June 22, 2022
Reporter: Kelly Buck
Wednesday’s meeting:
Geoff Dunn, leader
Club Service Meeting, including “Rotarian: What’s My Line?”
Meeting on Zoom only
President Catrina opened her last meeting as president with the Four-Way Test.
There were no guests or visiting Rotarians.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Our Pass the Gavel meeting will take place on July 6th in person at Coltivare. All are asked to RSVP to Jean McPheeters so we can have an accurate headcount.
Kelly Buck informed the group that she and co-chair Bob Gravani have put out the call for 2022 Community Grant proposals. The deadline is August 5th. Rotarians are asked to share this information with any non-profits that might have a need. The RFP is on the website: https://portal.clubrunner.ca/2079/- Kelly also reminded the club that the 9th annual Rotary Road Rally is planned for Sunday, July 24th. The starting line is the Varna Community Center from 1 to 2 PM. Online advance registration is open on the website now; walk-ins are welcome on the day of the event, too. She also requested 30 small giveaway items for the goody bags—and larger prizes if possible. Everyone is welcome. The entry fee of $25 per person benefits our Gibbs Scholarship Fund: https://portal.clubrunner.ca/2079/
- Mary Kane thanked several members for their help in finding a new spot for the club to meet in person at lunchtime. Beginning on Wednesday, July 20th, we will gather at St. Catherine’s of Sienna church, about a half mile east of Community Corners on Hanshaw Rd. Hope’s Way will be providing boxed lunches all ordered ahead of time. Details will be shared soon. So after Pass the Gavel in person at Coltivare, the July 13th meeting will be on Zoom only, followed by our first meeting at St. Catherine’s on July 20th (on-going to the end of 2022).
- Dale Flinn will make a Rotary Foundation presentation at year-end, stating our club has given $31,394 to date. He also honored six of our club members who have recently added a stone to their Paul Harris Fellow pins: Brian Wilbur + 5, Linda Pasto +2, Linda Brisson +4, Jeff True +5, Walt Cottrell +8, and JoEllen Hedlund +4. This is amazing philanthropy! Congratulations to all, and THANKS for your support and dedication to Service Above Self. Dale reported that we have 73 members in our club who are PHF, with 19 members making recurring monthly gifts. Others are urged to try it, too. As we approach the end of the Rotary year, all are encouraged to make a gift at Rotary.org. Set up your MyRotary account if you haven’t already; our club number is #4882.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Aly Evans delivered thoughts on generosity as follows:
Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.
– John Wesley
The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.
– Pablo Picasso
A generous heart, kind speech and compassion are the things which renew humanity.
– Buddha
LAST WEEK’S PRESENTATION
Brian Wilbur introduced Bob Riter, former executive director of the Cancer Resource Center.
Bob is a cancer survivor himself, and has gone on in semi-retirement to start the Cornell Community Cancer Partnership. The purpose of the partnership is to connect Ph.D. and Postdoc student-scientists with people who have cancer. It teaches them to speak in lay language about the science and research they are conducting to help people with cancer, sharing in a way everyone can understand. It exposes them to the human side of cancer: the impact on families, the costs, and the outcomes of treatment.
The partnership hosts “speed dating” sessions wherein students meet with cancer patients for five minutes; then the bell rings and they move on to the next patient, learning more about the patients’ experiences with cancer and seeing how their studies and work directly benefit others.
This also exposes the patients to the scientists and promotes better understanding. It’s not just lab work—it’s about people and personal connections. It motivates students looking to make lives better for cancer patients.
A question was asked about how to speak with friends or family members with cancer, as it can be awkward. Bob advised us to take the patient’s lead. He acknowledged that people feel unsure of what to say, so they stay away. The longer they stay away, the more awkward it becomes, so they stay away longer. Nothing is resolved. Admit to the person with cancer that it feels awkward and ask how to be helpful—what do they need? Be up front. Bob also said that, similar to a funeral, people don’t always remember what you say but they remember that you were there for them.
THANK YOU ROTARIANS
Newsletter Reporter: Kelly Buck
Photographer: Mike Brown
Newsletter Editor: Loralyn Light
Set-up Zoom: Brett Bossard
Recording Archive: Paul Martin; click
hereClub Service Facilitator: June Losurdo
