I write this to you from up North in Toronto as we celebrate our Eid (similar to Christmas) with family! It has been a wonderful trip and great to be with family. It reminds me of how increasingly I consider Rotary my family also!
Reminder that we will meet at 6:00pm at North Water Brewing on Tuesday June 18 and not at our regular time at the Church. Amanda will run through the short announcements etc. Then the group will stay for the Tap Talks! I am really sad that I will miss this unique Rotary meeting but will be in town for the final Rotary meeting of the year and to install the new leadership!
President Asad, called the meeting to order at 12:10. Our patriotic song was the National Anthem led by Dominique Bollenbacher and played by David Dix. It was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the invocation by Nelson Burns. Dominique led us in singing “You’re a Grand Old Flag” in honor of Flag Day on June 14.
VISITORS
There were no guests. Visiting Rotarian Kaleena Gharky joined us ahead of her transfer to our club.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Dennis Campbell reminded everyone that there will be a Chamber Business After Hours at North Water Brewing tonight from 5 to 7. On 6/27 the Chamber will host a luncheon featuring fellow Kent Rotarian and Superintendent of Kent City Schools Tom Larkin speaking about the State of the Schools. The event will be held at Theodore Roosevelt High School from 11:30 to 1:00 pm. You can sign up at the chamber website, www.kentbiz.com.
Doug Fuller encouraged everyone to attend Tap Talks at North Water Brewing next Tuesday at 7 pm. The speakers will be fellow Kent Rotarian Bill Arthur and Heidi Shaffer Bish who will discuss the history of Kent’s iconic Silk Mill.
Amanda Senn reminded everyone that next week’s meeting will be held at 6 pm at North Water Brewing followed be Tap Talks. Please RSVP to Amanda.
Larry Lohman thanked everyone for attending the Tequila Tasting at The Battleground. There were 38 attendees and half the proceeds will go to fund the upcoming water project in El Salvador.
Todd Kamenash announced that Kent and Kent State have been chosen to host the International Town and Gown Association Conference in June, 2025
Carol Crimi noted that Sue Whiting is recovering from surgery and passed around a get well card for her.
Dom Bollenbacher announced that the Jaycees are hosting a Health Fair on 6/15 from 1 to 4 at the Rec Center. On 6/16 there will be a celebration of Junteenth at Plum Creek Park from 12 to 4. Grill for Good will be held on August 10 this year.
HAPPY BUCKS
Happy Bucks were celebrated by Bill Childers who wanted Asad Khan to know that the USA Cricket Team beat Pakistan! Tom Myers pointed out that the US won because they scored more runs. Ann Moneypenny had a happy buck for her wonderful dad. Adam Alderson will appear at Weathervane Playhouse in the upcoming production of Something Rotten. His wife is stage managing and his so will appear later this summer in Fiddler. Nelson Burns celebrated his mother’s 99th birthday. Amanda Senn is grateful her son is recovering from stitches earned at hockey camp.
PROGRAM
Program Chair Amanda Senn introduced today’s program, which was a chance for Rotary officers and committee chairs to recap the 2023-2024 year.
Stacey Richardson, incoming Program Chair, encouraged everyone to sign up to be a monthly program chair.
Amanda Senn filled in for Matt Carter for a Finance Committee update—all good; nothing bad to report.
Jennifer Lennox, Membership Committee Chair, complimented everyone for bringing in so many new members this year. She also explained the Mentorship Program and encouraged others to participate.
Bill Myers, Chair of Ways and Means, noted that they are working on strategic planning and on ideas to promote knowledge about our club’s activities within the community.
Mary Beth Harper congratulated the eight members of the Famous Rotary Book Club on seven years of great reads, great field trips to hear authors speak, great dinners, and great friends.
Larry Lohman explained that the club first became involved with Water Projects in Central America in the 1990s with the leadership of Carol Crimi. The current project is designed to retrofit systems created previously with solar power to provide cheaper, more reliable, and constant access to water. These projects bring water to villages that lack or have damaged infrastructure helping women and children, mostly, who otherwise are responsible for carrying water from sometimes distant sources. There will be an opportunity for Rotarians to go to El Salvador in January 2025 to see the results of the project.
Dominique Bollenbacher discussed the results of the Auction, over $25,000 was raised, and the subsequent survey that 40 Rotarians completed. People very much liked the change to a weeknight and the venue and food received high marks. More help with tech issues is needed for next year. Dominique and Nithya Ventakaraman are co-chairing next year’s Auction and encourage everyone to start thinking about auction items.
RESPONSE
Dave Myers offered the response thanking the committee chairs for their important work and contributions to our club and community.
Please complete the training on Youth Protection Awareness by following the emailed link. Search your emails for the subject "Rotary District 6630 Training Course: Youth Protection Awareness" to find the invitation to the training. This step is critical, as every link emailed is attached to your Rotary member ID, and will automatically identify you in the system once you complete it. If you cannot find this email, please let Todd Kamenash or any of the Rotary board members know so that a new link can be generated for you. Thank you for your attention to this important matter!
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.
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