May 2, 2018 - Rotary Club Meeting Minutes:  Linda McConville

 

John Roberts opened the meeting at 12:15 to a room filled with Newton Rotarians - no guests today.

 

Todd Lattig led the group in prayer and Mark Hontz led the group in singing God Bless America. 

 

John Cuozzo welcomed “Harvey” who was purported to be sitting at his table.  John also expressed his thanks for the great weather. 

 

 

Todd gave 3 Happy Dollars, as he is so very thankful to God for the great weather we are all enjoying. Jim Konzel is happy for the Skyland Ninja Warriors for asking his daughter to tryout for the televised episodes. But unfortunately his daughter fell and broke her arm. So she’s not able to tryout.  

Bud Luthman was not extremely happy that he fell and tore two meniscuses in his leg, nor was he happy when the doctor stated that he would not recommend surgery due to Bud’s age.  Ouch! Linda McConville was happy to get together with high school friends at a reunion in Maryland though she is not delighted to report the number of years it has been since she graduated.  Charles Grotyohann is happy to report that his son is graduating from college this year.  This is Charles’ 4^th and final child to graduate from college – congratulations Dad.  John Roberts is happy for Pam who is home recovering from her back surgery.  Carl added that he has been cleaning, scrubbing and cooking at home.  (Editorial Note:  We should probably do some fact checking that with Pam on that information.)  Carl also reported that Pam is recovering well, though she still is in pain. She is anxious to get back to Rotary and sends her greetings and thanks to the club. 

John Cuozzo is very happy that Sam Hontz’s nephew is recovering well from hip surgery.

 

Announcements:  John shared a letter from Sussex County Social Services for the donation of food and toiletries.  Carl said he is amazed at the number of people in need for the food bank and also mentioned that the food bank is very organized and efficiently run.  They get the food to the families quickly.

 

The Rotary Scholarship Program is scheduled for June 6 and will be held at Bristol Glen.  The cost of the lunch that day will be $22 which is the cost for Bristol Glen to provide lunch.

 

The Garden Party is scheduled for June 30.  We need a host.  Please talk to John Roberts if you can possibly host the Garden Party.

 

The Rotary District Golf Outing is June 12.  If you are interested in signing up contact jmaxman49@gmail.com.

 

Gift of Life:  Jim Konzel reported that 80 children with heart issues who live in Cebu Province in the Philippines received medical assistance with financial assistance from the Rotary. 

 

Installation of Officers Proposal:  Bill Kehoe reported that the other Sussex County Rotary clubs would like to have an installation of officers dinner where the officers of all the clubs will be installed.  The Newton Rotary club members agreed and consider it a good opportunity for local club camaraderie.  The Installation Dinner will take place at the Mohawk House on Friday June 29. 

 

Registration Desk and Newsletter:  Linda McConville suggested the Club return to its former practice of club members rotating the weekly registration desk responsibilities.  Linda also mentioned that the Branchville assigns new club members to the desk for 6 consecutive weeks as it provides the new member with a greater opportunity to get to know members’ names.  We won’t ask the new members to serve that many consecutive but agreed we should assign them more often than the one time during the normal alphabetic rotation.   Linda said she would write a schedule and email it to club members. 

 

Rotary Lending Library:  Laura Camp suggested we start a Rotary lending library.  Laura has several books about Rotary.  The books will rotate through the club officers first and then be available to borrow by all members. 

 

May Birthdays & Anniversaries:  John Cuozzo, Bud Luthman, and Bob Shankman all celebrate their birthdays in May.  The Club sang Happy Birthday to our young in spirit Rotarians.  Barbara Miller, John Roberts celebrate their anniversaries in May.  Bud celebrated his 45^th anniversary on April 22.  Congratulations to all!

 

Program: Bob Shankman provided the club with an update on the newly formed Marketing and Branding Committee.  The Committee met for a couple of hours prior to the weekly lunch meeting.  Their goals include enlisting the Club in the development and adoption of  a Branding Plan to create:

   * Better community awareness of Rotary, its mission and activities

   * Aid in member retention

   * Help new member recruitment

   * Enhance fundraising abilities

 

The Committee recommends the use of Club Runner and Facebook as well as the development of a tri-fold flyer to promote Rotary and the benefits of membership.  The Committee is developing a variety of tactics and strategies and will need Club participation implementing the activities. 

 

Bob took the group down  Newton Rotary memory lane with “props” from the archives:

1939 Rotary Convention Brochure, a baseball signed by Peter Gray, a Rotary photo album, song books, ledgers from 1950 and evidence of a Rotary Roast of Carl Lazzaro.  He also brought the Rotary gavel from 1923! 

 

Bob reminded the Club of the mission of our club.

 

 

 

 

 

Stay tuned for more from this important committee.  John Roberts thanked Bob and the committee for their work and commitment to Rotary.

 

Club Committees briefly. Todd Lattig agreed to chair the Plant the Tree Committee.

 

50/50:  John Frank won the weekly pot of $10 for the second week in a row but left the big pot valued at $196 at $206. 

 

President John Roberts closed the meeting at 1:25 PM.