Greeting:   President Roger Sidoti welcomed Rotarians and guests to the Rotary Club of Kent.

The patriotic song of the day was God Bless America, played by David Dix.

President Roger led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and Sue Hetrick offered the invocation. David Dix led us in singing the KSU Fight song to cheer on the KSU basketball teams that are playing in the MAC tournament.

The Rotareminder author is Sue Hetrick, and Rachel Kerns will take photos.

There were no visiting Rotarians.

Roger Sidoti introduced his guest, Gwen Rosenberg.  Shawn Gordon’s guest was Ashley Hendrix.  Jennifer Lennox was a guest of Sandy Reid.

President Roger commented on a Health Dept. memo regarding Covid-19.  He noted that Rotary meetings will proceed as usual unless we are advised to make changes.

David Dix reminded us of the NCAA Watch Party on March 20^th at Rays.  Half of the proceeds will go to United Way.

Shawn Gordon announced that all schools are covered for our literacy read in.  She then made a plea that people don’t go to the hospital emergency rooms for the flu.  Call the Health Dept. for advice.

Mary Beth Harper urged us to contribute to the bracket buster contest.  Each bracket (men’s or women’s) costs $10. The proceeds will help fund AED equipment.

Stacey Richardson asked us to support the up-coming auction on May 8^th.  Forms were distributed for sponsoring opportunities for the auction. A new item this year is a wine wall.  Donors are needed for wine bottles. 

Carol Crimi reminded us that we will be preparing and serving a dinner to those who are food insecure on March 28^th.  Donations of food can be made by anyone who is not able to help at the dinner.  See Carol for details.

President Roger passed around a note received from one of the contestants of our 4-way speech contest.

Will Underwood introduced the members of his District Speech Contest committee as follows:  Shawn Gordon, Rachel Kerns, David Myers, Amanda Senn, Curt Stumpf, Nancy Whitehead.  Pleas were made for help at the District contest, which will be held from 9am to 2pm on April 11^th.  Also, donations are needed to help with costs of the event.

Stephanie Evans introduced Nicole Thomas of Children’s Advantage.  Nicole is Director of Program Development and Director of Trauma Services at Children’s Advantage.  The agency is a children’s mental health agency offering a wide range of services to children and their families.  Services are offered in schools, in homes and at the agency.  The agency has about 1700 clients.

Nicole thanked Rotary, especially the Rotary Foundation, for providing financial support for a new program called Getting Ahead.  The program will serve families with a goal of helping families heal and become independent from services.  Child care and incentives for program attendance are included.  The program will run for 16 weeks and can serve 12 families at one time.  Nicole talked about her career path and her passion for work with victims of trauma.  She is excited about family-centered services designed to eradicate intergenerational trauma and poverty.

The family-based services will be offered in a building, newly renovated for the purpose of treating families. The agency was able to secure a capital grant to purchase and renovate the building.  The building will be called the Family Center. Nicole said that the programs offered at the Family Center will keep families together.  Children’s Advantage is partnering with other community agencies to offer resources to families.

Amanda Senn said she was impressed with the comments about intergenerational trauma and ways to end that cycle.  She thanked Nicole for her presentation.

President Roger noted that the schools benefit from the work of Children’s Advantage staff.

We ended the meeting with the Four Way Test.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Hetrick

 

President Roger Sidoti welcomed Rotarians.

 

Patriotic song God Bless America was led by David Dix on piano.

 

President Roger Sidoti led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Hal Loughry offered today’s invocation.

 

David Dix played Hey, Look Me Over for the song of the day.

 

Rachel Kerns will handle photos today.

 

Linda Boardman visited from the Northampton- Cuyahoga Valley Club.

 

Roger Sidoti introduced his guest Marcus Wright.

Roger, Laurel, Mike, and Donna Stiller attended to support RHS speaker, Caroline Stiller.

Dee Seaholts attended to hear her son, Marek Seaholt’s speech.

Garth Holman attended to hear his son, Zach Holman’s speech.

Asad Khan was joined by his wife Beth and daughter Sarah.

 

Larry Lohman was this month’s perfect attendance winner.

 

Roger announced the passing of Charlie Wentz and asked Rotarians to keep his family in your thoughts.

 

Roger announced many upcoming dates for club members to consider attending/volunteering:

 

Shawn Gordon shared that our Rotary exchange student, Christian, would like a ride to Columbus to watch RHS Men’s Bowling team on Friday, March 9. Shawn also requested additional readers for Suffield Elementary School.

 

Will Underwood reminded the group about the district’s 4 Way Speech Contest coming up on April 11. It will be hosted by our club at Roosevelt HS and the committee is still in need of volunteers.

 

David McKeen announced that the next happy hour is scheduled for March 9 from 5-7 pm upstairs at Ray’s.

 

Curt Stumpf encouraged everyone to participate in this month’s NCAA bracket buster for men’s or women’s basketball. Each bracket is $10. Proceeds from this fundraiser will be used to purchase AED equipment.

 

Sandy Reid shared information about STEM Goes Red ton encourage 7^th and 8^th grade girls to explore science-based fields. The event is sponsored by American Heart Association.

 

Bill Childers shared United Way of Portage County’s NCAA Watch Party invitation. Join UWPC on March 20^th from 11 am – 5 pm to watch basketball upstairs at Ray’s. Table sponsorships are available for $100.

 

Larry Lohman announced that the club’s solar project in El Salvador is complete. He also encouraged everyone to consider attending the Rotary District Conference at Sheraton in Cuyahoga Falls on April 24-25. Interact students will be doing a service project at the conference to pack bags for women’s shelters.

 

Adam Khan, son of Rotarian Asad Khan, was introduced by Anthony Horton as the Stanton Middle School student of the month. Adam is a 4.0 student, 3-year member of orchestra, 2 year soccer team, 2 year track and field team, and active in theater productions at Stanton. Adam also competes in statewide science competitions.

 

Olivia Pinion introduced Roosevelt teacher, Pam Harr to being this year’s 4 way speech contest. Mrs. Harr introduced four seniors from Roosevelt that will deliver speeches today. Those speaking included Luke Bontranger, Zach Holman, Caroline Stiller, and Marek Seaholts. Topics included music education, teen suicide, rape culture, and organ donation. After deliberation, the judges awarded the first place prize of $100.00 to Marek Seaholts. Marek will represent the Kent club at the district contest on April 11.

 

Today’s responder was Will Underwood.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Stacey Richardson