Rotary International asks us to Serve to Change Lives through its Focus Areas
This month Rotary International asks us to Serve to Change Lives by helping to promote Youth Service. Explore the possibilities with us at our meeting Wednesday at noon at Wick Park or virtually via Zoom.
Ryan Forney and Kevin Scott founded Ohio Urban Renaissance in 2017. This nonprofit organization provides mentorship and after-school activities to high school students to prepare them for college and post-secondary education as well as job readiness. Learn more about O.U.R. programs at our Wednesday lunch meeting, to be held at St. John Episcopal Church on Wick Avenue, which is next to the main branch of the Public Library and across the street from YSU Jones Hall. The church has ample parking.
Yes, you can bring your donations of filmy plastic to the meeting! Help us reach our collection goal and be environmentally responsible.
Last Week's Meeting
Hundreds of lawyers, high school and college students and service club members – including a healthy contingent of Rotarians – participated in the annual Law Day Luncheon on May 1 at the D.D. Davis Center in Mill Creek MetroParks Fellows Riverside Gardens.
Law Day promotes civics, civility and collaboration as cornerstones of democracy. Law Day also encourages students to consider joining the legal profession, as the need for young lawyers in Youngstown is expected to increase over the next few decades.
Guest speaker Atty. Willian P. Marshall, professor of law at the University of North Carolina, shared his analysis of executive power and how it is still influenced by a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision with a Youngstown connection.
Members of United Steelworkers of America called a strike in 1952 against 10 steel makers, including U.S. Steel, in a wage dispute. President Harry S. Truman, citing the importance of continued steelmaking during the Korean War, nationalized the industry hours before laborers walked out. Steel company leaders wanted to regain control of their operations. On June 2, 1952, in Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer, the Supreme Court ruled that the President lacked the power to seize the factories.
Marshall noted that Truman wasn’t alone in exercising presidential power, citing decisions by Presidents Franklin Roosevelt, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump. By definition, executive powers are vague, and so “presidents reach out to take that power,” he said. The federal Office of Legal Counsel is tasked with researching what presidents can or cannot do, but the agency’s staffers are political appointees, he added.
“Presidential power builds on itself based on past practice,” Marshall said. Additional influences include public expectations of presidents – especially in moments when quick action is needed – a lack of bipartisanship response to check presidential powers, and growth of the executive branch of government that “vests power in the presidency to control it,” he continued.
An essay competition among high school students is another component of Law Day. This year, students were invited to write about Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer. The winning essay was written by Dominic Staszko of Austintown Fitch High School.
Youngstown Municipal Court Judge Carla Baldwin and Mahoning County Deputy Clerk of Courts Kathi McNabb Welsh were the event co-chairs.
Bike Belmont
World Bee Day News
The Monarch butterfly may be the symbol of Operation Pollination, but there’s no disputing the importance of bees in our lives. They carry pollen from flower to flower, which enables the production of fruits, nuts and seeds that we need and enjoy. That is only one reason why World Bee Day will be observed on May 20.
A local celebration will be from noon to 4 p.m. that afternoon at Honeycomb Arts and Wellness Center at the Judy Rogers Memorial Garden, 1931 Belmont Ave. See our fellow Rotarian Jessica Romeo for information.
Rotary Outing Ahead
RCY’s weekly meeting on May 24 will be at Golden String Inc.'s Gabba Camp in Coitsville. Golden String is a Youngstown-based nonprofit that provides medical, vocational and social support for adults with developmental and physical disabilities. Golden String was created by Youngstown native Jimmy Sutman in 2001. You may be familiar with The Purple Cat, a day program provider for adults with disabilities, which was also created by Sutman. Rotarian Flavio Aiken is a grant writer for Golden String.
Gabba Camp is a 30-acre resort and respite center that will provide recreation, respite care and vocational opportunities for adults with disabilities. Five ADA accessible cabins that will house 4-6 people are currently under construction and are scheduled to be operational in the fall of this year. Two additional cabins will be built in 2024. All cabins will have heat, air conditioning, a kitchenette, patio and bathroom with a shower. Golden String is pursuing federal and local grant funding for a parking lot, lodge and swimming pool.
Parking on May 24 will be in the lot across McCartney Road from the Purple Cat at Farmer Casey's Ranch (adjacent to Gabba Camp). The address is 4738 McCartney Road, Lowellville, 44436. Carpooling is encouraged. Most of our time at Gabba Camp will be spent walking the grounds. There may be some muddy areas, and so members are urged to wear appropriate shoes.
Please RSVP to George Nelson if you will attend.
RSVP for President’s Party
Members will show their appreciation for Sharon Letson’s leadership at the annual President’s Party on Wednesday, June 28, at Youngstown Country Club, 1402 Country Club Drive, 44505.
It will be a memorable evening, with a social hour beginning at 6 p.m., dinner at 7, and a program afterward. The entertainment will be by pianist Joe Augustine.
Reservations can be made now; click here. The cost is $25 per Rotarian and $75 per guest for those who sign up by TODAY (June 13). Prices will increase after June 13.
Attendees will choose Chicken Francaise or pecan crusted salmon for their entrees. A vegan option will also be available. Youngstown Country Club’s signature dessert (pecan ball with hot fudge) will be served. A cash bar will be open. Business or cocktail attire is recommended.
Pollinator Power (Virtual) Party June 19-23 goal: 3 Million People!
The Electric Power Resource Institute is excited to announce their featured speakers for the 2023 Pollinator Power Party, taking place virtually June 19-June 23, 2023. Check out the full schedule AND REGISTER on their Party website and stay tuned for more information on special activities and events.
Their goal is to reach 3 million people in 2023. Enabled by the EPRI Power-in-Pollinator Initiative, this event will bring experts on pollinators right to your living room, library, or office.
The Issue: The Status of Pollinators The last complete update on the ecological status of pollinators in North America was published in 2007. What’s the new update? Dr. May Berenbaum, World-renowned entomologist recipient of the National Medal of Science in 2014, will provide an update on the status of pollinators — the first since 2007. Robert Bonnie, Under secretary, United States Department of Agriculture, Farm Production and Conservation
Solutions: Getting More Done at Once– Energy, Carbon, Habitat. As a renewable energy source, solar PV is generally considered to have low adverse environmental impacts, but there may be opportunities for additional environmental stewardship through site selection, land use, and vegetation choices. Can we really lower our carbon footprint and improve habitat at the same time? Dr. Rebecca Hernandez, UC Davis Wild Energy Center. Dr. Arshad Mansoor,CEO, EPRI.
Culture & Ethics:Can Bees be Happy? Do we know how uniquely intelligent bees are as individuals? Do bees play, plan, and have emotional responses? If bees have a consciousness, what are the ethical implications for how we manage habitat and conduct research? Dr. Lars Chittka, Queen Mary University of London, draws upon decades of research and his published book, The Mind of a Bee, to examine if bees can feel and think.
Act Locally! Local Activities They will also provide ideas and resources for party attendees to celebrate and show support for pollinators in their own unique way from home, outside, or in the office!
See you at the Party!
THIS WEEK IN ROTARY HISTORY
May 11, 1993: Dr. Richard Murray and Jerry Haber went to New York City to receive honors from Princess Elizabeth of Yugoslavia for the Rotary Club of Youngstown's project of sending medical supplies to her former country as it was ravaged by civil war.
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