Rotareminder for the Rotary Club of Kent
Hybrid Meeting on April 8, 2025
Filling in for President Rachel Kerns, President Elect Amanda Senn called the meeting to order at 12:15 p.m. Our patriotic song was The Star Spangled Banner accompanied by David Dix on piano, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance; Dominique Bolenbacher led us in singing three verses of Che Será, Será with David Dix on piano. The Invocation was offered by Anne Moneypenny. Mark Pennell and Roger Kramer worked tech; Nithya Venkataraman took our photos.
There were no visiting Rotarians or guests today.
Announcements
- Roberta O’Keefe is sending around the sign up sheet for Rotarians to offer the invocation. Please sign up for meetings beginning May 20.
- Todd Kamenash announced that our club raised $680 for literacy with our March Madness bracket sales. Bracket winners are as follows:
- Women’s: Third place, Sandra Reid; Second place, Todd Kamenash; First place, Nancy Whitehead.
- Men’s: Third place, David McKeen; Second place, Kathy Myers; First place, David Dix.
- Amanda Senn reminded us about the District 4-Way Test Speech Contest at Springfield High School this Saturday, March 12, fron 10:00 to 3:00. Volunteers judges and timers are needed. Contact Rich Cole at the Port-Summit Rotary club, or see Will Underwood.
- Amanda asked us to look for her email about the District 6630 Conference on Apr 25, 8:00 AM - Apr 26, 10:00 PM at the Marriott East Beachwood, 26300 Harvard Road, Warrensville Heights. Registration is open and Amanda encouraged us to attend.
- Jennifer Lennox updated us on the recent trivia contest night.
- Roger Sidoti gave us an update on the new city hall. May 1 is the official move in date; an open house will be forthcoming. It’s a “beautiful building.”
- Bill Childers informed us about a need for volunteers at the monthly Salvation Army food distribution on Wed, May 7, from 8:00 to 11:00 at the parking lot on East Summit and Horning Roads in Kent.
April Birthdays
Jeff Roeger led us in acknowledging birthdays, saying that April is the “Holy Grail” birthday month. He reminded celebrants to tell us about something that they did as a child or youth that their parents never found out. There are eleven Rotarians with April birthdays; the following members were in attendance today:
- Howard Boyle – took a pass
- Jim Myers – grew up on Park Ave in Kent. When he was about 7 or 8, his mother warned him, “Don’t go to the river; you might fall in.” He went to the river; he fell in.
- When she was in college at OSU, Amanda Senn’s good friend invited her for a visit to Purdue. Amanda set out on a road trip with some sketchy guys in a rusty minivan with no seats. She had a great weekend and made some new friends.
- When Anthony Horton was a senior in high school, his buddies talked him into going with them to Council Bluffs, Iowa. After a thirteen hour road trip—including a road rage incident—they made it there and back safely.
This month’s free lunch winner was Jim Myers.
Program
Mary Beth Harper—"How to Say You’re Sorry”
Continuing her April “Let’s Talk” programs, Mary Beth discussed “How to Say You’re Sorry.” Here is a summary of her introductory remarks:
- “I’m sorry” can be two of the most powerful words in English. They have many shades of meaning, from heartfelt apology to expressions of sympathy or regret.
- Apologizing for something we may have done wrong is hard. We sometimes avoid it because we think it shows weakness or failure. In reality, none of us is perfect, and we all make mistakes.
- Fake apologies—like “I’m sorry you feel that way” or “It was just a joke”—shift blame or minimize the hurt.
- To apologize properly, actually say the words, “I’m sorry” or “I apologize,” say what exactly you are apologizing for, and say it in person or on the phone, not by text or email.
- Explain briefly why you said or did what you did, and say what steps you will take to avoid the wrong in the future. And don’t wait! Hurt feeling can fester if not soothed. Apologize now.
Following Mary Beth’s remarks, each table held a discussion using the following prompts:
- When was the last time anyone apologized to you?
- Or the last time you apologized to anyone?
- Share the most surprising apology you’ve ever received.
- Talk about a memorable apology you’ve never forgotten.
Mary Beth ended her talk with this assignment: Is it time to tell someone you are sorry? Make an apology this week.
Folowing the talk, Rotarians shared some stories concerning memorable apologies, including one from Dr. Randy Smith that went all the way to the Ohio Supreme Court.
Response
Steve Dennis gave the response, thanking Mary Beth for the opportunity to discuss what can be a difficult interaction for many of us.
New Member
Amanda Senn closed the meeting with the induction of new member Rhonda Johnson, sponsored ny Nancy Whitehead. Rhonda is Director of Sales and Marketing at Vista Veranda: Eagle Senior Living in Ravenna.
We closed our meeting with a recitation of the Rotary 4-Way Test.
Respectfully submitted,
Will Underwood
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