December 13th was our Annual Meeting. Two BAVTS students Sam Costenbader and Angelina Rex introduced themselves to our club and spoke about their accomplishments and aspirations. They were accompanied by their teacher Mr. Glenn Milositz.
Our RI Foundation Chairman, George Mowrer, asked us to think about making a year-end contribution to the Foundation. Potential changes to the tax law for 2018 may make it less attractive for tax purposes to postpone the deduction until after January. Your donations will help the Foundation to do Rotary’s good work today, and strengthen our ability to do so in the future.
A special Paul Harris Award was presented by Diane Donaher to Dr. Brennan Pursell to recognize his outstanding work on our Centennial Park Project. I am sure that I speak for all members when I say that we are proud of the contribution we were able to make to the improvement of our Bethlehem community, with his leadership. Thanks to all of our members who participated.
Karley Biggs Sebia was inducted as our newest Bethlehem Rotary Club member. Karley is an attorney with the firm of King, Spry, Herman, Freund, & Faul, LLC. in Bethlehem. She has extensive experience and interest in childhood education issues. Please welcome Karly to our Rotary Family.
The following slate of Officers and Directors for 2017-2018 was approved by unanimous vote of members present:
Officers- 1 Year Term
Thea Phalon, President Elect
Pete Mickolay, Vice president
Tyler Papaz, Secretary
Bob Smith, Treasurer
Don Hunter, Sergeant at Arms
Directors- 2 Year term
Mike Adams
Lisa Jordan
Maria Nathans
Paul Ricciardi
Jordan Young
50/50 drawing was the first week using a new deck for our “Queen of Hearts” style drawing. Bob Schenkel had the winning ticket, but did not pull the Queen of Hearts. The pot will roll over and start at $14 next week.
Announcements:
Rotary International has sent out announcements about Rotary Global Rewards. By using the Rotary Global Rewards program, our members can receive discounts on many items that you already purchase. These include car rentals, vacations, etc. In addition to the member discount, there will also be donations made on your behalf to Rotary, and you can designate which programs should receive the donations. Please go to rotary.org to find information on the program.
Should peace be left up to our politicians? Our RI President Ian Riseley thinks Rotary should lead the way. Our Zone 32, along with Zones 24, 25, and 26 has been selected by Rotary International President Ian Riseley to hold the first Presidential Peacebuilding Conference on February 10, 2018 in Vancouver, BC. If you would like more information, please contact me, or you can also go to https://portal.clubrunner.ca/50004/Stories/presidential-conference . There is also a link on the District Website.
District 7430 has announced that the District will sponsor a Rotary Friendship Exchange which will take place between April 26, 2018 and May 7, 2018. There will be 6 Rotarian couples from Sweden who will be visiting us during this time. Our District 7430 will be providing an itinerary and a van for transportation during their visit, but we are looking for Rotarians who are willing to provide the couples with a place to stay during their visit. The visiting Rotarians will be paying for all of their own activities and tours while they are here. The District expects that they will plan on the Rotarians spending between one and three days at each home, depending on the eventual itinerary. This is a great way to enjoy the international nature of your Rotary experience, that is, by getting to know Rotarians from around the world right in your own home. If you would like more information, please contact me.
Livestream makes World Polio Day event available to all
You don’t have to buy a plane ticket to participate in this year’s World Polio Day festivities at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s facility in downtown Seattle, Washington, USA. You can watch the event live on 24 October at 14:30 Seattle time (UTC-7) for an update on our global campaign to eradicate polio. Find details on how to watch the livestream, available in eight languages.
Severe storms, an earthquake, and hurricanes are wreaking havoc across the globe from the United States and Mexico to South Asia and Africa. The Rotary Foundation and Rotary clubs in affected areas are helping bring emergency aid to battered communities.
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