Jul 28 President's Message

President’s Message July 28

    Our July 24 meeting of Morning Star Rotary was an ode to Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) or as we call them in District 7430 “Camp Neidig”. RYLA District Committee Co-Chair Charlie Incalcaterra introduced the history of RYLA and how he got involved. (Someone extended a personal invitation to participate – hint, hint – invite your first prospective member of the year to our next meeting or to the “Libations at the Library” fellowship event on August 12.) Charlie also talked about the planning the District Committee does to hold a successful camp each year and encouraged all MSR members to learn more at www.campneidig.com.
    MSR Camp Neidig members Rick Morrissey and John St. Clair spoke about their involvement with the Committee and the increase in MSR support for RYLA by sending four – not the traditional three – rising seniors to Camp Neidig this year.
    Matthew Connor, one of our Camp Neidig participants, told us about his experiences at camp. Matt was accompanied to the meeting by his parents. (The other three participants were at other camps or on trips; we hope to hear from them sometime in the fall.)

Betty and McGehee Isaacs attended their last MSR meeting before the movers came to pack up and move them to Columbus, Ohio. We all wish them our best and they are welcome back anytime – as guests and as members if they ever move back to the Lehigh Valley.

The club is still in need of a host family for Annika, our Finnish exchange student. Annika will be arriving in NYC on August 4 with all the other Finnish exchange students. On August 7, a representative from MSR will bring her back to Bethlehem. Please contact your friends with high school students at Liberty about this great opportunity to share your home and life with an exchange student. Also, we need a volunteer to pick up Annika. Please call Janet Kolepp or me with hosting leads or to volunteer to pick up Annika.
    Don’t hesitate to contact Tom Bailey or Tom Mohr to sign up for “Libations at the Library” on August 12. It’s only $5 per Rotarian and prospective members are free.
    By the time our next meeting rolls around, it’s less than two months to both the MOM-n-PA Dental Clinic on September 12-13 and the MSR Celtic Classic 5K / 10K Run on September 27. These are “all hands on deck” events – please mark your calendars and identify friends and prospective members as volunteers for these worthwhile events.
    If anyone has questions about Rotary International or our Bethlehem Morning Star Rotary Club, please contact me at tkolepp@gmail.com or at 484-241-1251.
    Have a great week as you “Light Up Rotary”. TK