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 promoting peace in our community. Explore the possibilities with us at our meeting Wednesday at noon at Wick Park or virtually via Zoom.
We will welcome Rose Carter and Pastor Jeff Stanford of the Alliance for Congregational Transformation Influencing our Neighborhoods, or ACTION, recipient of a RCY grant in 2022 toward its Mobile Market initiative to make fresh food available to Youngstown and Warren residents.
Last Week's Meeting
Guest speaker Susan Moorer says YSU’s Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion represents all students who seek help with their classes, advice on employment and internships, or need a safe place to talk.
The office strives to uphold “a culture where everyone is included and people feel welcome,” Moorer emphasized.
The DEI office is in Jones Hall and includes a group of programs to support freshmen, first-generation college students, and any students who are underrepresented or marginalized. The office also offers training programs and workshops on and off campus to educate people about DEI.
In her role as coordinator of special events, Moorer develops diversity programming in connection with Dr. Martin Luther King observances, Women’s History Month and Black History Month. A DEI Gala on Feb. 13 at Mr. Anthony’s was a well-attended fundraiser in support of the YSU Enrichment Scholastic Summer Program, which introduces incoming students to campus and community life.
“I love it. The students are wonderful,” she said of her DEI work.
Moorer discussed many ways in which the DEI office supports students. An example is the Navarro Executive Fellows program, in which students may apply for paid internships and be mentored by executives. Another is through educational trips, including to Cincinnati during YSU’s upcoming Spring Break. Travelers will visit the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and Holocaust Museum.
Also last week, club members supported Rotarians Bill Lawson and Linda Kostka as they and the Mahoning Valley Historical Society hosted the annual Cookie Table and Cocktails fundraiser. A dozen Rotarians were among 400 people who enjoyed a buffet meal, more than 11,000 cookies, signature drinks, live polka music by the Del Sinchak Bank, and raffles. Bill and Linda, it was a splendid evening!
East Palestine Disaster Relief
The ramifications of the train derailment in East Palestine will be felt indefinitely. While District 6650 finalizes its plans to provide relief, persons who want to act now may consider providing help through The Way Station, a nonprofit organization in Columbiana. Learn more at www.thewaystationinc.org .
Helping Women and Girls
All-Ohio PETS (Presidents-Elect Training Seminar) invites you to support the Women and Girls Empowerment Drive by contributing personal care products that will be distributed within each of Ohio’s five Rotary districts. Locally, products are being collected at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 323 Wick Ave., led by Rotarian the Rev. Gayle Catinella.
The recommended way to contribute is to order from Amazon and have goods shipped directly to St. John’s, where Gayle will distribute to women in need.
RCY President-Elect Deanna Rossi asks that all contributions arrive at St. John’s by March 8, ahead of the next PETS assembly.
Travel to Australia in ‘24!
“Highlights of Australia and New Zealand with an extension to Fiji” will be the next international travel opportunity sponsored by the Rotary Club of Youngstown through EF Go Ahead Tours. The 2024 adventure will be an active itinerary with 4 internal flights that allows you to see the best of Australia and New Zealand in 15 days (18 days including Fiji). This itinerary includes a just-right mix of guided tours and group meals, plus free time so you can explore your own interests at your own pace.
The full details of this fabulous tour including day-by-day itinerary, optional excursions, and price are here.
Youngstown Club Attendees to RYLA
Over the weekend, two high school juniors represented RCY at the Youth Leadership Conference in Canfield. From leff are District 6650 Governor Michelle Charles, Sophie Heschmeyer of Ursuline, and Karie Seacrist of Cardinal Mooney.
Conservation is a Team Sport
The insect populations that support all life on earth are in decline. It seems logical - to help protect them and supply the food they need to survive we need to plant and protect their habitats and food sources.
Although not many of us own hundreds or thousands of acres that we can convert into plant and insect sanctuaries, luckily, we can do a lot with just a little bit of space. OPN Seed in Hiram, Ohio can help! See https://www.opnseed.com/pages/seed-mixes
If each of us who has a yard, balcony, patio, or rooftop were to plant flowers, grasses, shrubs, and/or trees native to our area, we would be helping to create vital habitat spaces - food and nesting places - for pollinators and other threatened wildlife. Learn more about why we should stay away from non-native ornamental plants here: https://beecityusa.org/plants/
This is especially crucial for our migratory species. Having the energy they need to travel great distances from one safe place to another is challenging - especially for a small pollinator. Pollinator Partnership offers FREE Pollinator Planting Guides: https://www.pollinator.org/guides
If each of us offers a way to provide protection and food (a way station) this alone could help create connecting pathways to natural habitats found in parks and other protected lands. If you’d like to encourage your neighbors to join you in building a vital migratory corridor, signage is a good way to start a conversation: https://monarchwatch.org/waystations/index.html#register
Rotary and our community partners are dedicated to restoring natural areas with native species. Volunteering is another important way each of us can support the creation of healthy spaces that support our pollinators and build stronger wood webs for us all.
Don’t miss the deadline to register for RCY’s 108th Anniversary Party, which will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 8 at YSU DeBartolo Stadium Club, 577 Fifth Ave. In addition to celebrating our club’s long history of service in Youngstown, we also will recognize the club’s newest Paul Harris Fellows. Saratoga Catering will prepare the food, including vegetarian and vegan options.
Cost is $70 for members and guests if paid by March 1. No tickets will be sold at the door. Send checks to the RCY office, 201 E. Commerce St., Youngstown, 44503, or register online using the link a recent group email.
Note: There will not be a lunchtime meeting on March 8.
THIS WEEK IN ROTARY HISTORY
March 2, 2006: Rotary Club of Youngstown members celebrated 91 Years of Service above Self with a Mardi Gras party.
CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION
Birthdays:
John Fahnert - Feb 27
John Slanina - Feb 27
Proposed new member:
Peter Herman
Market Sales
Associate, Allstate
Classification:Insurance
Sponsor: Adam Lee
Peter, originally of Warren and a graduate of Howland High School, now resides in Youngstown. He studied communications at Youngstown State. He enjoys nature, live music and craft beer.
The Four-Way Test
1. Is it the truth?
2. Is it fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Save the Date:
March 25 – Highway litter cleanup; details to follow.
April 22 – Public open house, Spring Arts Festival at Youngstown City School District, in cooperation with SMARTS Art School and Operation Pollination, at SMARTS; volunteers needed throughout April to assist; details to follow.
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