Greetings Fellow Rotarians: I just returned from the District Conference and wish to report that it was another outstanding event. There are many highlights to share but one that stands out to me is being with the 22 inbound and outbound Youth Exchange students. What an amazing group of young adults. Patti Smith, District Chair of Youth Exchange, who spoke to our club a few months ago, received a Rotary International Distinguished Service Award, one of only 150 such awards worldwide, in recognition of her more than 20 years of service in Youth Exchange. It was very moving to hear video clips from several of her prior exchange students and how much impact the program and Patti made in their lives 10 and 20 years later. Also our very own Ham Malek was a presenter on the S2L Transitional Services for young adults with disabilities. There will be more highlights to follow including comments from Roger and Ham.
On Wednesday Thea Phalon gave her classification talk which was most enjoyable as she detailed her family background and career path leading to her current position as Executive Director of Skills USA Council. Thank you Thea and especially for your commitment to Rotary leading our Tastes & Tunes event.
Membership is 108 with 54.03% attendance for March.
CONGRATULATIONS to Mario Stuart and family on the birth of a son, Marco and to Tyler Papaz and family on the birth of a son, Bode.
THE ROTARY FOUNDATION: Foundation Chair George Mowrer reported this week on our progress. While we are closing in on our goals, it is very important each one of our members realizes how much impact every dollar makes. It means the difference in finding and pumping fresh water for a village in Sierra Leone so they can build a school or the ability to train people to grow crops to sustain families in Mukaa Valley, Kenya. I am sure that somewhere in the world Rotary can impact a personal interest of yours. This is your opportunity. Please consider a contribution to the Annual Fund in support of Rotary International projects that 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.
DISTRICT ASSEMBLY: The District Training Assembly is a one day program open to any Rotarian. Register for the Assembly on Saturday, May 16 from 7:30 to 3:30 p.m. at MONTCO in Blue Bell. The Club will cover the registration fee for all those who wish to attend. President-Elect Mike will be there and I am sure he would enjoy some company. Contact Deb Geiger or Mike McGovern to sign up.
CLUB SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS: 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.bethlehemrotary.org for the complete committee list.
ANNUAL ROTARY GOLF TOURNAMENT: Mark your calendars for June 1 at Silver Creek Country Club for the 19th Annual Rotary Golf Tournament. 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. Sponsorship deadline is May 21. Contact Butch Macri @ 610.691.2400.
REMINDER: Please do not park in handicapped parking spaces without a placard.
This week Yamil Sanchez-Rivera will speak on the Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley. Please join us for this presentation.
See you Wednesday, and until then, continue to Light Up Rotary.
The extensive polio-eradication infrastructure created by Rotary, its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, and governments and health ministries provides a model for saving millions of people from vaccine-preventable deaths. During World Immunization Week, 24-30 April, the partners are calling for renewed efforts to reach children with lifesaving vaccines and get on track to finish off polio for good.
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