January 15, 2025
Reporter: Katie Marks
Wednesday, January 22nd meeting:Michael I. Kotlikoff, Interim President, Cornell University
“Cornell Community Update”
COLTIVARE and on Zoom
WELCOME & TRADITIONS
NOTE: you can watch previous meetings by going to our YouTube channel!
President Angela began by expressing her gratitude to those who help keep the club running, beginning with newsletter editor Loralyn Light and her team of reporters (Tiffany Bloss, Gail Lyman, Katie Marks, John Vineyard, and Paul Martin). She then thanked the setup/takedown crew, coordinated through Richard Kops, which includes Susan Salton, Al Vazquez, Todd Nau, Sarah Segal, Katie Marks, Nathan Lyman, and Greg Kops. She also acknowledged June Losurdo who coordinates the greeters and Thought for the Day speakers.
Angela led us in the Four-Way Test including her signature fifth element, “Will it be fun,” and greeted the members who joined on Zoom. Our guests included:
- Delmer Padgett, TST-BOCES, guest of Frank Towner
- Matt Hartz, TST-BOCES, guest of Linda Pasto
- Christine Alexander, TST-BOCES
- Katie Church, New Roots School, guest of Tina Nilsen-Hodges
- Gina Hall, TC3
Welcoming the club on behalf of TC3, Gina Hall thanked us for our patience and adaptability for today’s dining experience, which was catered by Serendipity and arranged by TC3. Because of some unforeseen operational impacts to the dining services at Coltivare, the restaurant will be temporarily on pause; however, TC3 is committed to the partnership with Rotary and is working on creating a seamless transition into what’s next for our meetings, urging us not to worry. President Angela thanked Gina for her positivity and encouragement during this transitional time.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Representing Rotary Youth Exchange, Paul Martin sent around three thank-you cards to sign for the families who have hosted our exchange students—including club members Mike Katz and Linda Pasto. He apologized that it wasn’t a surprise for Mike and Linda, who were both in attendance, and chuckled that they didn’t have to sign their own cards! Speaking of surprise, guest Katie Church, who hosted Henni (last year’s RYE student from Germany), reported to Paul that Henni would be returning to Ithaca this summer for a visit!
PAUL HARRIS FELLOW
Rotary Foundation chair Dale Flinn shared a brief history of the Paul Harris Fellow award, which is always a great reminder to our members to not only give, but also to acknowledge the impact that the Rotary Foundation has on our community and the world. Dale was happy to present Siu-ling Chaloemtiarana with her first Paul Harris Fellow pin, which she accepted with grace.
Changing hats, Dale, who is also the chair of the Nominating Committee for next year’s officers, spoke on the search for a new President to take office on July 1, 2027. The committee has decided to implement a new application process to discover if any of our members is interested in taking on the role. The application, including a detailed list of presidential duties, will be shared once it’s completed. Recognizing all past presidents in the room by asking them to raise their hands, Dale urged anyone who has questions about being President to reach out to former presidents or any member of the Nominating Committee (Dale Flinn, Frank Towner, June Losurdo, Jeremiah Craig, Al Vazquez).
NEW MEMBER INTRODUCTIONS
Aly Evans welcomed new member Paula Arzac Guabeca as “creative, positive, super fun, always with a smile on.” Paula is the Communications and Development Coordinator at the Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI). Committed to science education, Paula enjoys working on projects that bring research closer to the community. She is excited to join Rotary and is looking forward to "finding ways to engage with the community." Aly reminded us that BTI was the very first Corporate Affiliate member to join the Ithaca Rotary Club.
President Angela introduced new member Megan Omohundro
, describing her as “awesome, enthusiastic, someone who jams on collaboration and community partnerships, has elaborate non-profit experience, and is passionate about arts education.” Megan is the Executive Director of Ithaca’s Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA). She joined Rotary because of deep respect for several of our members and is looking forward to getting to know everyone. Megan is excited to see herself as a community member who can support Rotary and is looking forward to how CSMA can support the initiatives of Rotary.
