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APR 29, 2021 AL ENGEL STEM-YEA
STEM-Youth Explorer Academy   STEM-YEA   Science Technology Engineering Mathematics Youth Explorer Academy
 
The importance of early exposure to STEM education for our youth is recognized profoundly by Rotary Clubs in District 7430. In partnership, they have embarked on building a program that will provide a unique opportunity to underserved students influencing the future journey of their academic careers. This journey, acting as a catalyst and supportive environment, will introduce them to the awes and wonders of science, engineering, technology and math.  It is our aspiration that the experience will ignite their enthusiasm and confidence in the subject matter, enabling them to take control of their destinies in pursuit of further education in these crucial areas of study that support key Rotary Areas of Focus which benefit all humanity.  
 
Al Engel, a member of the District 7430 STEM-Youth Explorer Academy committee, will tell us more about this important initiative.
Engel has been a member of the Souderton-Telford Rotary Club since 2008 and served as president in 2015-16. He's deeply committed to providing youth opportunities for personal development and recognition of achievement. He currently serves as District Chair of the Four Way Test Speech Contest. He's a Boyertown Area High School graduate and in his junior year, was nominated to attend Rotary Camp Neidig previously held at Camp Conrad Weiser. Engel continued his education at Penn State to study engineering, graduating with a BS in Electrical Engineering. His work experience includes technical and senior managerial responsibilities in rail and urban transit at GE - Erie, several large engineering companies, and most recently as VP-High Speed Rail at Amtrak.
 
Please join us Thursday for a most interesting and informative look at one more path followed by Rotarians in helping our communities. 
 
Topic: AL ENGEL STEM-Youth Explorer Academy
Time: Apr 29, 2021 07:15 AM EDT 
 
Zoom starts at 7:15 am for Social time (meet & greet), with the regular meeting starting at 7:30 am.
 
Click to join Zoom Meeting (password is embedded)
 
Meeting ID: 837 8623 1515
Passcode: Cement2020
 
7430 DISTRICT CONFERENCE
 
Don't miss out on this opportunity to join with over 350 Rotarians at the 2021 Tri-District Conference!! 
 
An exciting event is planned for you to explore new Rotary opportunities at the 2021 Tri-District Conference on April 30, May 1 & 2, 2021. Our path will take us into a world of leadership, learning, fellowship and fun! All from the comfort of your own home! 
The schedule is FULL of incredible presentations from local and internationally known speakers on a wide variety of topics.  This exciting adventure will also include the opportunity to safely join with fellow Rotarians in service to our communities! Join us in our exploration. 
 
Visit  www.DisCon2021.com to see the full schedule of speakers and events, to learn more and register today! 
 
Once on the website, click the REGISTRATION tab.  D7430 Rotarians will use the GUEST REGISTRATION.
 
Note: MSR members will be reimbursed for the Conference Registration fee.
 
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me via phone, text or email.
Regards,
Janet Kolepp
District 7430 Governor 2020-2021
Rotary Club of Bethlehem Morning Star
484-241-1252 (cell)
 
 
 
 
MAY 1, 2021 CONFERENCE SERVICE PROJECT
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED D&L TRAIL 
 
 
DELAWARE & LEHIGH TRAIL CLEAN UP
SATURDAY, MAY 1
1:30 TO 5:00 PM
 
ADDRESS:
Sand Island Parking Lot
56 River Street
Bethlehem, PA 18018

We are excited to finally get outside and get to work! Invite your family, friends and community to join this service project - the more, the merrier! There is no limit to the number of volunteers for this day. Take the opportunity to meet our Camp Neidig students, who will also be helping out. 

Meet at the Sand Island parking lot past the basketball courts. We will move east and west on the trailhead.

Please bring your own face masks, work gloves and hand sanitizer. Long pants are suggested. Some tools and supplies will be provided. If you have any further tools that could be useful, please bring along. Electric and gas-powered tools are not allowed (no weed wackers or power mowers). 

