Rotary International asks us to Imagine Rotary through our Focus Areas
This month Rotary International asks us to Imagine Rotary by developing and new members. Explore the possibilities with us at our meeting Wednesday at noon at Wick Park or virtually via Zoom.
In addition to RCY weekly meetings, the Wick Park Pavilion is a gathering spot for the 2022 Summer Day Camp for children ages 5 to 17. Rotarians will have a picnic with campers this Wednesday and help to distribute books to them as part of the Public Library’s summer reading program. Can you arrive early to help with setup? Extra hands will be appreciated.
Last Week's Meeting
The 2022 Rotary International Convention in Houston, Texas, offered plenty of inspiring moments as Rotary's global network gathered in person for the first time since 2019. Josh Prest, Samantha Turner, Scott Schulick, and President Sharon Letson attended from our club, and gained a broader appreciation of Rotary’s global impact by attending.
The convention took place from June 4 – 9 in Houston, Texas, with nearly 20,000 individuals from all over the world in attendance. There was a shared sense of amazement at the people and culture surrounding our group, with lots of new ideas and connections with others.
Scott provided a historical perspective to the goings-on, since he had attended many other international conferences.
Of course things didn’t go off without a hitch. The time of the flights constantly changed, leaving very little time for people to get to the airport. And President Sharon’s bags didn’t arrive for two days, meaning a change of clothing was not in the cards. But she persevered!
Please see the link to the form for the Club's annual Steak Fry registration information.
Save The Date
A NIGHT FOR UKRAINE
November 5, 2022
I am honored to serve as Event Chair for District 6650's effort to support The Rotary Foundation through RI's Ukraine Relief Fund! This event is one of the largest the District and clubs together have undertaken in some time and I commend DG Michelle for her vision to make this event a reality. As Rotarians, we are committed to humanitarian relief through our Avenues of Service and the need is great as we watch the war unfold and the suffering of the Ukrainian people.
So, we need your help (big time)! Each club in the district is being asked to raise at least $2500 for the event. If we can do that, we will raise over $100,000. However, we know you can do much better than that. We're asking clubs to donate, raise funds through events, or commit funds from an existing event to help us reach our goal. Additionally, you can reach your goal by inviting individual Rotarians and their businesses to be sponsors and for businesses and organizations in your communities to become an event sponsor. It all adds up and will help you reach your goal quickly. We are exactly 3 months away from this event and that gives you time to get organized and raise funds. Think Jerry Lewis telethon style: your clubs will raise funds and on the night of the event, you will come up on stage and tell us your total!
We have a very special guest in Past Rotary President Barry Rassin attending the event. Barry was RI President in 2018-19 when I served as District Governor and his theme was "Be the Inspiration." I have no doubt that District 6650 can "be the inspiration" to reach a lofty goal to help the people of Ukraine victimized by the war with Russia.
How will this work?
For every dollar your club raises the club will receive Rotary Foundation Recognition points that you can use to award Paul Harris Fellows. If your club raises at least $2500 through donations, sponsorships from Rotarians and/or businesses, you will be awarded a bonus Paul Harris Fellow to distribute as your club sees fit. A generous donor is providing this bonus award. All checks and payments for the event must be made payable to District 6650 and after the event, foundation recognition points will be transferred to your clubs. As an example, if your club raises $5,000, you will receive 6,000 foundation points to be used at the club's discretion. Be sure to attend the event. Event tickets are $60 each and will not be included toward the fundraising goal as tickets will cover event overhead costs. However, all sponsorship levels include some complimentary tickets. Attached to this email are PDF and PNG files that you can use to print, electronically deliver to your members and event sponsor prospects. Please consider posting to your club's social media page and ask your members to share the event!