ROTARIAN IN THE WILD
President Angela reminded us of her initiative to increase understanding and awareness of Rotarians in the community by challenging members to wear Rotary “swag” whenever they are out and about, sparking conversation about what Rotary is and does. If a fellow Rotarian sees another “Rotarian in the Wild” sporting swag, snap a pic and send it to
Angela to win prizes!
This month’s Rotarian in the Wild winners are Mike Katz and Gilbert Hammer, and the winning spotters are Linda Brisson and Juliet Gibbs.
LAST WEEK’S PRESENTATION
“Building Futures Together: Advancing CTE & P-TECH through Work-Based Learning”
Club member Linda Pasto, who serves on the TST BOCES School Board representing Lansing, was honored to introduce thee incredible people:
- Delmer Padgett, Director of Career and Technical Education
- Christine Alexander, Principal of P-TECH Academy
- Matt Hartz, Work-Based Learning Coordinator, CTE & P-TECH
Delmer began by sharing the BOCES mission of “Connecting Minds, Inspiring Growth” and said that while BOCES encompasses a wide array of programs and opportunities throughout its campus and outreach, the focus of today’s presentation is on two components: CTE (Career and Technical Education) and P-TECH (Pathways in Technology), and how BOCES is advancing both through work-based learning.
CTE programs are designed to prepare students for a specific career or trade. The programs offer students the chance to learn the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in various highly demanded career clusters. There are currently 13 CTE programs that are state approved. Their employability profiles focus on two things: technical skills (culinary, auto tech, animal science) and professional skills (creativity and problem solving, attendance and dependability, self direction and organization). Delmer said, “We view equity through the lens of work-based learning. Why? Because every student has access to this opportunity, depending on their need.”
At BOCES, the Work-Based Learning Equitable Practices are focused on four pillars:
- Career planning
- Success skills and curriculum: interviews, resumes, financial literacy course
- Industry partners: collaboration, consultant committees, externships, industry immersions, hiring days
- Work-based learning: with about 250 students in the program and a strong focus on collaborative efforts between student, teacher, and community partners, and individualized experiences such as internships, school-based enterprises, volunteering, job shadows
Christine Alexander, the new Principal at P-TECH, shared a general overview of what P-TECH is: a six-year program offered by TST BOCES centered on science, technology, engineering, arts, math (STEAM), and social justice education that prepares students for careers in seven approved pathways. Christine believes that the students at P-TECH are “the bravest kids we have.” These kids take a chance by following their passion, leaving the comfort of a traditional school to follow a curriculum that is focused around Project Based Learning, enrolling in college coursework at TC3 as early as 9th grade along their chosen pathway. The students get individualized training and, at no cost to the students’ families, they are enrolled at TC3 to pursue an associate degree in their chosen pathway.
Matt Hartz supports students as they make their way throughout the process of the work-based learning model, which starts with career awareness, exploration and, finally, development. Matt finds internships for the kids at the end of their programs, and is always in collaboration and connections with local businesses who can provide collaboration needs, such as industry immersions, staff externships, presenters, mentors, and service learning, to just name a few. They are constantly in search of new businesses and opportunities to connect with that may resonate with the students’ needs and are focused on helping kids bridge the gap between high school and their next steps. Matt concluded by sharing great photos of kids in action throughout various programs.
Delmer, Christine, and Matt answered a few questions, including one from Mary Berens who inquired about more skilled trade offerings. Delmer replied that they just brought back their Construction Trades program and hoped they would slowly add to electronics and plumbing, noting that one challenge they are experiencing is having more demand than available space! He invited all to take a tour of the Maker’s Space, and said we are always welcome to tour the campus on Warren Road. Christine added that if you have any needs, such as the use of presses and 3D printers, or any business needs whether it's stickers or key chains, please reach out to the Kids Enterprise.
Find out more about TST BOCES
here.
President Angela thanked our guests for speaking during Vocational Services Month, and added that TST BOCES is currently an applicant for our Corporate Affiliate membership program!
HAPPY DOLLARS
Jean McPheeters: thank you to the four Rotarians who agreed to join her and the exchange students to throw axes on Saturday, January 18th at East Lake Recreation Center in Lansing (Mary Kane, Paul Martin, Mike Katz, Ron Van Ormer).- Dale Flinn: lots of happy dollars! The Ithaca Adult Hockey Association All Star Team played at the OnCenter in Syracuse two Saturdays ago, and we stayed afterwards and watched the Syracuse Crunch kick the Rochester Amerks tail!
