Rotary International asks us to Imagine Rotary through our Focus Areas
This month Rotary International asks us to Imagine Rotary by supporting disease prevention and treatment month. Explore the possibilities with us at our meeting Wednesday at noon at Wick Park or virtually via Zoom.
Alison Gasser is a third-generation employee of Gasser Chair, a Youngstown-based made-to-order furniture company with more than 1.6 million products sold since 1946. Her role is to build on the company’s history of sustainability, which helps it to be environmentally and financially responsible.
Carbon neutrality is achieved by offsetting carbon dioxide emissions at the same rate they are produced. Becoming carbon neutral is attainable at Gasser, where “we don’t throw things away, we reuse,” Gasser said. The company’s clients include about 90 percent of casinos. Metal parts of used chairs are among items they store in warehouses. Leftover upholstery is sold to companies that use scraps. She is working on a zero-waste plan, meaning that Gasser’s 125 employees send nothing to landfills, she said. Fascinating presentation!
In other news, Rotarian Paul Garchar, CEO of Potential Development schools for children with autism, presented a check to President Deanna Rossi and Purple Pinkie Project Mahoning County Coordinator Jessica Romeo for the many dozens of doughnuts that were sold by the high school Interact Club and others. Proceeds will benefit Rotary International’s End Polio Now campaign.
Put Kids First is coordinating a Giving Tree for young members of the Boys and Girls Club of Youngstown. Gifts should be given to Rotarians Samatha Turner or Edna Edmonds at the Holiday Party on Dec. 13, or members should arrange for pickup no later than Dec. 16.
Congratulations to Stephen DiPaolo on his recent promotion with the Boy Scouts of America. He must relocate but intends to transfer to another Rotary club. Good luck, Stephen!
The Beerfest Preview on Nov. 30 was doubly fun at Biker Brewhouse in Austintown, where the inventory includes craft beers and motorcycles.
The city’s Holiday Parade on Dec. 1 was a festive affair, and Rotary participation was strong during its planning, on the judging stand, and in the crowd. George Nelson captured images of some fun moments.
ROTARY THIS WEEK
Rotary will be “On the Road” this Wednesday. Instead of Wick Park, we will gather at Eastern Gateway Community College, 101 E. Federal St., for an overview of the school’s mission, programs and more. Check the deck behind the Doubletree for parking options.
The next installment of “Rotary After Hours” also will be Wednesday at Bistro 1907 at the Doubletree. This is a great option for anyone who can’t make the weekday meeting, as well as prospective members. Check in will be at 5:30, the program will begin at 6, introductions will start at 6:15, and socialization will follow. Cost is $10 per person (same as lunch meetings). Finger foods will be served; a cash bar will be available.
Wednesday is the RSVP deadline to attend the Holiday Party on Dec. 13 at Youngstown Country Club. No lunchtime meeting that day! Registering is easy; simply click here.
Donate Plastic, Then Party
The club’s Film Plastic Collection will happen on Dec. 13 at the Youngstown Country Club!
Elsa will park her forest green Toyota Tacoma truck, with a black canvas top, near the building entrance. She will leave the tailgate down. Place your plastic in the back and use the broom to push it further back so that everyone's contributions will fit.
SAVE THE DATE
Women's Coffee and Breakfast, 8:30-10 a.m., and Food Pantry distribution, 10-11:30 a.m., both on Saturday, Dec. 16, St. John's Episcopal Church, 323 Wick Ave. Volunteers needed to serve breakfast (provided by RCY) and bag and distribute pantry goods. Contact Josh Prest at 330-509-3381 for further information.
Food Pantry deliveries to households, 2 p.m. Dec. 19, pick up bags at Taft Elementary School, 730 E. Avondale Ave. Rotarians will work in pairs to deliver food to 4-6 households. Contact Josh Prest to sign up.
Rotary on the Road, noon Dec, 20 at WRTA general office, 604 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown, 44502.
NO NOON MEETING on Dec. 27. Weekly meetings will resume Jan. 3.
Rotary After Hours, 5:30 p.m. Jan. 3, Bistro 1907 at Doubletree Hotel.
CLIMATE FRESK WORKSHOP
Want to learn the science behind climate change in a fun, engaging way?
Join the conversation about Protecting the Environment, Rotary International's most recent cause, on Dec. 14. To facilitate this conversation, Elsa Higby will use a tool called Climate Fresk. It is a deck of 42 cards, each detailing a main idea from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Participants will set aside 3 hours for the workshop and be ready to engage collaboratively about how we as Rotarians can serve local solutions.
The Youngstown Rotary Foundation has budgeted $30,000 for the 2023-2024 Community Grant Program to provide grant opportunities for nonprofit organizations that serve and impact Youngstown residents while addressing one or more of Rotary International’s Seven Areas of Focus. Read about it here and spread the word to interested parties. The deadline to apply is Dec. 15.
HABITAT LOSS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate change has emerged as one of the most critical challenges of our time, transcending national borders and impacting every corner of the planet. Driven primarily by human activities that release greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere, climate change poses a multifaceted threat to the environment, society, and economy. From rising temperatures to sea-level rise, extreme weather events, and loss of biodiversity, the problems associated with climate change are profound and urgent. This article delves into some of the key issues that this global crisis presents.
December 9, 1914: members of the Youngstown, Cleveland, Akron, New Caste and Pittsburgh Rotary Clubs held the first District Rotary meeting in Youngstown.
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