May 21, 2025
Reporter: Tiffany Bloss
Wednesday, June 4th meeting:RYLA Update
Presentations by Inbound Exchange Students
MOAKLEY HOUSE and on Zoom
WELCOME & TRADITIONS
NOTE: you can watch previous meetings by going to our YouTube channel!
From your editor: please note that no one took photos at this meeting, so the result is a rather plain newsletter.
President Angela Sullivan called the meeting to order at 12:20 PM, followed by the recitation of our Four-Way Test with Angela’s signature fifth element, “Will it be fun?” She then introduced our guests from the podium:
- Will Maynard, guest of Millie Clarke-Maynard
- Andrew Scheldorf, Ithaca Pride Alliance
- Crissi Dalfonzo, Ithaca Pride Alliance
- Jay Williamson, guest of Casey Williamson
- Larry Hochberger
- Kayden Cardona, guest of Tiffany Bloss
- Joey Steinhagen, Running to Places
Our visiting Rotarians included Roy Allen from the Pittsford Rotary Club, Ed Pasto from the Sunrise Rotary Club, and Mateus Graciano from Brazil who visited our club last November. Mateus was happy to be here to support new member Casey Williamson who was his host brother when Mateus was an exchange student.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Jean McPheeters announced that the Soap for Hope/Rotary Linen Closet tubs have been delivered, with thanks to Jeremiah Craig. Soap for Hope is in need of all kinds of toiletries (bar soap, deodorant, toothbrushes/toothpaste, toilet paper, facial tissue, shampoo, lotion, razors, etc.) while the Rotary Linen Closet could use new or gently used sheets of all sizes, bed pillows (new or freshly washed), towels for bath and kitchen, washcloths, etc., and light blankets would be useful this time of year. The items collected at this meeting and the first three meetings in June are delivered to Catholic Charities to get to those who need them.
- Sherrie Negrea reminded all to join the Ithaca Rotary Club’s participation in the Ithaca Festival Parade (May 29th at 5 PM). Meet at the intersection of Cayuga and W. Jay Streets. Look for food and fellowship after the parade at The Strand Cafe (324 E. State St.). Please sign up to attend.
NEW MEMBER INTRODUCTION
All Vazquez introduced his new friend and Rotary colleague, Casey Williamson.
Honored to be a part of Rotary, Casey Williamson attended Ithaca High School, graduating in 2010, and went on to earn a BS in Athletic Training from Ithaca College in 2015 followed by a master’s degree in Sports Psychology in 2019. Casey has joined the family business, Williamson Financial Services, as a Financial Advisor.
Casey enjoys soccer, hockey, and volleyball and has been a part of the Big Brother/Big Sister program and volunteers at Loaves & Fishes. At 5 years old, Casey played soccer for Rotary through the Ithaca Youth Bureau. In 8th grade, Casey was able to have a Big Brother experience with Mateus Graciano! Casey worked for a time in Charlotte, NC and joined Rotary there. Grateful to be back in Ithaca, Casey finds the community collaborative and sees Rotary as a pinnacle of the community.
PAUL HARRIS FELLOW
Dale Flinn introduced our newest Paul Harris Fellow, Millie Clarke-Maynard. For those who don’t know, the Rotary Foundation was created in 1917 by Rotary International’s sixth president, Arch Klumph. It was established as an endowment fund to provide an ongoing and sustainable income for Rotary to allow it to “do good in the world.” They set up a recognition program to recognize donors—including hardware, and Dale presented Millie with her PHF+2 pin (the pin embedded with two sapphires).
Millie is truly grateful to have the opportunity to do what she does and to give to her community—supporting not just local, but global efforts. Her Rotary journey began in 1990 when Millie became a member. She is grateful, thankful, and supported by the best possible person—her husband. Millie believes that Rotary needs a younger generation to get involved in Rotary to continue its mission.
COMMUNITY GRANT REPORT
Millie Clarke-Maynard then introduced Joey Steinhagen, founder and Artistic Director of Running to Places, which received a Community Grant from our club in 2024.
