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Tomorrow’s meeting:
Anke Wessels, director of the Center for Transformative Action, Cornell University, “CTA’s Mission, Its Role as a Fiscal Sponsor, and Current Projects”
Join the Zoom Meeting April 14, 2021
Newsletter Reporter: Kelly Buck & Joanne Lamoureux | Editor: Ted Schiele President Geoff Dunn opened last week’s meeting with his weekly almanac/ countdowns: 67 days to the start of summer, 77 days until the end of this Rotary year, 100 days to the start of the Tokyo Summer Olympics, and of course, one day closer to the end of the pandemic. In Rotary last week, the early bird(s) caught the … Four-Way Test! The Fab Four had been the first to login on the meeting. They were, Tom Hoebbel, Heidi Goldstein, Ron Provus, and June Losurdo. Kelly Buck’s Thought for the Day took a look back at previous April 14ths, noting that the more memorable happenings were somewhat dreary: President Lincoln was shot at Ford’s Theatre in 1865, and the Titanic hit an iceberg in 1912 (that was "A Night to Remember"). But Kelly quickly hit fast forward, all the way up to the weekend just before, when the first Japanese professional golfer won the Master. In a time of racial tensions and particularly violence against Asian-Americans, Kelly said it was heartening to see Hideki Matsuyama take the green jacket. Meeting guests included the gang from Hospicare, the day’s speakers, plus visiting Rotarian Kathryn Mapes from Lansing.
A note from Bob Gravani
Greetings Rotarians! Just a reminder that Ithaca Rotary Club Rt. 13 highway cleanup is this coming Saturday, April 24 from 9:00-11:00 am. As you know, this year, we are coordinating the cleanup with Earth Day and it will be in honor of longtime Rotarian and friend, Noel Desch, who conceived the highway project and was its chair for many years. We are hoping that you will consider assisting us in cleaning up the gateway to Ithaca (Rt. 13) and honor Noel, as well. Mary-Lynn Cummings, John Barradas and Bob Gravani will be reaching out to enlist another great team of volunteers for this important Rotary project. If you can volunteer, please contact Bob Gravani at rbg2@cornell.edu. We will meet at 9:00 am at the former Chamber of Commerce parking lot on Lake Shore Drive. Rain date will be Saturday, May 1st. We hope that you can join us! President Geoff announced that word had just come down that the 2021 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) conference, usually held in summer shortly after the school year ends, was cancelled. Our members Linda Brisson and Ron Provus are part of the team that is seeking a location for the 2022 gathering. Kelly Buck sent out a Save The Date for the 8th (!) annual Rotary Road Rally: Sunday, August 8, 2021. The event structure will be similar to last year’s COVID-adjusted format. More details will come in a month or two. If you think you might want to volunteer for the event, or be part of the organizing committee, contact Kelly. President Geoff also updated the group about the Fireworks Committee. They have been hard at work, even though it has already been decided there will be no fireworks display around the 4th of July. However, they are working with city and other officials on a possible date later in the summer. Mary Berens was pleased to announce that our fundraising efforts for this year’s Community Grants program has paid off: to date, $5,333 has been pledged by Rotarians. Amazing! Only 50% of those pledges have paid however, so she offered a kind reminder to please write your checks now, or go online and make it happen! Thanks to everyone! President Geoff jumped on that and reminded everyone that dues are now due as well. Angela Sullivan sent everyone into breakout rooms for 8 minutes before the program began. Once back, there was good feedback on this option and wide agreement to keep doing it. We’ve tried it at the beginning of a meeting, and now in the middle of a meeting. Geoff suggested trying it at the end of a meeting too, but feedback was that that folks were unlikely to stick around after a meeting. At the start or in the middle may be best. Bill Murphy said it was “energizing” and others agreed! The group consensus was also to have the breakout rooms randomly assigned, and not chosen by each individual. Mixes it up a bit. Like a box of chocolates, you never know what (who) you’ll get!
Kicking off last week’s program, Jack Roscoe introduced Sarah Brown, Palliative Care Director, for Hospicare/ Palliative Care. Palliative Care helps to improve the quality of life for individuals who are dying, and for their families. A large part of that is coordinating care by doctors, nurses, and other specialists, to bring relief from the symptoms and stress of illness, and improve quality of life. This care can be administered along with curative care, and is available to people of any age, and any stage of serious care. Palliative care can be administered for people with a broad range of illnesses, including cancer and degenerative illness like ALS. Their interdisciplinary team approach involves a medical director, primary physician, primary nurse, personal care, on call nurses, administrative staff, volunteer services, grief support, spiritual health, and social work. Sarah shared a story about helping a patient with COPD through symptom management and anxiety management. Even during COVID, support was offered in a direct personal way. Hospicare’s care coordination service boasts working relationships with Cayuga Health and The Cancer Resource Center, as well as other community organizations, added Joe Sammons, Executive Director. Currently there are 60 patients involved in the Palliative Care services, and Joe talked about hiring to meet an increasing need as it develops. The Hospicare website is www.hospicare.org. Questions from the room were engaged and personal.
Visiting Rotarians: Kathryn Mapes
Students: None
Workers:
• Thought for the Day, Kelly Buck
• Introductions, Rotary hosts introduced their guests
Zoom Manager: Angela Sullivan
Bulletin Reporter: Kelly Buck
Photographer: Mike Brown
Bulletin Editor: Ted Schiele
Club Service Facilitators, Beverly Baker & June Losurdo
Sunshine Chair, Kellyann O’Mara
April 21, 2021
Anke Wessels, director of the Center for Transformative Action, Cornell University, “CTA’s Mission, Its Role as a Fiscal Sponsor, and Current Projects”
Join the Zoom Meeting
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