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eMeeting on May 26, 2020
Rotary Club of Kent meeting minutes
ROTAREMINDER for May 26, 2020
Meeting Opening: David Dix played America the Beautiful; Pledge of Allegiance was led by President Roger Sidoti, and Rachel Kerns provided the Invocation.
Moment of silence: In honor of Memorial Day, President Roger asked for a moment of silence for those who sacrificed all for our democracy.
Announcements:
Roger Kramer read Sherry Joy's announcement that the renovation of the gazebo downtown, Kent Rotary's Adopt The Spot, has been completed. She thanked all those who helped with the project.
President Elect Randy Smith said about half the active members (48) have responded to the strategic planning survey. There is still time to participate. If you need him to resend the survey, just contact him.
President Roger asked people to read the Board meeting notes in this week's bulletin. Rotary International has sent a letter saying there should not be in person meetings through the end of the year. The Kent Rotary Board is concerned about our members health and will keep the Zoom meetings for at least another month. He also announced that his daughter Liz gave birth to a baby girl on Thursday.
Next week's program is coming to us from England with Oliver Everett, Librarian Emeritus of the Royal Library, arranged by David Myers. President Roger asked people to be on time and limit the number of announcements for the program.
Program: Kathy Myers introduced the speaker Darla Scott. She has been with Coleman Services for almost 14 years working in Trumbull and now Portage counties. She supervises the child therapists and case managers as well as being a profesional clinical therapist.
Mrs. Scott talked about the impact the covid-19 pandemic is having on children and their families, both the good and bad she and her staff are seeing. The good news is that families are practicing safe measures and explaining things well to their children about the fear and anxiety that is related. She said the children are growing closer to extended family through Zoom and other technology and are spending more quality time with their family. Being able to slow down has given them an appreciation for being in the moment and focusing on what is important.
The bad news was that after the first couple weeks of being at home in the "honeymoon phase," children are bored, lonely, missing friends, and missing the support and encouragement they receive at school. Families are now seeing a lack of routine and challenge as a problem. School work has become problematic as parents don't feel adequate teaching their children and some children are struggling with technology issues and the lack of engagement. Parents are struggling with their loss of jobs and income, and are feeling the loss of special events their children are missing like prom, graduation and awards ceremonies. Some are also struggling with food poverty and connection issues. Coleman is seeing an increase in anxiety, depression and family conflict.
Some signs that a child needs help are for younger children crying jags, temper tantrums and regressing behavior (such as bed wetting), and for teenagers sneaking out and rebelling against the quarantine.
Coleman Services has seen an increase in the number of chldren served and an increase in engagement and regularity of appointments through Telehealth. Parents like taking advantage of the time together instead of spending it driving to appointments. Chhildren have used the video option to give therapists tours of their homes and to show their pets and other members of the family making a stronger bond between child and counselor. If a client forgets an appointment, the Coleman staff member can make a call and get them connected. She said there has been a significant decrease in bullying and fear of safety from mass shootings.
Coleman has also increased the use of commuity resources connecting families to Portage County Job & Family Services for medical and food assistance, the Social Security Administration, PMHA for housing, HESS for utility support, and food services from food pantries, Kent Social Services and Center of Hope.
She said her biggest fear is her staff not seeing everything they need to see. They aren't seeing things in environments that children and parents aren't talking about, and they don't have school and community members telling them what they see.
Response was by Justin Gates who said Darla has brought great stability to our children in Kent City Schools and their families.
 
Respectfully submitted by Anita Herington
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President Roger's Digital Meeting Notes-May 12, 2020
Last Tuesday as I was listening to Bill Benoit, President of Uh Portage, I felt reassured that there are decision makers who are knowledgeable, clear, and concise in providing information about this current COVID-19 crisis. UH is critical to the health and wellbeing of our greater community and it is clear that Bill’s leadership has provided a steady, and reassuring hand to that mission. And lest I forget, a big “thank You” to Rotarian Shawn Gordon, who arranged Bill’s availability to our club!  
 
