Greetings Fellow Rotarians: As the end of my year as President quickly approaches, I believe it important to receive feedback from you. If you have any comments, questions or concerns, I request that they be sent to my attention. rvlittner@gmail.com Your information is vital to the continued success of our Club as we plan projects and programs as well as strive to remain a vibrant Club in tune with the membership and community in which we serve. Planning with the combined outgoing and incoming Board takes place this Tuesday. The new Rotary Year starts July 1st. We will celebrate with the Club Changeover on June 24th.
On Wednesday Mark Will-Weber, author of "Mint Juleps with Teddy Roosevelt, The Complete History of Presidential Drinking", shared some insights of our Presidents and their interaction with alcohol. The slides and comments were both interesting and sometimes humorous. Thanks to Will for the presentation.
We welcomed our newest member on Wednesday, Chris Brown, Executive Director of the Bethlehem YMCA. If you have not greeted Chris, please do so.
Membership through May 31, 2015 totals 108 and attendance in May was 55.35%.
THE ROTARY FOUNDATION: Foundation Chair George Mowrer reported our progress to date. I am very pleased that our Club has far exceeded its financial goal of $16,000. Also our participation is up nearing 80% and we have added 2 new Paul Harris Fellows. The final numbers will be reported shortly as we are still receiving contributions. I thank every member who has donated and encourage those that have not to consider making a contribution. One of our goals is to have our club be at the 100% level of member support. It would be impressive for a larger club as ours to be able to accomplish this goal and certainly would jumpstart PE Mike’s upcoming year. Rotary International projects change lives throughout the world. There is no minimum amount. To find out more, go to www.rotary.org and click on the tab marked The Rotary Foundation.
CLUB SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS: July 1 starts a new Rotary year and Committee assignments are in process so please give some thought to areas of club service for next year. Every member will be asked to select at least one committee. Go to www.bethlehemparotary.org for the complete committee list.
GOLF TOURNAMENT RESCHEDULED TO JUNE 22: We are rescheduled for June 22. If you can make it on that date sign up. Join in the fun and fellowship by attending the summer outing at Silver Creek Country Club. New this year is our partnership with the Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School (BAVTS) Bridges Foundation. The foundation provides deserving students of BAVTS the ability and financial support to fulfill career aspirations. A Hole Sign is $150. Show your support while advertising your business or pass on to a prospective sponsor. We also need RAFFLE PRIZES such as gift certificates from your favorite restaurant or store. We need your help this week. Sponsorships are available. Contact Butch Macri @ 610.691.2400.
STRIKE OUT HUNGER NIGHT with the Phillies vs. Dodgers is Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at 7:05p.m. See Gerry or Jill Long for ticket information. This is a great chance to get to a game and meet fellow Rotarians from around the District, sponsor a youngster to attend and help out with this community service project which supports Northeast Ministry, Bethlehem Boys and Girls Club and the Center for Independent Living (S2L) children. Support our Rotary Foundation with the purchase of a ticket. Prices start at $20.
TASTES & TUNES: Our signature event is October 4, 2015 from 4 p.m. -7:30 p.m. at the Hotel Bethlehem. Hold the date for “Good Food. Cool Music. Great Cause”. Chair Thea Phalon, and the Committee are already hard at work planning this years’ event. As was announced, Honorary Chairs are Andy & Carol Scott and the beneficiary of the event is the Bethlehem Boys and Girls Club which is celebrating 85 years of service this year.
REMINDER: Please do not park in handicapped parking spaces without a placard.
This week Morgan Marks will join us as she has returned from Zambia, Africa serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Morgan is also District 7430’s 2014 endorsed candidate for the R.I. Peace Scholarship. Her official interview by District officials will take place after the meeting. Please join us for this program.
