The temperature was slowly climbing out of the unusually low levels we had experienced the last few days. I could actually sit outside for the meeting, missing the "boss." Sorry, this report won't have the flair that Patrice usually gives it as this one is prepared by her incompetent assistant. Before you get too concerned, she's home and mending well today, Next week's report will be back up to her standards.
Pres. Tom opened the meeting, as we stood to recite The Pledge. Jamie gave an Invocation, particularly reflecting on the grim reports of protests around the country in his inimitable way. He's a smooth talker!
Our guests were Hjanne, exchange student from Belgium, Kari Buch from United Way and Dan Spencer. The first introduction, however was made by Karen, who held up a new baby (not hers, of course). I counted 22 members in attendance.
Patrice, Warren and Jodi have Birthdays this month, with Frank and Larry celebrating anniversaries.
What’s Happening?
- Skip reported that invitations to the gavel dinner at Brew and Brats (June 29) have been emailed out. He added that checks ($36 per)should be mailed to 8679 State Rte 53, and be made out to Naples Rotary Club.
- A Chicken BBQ has been scheduled for July 11 at the Town Hall (Skip).
- Jamie will order the PHF awards the next day, which is today, so it would be too late to send in a vote when you read this.
- Sherry filled in for Jodi (not checked in yet), reporting about several planned events, mostly virtual, but I assume that the August 8 Chicken BBQ has to be in person, coinciding with the actual Walk of Life. A Pulled Pork feed on July 26 is probably also live (not the pig...), but I think the Dog Show on the same date is virtual. Another virtual event is July 15's Song Writer competition. Sherry wants to get a website going with the details. (Maybe we can use our club?) We'll know more on June 8 when Jodi has the program for the club. Please note that she switched days with Julie Sherwood, see side bar to the right.
Kari Buch, executive director of United Way of Ontario County, was today's speaker. Dan Spencer (workplace giving manager) was also in attendance. She started out by observing that the $24k limit of household income for State aid creates a big need for charitable contributions, especially when an unexpected unemployment event like COVID-19 comes up.
United Way supports local Non Profit organizations and services. Normally, they meet once every month or two, but currently they have weekly meetings with all Non Profits in the county. They have also set up an online Finger Lakes Resource Hub, where Non Profits can post resource they have or need in the rapidly changing current climate.
The increased importance of communications equipment, has led computer loan activities and Wifi Hotspots. The price of internet service may be prohibitive for some, and in rural areas there are still very under-served spots.
Kari mentioned the Community Crisis Fund, operated out of Rochester for a six county area. Ontario County has a Food Network, but only Geneva qualifies of the nine areas, making the Foodlink contribution very valuable.
Matt wondered which areas they had identified as most significant, and Kari referred to the 211 call service, which has seen a 300% increase, primarily in Food and Mental Health. Kari is expecting that rent issues will come up when the eviction bans will be lifted. Bruce Wayne's question about the internet, was answered with examples from the County Library System making wifi available, and they also work with Spectrum and other players in the arena.
To learn more about United Way of Ontario, press this link. You'll find ways of supporting United Way at this site too.
Matt thanked Kari for her excellent presentation.
Rather than listing who did what and was happy for something else, I will disclose that $105 in total was mentioned, but there were a couple of undisclosed amounts too. While in the confessional, Frank mentioned a couple of interesting items:
- He had attended a meeting arranged by Mike Joseph with the new owners of the Naples Hotel. To start, they will probably operate in an Air B&B mode since it takes quite a while for liquor licenses, etc to be processed. Frank was very impressed.
- The Camp Onseyawa will most likely be cancelled, but they are still waiting for an official email from the Scout Council. However, the Camp O Golf Tourney will still happen, tentatively on August 14.
Bruce Wayne had the Rotary Moment. It was flying a little too high over my head, or my hearing has reached new lows. I think he was talking about cyclists and intolerance, etc. Since I heard no protests from Marty, I assume I must have misheard. President Tom then closed out the Zoom meeting, and maybe I'll find out some other time about the cyclists (I got rid of my bike years ago, so it's not my fault.)
