Today was a Zoom meeting because of inclement weather. There were 25 of us on line PLUS Ralph Witcher for 15 minutes.
GUESTS:
Nick Millward, Peace Scholar, calling in from Brisbane, Australia.
PRE-MEETING CONVERSATIONS:
Nick Millward’s parents are coming to visit him for a month later today.
We discussed the weather and the snow coming today.
Marlene Heller told about a bad screen during yesterday’s ClubRunner webinar.
Bill Palmer’s K-cup machine died yesterday, so he was drinking tea this morning.
We discussed coffee’s carbon footprints. Not sure why.
OPENING:
President Gail Micca opened the meeting at 7:30 A.M.
Ralph Witcher called in from Colorado Springs -- they are on their way to Hawaii. He gave a very nice invocation.
Ron Coleman led us in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the U.S.
Marlene Heller led us in reciting the Rotary Four Way Test, adding “Is it fun?” as a fifth.
HAPPY DOLLARS:
Ralph Witcher is happy to be going on vacation to Hawaii.
Nick Millward is happy to be thawing out. When he left Mongolia it was MINUS 26 degrees.
Ron Coleman is happy to be going to see his newest granddaughter in South Carolina for the second time.
Ernie Boll just is happy.
CELEBRATIONS:
The list of January and February member celebration events is shown below.
VENUE VOTE:
Gwenn Carr asked for a show of hands in support of AWRC committing to meet at Cedar Crest College for the next year. It looked to be unanimous.
Gwenn and Gail explained that we are asking all members using Zoom when there is an In-Person meeting, and that member still is in the United States, to voluntarily pay $10 each time. We need the money. We need to cover the $400 minimums at Cedar Crest College.
Gail reminded us that not too many years ago we charged members a $5 minimum to attend a meeting with a cup of coffee.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
DINING OUT -- FEBRUARY:
We are meeting at Capo & Co. at 1375 Chestnut Street in Emmaus, located across the street from the East Penn Diner.
You can see the menu here: https://caponco.net/food.
Date: Thursday, Feb. 2 Time: 6:00 p.m.
Even if you have already signed up, please RSVP again to let Marlene know how many are in your party! If we have more than 20, we will have our own room. At present, there are about 13 people from our Club signed up, but there are few indications of how many are bringing spouses or guests.
Any Questions? Email Marlene.
DINING OUT -- MARCH:
Ralph Witcher is making a plan to go to Sumo Sushi and Japanese Fusion, 3174 Tilghman St · In Village West.
Quentin Sowers will give his classification talk then.
SNACKPACKING:
There will be snack packing at Parkland H.S. on February 8th.
KINGDOM LIFE FOOD DISTRIBUTION:
The dates for the next two KLFC Food Bank Giveaways are:
February 18 March 11
Each time we start at 7:00 A.M. and usually are finished by 9:30 A.M..
PARKLAND C.A.R.E.S. PRODUCE DELIVERY:
The Pantry will hold its food distributions on the first Saturday of each month for the entirety of 2023. The next one is on February 4th.
Three volunteers are needed each time.
Food collections for Parkland C.A.R.E.S. will be held the third Wednesday of each month at the Pantry on Kernsville Road.
MEALS ON WHEELS:
The schedule for the next 3 months is set. Helen always needs substitutes.
LEHIGH VALLEY CORNHOLE TYPE EVENT:
On January 26 at Brü Daddy's Brewing Company at 732 Hamilton St, Allentown, PA 18101. Meet our District Governor; bring your family; bring member candidates for sure.
FOUR WAY TEST SPEECH CONTEST:
Bill Keba has 8 entries from Northwestern HSD. We will hear their speeches at our March 8 In-Person meeting at Cedar Crest College.
Bill is looking for Judges for the event.
INTERACT BREAKFASTS ARE BACK:
Pres. Gail announced that we will hold these meetings on March 29 at NWL Middle School, and May 31st at Parkland H.S. Library. These days are the 5th Wednesday of the month.
STEM YEA FUNDRAISER:
Gwenn Carr reminds us that The 2nd Annual Big Ticket Reverse Raffle (BTRR) will be held on April 15, 2023 at Brookside Country Club, in Pottstown from 5:30-10:00 P.M.
NEW MONGOLIAN SCHOLARSHIP PROJECT:
Nick Millward has submitted an AWRC Request for funding form for a project he calls "21 Provinces/21 Students".
Nick explained that a year ago he took over an NGO called “Friends of Mongolia.” He told us about the lack of money in Mongolian families needed to send their children to college.
Over the next 4 years he wants to have Rotary Clubs, and other service organizations, sponsor a Mongolian student to study in the Mongolian University. The cost right now is $1,400 per student per year, but it will increase over time. Sponsors are asked to commit for 4 year; or 6 years for a medical education.
Nick is looking for just three sponsors this first year to get started. He plans to get Rotarians and Rotaractors all over the world to be part of this great program.
We will vote at our Feb 8th meeting whether to support this.
MEETING SCHEDULE:
The first Wednesday of each month will be a Dining out meeting, or equal. It may not be on a Wednesday.
FUTURE TOURS, ETC.:
All members are asked to make suggestions to Gail Micca about other tours, Dining Out events, etc. for future meetings.
NEXT MORNING MEETING:
February 8 IN-PERSON at Cedar Crest College starting at 7:30 A.M. Come early and mingle. There will be a Zoom option.
The program will be PDG Bob Hobaugh, ABOUT Das Awkscht Fescht.
PROGRAM:
Fundraising Chair, Len Salines, described the elements of a fundraiser. You need a goal, marketing, and follow-up, among other things.
Pres. Gail broke us up into smaller groups and we discussed fundraisers that we might use going forward.
We then re-assembled and heard ideas. A reverse Raffle is proposed, as well as another Casino Night, but at a better location. It was suggested that we have some casual events where we include new member candidates and have some contests and prizes.
Another idea is to lock up one or more members and solicit ransoms for their release. And holding a Bingo contest family style was suggested.
There is a zoom meeting scheduled to discuss Fundraising on Thursday February 2 in the evening.
CLOSING:
Pres. Gail led us in reciting our motto “One profits most who serves best,” and adjourned the meeting.
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