At our January 3rd meeting, I reminded our members that our meeting of January 24th will be at Ben Franklin Technology Center’s new West Wing Tech Ventures Building. The Program Committee will be taking orders for a boxed lunch after both our January 10th, and January 17th meetings. I hope all of our members will attend this program. Bethlehem Rotary was invited to visit the facility by our Past President Chad Paul, who is the President and CEO of Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania, and also Bethlehem Rotarian Ron Bauer, who has been a BFTP Board member for the past 18 years. Since its founding in 1983, BFTP has been responsible for creating and maintaining over 40,000 jobs in eastern Pennsylvania.
Our speaker was Sister Virginia Longcope, the Director of Stephen’s Place, which is located at 729 Ridge Street in Bethlehem. Stephen’s Place serves as a half-way house for from 10 to 12 non-violent drug offenders to help them to transition back into their community once they are released from prison. Sister Virginia is a member of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Villanova University, and a Masters in Religious Studies from St. Charles of Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood. Sister Virginia operates the Center independently, with donations from the community, and the help of many volunteers. She explained how the Center focuses on encouraging young men to accept the responsibility for their own lives, but does so in a non-judgmental supportive atmosphere. We found her to not only be a delightful person, but were inspired by the wisdom and courage she has demonstrated in following her mission to help these young men who have dreams and the willingness to make them happen, but lack the resources to make them a reality. She has truly lived the Rotary model of “Service above Self”.
Announcements:
Our Bethlehem Rotary meeting of January 24th will be held at Ben Franklin Technology Partners West Wing. This is the brand new 20,000 square foot addition which will support the creation of new technology-based jobs in the Lehigh Valley.
SAVE THE DATE …..PDG Doug Cook, the District Foundation Chair, has announced that the 2nd Annual Foundation gala will be held on March 17, 2018. All proceeds of the event will go to the Annual Fund to be used for projects locally, and around the world.
Darlene Heller advised me that there are plans to open a “Bob Cohen Room” at the Bethlehem Public Library. This Cohen room will be a concert venue and multi-use space that will host lectures, meetings, plays, art galleries and all sorts of uses not yet imagined!, For more information go to: https://www.bapl.org/ .
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.
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.
Rotary will honor six individuals as People of Action: Champions of Peace during Rotary Day at the United Nations 11 November at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. The event will include workshops devoted to sustainability and peace, as well as ones designed by and for young leaders. Don't miss a live broadcast of the event.
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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