This week’s program will feature Roger Hoover, Local artist and musician who will talk about his recent work during the pandemic “Porch Portraits.”  He has been featured on the Today Show and CNN, and brings a unique perspective to the impact of the virus on our community!
 
Rotary Board Meeting
The Rotary Board will meet, via Zoom, this Thursday, May 21 at 7:00pm. As in the past, if you would like to attend email me so I can admit you.
How to join a scheduled online meeting
 
Use your smartphone, tablet or computer to join a Zoom video meeting:
 
OR
 
Use your phone**:
Dial 1-929-205-6099 and enter the meeting ID of 5704543309 when prompted.
      Phone participants can enter the following
      commands via tones using your phone's
      dial pad while in a Zoom meeting:
 
                 *6 - Toggle mute/unmute
                 *9 - Raise hand
 
Please mute your microphone when the meeting begins.
Rotary member survey via Survey Monkey
You previously received a Rotary member survey via Survey Monkey. With the help of member Shawn Gordon, UH’s Ashley Hendrix has put together the survey based on a Rotary International template. This will be the first step in developing a strategic plan to launch the club into its next millennium. Needless to say, every members’ input is vitally important. Please complete at your earliest convenience. Click here to access it. Thank you!
eMeeting on May 12, 2020
Rotary Club of Kent meeting minutes
Rotareminder Rotary Club of Kent
May 12, 2020
 
President Roger Sidoti welcomed Rotarians to the Zoom meeting.
Patriotic song America the Beautiful was led by David Dix on piano.
Roger Sidoti led the Pledge of Allegiance.
David Dix offered today’s invocation.
Visiting Rotarians
There were no visiting Rotarians.
Guests
Roger Sidoti introduced District Governor John Reyes and welcomed him to the call.
Curtis Stumpf introduced his guests Dr. Brian Bullard, Senior Scientist, Crystal Diagnostics and Dr. Gary Niehaus, Professor of Integrative Medicine, NEOMED.
Birthdays
May birthdays were displayed on the slide show player prior to the start of today’s meeting.
Announcements:
Carol Crimi shared that Sayuri Minakuchi, our club’s Rotary Student Ambassador, who was here to receive her Master’s Degree in Teaching English as a Second Language from 2010 to 2012 is now a professor at a University in Tokyo. She noted that Sayuri is helping her local Rotary Club move to an online format. Her mother who was also a Rotary Student Ambassador is involved with a Girl Scout troop teaching them English and helping them learn about the United States and the state of Ohio. Carol shared these stories to show the impact that Rotary has throughout the world.
Randy Smith encouraged everyone to complete the membership survey that was emailed to everyone as soon as possible. We have 44 responses so far. He also announced that Nelson Burns would be helping him facilitate a strategic planning session for the club. He thanked Nelson for stepping up to serve as moderator during this process.
Roger announced that Sherry and David Joy along with Joe Marken are putting together a plan to work on the gazebo as we do every year. The plan will include the appropriate social distancing, etc. More to come on that. He reminded the group about completing the member survey that was sent to your email. He thanked Randy Smith for facilitating the survey. Roger also thanked Nelson Burns or agreeing to facilitate the strategic planning session that incoming President Randy Smith. Roger also shared that the City of Kent is beginning to plan to open back up with proper protocols in place. There will be a report given to the City Council on Wednesday evening. Roger will keep us up to date. He shared that he needs 10 people to volunteer to rake, mulch, etc.  Please let him know if you can help. Roger also shared that the club leadership is weighing how to continue to support the many worthwhile causes that the club traditionally supports given that the auction had to be canceled and that fundraising will have to be done differently for now. He noted that members of the club’s leadership along with the foundation’s leadership and the members of the auction committee were all considering what could be done. He thanked everyone for the help determining next steps. He also noted that although we all want to meet and be together, the Zoom meetings will continue until further notice.
Speaker
Kathy Myers introduced our speaker for today, Bill Benoit, president of UH Portage Medical Center. Bill has been employed at University Hospitals since September of 2013.  His first position with UH was as the System Vice President of Rehabilitation Services.  He transitioned in 2015 to become the Chief Operating Officer at UH Geauga Medical Center.  He then transitioned in 2016 to become the COO at UH Portage MC.  He assumed the role of President at UH Portage MC in January of 2018. 
 
