Our program included a report from Bernie Story, President and CEO, and Megan Briggs, Director of Community Investments of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation. Bernie provided a brief history of the Foundation and spoke to its recent growth. Megan walked us through some of the results from the research that was done to provide for continued growth in the Foundation and increased success for the non-profit sector. The findings included validation of the importance of the non-profit sector, the barriers that this sector faces and the importance of aligning donor support to the non-profits in ways that increase the likelihood of their success. Thank you Bernie and Megan for a great presentation.
Bernie Story
Megan Briggs
We were also treated to two presentations from our BAVTS Shadowing Program. Sarah Lieberman from Northampton High School and Biancé Kamunida from Freedom High School shared with us their stories of academic successes and their plans for the future. Thank you to the Rotarians for providing the great opportunity for these rising stars to speak to a large group…. It is great for us to hear their stories and great for them to get this great public speaking experience.
On Thursday of this past week, our own Hank Barnette and his wife Joanne were presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Eastern Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Hearing about the impact that the Barnettes have made over the years, particularly here in the Lehigh Valley, was truly inspiring, and it should remind us of how blessed we are that Hank is a dedicated member of our club. In addition to those who attended at our Rotary table, there were many other Rotarians at the event through other professional connections. Congratulations Hank and Joanne… it was a proud moment for us all!
Hank & Joanne and Proud Rotarians!
This year Diane Donaher will be leading the charge as we turn our attention toward Rotary International. Like last year, we have two goals: 100% participation and raising $18,000! Stay tuned and look for more information from Diane in the coming weeks!! Many thanks to George Mowrer who has provided leadership in this area for as long as I can remember!
Please be sure to congratulate Tyler Papaz, as he and his wife Jenna welcome baby Lola Rose into their family! Mom and baby Lola are all doing well!!
Some reminders:
- There is NO MEETING THIS WEEK! Our next lunch meeting will be November 28th.
- There is also NO DROPKICK MEETING THIS WEEK.
- Please mark your calendar for the November 28th meeting, as we will be announcing our total proceeds from Tastes & Tunes, celebrating all who made the event possible and presenting the Foundation for the Bethlehem Area School District with their check. Please help to make this a special event.
- The Bethlehem Rotary will again support the Salvation Army by volunteering to ring the bell outside the Moravian Book Shop on Saturday, December 1st. Ron Bauer will be circulating a sign-up sheet at our meeting for those who are willing to serve.
- Registration for District Conference is open. The conference this year is in Allentown, so it will be very convenient for us all to attend. Here is the link to view the event and get registered:
For our November 28th meeting, in addition to celebrating the results from Tastes & Tunes, we will also be hearing from Gary Warren, the owner and head brewer of Lehigh Valley Kombucha.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!
