While many people were perhaps flipping breakfast pancakes on their griddles, Andy Rebuck led a lively discussion around the best path forward to host an alternative to our annual, traditional pancake breakfast at Harrisburg High School!
“Sittin’ in the mornin’ sun, I’ll be sittin when the evenin’ comes watchin’ the ships roll in then I watch them roll away again…” What? What am I doing? Well, I was just enjoying a little Otis Redding cool, summer-day, fun music. “I am sittin’ on the dock of the bay….” What? Sure, I can write the minutes of the Rotary Club of Harrisburg Minutes July 27th but only if I can keep singing my song.
Like watchin, the tide roll away---or roll in, the Members of our Club Zoomed into our Monday meeting greeted by Harry Derrick and joined by friendly banter from various members. Doug “Pinch Prayer” Pieper offered today’s prayer followed by a World-Series, God Bless America rendition, the Pledge and the Four Way Test.
“I’m sittin’ on the dock of the bay, wastin’ time…” However, President James wasted no time in thanking Corporate Members, noting todays’ lunch money donated to Bethesda Mission, asking all to log into our website and update the profile hobbies and interests, a call for volunteers August 10th at Food Bank and challenge and encouragement to share, Tag and forward the Rotary stories as we look to spread the good news of Service Above Self and fellowship.
“I left my home in Georgia and headed for the Frisco Bay…” Oh, not Frisco Bay, but rather Mons Belgium and outbound exchange Student Abby Boland walked us through a wonderful photo slide show of her year abroad that featured lots of warm host families, travel to fun places like Paris, delicious Belgium chocolate and a collection of jacket pins to rival any exchange student ever.
“I’m just sitting on the dock of the bay….” This scribe is not sure Ski ever sits down but he did his usual brilliant introduction of today’s speaker, Jen Swails, Pa Secretary of Budget. Secretary Swails was definitely not sittin’ watchin’ the tide roll away, wastin’ time…. No, indeed, the Secretary noted she had a tough task making the budget work exciting meeting material and then hopped to a series of slides outlining the Office of the Budget and the budget cycle and the tall task her team is facing.
“Looks like nothin’s gonna change, everything seems to stay the same….” Ha Ha, the song lyrics do not match the Secretary’s sentiments at all. This was a fast-talking overview but our Club could not miss that big changes have happened because of the pandemic and shutdown. Facing the worst deficit ever, this is not a normal year. We enacted a 5/12 budget fully funding education and debt service and lots of unknowns with revenue and expenses.
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“I can’t do what other people tell me to do, so I guess I’ll just…” This was a great meeting today. In these uncertain times, it is reassuring that we have great, dedicated, talented folks like Secretary Swails fully engaged in managing expectations and providing leadership. She made it crystal clear that Federal Gov’t support is critical for Pennsylvania and really most states to avoid massive cuts.
During the Q & A she took some time to reflect on her career path that emanated from a local upbringing, with high-school at Susquenita , degrees at both HACC and PSU and 20 years now supporting efforts to make our State a better place. Here’s hoping she gets a little time this summer to sit on the dock of the bay and watch the tide roll away.
Meeting adjourned 12:48 and see you next week for sure.
Submitted by Andy Rebuck
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