We note with great sadness the recent death of a good friend and Rotarian, John Smither. John was a member of the Rotary Club of Harrisburg for over 33 years, served as our President in 1995 – 1996, and was a Paul Harris Fellow. His passing is a significant loss to our community.
Instead of our regular meeting on March 22, we have the opportunity to serve Central Pennsylvania Food Bank! Please have lunch on your own before serving.
Celebrating 75 Years of Joint International Service
The United Nations (UN) serves as a global forum where countries raise and discuss the most difficult issues, including problems of health, climate, education and peace. Since helping to charter the United Nations in 1945, Rotarians and the United Nations have worked together toward peace and addressing humanitarian issues worldwide.
In September 2020, the United Nations reaffirmed its commitment to leave no-one behind, protect our planet, promote peace, engage young people and be better prepared for future crises. These are opportunities for us to take action.
On 10 April 2021, join people of action from around the world for an online event “75 Years of Action,” celebrating Rotarians’ lasting support of the United Nations and the Sustainable Development Goals.
This event- a live premier of reflections and flash talks with first-hand experiences- will emphasize UN officials and Rotarians’ shared values and ongoing history of empowering and connecting people to opportunities through a series of flash talks and brief discussions.
We are excited to be your guides as we set out exploring new opportunities together. Our path will take us into a world of leadership, learning, fellowship and fun! All from the comfort of your own home!
This exciting adventure will also include the opportunity to join with fellow Rotarians safely in service throughout the three districts!
The sun is shining, the birds are singing, all that is left of the front-yard snowman is his magic hat, carrot and coal and The Rotary Club of Harrisburg ZOOMED today for our weekly meeting with lots of smiling faces knowing that Spring is visiting Harrisburg this week. Speaking of sunshine, President James shined his bright light opening our meeting by asking all present to sign into the Chat box as a neat way to say hi to everyone else.
This scribe is happy to offer today’s minutes especially since we had a moment of silence commemorating the passing of Past President, 1995-96, John Smither. We were blessed to have many fond experiences and memories with John at our Club.
President James did apply some sun screen before asking Steve “Dodger Stadium” Schwartz to offer the invocation, playing a brilliant version of Lift Every Voice and turning the ZOOM over to Lee Casher. Lee thanked our Club for the “lunch money” donation today and explained how her Save The Bananas effort was started simply as a banana rescue and now has grown as a food supplement program with wide and deep efforts throughout our community.
(Speaking of Food Efforts---make a note that March 22 we will support the Food Bank at either or both a 1 PM and a 5 PM Service on A Monday. Make a note and please sign up.)
A robin flew by my window and Ellen “Brilliant” Brown sprang to the ZOOM and introduced with her wit and style “the tall and best dressed man in Harrisburg,” Brandon Flood, Secretary of PA Board of Pardons.
Today’s program was warm and refreshing as our speaker highlighted how the Executive Clemency policies were an arcane process that he and his team had successfully improved. It certainly was heart-warming to hear Brandon’s story of how 9 years in jail and a fortuitous opportunity to introduce Senator Greenleaf to fellow inmates provided him with an AHA moment and gave him the political bug bite.
Our Club members learned about Clemency and the aspects of Pardon versus Commutation and details on the process and the improvements and yet still the stumbling blocks remaining to provide residents across our State relief from past transgressions.
Once again our program speaker exceed expectations---just like those perfect Spring days.
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