The planning committee has a lot in store to bring you authentic Ukrainian cuisine, decor, authentic music including choir, dancers and a band An auction featuring special experiences and items (this isn't a basket raffle kind of auction!) Fellowship with Rotarians, special guests and community members---the event is open to ALL! Get your communities involved! If you have a Ukrainian population or churches/organizations in your area...spread the word. This is an effort that will bring our district together collaboratively and provide us an opportunity to fulfill RI President Jennifer Jones' charge to "Imagine Rotary!"
Please email me or call me with any questions. I will continue to regularly send you follow-up emails as the weeks progress.
Good Luck in your efforts! We can do this!
PDG Scott Schulick, Event Chair
MONARCH BUTTERFLY LISTED AS ENDANGERED! WHAT CAN HOMEGROWN NATIONAL PARKERS DO TO HELP THE MONARCHS? WE CAN DO LOTS!
MONARCH BUTTERFLY LISTED AS ENDANGERED by Doug Tallamy
This week the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed the North American migratory populations of the monarch butterfly as an endangered species. Having declined 75%, 85%, or 95%, depending on which eastern population you are talking about, or over 99% if you are referring to the California monarch, the direction the most iconic butterfly in the world is heading is painfully clear. Monarchs are in trouble both in the north where they breed and in Mexico where they spend the winter months...
But there is much we can do as we build Homegrown National Park in the U.S. and Canada to improve the monarch’s chances while it breeds here in the north.
LOSS OF HABITAT
What is hurting the monarch on our end of its epic migration? Same old, same old: loss of habitat, pesticides, and death by auto collision. By loss of habitat, I mean the loss of the milkweed species, the only plants on which monarch caterpillars can develop, and the loss of fall blooming plants such as asters and goldenrods that provide the nectar fuel needed by migrating monarchs as they fly from Canada to just north of Mexico City.
WHAT CAN HOMEGROWN NATIONAL PARKERS DO TO HELP THE MONARCHS?
1) STOP MOSQUITO FOGGING – START USING MOSQUITO DUNKS We can fire our mosquito fogging person and reduce mosquito annoyance by using mosquito dunks or simply a well-positioned fan. See mosquito dunk video.
More suggestions on how to save the Monarchs will be posted next week.
Scrappers Game Information
Join us for a Youngstown Rotary Night Out Picnic Thursday, August 18th Picnic: 5:30pm First pitch: 7:05pm
Cost: $24 per person (includes upper box seat, picnic - hot dogs, burgers, baked beans, potato salad, cookies, chips, water, soft drinks)
Please see the attached form for more details. RSVP deadline is August 11th (made directly to the Scrappers via the form or by calling 330.505.0000).
THIS WEEK IN ROTARY HISTORY
August 2, 1953: Eight graduate students from Finland arrived in Youngstown through “Experiment in International Living” (via Rotary International Service Committee) to live for one month prior to the opening of college, in the homes of eight Youngstown Rotarians.
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?
NEW MEMBERS PROPOSAL:
Erick Jenkins
Certified employment support professional,
Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Classification: TBD
Sponsor: Gerri Jenkins
Erick, a lifelong resident of the Mahoning Valley, earned his bachelor degree at Youngstown State University and Master of Business Administration at Malone University in Canton. Over time, he has developed a passion to help individuals obtain and maintain gainful employment. Watching them transition from workshop settings to community employment environments is one of his greatest achievements. He also volunteers and serves on several committees at the Pro Football Hall of Fame and is a 4th degree member with the Knights of Columbus. He has two children, Mayson and Andrew.
Dominick Brown
Shift Leader, Ultium Cells Joint Venture Between General Motors and LG
Classification: Automotive Manufacturing
Sponsor: Samantha Turner
Dominick has more than 12 years of management experience at General Motors plants in Ohio, Michigan and Missouri. He was selected as Group Leader of the Month twice, in 2016 and 2018. After graduating from The Rayen School in 2004, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Applied Science at YSU, where he majored in criminal justice. He is an active member of General Motors African Ancestry Network and the Professional Managers Network.