President Mary Parr opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and then presented the invocation.
PROGRAM: Mary Parr introduced Terri Speck, our District 6630 Governor, and her husband, Dave who was with her this morning. She greeted the club by offering thanks to the members and officers for creating the club that it is and offered special thanks to Roger Cline for all of his past work with youth and in particular the Youth Exchange Program.
Terri acknowledged this year's theme of Rotary International President, Olainka H. Babalola “Create Lasting Impact”. Under that theme, he hopes to lead us in making a difference by doing something impactful through our personal decisions.
Terri's own story demonstrates how to create impact. Her father was a charter member of the Nordonia Hills Club. Through that, she was a Rotary Exchange Student in Australia and began to have a different view of the world. Later she and her husband hosted students from several countries who have stayed in touch and related how what they learned and experienced here impacted the rest of their lives as they went back home. Although her passion was hosting students, that is not something everyone wants to do. As we bring in new members, it is important to ask them about their passion and then connect them to a related activity. For any member, she says to recognize our own superpower and then put it to use within the community and our Rotary membership.
She listed her priorities for the year as promoting:1) Youth Engagement and Community. She feels this can be the beginning of a student's Rotary journey. In fact, this year's Rotary President got his start in Interact. 2) Rotaract Passport Club. This is an organization for people who are college age and basically up to age 31. They partner with local clubs and assist in their service events. There is also a Rotaract Plus organization for folks just a little older. 3) Terri hopes to strengthen club excellence and support with the district supplying resources to help them meet their goals. She hopes that we will celebrate what our club does and learn from others. It is important for us to tell our Rotary story, but also to listen to others.
She also mentioned many efforts that will impact wherever and whenever they happen. They include: planting trees, Kindland, membership events and continued polio eradication fundraising. There will be two new larger events. There will be an all Ohio District District Conference from April 30 through May 2 at the Hilton, Columbus. Then on May 27th there will be a celebration recognizing the 25th anniversary of Women in Rotary.
She closed with a quote for us to consider. “Rotary is a meeting place where strangers become friends, friendship becomes trust and trust becomes action.”
It should be a great year with Terri Speck in her role.
BUSINESS MEETING:
President Mary thanked Steve Dunton and Dave Renninger for getting us checked in this morning, welcoming our guests and managing the many sign-in sheets.
Happy Bucks: Marty Tass thanked everyone who planted or weeded the bed by the Doughboy and added to Stow's beauty that way. For a second part of his Happy Buck he acknowledged that his wife Debbie, has released 48 butterflies so far this year into the environment. And finally he invited everyone to attend the Beerfest sponsored by the Stow-Munroe Falls Foundation which will be at the Heritage Barn on Saturday, October 10.
Mary Parr told us that her daughter, Francine will be part of the awards ceremony of “Thirty for the Future” this Friday. What an honor! She was our speaker a few months ago.
Nancy Binzel shared information about next Wednesday's Stow Candidate night. See the attached flier for further details.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Foodbank: We will not attend Foodbank in October since that is the same time as our Reverse Raffle/Silent Auction. However, November 11th from 4:30-6:30 should be on our calendars for our volunteer time.
Fifth Wednesday: Mary Dula told us that we will be going to The Basement in Stow, at Graham and Darrow Rd. for our activity this month. We will gather for dinner at 5:30 with a special menu that should allow fast service. Sign up as you sign in next week or call Mary at 330-715-6358 to let her know you will attend. She also needs to know if you are bringing a guest so there is an accurate count.
Beetlejuice Tickets: Because the date of the performance of “Beetlejuice” came before the tickets originally donated for the Reverse Raffle, Gail Moseley held an early auction this morning and Mike Dunton was the winner of the great seats and parking pass.
Reverse Raffle/Silent Auction: Chairperson, Gail Stawiery reminded us that there will be a meeting of the full committee next Monday, September 21st at 6:00 at the FOP Lodge. Dick Hall told us that he has 2 tickets that were returned. Other than that, they are all sold, and people just need turn in their money and stubs to him. Lindsey Malin said that we still need some $10 and $15 gift cards, Just bring them to a meeting and give them to Lindsey. Annette Oborn said that she has enough wine for the wine pull and Gail Moseley said that if anyone has baskets or other items for the Silent Auction, that they should start bringing those items to a meeting now. Andy Denton is needing the names of the people who wish to be seated together. Each ticket has two dinners, so we need both names at the table. When a group agrees that they want to be together, give Andy a list of the names. Please do not submit names of people you have not asked to be at your table as they may have other plans. Just trying to make things go smoothly that evening. Email for Andy is dentontaz@aol.com or text at 330-414-1934.
Football Pool: The only winner from the club this week is Mary Dula, so lots of friends, family and community members were winners this week.
Position Descriptions: Brad Ruth will be getting forms to club officers, project leaders etc. so that they can complete the information, giving us a solid base for the work that each position/committee requires. Please complete them as soon as you can. This was a decision that was made at board meeting last Friday. The minutes are attached to these minutes.
Membership Event: Bob Oborn reminded us of the membership event that will be held at Lions Park and later the Hi Ho Brewery, both in Cuyahoga Falls, tomorrow evening. See last week's minutes for further details.
Emergency Response Team: Bob also gave a few more details about the Emergency Response sold out event that will be held at the Senior Center on Friday, September 25. The Rotarians who have signed up will welcome the seniors to the event and then later will help gather the information from the seniors. Those who have signed up to help should plan to stay about 15 minutes after next weeks club meeting for more details and to receive their vests. A second event has been scheduled for October 23 since the September event is full.
Adult Halloween Party: John Pribonic told us that the city will host an adult halloween party at the old Tuesday Morning store on Saturday, October 24 for adults only. Cost is $50 per person and that includes beer and a meal. Look for further details.
Bulldog Bags: It is time to start the regular collections for Bulldog Bags again. By October 14 (easy date to remember) bring donations of cereal cups, Juice pouches, toothpaste and toothbrushes to a meeting and give them to Andy Denton or drop them off in the lobby of City Hall in the Bulldog Bag container.
Board Meeting: The next Board Meeting will be Friday, October 9 at 7:15 a.m. at City Hall. The minutes of the September meeting are attached.
Drawing: John Long's table had the winning number but the 4 of hearts was drawn so the pot will continue to grow,
Mary closed the meeting by leading us in the Four-Way-Test.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Thursday, September 17, 6:00 Membership event at Lions Park in Cuyahoga Falls
Monday, September 21, 6:00 Reverse Raffle Committee Meeting at the FOP Lodge
Wednesday, September 23, 7:30, regular morning meeting with the topic of our Rotary International Foundation. Dave Renninger and Maria Ferrara are in charge
Wednesday, September 23, 6:30 Citizens for Non-Partisan Politics Candidate Night event at The Center
Friday, September 25, 9:00 until noon Emergency Response Team event at the Senior Center
Wednesday, September 30, no morning meeting but gather at The Basement at 5:30 for a social time.
Friday, October 9, 7:15 a.m. Board Meeting at City Hall
Saturday, October 10, Beerfest at Heritage Barn
Wednesday, October 14, No morning meeting but Reverse Raffle/Silent Auction in the evening.
Wednesday, October 14, Bulldog Bag items due
Andrea Denton