Bob Oborn told us that he and Dick Hall delivered a Paul Harris recognition award to Mary Dula.  Bob transferred Foundation points to Mary, which allowed her to become a Paul Harris Fellow.

 

Mary Dula expressed her appreciation for the award.  We all applauded Bob and Mary!!  Way to go Rotarians!!

 

Bob Sweitzer is a bourbon collector and said he was very excited to have secured two EXPENSIVE bottles of Pappy Van Winkle bourbon.  His prized purchase awaits his arrival in Maryland.  Drink up!!

 

Dick Hall shared news of 10 of our Club's members who will soon advance to a new level of giving for Paul Harris awards.  We look forward to honoring all Rotary International Foundation contributors at a future meeting!!

 

Our Program Host, Christina Gary was happy to share a story of her adventure taking wood to a friend who lost power in our recent WIND storm(s).  Her friend's wife is coping with cancer; Tina knew it was especially important to help in any way possible.  Thank you Tina for brightening the world with your Rotary spirit!

 

Tina introduced Kathy Caffrey, Statewide Outreach Coordinator for the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and Detective Kristi Harvey (Tina's former workout buddy!).  There are 61 task forces across the country; Ohio is consistently in the top 3 to 5 busiest of the group.  The main goal of the Task Force is to identify, arrest and prosecute individuals who use the internet to exploit children.  The group proactively provides community outreach and education for parents and children.  Tracked offenders, ages 19 to well into their 60s, are eventually arrested for their evil deeds.  Perpetrators, from all backgrounds, are very good at 'grooming' kids to be victims.

 

The Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) is a federal anti-crime initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. It is a collaboration of city, county, state and federal law enforcement authorities across Ohio whose mission is to identify, arrest and prosecute individuals who (1) use the Internet to lure minors into illicit sexual relationships; or (2) use the Internet to produce, distribute or solicit child pornography.

 

Minor students often exchange sexy photos on various platforms to be silly, or in hopes of becoming famous.  Most are innocent to the ramifications of their behavior.   Cybertips from the Center for Missing and Exploited Children are checked by investigators.  Their 24-hour hotline number is 800-843-5678.  When law enforcement becomes involved locally, there is a Mobile Investigation Unit that verifies material by interviewing and examining electronic devices.  They also involve 'Diana', a police dog trained to smell devices that the predator might be attempting to hide. Diana is trained specifically to detect electronic scents.

 

Children become victims by: sharing too much information, making online friends with strangers, generating inappropriate contact and sharing locations.  Online gaming, live-streaming and YouTube are popular platforms where the stalkers find their victims.  Sexting and cyberbullying are two tragedies of this whole process.

 

With mobile computing so widespread, parents, guardians, educators and community leaders must learn how to keep up with technology to better protect our children. While the Ohio ICAC Task Force does work to uncover and prosecute child predators, parents are the most effective guardians of their children's safety. The impact a parent can make on a child’s life as an involved and informed parent is monumental.

 

Visit the group's website at www.ohioicac.org for tips, information, resources, etc.