Rotary International asks us to Imagine Rotary through our Focus Areas
This month Rotary International asks us to Imagine Rotary by supporting literacy in our community. Explore the possibilities with us at our meeting Wednesday at noon at Wick Park or virtually via Zoom.
There will NOT be a noon meeting this Wednesday, Sept. 7. Instead, Rotarians will gather at Scott Schulick’s house for the annual RCY Steak Fry, which will begin at 6 p.m. The reservation deadline has passed; no payments will be accepted at the door.
Food, fellowship and friendship will be on the agenda. Steaks (or salmon or vegan burgers, for those who requested meatless entrees) and corn on the cob will be served. Contact Adam Lee if you can help to clean the corn later today.
Side dishes, appetizers, salads and desserts will be provided by Rotarians in attendance. What are you bringing?
Beverage options will include coffee, iced tea, lemonade, soft drinks, the Traveling Rotary Bar, and Penguin City Beer on tap. Handel’s Ice Cream also will be available.
Musical entertainment will be by Anthony Horvath and, perhaps, a few Rotarians on vocals.
Last Week's Meeting
President-Elect Deanna Rossi, who led the meeting while President Sharon Letson was away, interviewed Scott Schulick about Rotary’s efforts to raise funds for Ukraine.
Rotary International was a worldwide frontrunner in establishing a disaster relief fund for Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia earlier this year. As fundraising continues, District 6650 President Michelle Charles of Canton has set a goal to raise $100,000 in the 10-county area. Divide that by 46 clubs, and the goal per club is about $2,500.
Scott believes we can far exceed that number. That is why he and other RCY members have joined a committee to plan A Night for Ukraine, a fundraiser on Saturday, Nov. 5 at St Nicholas Orthodox Church, 5305 Massillon Road, North Canton.
Attendees may sample authentic Ukrainian food, listen to three ethnic musical acts, and participate in a live auction. Aundrea Cika Heschmeyer is recruiting caterers and “making this special,” Scott noted, while Josh Prest is chair of the auction committee.
Past Rotary International President Barry Rassin will be a special guest that evening, Scott said.
RCY members have many options for lending support to this effort, as follows:
Corporate and individual sponsors are needed;
Contributions are being sought, with the Boardman and East Liverpool clubs already having pledged support;
Donations of high-end items for the auction are desired;
At the 2021-22 Rotary District 6650 Conference, Past District Governor Steve Wilder signed the Operation Pollination Resolution in support of the work being done in District 6650 to protect our environment.
Under ESRAG – Environmentally Sustainable Rotary Action Group - Operation Pollination is an inclusive framework that helps you recruit a diverse array of organizational partners willing to engage in the framework’s two goals: pollinator habitat restoration and education projects.
This year, District Governor Michelle Charles officially extended our District's support of this Rotary International area of focus during her visit to the Rotary Club of Youngstown.
Once a District signs a Pollinator Resolution, Clubs are encouraged to sign the Pollinator Pledge which can now be done online. This is the recommended way to sign-up.
Clubs can also tailor the Pledge to specifically address their concerns and means of support.
“Protecting Our Environment” has been a new Area of Focus for Rotary since July 2021. By definition, environmental projects cover a long period of time and potentially large geographical area. There is a need for tracking the progress of Rotary’s environmental projects across time and space.
If individuals or Clubs have undertaken pollinator or other environmental projects, it is important to share it with the rest of Rotary world … please. Every entry counts! Here’s how:
iRoTree ( https://www.irotree.org ) is a pilot project is being launched specifically for tree-planting projects. On 14-Dec-2021, the platform was announced in the presence of the Rotary International President Rtn. Shekhar Mehta in Mumbai, India. The app and website were launched in January 2022 for use by Rotary Clubs globally.
ESRAG co-founder Karen Kendrick-Hands is gathering content for ESRAG’s a webpage to support ESRAG’s Pollinator Task Force. One of the sections calls for “featured projects”. If you have or know of someone else who has a great Pollinator project to share, to display in this format, they will help get your content ready to share.
If you would like a chance to use your social media, digital marketing, or video creation skills, the YoRo Communications Committee would like to talk to you. You would be helping to publicize the great work that our club undertakes, and come up with new ways to get the word out.
If you are interested, contact Communications Committee co-chairs Deb Flora or Linda Kostka.
We Need Your Plastic Film
We're off and running! So far, nearly 200 pounds of plastic has been collected for the Trex project. Keep up the good work!
Don’t forget - the Operation Pollination committee is encouraging all Rotarians to save their plastic film and bring it to Rotary on Wednesdays. Once we collect 500 pounds of plastic, we turn it into Trex, the company that manufactures composite decking. Trex, in turn, will donate a bench made of the recycled plastic that we will place in a pollinator garden or near a Little Free Library.
We have until the end of February 2023 to collect the plastic. You can turn in your recyclables to Elsa Higby, Ra’Cole Taltoan, or LInda Kostka, who will weigh, track, and turn it in. Review the list of items below to see what’s acceptable.
Rotarians Receive Honors
Let’s give three cheers for three RCY members who are being recognized for outstanding contributions to our community.
Richard Bernacki and Aspasia Lyras-Bernacki, co-owners of Penguin City Brewing Company, have been chosen as Entrepreneurs of the Year by the Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber. The Bernackis, who recently opened Penguin City’s new $4 million facility on the East End of downtown, were recognized during the Chamber’s annual Salute to Business breakfast on Sept. 1.
Also, Youngstown Business & Professional Women has named RCY President Sharon Letson, in her capacity as executive director of Youngstown Cityscape, as its Woman of the Year. She will be celebrated on Oct. 18 at the Lake Club in Poland. Cityscape is observing its 25th year of beautifying the downtown district and city neighborhoods. YBPW annually recognizes one female leader who has excelled in her career and community.
Congratulations to all!
July Board Meeting Minutes
Goal-setting was the theme of the first meeting led by new club President Sharon Letson. Goals include re-energizing Interact at the high school level, encouraging all members to strive for Paul Harris Fellow memberships, and pursuing global grants for local activities. Read all about it here.
Calling All Bowlers!
It’s that time of year, when the sounds of falling pins and the smell of bowling shoes fills the air at Amron Lanes in Canfield. If you want to be a part of the fun and join the YoRo bowling team, contact Frank Kishel at 330-720-6328.
While permanent team members are needed, you can also sign up as a substitute bowler.
THIS WEEK IN ROTARY HISTORY
September 9, 1943: Rotary Club of Youngstown announced the establishment of a research program for the care of crippled children with cerebral palsy, known then as “spastic paralyzed;” it was the first such program in the State of Ohio.
CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION
Birthdays:
Bill Petro - Sept 5
Steve Poullas - Sept 8
Ellie Platt - Sept 8
Sharon Stringer - Sept 8
Sharon Letson - Sept 11
Marc Mazzella - Sept 11
Anniversaries:
Mary Slaven - 7 Years
The Four-Way Test
1. Is it the truth?
2. Is it fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
SAVE THE DATE
The annual Rotary Club of Youngstown golf outing is scheduled to be held on Monday, September 26 at Stambaugh Golf Course in Youngstown. More details about tee times and sign-ups will be forthcoming.
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