Youngstown Rotary Clatter - Monday April 4, 2022 (Apr 04, 2022)

Rotary International asks us to Serve to Change Lives through its Focus Areas

January is Vocational Service Month

This month Rotary International asks us to Serve to Change Lives by helping to improve the lives of mothers and their children. Explore the possibilities with us at our meeting Wednesday at noon at Wick Park or virtually via Zoom.

http://www.youngstownrotaryevent.com

The Zoom ID is: 3567145262

Rotary International Foundation | Rotary International

This Week's Meeting

This week we will hear from Cheryl Tarantino, executive director of Northeast Ohio Adoption Services. (NOAS). Founded in 1978, NOAS is a private, non-for-profit agency that serves children and families with programs built on their mission to promote lifelong permanency for current and former foster youth. NOAS recruits, prepares, and supports families and positive connections. NOAS has placed over 1,300 children into loving, adoptive homes throughout northeast Ohio.

LAST WEEK’S MEETING

The happy buzz inside Wick Park Pavilion on March 30 came from Rotarians and community members who turned out in great numbers for the annual Youngstown Rotary Foundation Grant Awards.

The foundation presented $25,000 in awards – five grants of $3,000 each and one grant of $10,000 — to six organizations that provide admirable, invaluable, impactful service throughout and beyond Youngstown.

The Alliance for Congregational Transformation Influencing Our Neighborhoods, or ACTION, will apply its $3,000 award to the launch of a mobile market vehicle that will take healthy foods into city neighborhoods that are food deserts for lack of grocery stores. ACTION Organizer Vicki Vicars said the truck may be ready to roll as soon as this month.

Michele Jones, co-founder of the Down Syndrome Association of the Valley, said Rotary’s support will enhance the Buddy Up Tennis Program, in which children with Down Syndrome interact with the men’s and women’s tennis teams at Youngstown State University for learning, exercise and fun.

Oh Wow! The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology, is moving forward with a 9-week digital storytelling and digital literacy program for city students that has been inspired by Pixar computer animation films. One project, once completed, will be shown on Apple TV. “We feel the youth of the Valley have a story to tell,” said Marvin Logan, Oh Wow’s executive director.

Dominic Mancini of Sight For All said Rotary will help the nonprofit to reach Youngstown students who missed the nonprofit’s free in-school eye exams and eyeglass fittings. Those students will instead be transported to local ophthalmologists for exams and, if needed, eyeglasses.

A Rotary grant is the “basis for us to grow,” said Kathleen Moliterno, development and marketing director of Yellow Brick Place, which helps patients and their families to cope with cancer. Rotary funding will be invested into software to simplify maintaining contact with clients, volunteers and donors, she said.

The $10,000 award went to United Returning Citizens, which assists persons after incarceration with employment training and job searching, among other services. Executive Director Dionne Dowdy cited two programs that will benefit from the Rotary grant: A women’s empowerment group and weekend retreats to address mental and emotional health of participants.

Becky Davis, Youngstown Rotary Foundation chairwoman, coordinated this year’s program. The grant review committee consisted of Kevin Chiu, President-Elect Sharon Letson, President Josh Prest and Davis. A video presentation of award winners, produced by Marquee Creatives (owned by Rotarian Aundrea Cika Heschmeyer) was shown to all in attendance. Thank you to these Rotarians for their contributions of time and talent.

There was more good news during the meeting. Adam Lee received his actual Paul Harris Fellow Award, three weeks after he was named a PHF at the club’s 107th anniversary dinner. Don Foley introduced Diana Homick as RCY’s newest member. Mike Latessa announced that the April Beers, Cheers & Gears Happy Hour will be at 5:30 p.m. April 21 at Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course, 655 N. Canfield-Niles Road, Austintown.

Adam Lee also announced that neighborhood associations are supporting the 2022 Wick Park Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 9, from 11 a.m. to noon. Pancakes will be served at 9 a.m. in the pavilion; cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 1 to 12. Egg hunt registration will begin at 10 a.m.

Beers Cheers and Gears

A number of Rotarians attended the March 31 Beers, Cheers, and Gears, held at the Royal Oaks bar in Youngstown. The weather was pleasant enough for everyone to sit outside and enjoy the beautiful spring evening. The next Beers, Cheers, and Gears will be held on Thursday, April 21, at Hollywood Gaming in Austintown.

ATHENA AWARD NOMINEES

Of 31 nominees for the 29th Annual Athena Award, to be presented May 19 by the Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber and The Vindicator, two are Youngstown Rotarians. The Athena Award recognizes women who excel in their chosen field, have devoted time and energy to their community in a meaningful way, and open doors so that others may follow in their path.

Aundréa Cika Heschmeyer, president/owner of Marquee Creatives marketing agency, and Aimee Fifarek, executive director and CEO of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, are among an impressive field of candidates. Congratulations, Aundrea and Aimee! Your fellow Rotarians are proud of you.

