After Co-president, Brad Ruth, opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance, Bruce Redmon, Program Host. led us in an invocation about thankfulness.
Brad thanked Steve Dunton for getting us all checked in this morning and welcomed our visitors, Todd Kamenash, Sienna Leising and Steve Mills.
Brad also said that last night the Stow Schools Foundation presented scholarships to seniors and that our Rotary Scholarships were part of the presentations.
CELEBRATIONS:
Rotary Anniversaries: May 20 marks the 42nd anniversary of the founding of our club. So, Mark Lucco, J.T, Stimler, Marv Mills, Bruce Redmon, Ron Taggart and Dave Renninger are all celebrating.
Wedding Anniversaries: This week marks 35 years of marriage for Bob and Annette Oborn and 32 years for Mike and Bonnie Housley.
Birthdays: Kelly Toppin's birthday is tomorrow and Dave Renninger's is May 23.
50/50 DRAWING:
Dave Christman's table had the winning ticket but Dave drew the 6 of hearts, so the pot continues to grow.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Adopt-A-Spot Marty Tass passed around a clipboard so that members could volunteer to help plant our spot by the Doughboy at the corner of Graham and Darrow Rd. Planting will be at 10:00 on Saturday, May 28.
Heroes' Day: Jeff Film thanked everyone who helped with the project this year. Friday evening the plants were sorted and readied by Rotarians and Club Interact for distribution on Saturday morning. Saturday went so well that they were cleaning up by 8:30. Thanks to Leslee Salhany for securing the donation of plants from Petittis'. Leslee will put together a photo collage for them and Andy will send that with a thank-you. Tributes were delivered to 190 people.
Foodbank: Mary Dula reminded us that our next Foodbank date will be Wednesday, June 1 from 4:30-6:30. Please help if you can since we will probably not have as many volunteers with Interact is on summer break. Sign up when you sign in.
Golf Outing: The event is coming up on Monday June 6. We still need golfers, gift cards and golf balls, and non-melting treats for the gift bags. A flier to register for golf is attached to these minutes.
PROGRAM
Program Host, Bruce Redmon, introduced himself by saying he has been with Redmon Funeral Home for 54 years, serving about 350 families every year. He and his wife, LouAnn, will be married for 61 years in November. Bruce then introduced Todd Kamenash who is the Associate Dean of Students for Conduct and Community Engagement at Kent State University.
Todd said that he oversees student conduct for the main campus, as well as satellite offices. Personally, he has been married for almost 17 years and is the father of 13 year old twins. Todd is now working on his PhD at Kent. He used a spinning wheel to explain his program with Leslee Salhany as the Vanna White of the morning.
Under the topic "Room and Board" Tood explained that about 5000 students live on campus when school is in session. This number used to be larger before the pandemic, when rooms were created with lower density to protect students. They also had quarantine and isolation space for those who were exposed to or had Covid. The total enrollment is about 26,000 on the main campus and a total of about 35,000 when all campuses are included.
Then there was the "Kent State Shuffle". No one wants to seek information or assistance and be shuffled from one office to another repeatedly. So, within the Student Affairs Office, a main goal is to help students make the proper connection without experiencing the shuffle. With 28 areas of student services, when people need help, they need to find what they are seeking so that they don't give up.
Under the "Life Happens" category, there are health situations, suicide attempts, mental health issues, and the need for help with basic needs. There is the CARE Center for people who are struggling with food and housing challenges and even when the disability can's be seen, services to help the students with unique needs. There are even supportive services for both men and women who have experienced sexual violence.
"Getting Involved" explains the more than 350 clubs and organizations that are on campus. The goal of these opportunities is to help students fit in and to meet others with similar interests If people feel a part of the campus, the are much more likely to feel accepted and successful.
JOKE:Bruce Redmon also had our joke for the day. He gave us two. One involved a search for eggs that came in a 1/2 dozen package and what happened when he found them. The second joke involved a police person and an attorney. Ask him to tell you the rest of each joke. Next week's joke will be by John Long.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Wednesday, May 25, 7:30 Morning meeting at Bellacinos. Judge Lisa Coates will be our speaker
Saturday, May 28, 10:00 a.m. plant our Adopt-a-Spot
Wednesday, June 1 7:30 morning meeting at Bellacinos. District Governor, Larry Lohman, will be our speaker.
Wednesday, June 1, 4:30-6:30 Volunteer time at the Akron-Canton Foodbank.
Monday, June 6, Golf Outing at Silver Lake Country Club
Wednesday, June 29 7:30 morning meeting at Bellacinos. We will install Gale Moseley as our new president, welcome new board members and officers and thank Brad and John for their leadership.
Wednesday evening October 12, Reverse Raffle/Silent Auction
Thursday evening, December 15, Holiday Helping Hands at City Hall
Submitted by Andy Denton
