After President Annette Oborn opened by meeting by leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance, Program Host, Jen Coleman led us in a meaning invocation about applying The Golden Rule.
Annette thanked Gail Moseley for being the acting sergeant at arms this morning and Dave Renninger helping her.
HAPPY BUCKS:
Dave Christman told us that his son, D.J., has a new job as Chief Engineer and Technical Program Management Lead for Meraki Security Programs (Cyber Security) at Cisco Systems in San Francisco.
Rich Bedell gave us a report on the Reverse Raffle. Our profits were $11,400 and we had budgeted $10,000 for income from the event, so we were over the amount expected. However the profits were about $2500 lower than last year. Some of the reasons were: 1) Ticket sales were 20 lower than last year. 2) Meal prices increased. 3) We did not have a large item for our silent auction. Congratulations to everyone who worked to make the event successful.
CELEBRATIONS:
Rotary Anniversary: Mike Kostyack is observing 3 years as a Rotarian this week.
Birthday: Mary Dula's birthday is this Saturday and Brad Ruth led us in singing to her.
Drawing: Mary Parr had the winning number but drew the 6 of clubs so the pot will continue to grow again.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
In the interest of making our meetings more efficient: We certainly have a lot going on, and so it becomes necessary to ask people who have something to raise for discussion at our board meetings or weekly meetings need to ask Annette or their board liaison, prior to the meeting, if they can be put on the agenda. That way everyone's time constraints can be respected and space can be allowed for all of the business that needs to be conducted. Thanks to everyone for their cooperation.
Annette thanked Brad Ruth and John Pribonic for helping to distribute donuts yesterday for World Polio Day.
She also thanked Rich Bedell for preparing the IRS 990 Reports.
And finally she thanked Jen Coleman, De-De Mulligan and Kari Suhadolnik in advance for helping at the Speech and Debate event at the high school this coming Saturday.
Foodbank volunteer time is tonight from 4:30-6:30 at the Foodbank. After tonight we will move to the second Wednesday of the month as our time to help. Mary Dula explained that the Interact students will be with us tonight for the first time this school year.
Dictionary Distribution to third graders in the district will be next Wednesday, November 1 after the meeting.
Teacher Supply Closet Deliveries will be the second Wednesday of the month after the meeting. So, if you can help, plan on that being the week.
November is our month to feature The Rotary Foundation. Give your contribution to Maria Ferrara or Dave Renninger. They will be telling us more about The Rotary Foundation during November.
Stuffed Animals Needed: Rotaract members in our district are collecting stuffed animals for people in the world who need the kind of comfort a stuffed animal can give. During the month of November, bring the animals to club meetings and give them to Annette.
Dairy Queen Benefit during November. See the attached flier for information as to how your dining at Dairy Queen on Fishcreek will help our Club Interact during November. They will be rounding up all month and on November 13 will give 25% of the profits for dining in or carry out orders to the club.
New Membership Committee: Brad Ruth announced that the committee's first meeting will be next Thursday, November 2. He will text the location to everyone who has volunteered.
Week 7: The only member of the club who was a winner in the Football Pool this week is Mary Parr. Congratulations, Mary.
Bulldog Bags: By November 8th, they would like to have the following items donated: cups of soup, bags of mini goldfish crackers, lip gloss, Kleenex, 3-5 pack boxes of microwave popcorn, boxes of mac and cheese and boxes of Capri Sun drink pouches. Bring the donations to a meeting or drop them off at the library or in the lobby of City Hall.
Annette still has tickets for the GriefCare Place event honoring Bruce Redmon which will be on November 16. Text her at 330-813-2059 for more information or to get a ticket.
Leslee Salhany led us in a Halloween Trivia time where correct answers were rewarded with gift cards. Her assistants were Mary Dula and Dick Hall who were decked out in their illuminated hats as a witch and a devil, respectively. Did you know which state produces the most pumpkins? Did you know which candy bar was the first to be in fun size? Did you know the original name of candy corn? It is amazing how Rotary can help you be an informed citizen!!!!! Thanks for the fun Leslee.
PROGRAM: For her meaningful moment in Rotary, Jennifer Coleman said that in 2019 she had her daughter with her to wrap gifts for Holiday Helping Hands. It was a meaningful experience for both of them.
Jen then introduced, "Ranger Pam" who is Pam Machuga. She was with us to talk about Cuyahoga Valley National Park. She has both a bachelor's and master's degree in anthropology and in addition to her work at the park, she is an Adjunct Professor at Kent State.
Ranger Pam explained that there are over 420 Park Service sites in our country. Of course the one she is most partial to is our own national park. She explained that the centerpiece of our park in the Cuyahoga River. Since 2019, there has been a special effort in making the river beautiful and healthy again after the fire that was publicized everywhere back in 1969. At that time there were no fish and no birds hunting. Now it is a vibrant, healthy location.
She said that over a million people visit our park each year And when they do, some of the most popular attractions are the covered bridge, the ledges, Brandywine Falls, the train for the polar express and Szalays. She says that the particular value of green space is that it helps us think less about what we do while we are there, and more about how we feel. She talked about a hike where there are "Meaningful Moment" signs and led us in a breathing exercise that hikers are encouraged to do there. She talked about the "Reading with a Ranger" program that is taken to students facing more poverty in our park's region.
Pam talked about the value of volunteers, which she described as the backbone of the national park. Yearly over 5000 of them plant trees, assist on hikes, run programs, keep the trails safe, work at the visitor center and answer many questions that visitors have. She passed out "Valley Guides" and encouraged everyone to get to the park regularly. We have this gem right within our midst.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
SEE THE ZOOM LINK FOR THE WEEKLY MEETINGS ATTACHED TO THESE MINUTES.
Tonight: 4:30-6:30 Volunteer time at the Akron-Canton Foodbank. Join the fun if you can.
Wednesday, November 1, 7:30 a.m. Morning meeting at Bellacinos with a speaker from Restore Addiction Recovery
Wednesday, November 1, Dictionary Delivery to the local elementary schools after the meeting.
Thursday, November 2, First meeting of the new Membership Committee. Other information to be announced.
Wednesday, November 8, Bulldog Bag items due
Wednesday, November 8, Teacher Supply Cupboard delivery after the meeting.
Wednesday, November 8, 4:30-6:30 Volunteer time at the Foodbank
Friday, November 10, 7:15 a.m. Board Meeting at City Hall
Monday, November 13, Dine to Donate at Dairy Queen to benefit our Club Interact. See attached flier.
Tuesday, December 12, Holiday Helping Hands in the evening at City Hall
Saturday, May 11, 2024: Heroes Day
Friday, June 14, 2024, Golf Outing at Fox Den
Submitted by Andy Denton
Andrea Denton
330-474-7265
330-414-1934