What a busy and productive week for Bethlehem Rotary. From Board meetings, Rotary Jamaica Team project directional meeting, to our annual projects-many members supported the various programs in progress. And to put the "icing on the cake" we had two fantastic Classification talks from Marty Fins and Bill Rowe at our Zoom meeting. We are pleased to have Marty bring his Rotary experience from his CT. club and glad Bill has been able to rejoin the club and make an impact in Rotary. And I am grateful both are on the Board to guide the Club.
Marty Fins
Bill Rowe
Tuesday morning District 7430 announced that our own Diane Donaher has been selected for the position of District Governor Nominee Designate. This is wonderful news and a huge honor for Diane and our Club. I cannot think of a more qualified person for District Governor. She has the full support of our Club as she follows the path to District 7430 District Governor 2023-24. Diane-from all of us a BIG Bethlehem Rotary hooray!
Diane Donaher
Thursday it was announced by the Bethlehem Rotary Foundation and our Club Boards of the new members joining our Foundation Board on January 1, 2021: Thea Lind, Gerry Foran, Maria Nathans, Jack Standbridge, and Will Rathbone. Congratulations, and know our Foundation is in capable hands. Many thanks to Gail Evans for leading our BRF for the past several years.
Friday concluded our Liberty H.S. Interact Clubs Toys for Tots collection. The boost was needed this year due to the Covid-19 restrictions hindering the usual collection outlets. The toys were turned over to the local Penn State Alumni Association rep at the Hotel Bethlehem Ice Cream Shoppe to be forwarded to the Marine Corps Reserve facility for distribution. Thank you to the many members who dropped off toys. Special thanks to Michelle Morton for organizing a collection at Kirkland Village and presented a gigantic box over overflowing toys.
President Pete with toys collected at the store
A grand collection of ALL the toys. Well done!
Saturday was our annual Rotary Rings the Bell for the Salvation Army at the Walmart on Linden Street. As usual, Ron Bauer led the effort with Major Scott Peabody. Despite how "bad" the current environment may appear, we were humbled by the generosity of the many folks who filled the kettle. Americans ARE a most generous people! Thank you to our members who came out and rang the bell.
Mike Adams and Chris Betley - a Bell Ringing Tag Team!
Some reminders:
Call for Directors and Officers-It is that time of year when we must fill our slate for open Board positions. This year the following positions are available and must be filled:
- Vice President
- Six - 2 year board positions
Please contact President-Elect Deb Walter or Nominating Chair Ham Malek if you are interested in learning more about, or filling one of these positions. It is a great way to learn more about our Club and Rotary.
Rotary Four Way Test Speech Contest update. We need student candidates to apply by January 15, 2021. We will host our own competition in February or March. Regional contest will be held April 17, 2021 with the District final on May 1, 2021. All contests will be virtual on the Zoom platform. Please contact Charlie Walter or me for more details and if you have an interested student.
This week our speakers will be Cathy Heimsoth and Judy Swarley from The Chemo Bag project. Learn how they provide comfort to the men and women in the Lehigh Valley undergoing chemotherapy treatments. We will hear how they relieve the feeling of fear and anxiety of a patient entering treatment Please plan to join us.