Operation Pollination

BIOdiversity, Equity, and Inclusion – Why “Protecting Our Environment” Should Be a Priority For All

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, agreed by the 193 States Members of the United Nations, sets out an ambitious framework of universal and indivisible goals and targets to address a range of global societal challenges. Biodiversity and ecosystems feature prominently across many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and associated targets.
Of the 17 SDG’s here’s a look at only the 6 that align with Rotary International’s OTHER focus areas:
1. Peace Building and Conflict Prevention - Environmental crime such as wildlife trafficking, illicit fishing and illegal timber trade undermine sustainable development and threaten global security by benefiting organized crimes and non-state armed groups. Natural resources worth USD 91-258 billion annually are estimated to be stolen by criminals, depriving countries of revenues and development opportunities. Conflicts over natural resources, environmental degradation and contamination can also be one of the factors leading to social insecurity and violence, which often disproportionately affects vulnerable people. Enhancing the role of law and equity for governance of biodiversity, natural resources and ecosystems can contribute to the fundamental process toward building an inclusive society based on justice and democratic decision-making.

2. Disease Prevention and Treatment - Nearly 1 in 4 of total global deaths is attributed to environmental risk factors. The link between biodiversity and human health is increasingly recognized. Many pests and diseases are consequences of ecosystem disturbance. Healthy ecosystems help to mitigate the spread and impact of pollution by both sequestering and eliminating certain types of air, water and soil pollution. Forests regulate water flow and improve water quality. Further, many medicines have been derived from biological products and a substantial proportion of the world’s population depends on traditional medicines derived from biodiversity for their health care needs.

3. Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene - Healthy ecosystems underpin the delivery of water supplies, water quality, and guard against water-related hazards and disasters. For example, wetlands play an appreciable role in surface, sub-surface and ground water storage, as well as preserving dry season river flows and reducing the risk of flooding in wet seasons. They also serve to retain, process and dilute wastes and other pollutants, helping maintain water quality.

4. Maternal and Child Health - Women play a vital role in managing biological resources and are disproportionally affected by the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Biodiversity loss and degraded ecosystems can perpetuate gender inequalities by increasing the time spent by women and children in performing certain tasks, such as collecting valuable resources including fuel, food, and water, and reducing time for education and income generating activities.

5. Basic Education and Literacy - Raising awareness of the importance of biodiversity for sustainable development through education systems will be key to achieving this and other SDGs. Increasing awareness and knowledge of biodiversity and ecosystems is a key element for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles. Traditional and indigenous knowledge are important to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and these knowledge systems should be harnessed through culturally sensitive educational initiatives, including agricultural extension services.

6. Community and Economic Development - Biodiversity and ecosystems contribute directly to human well-being and development priorities. Biodiversity is at the center of many economic activities, particularly those related to crop and livestock agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. Globally, nearly half of the human population is directly dependent on natural resources for its livelihood, and many of the most vulnerable people depend directly on biodiversity to fulfil their daily subsistence needs.

Call to Action – Ukraine Emergency Aid

As one of the world’s largest humanitarian organizations, Rotary has made peace the cornerstone of its global mission. The Ukraine crisis is a matter of great concern for Rotary.

In response to the deepening refugee crisis, The Rotary Foundation Trustees have decided to prioritize contributions made to the Disaster Response Fund until April 30, 2022 to support disaster response grants for districts affected by these events. These expedited disaster response grants can be used to supply water, food, medicine, shelter, and clothing.

Half a million people have fled Ukraine and are in dire need of emergency aid. The United Nations believes that number of refugees could grow to as many as 5 million people displaced. Rotary clubs in Europe and around the world have stepped up their relief work, some working on the ground to help displaced families.

Donate to the Disaster Response Fund to support communities and help rebuild lives during this tragic time.

Please join the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America (UMANA) Ohio Chapter by donating money or medical supplies for the war effort in Ukraine. Supplies are needed for surgical and trauma care as humanitarian needs are growing exponentially.

There are several ways to make a donation of money to assist with costs:
Donate through the website FundForUkraine.org
Go to PayPal and search for @FundToAidUkraine
Mail a check to Cleveland Selfreliance Federal Credit Union, 6108 State Rd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44134
To donate medical supplies text or call 440-823-7076.
You can also call president Josh for more information or to make a donation.

RCY YOUTUBE CHANNEL

If you enjoyed the video of Youngstown Rotary Foundation grant winners that was produced recently, then there is an easy way to view it again and enjoy more content. Subscribe to RCY’s new YouTube channel! By signing up for a subscription, you will be notified when new videos are posted. Check out the YouTube posts on RCY’s Facebook page to subscribe, or click here

Rotary Magazine - April

By: Dr. Barbara Brothers

Each month, I am amazed at the work of Rotary around the globe. It makes me hopeful to learn how Rotary brings us together under the motto of “service above self.” The April issue is no exception as we learn of work in Nairobi, Turkey, Brazil, and the Philippines as supported by the Rotary Foundation. Our support of the people of Ukraine is outlined on the inside front cover.

Nor is it just people for which Rotary cares. Our work extends to all earth’s creatures. We can learn more about that work by visiting rag4es.org (Rotary Action Group for Endangered Species). Another feature is a partnership between Canada Rotary and the government.

RCY Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Directors met Feb. 16 to discuss our successful Groundhog Craft Beerfest; the resumption of the Rotary Youth Exchange Program; updating the club’s bylaws; and how RCY leads statewide in Facebook likes. Read the complete minutes here: (requires Clubrunner Login)

Youngstown Rotary Foundation Meeting Minutes

At its Feb. 16 meeting, members reviewed the Community Grant Program and how $25,000 is being awarded to local nonprofits. They also approved a $1,000 contribution to the Public Library of Youngstow’s Summer Reading Program. Read about all of it here: (requires Clubrunner Login)

Monday, April 4, 2022