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.
Mark your calendars now! RCY’s 5th annual Groundhog Craft Beerfest will be Saturday, Feb, 4, at Stambaugh Auditorium.
Beerfest is the club’s major annual fundraiser, and there will be many ways for members to make this the best event yet, by selling tickets, securing sponsors and volunteering to set up, pour beer, or tear down on event day.
Contact co-chairs Samantha Turner and Kevin Chiu if you have questions.
Internationally recognized Conductor Raffaele Ponti is known for his powerful musical interpretations, rich and unique quality of sound, and breath of colors that he inspires, and draws from every orchestra he conducts. Raffaele Ponti is an inspiring musician, expert teacher, and speaker who enjoys inspiring musicians, and audiences of all ages. He is a popular conducting teacher, who leads conducting seminars in Italy, Canada, and the United States.
Last Week's Meeting
Elena Rossi, MD, the Medical Director of Special Projects for Akron Children’s Hospital, knows we can do much better to improve the rates of infant mortality in our community and advance maternal health. Most of her career, in fact, has been spent trying to ensure better birth outcomes for our littlest and most vulnerable citizens.
Her efforts are paying off, at least in Mahoning and Trumbull counties. While our infant mortality rates are not good, the disparity between white babies and babies of color has improved and is trending in a positive direction. Sadly, Ohio has been in the bottom 10 states in the US with poor birth outcomes. In the last few years, however, there has been some progress.
According to Dr. Rossi, two-thirds of infant mortality is due to premature births, while some are due to sleep-related issues. Sleep related deaths are mostly preventable, and Dr. Rossi is a champion of safe sleep education for new parents. While finding the cause of sleep-related SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is ongoing, one third of those deaths are preventable by using safe sleep practices.
Several programs and initiatives have been developed to help prevent infant mortality.
The Centering Pregnancy program through Mercy Health provides prenatal care, postnatal care, breastfeeding services and parent education. Tobacco cessation programs as well as carbon monoxide education programs are taken into the community to reach as many women as possible. The My Baby’s First coalition seeks to improve infant mortality rates in Mahoning County and Youngtown, and eliminate birth outcome inequities.
CAN YOU HELP?
In other news, volunteers are needed to join the House Committee. Members arrive about 45 minutes prior to our weekly meetings to set up the room, then stay after to put everything away. Contact President Sharon if you are interested.
The final pledge payment to the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County was presented to Aimee Fifarek, Library executive director, during last week's meeting. The $5,000 check was the second of a two-year pledge that was made during the presidency of Josh Prest.
In recognition of the gift from the Rotary Club of Youngstown Foundation, PLYMC named a meeting room on the library’s second floor the Rotary Club of Youngstown Room.
Call to Action -- Helping City Students
Volunteers are needed at Taft Elementary on Wednesday, Sept. 21 to help with the Operation Warm coat fittings for the kids. The fittings will begin at 9 a m. and be held in the Taft library. Contact Stacia Erdos Littleton to sign up
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Also, mentors are needed for our Put Kids First initative. We are looking at an October or November start, so contact Samantha Turner ASAP if you want to take part in this great program.
Communications Committee Volunteers Needed
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
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.
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 20, 1968: Youngstown Rotarians had an Initial discussion on formation of a Youngstown Boys Club, and support for the Youngstown City Schools “Lighted School Program.”
CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION
Birthdays:
Charles McCrudden - Sept 20
Ron Fasano - Sept 25
Anniversaries:
Michael Shaffer - 27 Years
Jessica Romeo - 1 Year
Gayle Catinella - 7 Years
Scott Krok - 3 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 RCY end-of-season golf scramble will be Monday, Sept. 26 at Stambaugh Golf Course, 202 Gypsy Lane. Shotgun start at 2:30 p.m. Cost is $50 per golfer. Dinner will be at 5 p.m. RSVP to Samantha Turner by Friday, Sept. 23. Volunteers also are needed!
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