Bill Graduated from the University of Toledo with a B.S. in Exercise Physiology, the Medical College of Ohio with a Masters in Occupational Therapy and Morehead State University with a Master’s in Business Administration.  He has worked in hospitals and health systems since 1998 providing clinical care and clinical leadership.
 
During his career Bill has worked as a therapist in multiple settings with specializations in Vestibular, Lymphedema and Industrial Rehabilitation.  His contribution to the healthcare industry is now focused on providing the highest quality patient care in the most efficient and cost effective way for long-term sustainability.  As healthcare is drastically evolving, Bill’s goal is to lead teams to achieve even better results in clinical excellence, educate the next generation of clinical and administrative leaders and find new ways to provide care in highly efficient systems. 
 
Bill is married to Kami Benoit, a Masters trained Clinical Dietician who teaches at the University of Akron.  He has two daughters named Hailey and Addison who enjoy gymnastics, basketball and dance. Bill is also a member of the Hudson Rotary Club.
 
Bill shared a slide show presentation with the club which outlined the effects of COVID-19 on UH Portage Medical Center and other community partners in Portage County. Bill told the group that with the arrival of COVID-19, the hospital and the community say rapid changes to the delivery of health care services available. He explained the rapid ramping up of plans for the delivery of acute care services while primary care visits and non-urgent testing either went virtual or were delayed. He noted that UH partnered with area providers and advisors to develop and implement the community’s emergency response plan. Key partners included: the Portage County Emergency Management Association, the Portage County Health Department and local city health departments as well as the Akron Regional Hospital Association, the CDC and Ohio’s Department of Health. They all worked together and shared data through an aggregate database.
 
Bill shared specifics of the COVID-19 implementation plan at UH Portage. He noted that immediately the HICS structure was implemented which required a 24 hour 7 day a week Incident Command Center. He described strategies employed by UH Portage leadership including cross training of clinical staff, securing of proper PPE and equipment needed, deployment of tele-health services and the establishment of remote treatment sites. He shared that the hospital and the county prepared for a more than 300% surge in health care services needed to treat the influx of COVID 19 patients expected. Although that surge never came, the UH Portage team and other area partners were prepared.
 
Now, the focus turns to resuming surgeries and elective procedures. The return to normal will include continued telehealth and resumption of primary health care services with the ramping back up of elective surgeries and procedures. The financial impact of COVID 19 will be felt for a very long time. Unplanned expenses and the loss of revenue from surgeries and visits to EDs and Urgent Cares will impact UH Portage and other area hospitals for quite some time.
 
Bill’s final message was one of encouraging club members to see their doctor if don’t feel well. He shared that many people have delayed treatment and have been impacted negatively from this delay. He shared the symptoms of stroke and heart attack and reminded members that hospitals are safe places to be and that they should seek medical treatment when needed. He ended by saying don’t wait to seek necessary medical care.
Responder
Today’s responder was Mike Lewis.
Respectfully submitted,
 
Shawn Gordon
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Letter from Mary Beth Harper & Sue Hetrick
 
