Meeting Opening: President Dave called the meeting to order complimenting our audio-visual volunteers Bill Nome, Adam Alderson, and Mark Pennell. Club members sang, “The National Anthem,” and recited the Pledge. Mary Beth Harper offered an invocation. Club members then sang, “Cabaret.” Amanda Senn was filling in a photographer.
Visitors & Guests: Jennifer Lennox of Davey Tree was introduced by Sandra Reid who said Lennox is interested in club membership. Bill Childers introduced his guest, Jack Schwartz, president of NBD Restoration in Ravenna.
Announcements: President Dave said that Randy Smith has agreed to chair a task force charged with coming up with new fund-raising ideas that could complement or served as alternatives to the Kent Rotary Auction. Rotarians were urged to volunteer to serve on the task force. Kent Rotary Foundation President Carol Crimi said the Foundation Board’s next meeting is August 9th and requests for grants are due August 1. President Dave thanked those who remembered to donate canned goods or cash to Kent Social Services and Christie Anderson, Kent Social Services manager, confirmed the need is dire especially since the fiscal year ends June 30 and there is a lull in donations during summer. Amanda Senn reminded us that Thursday evening was the time for Rotary Trivia Night at the North Water Street Craft Brewery.
Bill Childers announced the Ravenna Cruise-In is Wednesday, August 3, on East Main Street. Last year, it drew more 3,600 cars and an estimated 15,000 spectators. The event is 3 pm to 10 pm and will feature fireworks at the end.
Rotary International Student Returns, Needs Living Accessories: Carol Crimi announced that Yeon Kim of South Korea who studied for a master’s degree at Kent State on a Rotary International Scholarship has his doctor and teaches at a university in South Korea. Carol led club efforts to host Kim when he was here with his wife studying at Kent State. Kim has now earned a one-year sabbatical and has chosen to return to Kent State for post-doctoral research for a book. He will occupy an apartment in a building adjacent to the home of Roger and Mary Sidoti and needs furniture and kitchen utensils. Contact Carol if you can help out.
New Member: Adam Alderson was introduced as our newest club member. Adam and his wife, Patti, reside in Stow with their 12-year old son. Adam is the Business Manager of the Methodist Church. Adam majored in Classics and Art History at Kent State where he graduated in 2009. He volunteers in Weather Vane Playhouse where he plays the role of “Robert” in “The Play Goes Wrong,” by Henry Lewis, Henry Shields, and Jonathan Sayer. He is an alumnus of Roosevelt having graduated in 1999. He has been helping Rotary for a year with audio-visual equipment.
Program: Qualities of Effective Leaders
The Rev. Renee Ruchotzke told us that effective leaders provide identity to what they are leading, invite others to participate and contribute, inform those about them so they know why they are being asked to follow, kindle enthusiasm in others so that they become involved, and encourage inquiry to facilitate openness and accountability by all involved. Effective leaders, she told us, share leadership. She said our country has experienced several disruptions that are weakening a sense of community. Some of the most recent of these have been the Russian invasion of Ukraine and COVID, both of which have been stressful worldwide. Leaders in such a world must be resilient to be effective, she said. Ruchotske has served on the Kent Environmental Council for 15 years and now chairs it. She said KEC needs to attract younger volunteers to survive. She also chairs the Sustainability Commission for the City of Kent. The Affiliated Community Minister for the Kent Unitarian-Universalist Association received her divinity degree from the Meadville Lombard Theological School Chicago. She is currently attending the Sociocracy Academy. She holds an associate’s degree in engineering and holds a patent, which she perfected while working at ACS Industries when it was headed up by Joe Zeno. Her father and grandparents, Latvia natives, became refugees following the Soviet takeover in 1949.
Respectfully submitted by David Dix