- Linda Pasto: so honored that her colleagues at TST-BOCES got an opportunity to speak today. She added that her family is a BOCES family: her daughter and daughter-in-law are both Culinary Arts graduates, and her granddaughter has decided to enroll in Cosmetology. Linda has witnessed the impact that BOCES has had on the kids and how it helps them grow beyond what they imagined. She encouraged us all to visit TST-BOCES.
- John Chilkotowsky: happy for his daughter Elena turning 17 and for her performances in Running to Places’s “Mean Girls” at the Hangar this past weekend.
Joanne Lamoreaux: professed her own Mea Culpa to Juliet Gibbs and to the club! As she reminisced on her past duties as Treasurer and how most of the time was spent collecting dues and reminding people of their overdue dues, it reminded her of her own overdue dues—enough to claim a public Mea Culpa apology to all!- Sherrie Negrea: put flyers on each table about how to donate to the fire victims in California through Rotary District 5280 Fire Disaster Relief. Sherrie has a personal connection as her nephew had to evacuate and escaped to NYC. If you can, please donate HERE.
Angela remarked that if anyone has a personal connection with a California Rotarian (in the LA area), please let her know so that we may help more directly. She also mentioned that Ithaca is hosting a “Rotary Birthday Extravaganza” on Sunday, February 23rd from 2 to 4 PM as one of the TEN celebrations planned throughout the CNY District. Details to follow.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Inspired by an article Gary Ferguson read from the outgoing US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, he felt that Dr. Murthy’s words were appropriate to Rotary and very relevant at this time:
“After years of reflecting on the stories I have heard, delving into scientific data, and convening researchers, I have come to see there are three essential elements that fuel our fulfillment and well-being: relationships, service, and purpose.
Relationships keep us grounded and bonded to each other. Service, from formal volunteering to informal small acts of kindness, is about helping each other. And purpose gives our life a sense of direction and meaning. Together, these elements form the triad of fulfillment.
Each of these can significantly impact our physical and mental health, reducing our risk for heart disease, depression, anxiety, and premature death. They also allow us to connect with something bigger than ourselves, a universal human need that brings us perspective and support and helps avoid the excessive rumination and focus on self that often contributes to mental distress.
Perhaps this is because so many of the messages coming at us tell us to prioritize a different triad, the triad of success: fame, wealth, and power.
We need a clear and explicit shift that puts relationships, service, and purpose at the heart of society—and our lives.
As I complete my term as Surgeon General, this is my parting prescription for the country I love: to remake and re-center our lives around relationships, service, and purpose. This is the path to health, well-being, and fulfillment. It is what will help us find our way home.”
NEW MEMBER APPLICATION
Membership Type: Corporate Affiliate
Employer: Tompkins County Public Library
Primary Member: Kerry Barnes
Title: Executive Director (Foundation)
Affiliate Member: Leslie Tabor
Title: Library Director
Sponsor: Sherrie Negrea
UPCOMING MEETINGS
01/22 Michael I. Kotlikoff, Interim President, Cornell University, “Cornell Community
Update”
01/29 No formal meeting
02/05 Dr. Martin Stallone, CEO Cayuga Health
02/12 Kate de la Garza, Executive Director, Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services
02/19 Amy Kremenek, President, Tompkins Cortland Community College, “TC3: Your
Community’s College for 50 Years and Beyond”
03/05 Liz Kreitinger, Executive Director, Cayuga Lake Watershed Network
03/12 Paul Debbie, Director of Research, Boyce Thompson Institute
THANK YOU ROTARIANS
Newsletter Reporter: Katie Marks
Program Chair: Beverly Baker (January)
Photographer: Mike Brown
Greeter: Geoff Dunn
Newsletter Editor: Loralyn Light
Setup/Teardown: Richard Kops & crew
Cashier/Kettle Watcher: Katie Marks
Audio/Visual Setup: Mike Brown
Recording Archive: Paul Martin; click
hereClub Service Facilitator: June Losurdo
