At our meeting last Thursday we had the pleasure of hearing from Jayne Ann Recker, Executive Director – Celtic Cultural Alliance and Vice President – Association of Scottish Games & Festivals.
Jayne has been a CCA Celtic Classic volunteer since 1993. In 2009 she became Executive Director at a time when the organization was in a very questionable financial state. This primarily volunteer organization has more than righted the ship and now, through continued hard efforts and solid management, finds itself as the largest Celtic Games Festival in North America. Over 300,000 people came to the festival in 2014!
The athletes participate in highland games competitions throughout North America during the year. They accumulate points with the objective of going to the “super bowl” of Highland Games – the Celtic Classic in Bethlehem. This is an invitation only event featuring the top Highland Games athletes. The Festival has been the subject of programs and documentaries on the History and Discovery channels in recent years. More extensive plans have already been put in place for next year. CCA draws volunteers from local areas mostly within a 10 mile radius. Being so home focused, every effort is made to source all materials, supplies and support from the local communities and businesses.
CCA has successfully grown with a core of about 150 ‘all year’ volunteers and provides programs and activities during the year to educate and promote the Celtic Culture. There are various lectures, hands-on activities and programs to preserve and protect the Celtic heritage which is a significant part of our local lore and history. Current plans are designed to seek a permanent space in one of the downtown areas, hopefully a high visibility, street level store front location with room for a lecture/program room for about 40+ people. The store front space would allow display and sale of cultural items to help generate funding to continue growth. In order to increase the number of volunteers, CCA has developed Neighbors Helping Neighbors which seeks to provide visibility and an opportunity to raise donations for non-profit organizations providing volunteers to help during the Festival. This is also an excellent exposure opportunity for non-profits without expending precious funds.
We are very pleased to continue our partnership between Morning Star Rotary and the Celtic Classic. Working together we will be able to promote our upcoming 25th Morning Star Rotary 10K/5K Run the morning of day two of the Festival. Plans are underway to have Morning Star Rotarians “man a Ticket Booth” on September 26th from 11 – 3. We will have Banners and Posters and Information to spread the word on what Rotary does and what “Service Above Self” is all about. A great opportunity to celebrate Rotary.
Please join us this Thursday when we will have a club assembly and I will present the 2015-16 Plans and Budget for the coming Rotary year.
Also please plan to be at our meeting on July 30 when we will have our official visit from District Governor, Doug Cook.
Doug will talk to us on what is planned in the District this year. This would be a good meeting to invite a prospective member or for someone thinking about Rotary to come and learn more about our wonderful organization.
Please “Be a Gift to the World” - like Charity it begins at home,
President Ron