To our fellow Rotarians,
            As we approach the time to begin organizing our annual Shoe Box project, things have changed. 
For the past 12 years our club has been most generous in supporting this important initiative.  We have shopped, filled and sent 50 shoeboxes and 15 layette bags each August to help people who really need help—the Children of the Dump in Chinandega, Nicaragua.  Our members have reached into their purses and billfolds and contributed well over $1,200 each year to buy clothes, school supplies, toiletries and toys to make Christmas a little brighter for these children who live in extreme poverty.
We have heard from the organizers, who are proceeding with the project despite concerns about the coronavirus.  However, we have decided that it is not a good idea to participate this year. 
There are three critical issues.  One is that it will be difficult to raise the money without in-person meetings to “pass the box.”   Secondly, shopping for the items would be difficult and probably not safe.  Sue usually makes about 40 trips to stores, and Mary Beth makes at least 10 trips.  Much of our success is due to Sue’s shopping prowess, and we have determined that we could not find bargains online.  Finally, storing the items and organizing a packing party would be difficult under the current conditions. 
So, we have decided to skip our participation this year.  We hope to ramp up again next year.  Again, thank you to all our Rotarians for supporting this project. 
 
Yours in Rotary
Mary Beth Harper and Sue Hetrick
Rotary Club of Kent eBulletin
Information in this eBulletin comes primarily from the Rotareminder, board meeting minutes, and stories submitted by members. 
 
Since we cannot hold regular meetings, we hope to publish a weekly "Meet the Member" feature. We encourage you to submit a personal bio. Here is a sample template.
 
If you have any Rotary stories, events or speaker information to benefit the Club, please submit it to info.rotarykentohio.org@gmail.com. We will add it to the next appropriate eBulletin.
Speakers
Jun 23, 2020 12:15 PM
Operations during the pandemic and putting together WKSU’s Morning Edition
Jun 30, 2020 12:15 PM
Club Assembly-Installation of Randy Smith and Board of Directors.
Jul 07, 2020 12:15 PM
The challenging environment with lost revenue and reductions facing KSU Athletics.
Jul 14, 2020 12:15 PM
Environment coaches must now deal with Covid19 / Plan to continue excellent program.
Jul 21, 2020 12:15 PM
KSU womens golf program.
Jul 28, 2020 12:15 PM
Ethics and Sports
View entire list
Upcoming Events
Kent Rotary Online Fundraiser Planning
Jun 30, 2020
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
 
Online -Kent Rotary Club Board Meeting
Jul 16, 2020
7:00 PM - 8:15 PM
 
Online Kent Rotary fundraiser
Zoom
Jul 25, 2020
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
 
Online-Kent Rotary Club Meeting
Aug 04, 2020
12:15 PM - 1:00 PM
 
Online-Kent Rotary Club Meeting
Aug 11, 2020
12:15 PM - 1:00 PM
 
Online Kent Rotary Foundation
Aug 11, 2020
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
 
Online-Kent Rotary Club Meeting
Aug 18, 2020
12:15 PM - 1:00 PM
 
Online -Kent Rotary Club Board Meeting
Aug 20, 2020
7:00 PM - 8:15 PM
 
View entire list
Club Information
Meetings moved online through June 2020!
Kent
Service Above Self
We meet Tuesdays at 11:45 AM
United Meth. Church
1435 E. Main St.
Kent, OH 44240
United States of America
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Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Treasurer
 
Secretary
 
Immediate Past President
 
Executive Secretary
 
Foundation Chair
 
Youth Exchange Officer
 
Membership Director
 
Service Projects Director
 
Outreach Director
 
Program Director
 
Club Administration Director
 
Interact
 
Rotaract
 
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Thomas Hatch
June 4
 
David Sommers
June 17
 
Nancy Whitehead
June 18
 
Bruce Hansford
June 24
 
Suzanne Hetrick
June 25
 
Join Date
Asad Khan
June 13, 2017
3 years
 
Michelle Sahr
June 13, 2017
3 years
 
David Sommers
June 17, 1986
34 years
 
Albert Barber
June 20, 2017
3 years
 
Carol Crimi
June 28, 2005
15 years
 
Russell Hampton
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