Project volunteers will be needed for the following jobs:

  • Pickup litter along the towpath - trash bags and 5 trash grabbers will be provided
  • Water cleanup (bring your own kayak/canoe/paddles/life vest) - trash bags and 3 nets for removing litter from the water will be provided
  • Wash/polish signs along the trail - bring your own buckets and rags

Project jobs that still need approval from the City of Bethlehem:

  • Clear brush along the trail - 6 loppers will be provided
  • Painting ground rocks to prevent cyclist accidents (supplies TBA)
  • Clean up picnic area on Sand Island (looking out onto the Steel Stacks) / sanding and staining/painting picnic table (supplies TBA)
REQUESTING YOUR SUPPORT
A year of life has been turned inside out and upside down, and we all look forward to once again sharing time with family and friends.
 
Our Morning Star Rotary club and its board have been zooming regularly, and together we have helped the community and beyond with $11,000+ in grants and hands-on assistance:
  • TJ Elementary with $1,500 in grocery gift cards.
  • Holiday Hope Chest – members donated wrapped shoeboxes filled with gifts for underprivileged children.
  • Our Hartmann-Hansen Grant of $4,000 went to Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers for a playground.
  • Audrey Rafferty Education Fund grants of $1,500.
  • $1,578 for at least 5 Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering dinners/breakfasts and lunches (includes a donation to help with their extra costs for deal with COVID-19).
  • Rotary International’s PolioPlus $1,500.
  • ShelterBox $1,500 to help those affected by natural disasters and manmade conflict.
 
However, we were unable to hold any of our 3 annual fundraisers – the Celtic Classic 5K, the Salute the Troops Concert, and the Spaghetti Dinner. Over many months the Board brainstormed concert options , from a virtual performance to an outdoor venue with distanced seating, to moving the date from November to May. Alternate spaghetti dinner locations were investigated. Other online fundraising options were explored. Unfortunately, none of these worked out.
 
Many thanks to members who have donated!!! So far this Rotary year-to-date the total is just over $4,000.
 
However, the shortfall in fundraising has caused our Charitable Account bank balance to decline significantly, and no donation has been given to Victory House yet this year.
 
We ask your support to allow us to help more.
Family comes first, of course – if money is tight, please take care of them.
If finances allow, please think about what would have been spent on Rotary (weekly meetings, concert tickets, spaghetti dinner tickets, etc.) and donate as you are able.
 
In addition, if you know others who would have participated in any of our events (tickets, ads, Patron/In Honor Of listings, race runners), please consider asking them to help.
 
Two ways to donate
If desired, you can specify which project or event you are supporting.
BY CHECK payable to “Bethlehem Morning Star Rotary Charitable Org.” - tax deductible since it’s a 501(c)3.
Mail check to Attn Jean Searfoss, 1409 Bogie Ave, Allentown, PA 18106
ONLINE – click the “Donate” button at www.morningstarrotary.org
 
For your donation to count in the 2020-21 Rotary year, please submit by May 31
 
Please contact Jean Searfoss (Treasurer) with any questions jsearfoss@cementemployers.com .
 
Thank you in advance for your consideration and help.
Morning Star Rotary Board of Directors
 
APR 22, 2021 ANGELA ZANELLI LV READS
 
Building Home Libraries of Diverse Books
 
Households with home libraries help children expand their vocabulary and allow for better reading comprehension. Studies have shown that being read to as a child and having books in the home are the two most important indicators of future academic success. Lehigh Valley Reads is creating a movement to build home libraries and supply diverse books to celebrate stories that represent the people in our communities and the families who read them.
Lehigh Valley Reads Campaign Director Angela Zanelli gave an excellent presentation on the program and explaining why the focus on the need for children to be on reading level by he end of Third Grade.  Research has shown conclusively the ability to read on grade at the Third Grade level is a most important life success indicator. 
 
Lehigh Valley Reads focuses on getting "home libraries" in place throughout the Lehigh Valley. "Home Libraries" are the placement of 10 age appropriate books reflecting the needs of our diverse community families. Their strategy follows very closely with the Rotary initiative for Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness. 
 
