Due to our weekly Thursday morning meeting catering deadlines, it is necessary to make a decision concerning any changes to either meet as usual (live/hybrid), or to switch to virtual only by 9:00 PM on Tuesday. These decisions will be done based on best available weather forecasts.
Please check your emails and the Morning Star Rotary website (morningstarrotary.org) on Wednesdays when inclement weather is forecast for Thursday mornings.
Thank you for understanding as we try to be fair to all concerned during bad weather.
Now is the perfect time to proudly showcase who we are and the good work we do—right here in our community and around the world. Our Rotarian at Work tee shirts, polo shirts, and caps are now available, each featuring the Bethlehem Morning Star Rotary logo. Wearing Rotary apparel at service projects, fundraisers, volunteer events, or even around town helps spark conversations, builds awareness, and highlights the real impact our club makes every day.
CLICK HERE for Ordering Information and to Download Forms
Please join Bethlehem Morning Star Rotary this Thursday, February 19, 2026 for our Live/Hybrid Meeting.Our meet & greet starts at 7:15am with the regular meeting starting at 7:30am.
This will be our Annual Club Meeting to hold Club elections and to vote on the updated MSR Constitution and By-Laws. President Rodney Conn will also provide an update of the status of Club goals. The following items are attached for your review:
2026-2027 Slate of Officers
Updated MSR Constitution
Updated MSR By-Laws
SEE STORY BELOW FOR
LINKS TO DOCUMENTS
Again, voting will take place on February 19, 2026. You will have the option of voting live at the meeting or via ZOOM.
As you know, Bethlehem Morning Star has sponsored the Celtic Classic 5k. Expanding on our connections with Bethlehem's Celtic Cultural Alliance (CCA), we have the opportunity to take part in the Parade of Shamrocks on March 14. There are two opportunities for you to help CCA and get BMSR a bit of publicity.
The first opportunity is as a banner bearer. There are five banners to delineate the groups marching in the parade each needing two people to walk ahead of the group in the parade. Local television will then acknowledge the club each time we appear. The parade route is shown below.
Additionally, several Rotarians have volunteered to put together a float and join in on the fun. Again, this is a great way to provide publicity for Rotary and BMSR.
If you are interested in a little bit of Fun-Raising, please let me know. The date is approaching fast, so please don't hesitate. The parade kicks off at 1:00 pm and more details on gathering before the parade will be provided.
We need 2 judges from each Rotary Club and at least 15 people in the audience to support and applaud the brave students.
The contest will be held on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 from 11:45 AM - 1:00 PM at BAVTS (Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School). The school needs a list of names for security reasons, so if you can do this wonderful and fun service, please contact Jenniferby 2/28/26.
Morning Star Rotary members are volunteering at the Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering on three evenings during the 2025-2026 winter months. Members are preparing and serving food, washing dishes, and monitoring the showers for the guests.
Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering is located at Christ Church UCC at 75 E Market Street, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18018.
Our Rotary members are passionate about providing sustainable solutions to poverty, which is why we support the Bethlehem Emergency Shelter both financially and as volunteers.
Morning Star Rotary welcomed Andy Hammer, Executive Director of SkillsUSA Council to our February 12, 2026 meeting. SkillsUSA is a nonprofit national association serving middle-school, high-school and college/postsecondary students and their teachers. Andy spoke about the organization's impact on career and technical education for high school students. He shared his personal story and emphasized the importance of making a positive impact. SkillsUSA, founded in 1965, has a local chapter in the Lehigh Valley that was established in 1985.
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The mission of the SkillsUSA Council is to create a world-class workforce by developing partnerships among the business community and our schools. Serving the greater Lehigh Valley, the SkillsUSA Council connects businesses with future employees, and trains our career and technical education students to become better employees and citizens.
The organization impacts many students annually through competitions, networking events, and professional development opportunities. SkillsUSA focuses on developing students' personal, workplace, and technical skills, with a particular emphasis on communication and attendance. Andy spoke to how SkillsUSA has evolved to meet the needs of Generation Z students, who seek stability, work-life balance, and flexibility in their careers. He gave examples of successful student outcomes and the organization's role in preparing students for various career paths, including traditional trades and technical fields.
At our February 12th meeting MSR Rotarian Mike Orbin presented President Rodney with a banner from the Rotary Club of Pursat in Cambodia. RC Pursat helped coordinate the recent Sustainable Cambodia trip taken by Mike and other District 7430 members.
On February 11, 2026 Youth Program Coordinator, Jennifer Cunningham, Rod Seifert, and PDG Diane Donaher attended the Freedom High School Open House to promote the various Youth Programs that are offered through our local Rotary clubs.
Morning Star Rotary is volunteering at the Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering on three evenings during the 2026 winter months. We are serving food, washing dishes, and monitoring the showers for the guests at the shelter. The Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering is located at Christ Church UCC at 75 E Market Street, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18018.
MSR at Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering
Food Preparation 2:00 - 5:30 PM
Serving Meals/Showers 5:30 - 9:00 PM
**If volunteers wish to stay longer, you are welcome to sign-up for both shifts.
HAVE YOU MADE YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE ROTARY FOUNDATION THIS
ROTARY YEAR?
Bethlehem Morning Star Rotary will match member contributions to Rotary Foundation with club points during the 2025-26 Rotary year. A minimum $100 contribution is required. For contributions of greater than $100, the club will match a maximum of 200 points. This will help newer members achieve their first Paul Harris Fellow quicker, and encourage other members to contribute at a higher level. Major donors not eligible for points. Points will be given for contributions retroactive to July 1, 2025 and continue through June 30, 2026.
See Foundation Chair, Tom Hartzell for information on making your contribution. You can send your contribution on-line or give your check (payable to Rotary Foundation) to Tom. You can also mail a check to Tom Hartzell, 1341 Biafore Avenue, Bethlehem, Pa 18017.
