Thank you to all attended our lunch meeting this week… we had strong numbers again. It is so rewarding to run a meeting with a full house!
This week, we inducted yet another member into Rotary International (RI)… our 11th new inductee for the year! Congratulations to Jim Geiger and special thanks to his wife, Deb, who served as Jim’s sponsor. Jim has been a fixture at many of our events over the years, and it nice to have him join as an official member!
Jim and Deb Geiger
Thea reminded us about the importance of completing the survey the she distributed two weeks ago via e-mail. We need to hear your opinions about the service projects we have done and whether they still resonate with the membership AND we want to know what type of club engagement is important to you. When we join Rotary, we take on a commitment to be “engaged”… and that can take on many forms… lunch meeting attendance, committee membership, community service, social happy hours… on and on. Because there are so many options, we need to know what you like, and how it can benefit our club. Please take the few moments it takes to complete her survey. If you need a paper copy or want the link re-sent to you, please let Thea or me know.
Our program this week featured an update on the work of our own Rotary Action Group Against Slavery, or RAGAS. Patrick Morgan provided information about human trafficking, in general, and reminded us of the work done by this committee. Members of this committee have taken their show on the road, as they have visited numerous area club meetings to educate and inform other Rotarians. You might recall when Bernie Story from the Community Foundation visited our club earlier this year to talk about the Spark Grants which are designed to raise awareness, Human Trafficking was among the top 6 community issues on the minds of those surveyed. This is a global issue that exists locally, and anything we can do to raise awareness will surely help. Dee Dee concluded the presentation with some upcoming events that are planned for this group. Thanks to the RAGAS Committee for continuing to educate our community about this important societal issue.
Patrick Morgan on RAGAS (Rotary Action Group Against Slavery)
Dee Dee Foran follows up on RAGAS and asks for our help!
During our meeting, I provided an update on the progress of our annual fund for Rotary International. For those who were not able to attend the meeting, we have currently raised just over $11,000 on a goal of $18,000 and 42% of our members have donated, with a goal of 100%. Now we are down to the wire, and I know we can do better! Thank you to all who have contributed to this point, and if you have not yet made your gift, I would encourage you to do so before the end of the fiscal year. It is not too late!! I will be sending an e-mail reminder as well…
Last week, I mentioned to you that Hank Barnette had arranged for a tour of the City of Bethlehem for a Rotary Youth Exchange participant who has been residing in York, PA for the past year. The student hails from Hernnhut, Germany, a town with a historical connection to Bethlehem. Hank and Charlene Donches-Mowers rolled out the red carpet and gave Elias Kelsner the grand tour, including a meeting with Mayor Donches! Thank you to Maria Dietrich and Deb Geiger who met with the group on Friday morning at the Hotel Bethlehem to provide a warm Bethlehem Rotary welcome on behalf of our club. Deb presented Elias with a club flag as a token of friendship. Thank you, Deb, for including that thoughtful gesture as part of his Bethlehem visit!
Elias Kelsner in Mayor Donches' seat!
Elias Kelsner with our Club's flag
At this week’s meeting, we will be inducting returning RI member, Bill Matz Jr. and Charlie Walter will be serving as his sponsor. In addition, this meeting will serve as our “Changeover Meeting”, where I will review our annual activity, and more importantly, I will pass the gavel to Thea Lind as she officially begins her year as our President! We have something special planned as part of this tradition, so please come and support Thea in her new role as the leader of our club!
The DYK (Did You Know) this week:
- Camp Neidig was established in 1962, and was supported by our club in its startup. Our club continues to be actively involved in Camp Neidig as we support high school rising seniors to learn important leadership skills.
Who knew?????? Now you do!!
Some reminders:
- The Changeover Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 26th, so please mark your calendar as Thea will take the reins!
- The Happy Hour Social (formerly known as the DropKick Meeting) will be held this Thursday, June 27, 5:30PM at Taps Tavern on Rt. 378. Last month we had more than 10 Rotarians in attendance… the more, the merrier!!