A comment often heard, "do prison builders really use third grade reading scores to predict the number of prison beds they’ll need?"  Various studies and work by reporters and fact checkers have concluded this not to be the case. Well, technically untrue at least. There is an undeniable connection between literacy skills and incarceration rates.
You see, a student not reading at his or her grade level by the end of the third grade is four times less likely to graduate high school on time–six times less likely for students from low-income families. Take that and add to it a 2009 study by researchers at Northeastern University that found that high school dropouts were 63 times (!) more likely to be incarcerated than college grads and you can start to see how many arrive at this conclusion.
But once incarcerated, not all hope is lost. In fact, literacy instruction can help on both ends of the correctional system; studies have shown that inmates enrolled in literacy and other education programs can substantially reduce recidivism rates. One study of 3,000 inmates in Virginia found that 20% of those receiving support in an education program were reincarcerated, while 49% not receiving additional support returned to prison after being released. 
So, while prison planners do not use third grade reading scores to determine the number of prison beds they’ll need in the decade to come, there is a connection between literacy rates, high school dropout rates, and crime. While we should file this claim as an urban legend, let’s recognize why it resonates with us: it speaks to the important ways that poor reading skills are connected with unfavorable life outcomes. Reading Partners 2013 Study
 
Teaching children to read is an incredible gift lasting a lifetime. 
 
For more information please visit the following links:  www.lehighvalleyreads.org   LV READS PROMO VIDEO   Why We Need Diverse Books from Lehigh Valley Reads     www.waterford.org
  
JUN 7, 2021 VICTORY HOUSE GOLF CLASSIC
 
 
Although we could not hold our annual Salute the Troops Concert this year, please consider participating and supporting Victory House with their 15th Annual Golf Charity Classic on Monday, June 7, 2021 at Green Pond Country Club.  If you are a golfer, it is a great time to play a round in support of a wonderful organization dedicated to providing local homeless veterans and others with emergency shelter, transitional housing and supportive services. You can go to www.victoryhouselv.org for more details including the golf outing, sponsorship opportunities and registration.
 
 
 
 
 
ROTARY REBOUND
 
Hello Rotarians,
 
This is a recap letter of the Rotary Rebound: S.T.A.R.T. Now! campaign. Hopefully, you have tried some of the ideas in my previous 5 letters.  If you did, Rotary thanks you.  If you didn’t, then please read the highlights below and give one or more of them a try.  Your help would be greatly appreciated.
  • Talk about the good Rotarians do.  Rotary clubs here and around the world have done amazing things to help people in need.
  • Ask just one person to attend your next club meeting.  Your friend or neighbor may be looking for a way to contribute to the community and Rotary may be the answer—just ask!
  • Have two members approach a candidate together. He/she will feel special knowing they would be an excellent fit for membership in your club.
  • Talk about membership at all of your club meetings.   Talk frequently about membership and you will be more likely to bring it up to others outside of your club. 
  • Every person you talk to is a potential member.  Ask family members, work associates, past members or previous club visitors, church friends and networking groups.  They are everywhere!
HURRY!  TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR DISTRICT 7430’S NEW MEMBER INCENTIVE       
FOR EACH NEW MEMBER ADDED BEFORE APRIL 30TH YOUR CLUB WILL RECEIVE $100.00. 
 
The most important practice I can leave you with is this: 
S.T.A.R.T. 
Simply Talk About Rotary Today
 
Have a great spring!
 
Gary Volpe
Harleysville Rotary Club
Past President 2019-2020
District 7430 Membership Chair 2020-2021
 
Upcoming Events
7430 DISTRICT CONFERENCE APR 30 - MAY 2, 2021
Apr 30, 2021 – May 02, 2021
 
Delaware & Lehigh Trail Cleanup - Service Project
Sand Island Parking Lot
May 01, 2021
1:30 PM – 5:00 PM
 
MSR BOARD MEETING
May 12, 2021 6:00 PM
 
MSR BOARD MEETING
Jun 09, 2021 6:00 PM
 
View entire list
Speakers
Apr 29, 2021 7:30 AM
Al Engel
STEM-Youth Explorer Academy
May 06, 2021 5:30 PM
First Thursday
Happy Hour Networking
May 13, 2021 7:30 AM
Erika Riddle Petrozelli, CEO
Lehigh Valley Community Foundation
May 20, 2021 7:30 AM
Hareem Khattak, Fulbright Scholar
Pakistan From a Local's Lens
Jun 03, 2021 5:30 PM
First Thursday
Happy Hour Networking
View entire list
Links
Rotary Links
Rotary District 7430
Rotary International
Russell Hampton
ClubRunner
ClubRunner Mobile