Last Week's Meeting
The 2022 Rotary International Convention in Houston, Texas, offered plenty of inspiring moments as Rotary's global network gathered in person for the first time since 2019. Josh Prest, Samantha Turner, Scott Schulick, and President Sharon Letson attended from our club, and gained a broader appreciation of Rotary’s global impact by attending.
The convention took place from June 4 – 9 in Houston, Texas, with nearly 20,000 individuals from all over the world in attendance. There was a shared sense of amazement at the people and culture surrounding our group, with lots of new ideas and connections with others.
Scott provided a historical perspective to the goings-on, since he had attended many other international conferences.
Of course things didn’t go off without a hitch. The time of the flights constantly changed, leaving very little time for people to get to the airport. And President Sharon’s bags didn’t arrive for two days, meaning a change of clothing was not in the cards. But she persevered!
A not-to-be-missed area was the House of Friendship, where attendees could interact with people from around the world and learn about their Rotary projects. Regional cuisine could be sampled, and Rotary branded merchandise was available for purchase.
There were many heartwarming highlights from the conference, among them the overwhelming support for Ukraine. Seventy-five Rotarians from Ukraine attended the convention, and their existing clubs not only gained members, but two new clubs chartered during a time of war.
A highlight for Sharon was the president-elect luncheon, where she met Sylvia Whitlock in person. As president of the Duarte, California club, Sylvia was the first female Rotary club president at a time when women were still not allowed or welcome in Rotary. Sylvia flew under the radar by using just her first initial and last name in her Rotary dealings. Sylvia initiated a lawsuit in California to force Rotary to admit women. When the California courts ruled in her favor. Rotary International took the case to the Supreme Court, which ultimately ruled in Sylvia’s favor on May 4, 1987. After the ruling, Rotary International ended its policy of gender restrictions.
Since the pandemic prohibited an International Conference in 2020 and 2021, Samantha and Josh were able receive recognition for their contributions as club presidents at a belated President’s luncheon with then International President Shekkar Mehta. They were able to hear Mehta’s reflections on his year as president and the growth of Rotary.
You can view the sessions from this year’s convention on the Rotary International website. The sessions will be available until August 31.
If you would like to experience fellowship with Rotarians from around the world, next year’s conference is in Melbourne, Australia, May 27 – 31, and registration is open! Join Scott and Ellie Platt, who have already registered to attend, and find out more here: https://convention.rotary.org/en.
Welcome (Back) Elsa!
After several years living in New York City, Elsa Higby is back in Youngstown and has returned to Rotary. She was (re) inducted into the club and (re) received her welcome packet from President Sharon.
After several years living in New York City, Elsa Higby is back in Youngstown and has returned to Rotary. She was (re) inducted into the club and (re) received her welcome packet from President Sharon.
Reduce. Reuse. RECYLE!!
As you may know, Rotary Club of Youngstown is undertaking a recycling project to collect “plastic film” items. In partnership with the Trex Company, makers of composite decking, we will collect 500 pounds of clean plastic film items, turn the numbers into Trex, and in return, will receive a free bench made out of the recycled materials once we’ve met our goal. When we receive our bench, it will go next to a Little Free Library or in a pollinator garden.
You can help by gathering plastic film items, bring them to Rotary on Wednesdays and give them to Elsa Higby or Linda Kostka. Elsa or Linda will take the items, weigh them, cart them off to the designated recycling centers, and report to Trex.
You can also start a recycling drive at your place of employment, worship, gym, or any other place you go on a regular basis. Struthers Rotary collected enough plastic to get two benches donated. So get moving and recycle!
Youngstown Rotary Foundation Update
Becky Davis, chair of the Youngstown Rotary Foundation, reported that the solicitation from Rotary International was mailed to members, and it contains information about how gifts are utilized. Donations to Rotary International can be made online at www.rotary.org.
Becky will be giving us periodic updates about our local foundation, how to support it, and our community grant program.
