Reporter:  Loralyn Light

“Rotary Youth Exchange:  Outbound Students and Program Update”

 

St. Catherine’s Community Center and on Zoom

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Mary began with “Of the things we think, say or do,” followed by all present Rotarians responding:  “Is it the truth?  Is it fair to all concerned?  Will it build good will and better friendships?  Will it be beneficial to all concerned?  Created in 1932 by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor (who later served as RI president) when he was asked to take charge of a company that was facing bankruptcy, this 24-word test was adopted by Rotary in 1943.  The Four-Way Test has been translated into more than a hundred languages and published in thousands of ways.

 

Our two guests included Chris Iven, Chief Advancement Officer at Unity House and guest of Kelly Buck, and Lisa Roan from Brookdale Senior Living.

Bill Highland read a poem by Mary Mapes Dodge (1838–1905) titled The Minuet:

 

Grandma told me all about it,

Told me so I couldn’t doubt it,

How she danced, my grandma danced; long ago—

How she held her pretty head,

How her dainty skirt she spread,

How she slowly learned and rose—long ago.

 

Grandma’s hair was bright and sunny,

Dimpled cheeks, too, oh, how funny!

Really quite a pretty girl—long ago.

Bless her! Why, she wears a cap,

Grandma does, and takes a nap

Every single day: and yet

Grandma danced the minuet—long ago.

 

“Modern ways are quite alarming,”

Grandma says, “but boys were charming”

(Girls and boys she means, of course) “long ago.”

Brave but modest, grandly shy;

She would like to have us try

Just to feel like those who met

In the graceful minuet—long ago.

Mary said we will be participating in the World of Skills job fair (August 31, 9 AM-Noon, Hotel Ithaca), now in the Community Service point of action.  Jorge Cuevas will be here next week to speak about it.

 

Kelly Buck reported on Sunday’s Rotary Road Rally.  She thanked the Maguire Family of Dealerships for their $250 event sponsorship as well as members of her committee:  Geoff Dunn, Eric Harrington, Ray and Linda Brisson, Heidi Goldstein, and Angela Sullivan.  Sixteen cars participated with 47 people on board; they began at the Varna Community Center and ended at South Hill Cider. 

Winners of the DAF (Donor Advised Funds) grants:

#1:  Phishing for Kiwis ($500); Brandi Remington works at BOCES.

#2:  Survivors of Italy; Sherry Haefele and her crew won the second prize of $250.

#3:  Thunder Monkeys:  Jean McPheeters and Mary Berens took the random prize grant of $250.

Brian and Chris Wilbur of Barkley’s Crew received a certificate for a free overnight hotel stay in Syracuse.

USRC:  Haym Hirsh and his team received a $50 certificate to Dinosaur BBQ. 

The Froggers come every year; Beth Harrington and her gang got a two-pack of wine.  Nancy Chase and the Scavenger Hunters won a three-pack of wine, and Christina Dravis’ Goosie Gang received a bottle of wine and three wine cups.

Gail Lyman and her friend Anne won a $20 gas card for logging the most miles!

The total raised was over $1,500 for the James L. Gibbs Scholarship Fund.

 

Heidi Goldstein reported that the 16^th annual Rotary Harvest will start on Saturday, August 27^th and continue for the following two Saturdays.  Heidi will bring in sign-up sheets next week.

Club Service:  is the “manager” of our meetings, special events, and connections to each other while we are at meetings.  Club Service needs more setup and cleanup help than before, so please call Brad Carruth!

Communications—Voice of Rotary:  is the communication hub for all information about our club and its activities.  This includes the newsletter, of course, but much more.  ANY activities of the club should be thought of as promotion opportunities, so send specific info to Sherrie Negrea.  Also working on current events connections; talk to Gary Stewart.

Communications—Tech Squad:  to help get the word out!  The Tech Squad is revamping the website, increasing our social media presence, and linking to VOR (Voice of Rotary) to make sure we have current and accurate info all the time.  Talk to Bez Thomas and Brett Bossard.

Community Service in Action:  This group is very active, since it includes all of our community service efforts.  Gary Reinbolt and Jean McPheeters are organizing and putting as much info into the Calendar as possible.  Please keep your eyes open for volunteer opportunities—they will come fast!

Funds for Action:  Our newest committee is a great addition to our efforts, and will help us understand what we raise money for, why we raise it, and how we use both our fundraising efforts and the Community Foundation-based Donor Advised Funds.  More to come!  Perri LoPinto is back and taking charge!

Rotary Foundation:  To accelerate our involvement with the RF, Dale Flinn and Brian Wilbur will be organizing a calendar of encouragement and recognition, and will take advantage of November as Rotary Foundation Month.

International  Service:  a busy committee for sure, under the co-leadership of Nancy Potter and Ray Brisson.  Working with key international needs and aligning with Rotary International priorities, the committee is planning a full year.  Call Nancy or Ray to get involved.

Membership Engagement and Support:  Frank Towner and Ron Provus plan lots of progress this year—not only recruiting new members, but supporting and involving our members even more with social events and ways to be involved.  You can help!

Youth Support for Learning and Doing:  a big agenda, with Linda Brisson and Paul Martin at the lead!  Includes our scholarship commitments, as well as a big focus on Youth Exchange and the connections we make like RYLA and Rotaract.  This group needs some support in reactivating Rotaract (for people ages 18 and older to exchange ideas with leaders in the community, develop leadership and professional skills, and have fun through service), and help with managing scholarships.

 

In the center of every table was a basket.  President Mary asked us to complete a slip of paper and place it, along with our Happy Dollars, in the baskets.  The following were submitted:

And to keep abreast of our club’s activities, see the Calendar in ClubRunner.

Newsletter Reporter:  Kelly Buck

Photographer:  Angela Sullivan

Newsletter Editor:  Loralyn Light

 

Set-up Zoom:  Brett Bossard

Recording Archive:  Paul Martin; click here

Club Service Facilitator:  June Losurdo