What an incredible honor to have been inducted as President of the Rotary Club of Kent for the 2021-2022 year! Thank you, President Randy for your year of service to this club. Your Rotary year will go down as one of the most challenging ever. You not only rose to the challenge, but you excelled.
It was so wonderful to be meeting in person again! While I did not get a count of who was in attendance in person and online, it was so great to be together! Thank you, President-Elect Dave, for spearheading the hybrid meetings. He has a small cadre of members who will be assisting to keep the hybrid format running smoothly… not only for members who are unable to attend in person, but to allow us to continue to have remote speakers for our meetings. I think we all agree that we had excellent programs last year, both local and at great distances, thanks to using Zoom. If you are interested in joining the Zoom Squad, please contact Dave Myers, dmyers11@gmail.com.
While we will not require that people attending the in-person meetings be vaccinated, the board discussed it and agreed that there is an expectation that in-person attendees are vaccinated. I predict that we will be relaxing that expectation, possibly in the near future. It will be a topic at our next (and possibly every) board meeting. If you have thoughts you’d like to share, please feel free to reach out to me or any board member. Until we have a better idea of how things go, we will continue to ask you to bring your own lunch and/or beverage.
Speaking of Board Members, I am delighted that we have such a tremendous board to assist and guide me this year. Thank you to President-Elect Dave Myers, Program Director Asad Khan, Secretary David McKeen, Treasurer Matt Carter, Membership Director Amanda Senn, Service Projects Director Todd Kamenash, Outreach Director Curtis Stumpf, Club Administration Director Roger Kramer, Ways and Means Director Chas Madonio. There are many others who are key to keeping our club running well and I am grateful to them all.
While we missed having our 100th Anniversary Gala last October, it has been rescheduled for October 23rd at the Kent State University Hotel. You should have all received the Save the Date card. More details to come.
We are fortunate to have one of our very own members, Larry Lohman serving this year as District Governor! Please join me on July 14th for the official banner exchange and launch of Larry’s year. I am hoping that we have a number of people there to support our fellow Kent Rotarian as he starts his year as governor. You can attend virtually if a trip to Parma is not in your plans next week. There is no cost, but registration is requested. Go to https://rotarydistrict6630.org and click on the banner in the center of the screen to register.
I look forward to seeing you all in person or on-screen at our July 6th Rotary meeting.
Patriotic song God Bless America was arranged by David Dix followed by a rendition of Happy Days are Here Again.
President Randy led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Invocation was offered by Rebekah Wright Kulis.
Brian Bialik handling Rotareminder duties.
Visiting Rotarians
None
Guests
President Kathy announced Stu Bozart, Akron Rotary member, is zooming in to today’s meeting.
Announcements
Next week there will be an in-person 100th anniversary meeting immediately following the scheduled luncheon.
United Way is coordinating a Tribe Game event.See Bill Childers for additional details.
District Governor Larry Lohman announced a district awards event at West Creek Reservation in Parma on July 14th at 5:00pm.At this meeting, all District officers will be installed.In addition, the District has also scheduled a Tribe game event on July 22nd.Login to the district’s website to make reservations.
100th Anniversary moment(s) – Jim Myers
See separate story.
End of Year – installation of new officers
Outgoing president Randy Smith delivered some prepared remarks, extending gratitude to all of the people who helped make this unusual year a success. In addition, Past President Randy swore in our incoming president Kathy Myers. As one of her first duties as president, president Kathy swore in her entire slate of officers listed in her comments above.
President Kathy finished out the program by outlining her agenda, describing more fully, her hopes and plans for the coming year.
Our Rotary Club was shocked when it learned on Tuesday, November 21, 1944, that one of our honorary service members, Harry S. Longcoy, was missing in action in Italy. One week later the entire membership was saddened to learn that he had made the supreme sacrifice. Harry joined the club in November of 1940 and upon his induction into the armed forces in 1942 was made an honorary service member. He landed at Casablanca went across Africa into Italy, where he became a staff sergeant. He was given the bronze medal for outstanding service about a month before his death. Later during that Rotary year on June 19, 1945, his father, also Harry S. Longcoy and a local grocer became our President during our 25th year as a club.
On that same day June 19, 1945, Roy Smith, a charter member of the Rotary Club Of Kent, left on a mission to Germany for the United States government. Roy, who was commissioned “major“ in World War I, was recommissioned “colonel “before leaving on his mission.
Our membership had reached 75 and our dues were $20 per year with an admission fee of $25.
Information in this eBulletin comes primarily from the Rotareminder, board meeting minutes, and stories submitted by members.
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.
