, Dinah Henderson acknowledged how much the parents have to be proud of in the young people they have raised.
CELEBRATION OF THE CLUB'S 46TH BIRTHDAY:
Bob Sweitzer recognized the club's history by introducing Dave Renninger and Ron Taggart, two of the club's founding members. Dave told us that it is hard to believe that 46 years have passed from the time they met in Jim Bank's basement to form the club. Things were very different in 1980 since there were not even female members allowed until 1989. Today, out of our 65 members, 34 are female. His belief is that we need to really mean it and live it when we recite the Rotary Four-Way Test.
Ron told us that the club used to meet at lunch time at the Silver Pheasant. However it was difficult to get people to get there for lunch when they were working other places. Therefore it became a breakfast meeting club. In 1988 the Supreme Court said that Rotary could no longer discriminate against females joining the club. Soon after that, in 1989, Bonnie Housley became the first female to join this club and went on to become the District Governor. He praised the significant impact that women have had on the club ever since. He also said that when Polio Plus was launched as Rotary effort in 1986, the members decided to really commit to this effort and slightly more than 30 members raised $20,000 for the initial entry into Polio Plus. It is working with just a very few countries still experiencing any polio. This year Rotary has contributed $50,000,000 with the Gates Foundation pledging $100,000,000 to try to finalize the end of polio.
BUSINESS MEETING:
Bob welcomed all of the parents and family members of our honorees today and thanked Todd Hearty and Dave Renninger for checking them in.
CELEBRATIONS:
Happy Bucks: Don Coughlin had two Happy Bucks this morning. The first was that his grandson, Will Holland graduated from Babson College near Boston and within the more than 700 grads, he was ranked #4 in point average, making him a Summa Cum Laude graduate. He will be heading to Houston, Texas to work.
Don also told us that his grandson, Landon, who has been battling bone cancer had 15 hours of surgery last week at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus in an effort to save his leg. He is now recovering but has a long summer ahead.
Rotary Club Anniversaries: Ron Taggart and Dave Renninger are celebrating their 46th anniversary as Rotarians. Dave Christman is observing 16 years and Paul and Landon Lake, one year.
Wedding Anniversary: Lindsey and John Malin are celebrating their wedding anniversary today.
Birthday: Dave Renninger will celebrate his birthday Saturday. We sang to him this morning.
Drawing: Because the joker was pulled last week, a new game began today. Linda Trevorrow drew the 7 of diamonds from the new deck, so we have 51 more chances to pull the joker and win.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Adopt a Spot: Marty Tass reminded those who volunteered that this Saturday, the 23rd, at 9:30 is the time our spot will be planted at the Doughboy. Bring a trowel and plan to spend about an hour finishing the project.
Golf Outing: Scott Miller said that the committee will meet next Wednesday, May 27th at the FOP Lodge at 6:00. There are now 30 foursomes who have registered. Still bring in your gift cards for prizes and other giveaways that can be used for prizes.
High School Graduation: Dinah Henderson said that help would be appreciated from anyone who can sell flowers and water before graduation tomorrow evening. Show up in front of Memorial Gym at 5:30 if you can help.
Foodbank: Steve Dunton announced that the next Foodbank will be Wednesday June 10 from 4:30 to 6:30. Everyone's help is appreciated.
Board Meeting: The June Board meeting will be on the 19th rather than the 12th due to the Golf Outing. It meets at 7:15 a.m. at City Hall. The minutes of the May meeting are attached to these minutes.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Saturday, May 23 at 9:30 a.m. Adopt-a-Spot planting at the Doughboy.
Wednesday, May 27, 7:30 a.m. Regular morning meeting at The Center when Carrie Malotte will help us understand and work with Clubrunner.
Wednesday, May 27 at 6:00 p.m. Golf Committee meeting at the FOP Lodge
Wednesday, June 10 4:30-6:30 Foodbank Volunteer time at the Foodbank.
Friday, June 12, Golf Outing at Fox Den
Friday, June 12-Sunday June 14 Irish Fest Beer-Pouring and Token Selling opportunity at the Riverfront Beer Fest in Cuyahoga Falls.
Wednesday, June 17, 7:30 a.m. Installation of the board members and new president, Mary Parr for our regular morning meeting.
Friday, June 19, 7:15 a.m. Board meeting at City Hall.
Wednesday, October 14 in the evening Reverse Raffle/Silent Auction.
Respectfully Submitted,
Andrea Denton