To open the meeting, President Bob Sweitzer led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Julie McLain, Program Host, followed with a meaningful invocation about unity.
PROGRAM:
Before introducing our speaker, Julie offered some lawyer jokes. For instance: Q, "Why are lawyers good at limbo?" A, “Because they have passed the bar.” You can ask her for the rest of the jokes.
Julie then introduced Jessica Didion who is the President of the Stow-Munroe Falls Community Foundation, so that she could speak about what the Foundation does and how the community can help in their efforts. She is a partner in the law firm of Didion and Green LLC which specializes in Family and Probate Law. She has prior experience with the State of Ohio Attorney General's Office and is thankful to now be settled in Stow.
Jessica explained that the foundation, started in 1999 focuses on people who live or own businesses in Stow or Munroe Falls, is primarily operated by fifteen trustees who meet monthly followed by a full membership meeting in May. The trustees include a mixture of long-standing members and newer members so that tradition and history can be honored while current trends are also adopted. They are a 501(C)(3) organization who accumulates, manages and allocates resources for the benefit of the community. They have no full-time staff and are a self-run organization.
They sponsor three main fund raisers every year, where then funds they raise go back to the communities. There is the Foodie Palooza, (formerly the Pizza Palooza) which is held in January. It is a great opportunity for the attendees to become familiar with local restaurants and other businesses and community organizations in both Stow and Munroe Falls. The Craft Beer Festival is the first weekend in October and their Golf Outing is held in the spring and is the Big Cup Scramble. Sponsorships are important to every event and legacy sponsors receive special recognition at every event.
Some of the areas where their financial assistance has made a big difference are the completion of Skip Park where they gave $30,000 in contributions. They also support Sparkle in the Park in Munroe Falls, GriefCare Place, the Armed Forces Banner Program, Bulldog Bags, the high school's Speech and Debate Teams and other community needs, both for individuals and organizations. They are currently working with the Arts Commission with collaborative funding on some of their projects. A Grant Request form and further information about them is available on their website at smfcommunity.org.
MEETING: President Bob thanked Todd Hearty and Dave Renninger for getting us checked in this morning, and for welcoming our visitor, Jessica Didion.
Happy Buck: Don Coughlin shared that his granddaughter, Fiona, who is a junior at Baldwin Wallace University has been cast as Roz in their play “9 to 5” which begins on November 13 and runs until November 23. She also was part of a group that sang the National Anthem before the Browns Game last Sunday. Maybe they should set the tone every week to keep the Browns winning.
CELEBRATIONS:
Mary Dula is celebrating her birthday this week, so Carrie Malotte helped us sing well to her.
Chief Film's Retirement has been announced so join the celebration for him on November 14 from 4:30-7:30 at The Center. See the flier attached to these minutes for more details and how to respond.
Drawing: People sitting at the Lake's table this morning had the winning ticket. Carrie Malotte drew the joker but they agreed to put it back in the deck since the pot would be so small.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Fifth Wednesday Event: Carrie reminded us that we will not meet next week because it is a fifth Wednesday. Instead, we will participate in “Music Bingo” to benefit the Stow-Munroe Library Foundation in the evening at the Center. Doors open at 5:30 and we should be finished by 8:30. On-line registration is preferred but there will be a few seats available at the door. Tickets are $40.00 per person and include heavy appetizers, non-alcoholic drinks, with a cash bar available, a chance auction, one bingo card for four games and opportunities to win some great prizes. Go to smfpl.org under events to purchase your tickets.
The Rotary Foundation: It is that time of year when we support the projects of Rotary International through our donations. Watch for an e-mail from Maria Ferrara with a link to information and how to pay on-line. Last year our club raised $14,120 and this year's goal is $15,000.
Bob Sweitzer talked about the “Every Rotarian, Every Year” project where everyone in the club gives at least $25.00 toward the fund with a per capita goal of $100 per person. He would like very much to see this as part of what our club accomplishes this year.
Interact Update: Mayor Pribonic told us about a unique effort from the club. An unusual set of circumstances created a need for a garage to be cleaned out. 15 Interact students with the help of John, and Dave and Dinah Henderson accomplished the task in just 2 ½ hours. Interact students are everywhere! Thank you.
New Member Application: Dave Henderson's membership application is attached to these minutes because he was approved for membership by the board at their last meeting. Give any comments you may have to Bob Sweitzer prior to next Wednesday, the 29th.
Foodbank: Our next volunteer time at the Foodbank will be Wednesday, November 12 from 4:30 to 6:30 at the Foodbank. Mark your calendar now and then sign up as you sign in at our November 5 meeting.
Zoom: If you can't make a meeting, use the zoom link attached to these minutes to attend.
Bob closed the meeting by leading us in the Rotary Four-Way Test.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Wednesday, October 29, no morning meeting but we will participate in “Music Bingo” starting at 5:30 at The Center in the evening. See the article above.
Wednesday, November 5, 7:30 a.m. Morning meeting at The Center when we will hear from Mark Greer about the Akron Bicentennial Celebration.
Wednesday, November 12, Foodbank Volunteer time from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Friday, November 14, 7:15 a.m. Board Meeting at City Hall
Wednesday, December 10 Holiday Wrapping Party at City Hall in the evening.
Respectfully submitted.
Andrea Denton