Karen Daly, Vice President – Programs for the Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley (VCLV), visited Morning Star as the speaker last Thursday, June 4.
What she presented about the Volunteer Center clearly indicated it, much like Rotary, is a well-kept secret. Basically VCLV connects people who want to volunteer. They (all 2.5 people) accomplish this through three principles:
- Motivate – recognize and encourage the ethic of volunteerism;
- Coordinate – match volunteer resources with needs in our community; and
- Educate – train volunteers to be leaders.
The key is for people to “take the first step” to become volunteers.
The Volunteer Center, a 501(c)3 organization, maintains a Volunteer Opportunities Database where it provides up-to-date searchable volunteer opportunities through its website. This involves tracking about 400 Non-Profits in the Lehigh Valley to identify and support volunteer needs. (The number of Non-Profits in the Lehigh Valley is a moving target but knowledgeable estimates place it in the area of 1400.) VCLV has been connecting volunteers with community needs for over 25 years. It has its roots in the United Way and though an independent organization, maintains a close affiliation.
The Mission of the Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley is "To engage the community to care for one another through volunteerism in the Greater Lehigh Valley." Their Vision is "To be the premier resource on volunteerism for the benefit of the community and organizations we serve." Visit their website volunteerlv.org for more information.
Barry Gates was a guest of Steve Bajan for the second time…
REMINDERS:
Please turn in any remaining Spaghetti Dinner ticket sales money to Val Walk or Sue Reeps immediately so that we can close out the event reconciliation by June 30. If you have not done that yet, please remember ‘Is it Fair to all concerned?’
We have almost qualified Morning Star as a Rotary Foundation “Every Rotarian Every Year” Club!
All the members with whom Tom H or Tom K talked have pledged or donated. As of last Thursday, there was ONLY ONE member who we have not been able to contact – and we’ll keep trying. To fulfill your pledge, write your check to “The Rotary Foundation” and give it to Tom Hartzell or the “$2 a Week” Table (which can also accept one-time cash donations for Rotary Foundation). We are trying to finish this up now so that Tom H can assure proper credit to both you and the club for our EREY achievement.
We ask for two or more volunteers for June’s “Prospective Member Challenge” to make the commitment to introduce one or two acquaintances to Rotary and share our “Service Above Self” ideals. Guests are always welcome.
This week’s program on June 11 will feature our own Lynn Milet, who will share her Classification Talk with us. Please come and learn more about Lynn.
NEW GOLF DATE: Due to the inclement weather on June 1, our Joint Golf Tournament to benefit the Bridges Foundation will be conducted on June 22. Please see story below.
SEE RESPONSIBILITIES, SPEAKERS & EVENTS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BULLETIN!
The current week’s meeting duties (or “Responsibilities”) have a section of their own in the weekly bulletin now. Along with Speakers and Events, they are shown in a column along the side of the page. These items are also shown in side columns at
www.morningstarrotary.org. In addition, future duties sign-ups are available in the Downloads section of the website. If you are signed up for this week, there is also a note at the end of your bulletin.
If you are visiting Bethlehem or our website or you want to learn more about Bethlehem Morning Star or Rotary International, please contact Ron Searfoss via email at rsearfos@ptd.net or via mobile phone at 610-504-1460.
Let’s continue to “Light Up Rotary.”
President Elect Ron
