“Ole’ Man River” was just one piece in Norma’s varied repertoire today. Made me want to sip some sweet tea and float down the Swattie or Yellow Breeches on a raft…  And, hearing her playing when we walk in just seems to start each meeting the right way.  (Zoom meetings can’t compete with live music and real people…). 

What a day, or should I say, What a Year! And now we are at the end of Matt’s presidency so today was a review of that year presented by our members and incoming club president, Elizabeth Mihmet.   Beth called the meeting to order at 12:22 PM invocation was provided by Marion Alexander, and “America the Beautiful” was led by John Hickey. We also had several guests attending the meeting including Harrison Shipp, Connor Hall, and Outbound Youth Exchange Student Geoffrey Harper.

 

Announcements for the day were as follows: 1) there is a service project this evening at the Food Bank; 2) on July 27, there will be fellowship event- more details to come, on August 1, there will be a new member orientation at the Hilton; 3) if you are able, take an ad in the Rotary Membership Roster by emailing Addeline NOW; 4) there is NO MEETING next week, and our next meeting will be July 11.

 

Noting that it is “Matt’s year, and a great one to celebrate”, Beth referred us to the new Vision Statement which reflects changes in the world and our community.  A summary page on the website will include the long-range plan overview.  Beth then called upon this year’s committees for a summary of their activities.  We heard from committee chairs Ellen Brown on this year’s programming, which was more like a Who’s Who of Harrisburg; Steve Schwartz who shared about our club’s involvement in “Joy to the Burg,” which is a Christmas Music program that raises funds for Harrisburg’s residents with housing insecurity; Shaun Eng spoke about our club’s amazing technical advances, allowing current and future club members to “Zoom in” to meetings; Angela Tatum spoke about membership development, Toni Mark applauded our club for creating a welcoming environment for high school students to share deeply personal topics through the Four-Way Test Speech and Essay Contests; Michele Tantardini (reporting virtually) happily shared that our foundation awarded two $4,000 scholarships to seniors from Harrisburg and Steelton/Highspire School Districts; and Marion Alexander/K. Paris were thrilled to have adapted our annual Pancake Breakfast to a successful virtual pancake breakfast and raising nearly the same amount we did pre-pandemic!

 

Our Executive Director, Addeline gave a report, noting the four main areas of her role are club operations, developing club leadership, advocating for Rotary internally and externally, and administering YCDT. For successes in club operations, she reported that more club members are utilizing Clubrunner; our strategic plan had been implemented; our audit was completed successfully; contracts for our meeting venue and printing services were negotiated; and all of the club’s bills were paid for the year. For successes in developing club leadership, Addeline reported that she and President-Elect Beth attended Large Club Conference, which is hosted by the Association of Rotary Club Executive Directors and is helpful for PEs and EDs in planning the upcoming Rotary year. She also noted programs on the District level that are helpful for future club leaders. For successes in advocating for Rotary, Addeline noted a number of new community partners which increased visibility including Harrisburg Young Professionals, YPOC and the Period Project. The Rotary Club of Harrisburg was named ABC 27’s Hometown Hero for our work with the Period Project.

 

The Harrisburg Rotary Foundation had a good year.  Individuals donated almost $20,000 this past year and there is approximated $100,000 in the account, over half of which is designated to specific projects.  The Foundation’s Board was thanked for their leadership as well as the many Club members who made the Board’s role much more fulfilling through their personal generosity.  We were also thanked in advance for repeating that giving again next year.  Andy Hetrick received a special thank you for serving for FOUR years as the Club’s Treasurer.  Finally, a thank you to Chairs who are passing their chairperson roles and gavels on to others, Jack Detweiler, Richard Utley, Wil Everhart, Mike Jaeger and Andy Rebuck. 

 

Beth ended the meeting by presenting a toast (with a humorous story, of course) to Matt, noting that “Your actions left a Legacy” for Club #23 In All the World. (Again, no meeting next week as we will be celebrating the Fourth of July). 

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