Program Chair, Amanda Senn welcomed Rotarians to the meeting. The patriotic song was The Star Spangled Banner featuring David Dix on the piano, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Roger Sidoti offered today’s invocation. Dominique Bollenbacher sang lead vocals for the singing of Auld Lang Syne.

 

There were no visiting Rotarians at today’s meeting.

 

Sage Culley, Davey Tree – Guest of Jennifer Lennox.

Heidi Johnson, Portage Foundation – Guest of Kelly Tremaine

 

 

Amanda shared that Sue Whiting was recently released from the hospital. She could use help with groceries or rides to follow-up appointments. If you can help, see Amanda, Rachel, or Carol. She is not up for visitors just yet.

 

Shawn Gordon passed a get-well-soon card for Sue.

 

Doug Fuller announced that this month’s Tap Talks will feature Jack Amrhein discussing the pop culture of the 1970s.

 

Dominique Bollenbacher announced a new program co-sponsored by the City of Kent and Main Street Kent. Snow Day will be held on January 27 and include many activities in the downtown area to bring people together and support local businesses. Daisy Pops will be offering free cake pops! In addition, she invited everyone to attend the Kent Jaycees Reverse Raffle on February 9 at Bell Tower Brewing. Tickets are available now online or see Dominique.

 

Larry Lohman shared that Rotary’s International Assembly is taking place now. President-Elect Stephanie Urchick announced the 2024-2025 presidential theme will be ‘The Magic of Rotary’.

 

 

The following Rotarians had happy news to share: Laura Martin Miller (son’s 2^nd birthday); Larry Lohman (both daughters were home for holidays and are now back at school); Roger Sidoti (granddaughter turned 18); Shawn Gordon (spent two weeks out west with family and former exchange student); Anne Moneypenny (survived the holidays); John Flynn (9^th grandchild born); Tom Myers (being one of three surviving Rotary octet members); and Mark Pennell (new hobby – lathing).

 

 

Amanda introduced today’s speaker, Whitney Randolph. Whitney is employed as a Senior Project Manager at Davey Tree where she handles corporate social media. Today she will be speaking to us as the new President of Kent Jaycees.

 

Whitney joined Jaycees in 2018 shortly after she moved to the Kent area and started her position at Davey Tree. She will be sworn in as Jaycee’s new president at their meeting later this week.  

 

The Jaycees are the Junior Chamber of Commerce and are made up of those between the ages of 18-40. Junior Chamber has international, state, and local chapters. It is their mission to develop leaders through networking, developing personal and professional skills, and learning leadership skills. Once someone ages out of Jaycees, they continue in other service organizations, like Rotary, or are prepared to serve on community boards. The Kent chapter is extremely active.

 

The Kent Jaycees started in 1940 and have been in Kent for 83 years. Their membership today is about 20 members, small but mighty! In 1978 they purchased the train car that serves as their home during warmer months. The train car was a recent beneficiary of one of their reverse raffles as it needed some repairs to the roof and steps and fixing a dent.

 

The Jaycees fundraise throughout the year so they can give back to the community. They recently started a mini-grant program to award grants of $1,000. Membership votes on grant recipients based on applications that are requested twice a year.

 

A history of their fundraisers includes:

 

1979 – Reverse Raffle starts

1998 – Bowl Against Abuse starts and is later handed over to the Children’s Advocacy Center

2010- Grill for Good starts (It will be held in August this year instead of June)

2019 – Craft Beer Festival starts (their largest fundraiser)

 

In addition to fundraising, they also volunteer to help with other community events around town.

 

Their upcoming events in 2024 include:

 

5/18/24 – Craft Beer Festival – featuring live music this year and 25 breweries

3/29/2024 – Adult Egg Scramble with Kent Parks and Rec

7/6/24 – Ducks Over the Falls at Heritage Festival

8/2024 – Grill for Good

Adopt a Spot

Family Friendly Halloween

Polar Express

 

Whitney closed by stating Jaycees work hard, but have a lot of fun!

 

Today’s responder was Dominique Bollenbacher.

 

The meeting ended with the 4 Way Test.

 

 

January 16          Dave Ruller, State of the City

January 23           Marc Streem, UH, Early Heart Attack Care

January 30          Jeff Miller, Author

 

Respectfully submitted,

Stacey Richardson