Running to Places (R2P) is a youth development organization that seeks to foster a safe and supportive community where any interested youth has the opportunity to learn important life skills through theater. R2P brings middle and high school students together from across Tompkins County and beyond to make friends and develop skills. Since 2007, Joey and crew have seen hundreds of young people from across the region forge deep, life-long friendships with people they might not otherwise have ever met—friendships that transcend the barriers that so often divide them. Participation for students and attendance at shows for audiences are 100% FREE!
This past season, R2P engaged with 250 students—everyone who auditioned had a role. The organization is dependent on the generosity of the community. In closing, Joey shared a rehearsal clip from its production of Big Fish.
LAST WEEK’S PRESENTATION
Dr. Andrew Scheldorf and Crissi Dalfonzo from the Ithaca Pride Alliance were introduced by Paul Martin.
For decades, Ithaca has been a safe haven for queer people and their families, from “Ithaca is Queer” stickers to the Famous 25 who lobbied for same-sex marriage protection long before it became legal in the US. More recently, queer community organizers have made many attempts to establish a permanent resource group for the local community. This need was sparked by the lack of one central place to learn about queer events, resources, and community education. While the local colleges each have LGBTQ resource centers and local businesses have events throughout the year, there was a deficit in variety and community-focused events. The colleges were isolated from the community, and most events were focused on nightlife, which is not for everyone, nor does it permit everyone and serve other needs.
In response to this history and lack of community organizing, the Ithaca Pride Alliance was formed after years of efforts that never fully took hold. IPA exists as a project of the Tompkins Chamber Foundation, a 501(c)3 non profit administered by the Tompkins Chamber, which supports the centralized and educational focus of IPA. The organization’s founding board consists of community builders from a variety of backgrounds and identities. IPA seeks to grow its reach and volunteer base through community connections, support, and programming.
Ithaca Pride Alliance hosts three signature events:
- All Y’All Clothing Swap: the largest clothing swap in the community held in the early spring. There will be three additional clothing swaps held in June.
- Ithaca PRIDE is June 14–15 this year. Opening ceremonies are Saturday, June 14th from 4 to 7 PM on the Ithaca Commons with music, speakers and a dance party. On Sunday, June 15th, Pride in the Park is at Dewitt Park from noon to 6 PM; it is focused on family friendly events and accessibility.
- Trans Day of Remembrance Vigil: an annual event held for decades in which IPA is now taking a much larger role. The colleges co-sponsor, which makes it easier for the volunteer team to engage in the mission.
Support IPA by volunteering, attending, or sharing about events; follow them on social media and donate if you are moved to do so.
Q: Corning and Binghamton both have large area Prides. Is there collaboration with other communities happening?
Corning PRIDE is on June 14th, providing part of the reason that Ithaca PRIDE opening ceremonies are that evening; people like to attend several events. Corning has been great collaborating on scheduling and acting as a mentor for IPA.
Q: What is the vision for growth?
Education in the community. IPA needs more volunteer power. They would like to establish funding to support these needs.
Q: How accessible to the community are the resources on school campuses?
Campus resources are funded by the schools so there is some wiggle room, but the services are focused on students and faculty. No one will be turned away. There is work being done with the community on more resources and bridging the gap.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Stacy Hall delivered the Thought for the Day, saying that service to others is a way of life. Consider small acts of kindness, acts of integrity, and acts of compassion—anything to lift others up. Stacy proposed this challenge to all: remember that the world does not change in a day, but you can change somebody’s day, every day.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
05/28 No formal meeting
06/04 RYLA Update, Presentations by Inbound Exchange Students
06/10 [TUESDAY] Xavier Raick , Rotary Fellow
06/17 [TUESDAY] Paul Debbie, Director of Research, Boyce Thompson Institute
06/25 Pass the Gavel
THANK YOU ROTARIANS
Newsletter Reporter: Tiffany Bloss
Program Chairs: Paul Martin (May)
Photographer: N/A
Greeter: Richard Kops
Newsletter Editor: Loralyn Light
Setup/Teardown: Richard Kops, Chris Roscoe
Cashier/Kettle Watcher: Kati Flynn
Audio/Visual Setup: Bez Thomas
Recording Archive: Paul Martin; click
hereClub Service Facilitator: June Losurdo
