The meeting was called to order by President Carolyn at 12:16pm. Bud led us in prayer, and Steve was our song leader for a Rotary rendition of God Bless America. Our guests were: 1) Kathy Rathbone, the Executive Director of Programs for Pass It Along; 2) Steven Ward, Newton High School Scholar Athlete; 3) Jen Ward, Steven’s mother; 4) Ava Brook, Kittatinny Regional High School Scholar Athlete; and, 5) Dianna Seville, Ava’s mother.
Happy Dollars:
Jim gave a happy dollar for his daughter who competed in a Ninja Warrior event. Bud gave a happy five dollars. Half for kids; his son was 1st runner up for the scholarship program back in the day. The other half was for his ten-year-old granddaughter and her cheer teammate collected a truckload of warm clothes and donated them to agencies throughout Morris County. John gave a happy dollar because he can talk politics to friends without fighting. Carolyn gave a happy dollar because all three of her kids’ have the same Spring Break schedule.
Announcements:
We had a card circulate for Len Pasculli who is recovering from triple bypass surgery.
There will be an END HUNGER 3.6 Pasta Dinner Monday, February 17, 2020. See details on the District Website.
The sign-up sheet to take notes for the Weekly Newsletter were passed around.
The Rotary District Conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor from May 7th-10th. You can sign up at the District website for both the conference and the hotel rooms (don’t forget to do both). So far, Barbara Miller and Denise Current plan to attend.
You should have received an email from Rotary International regarding two planned symposiums for our Rotary Zone during the next year. There will be a symposium that will focus on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Life on Land in Anchorage, Alaska from November 19-21, 2020. If November in Alaska is not to your liking, there will be a symposium on Life Below Water in Hamilton, Bermuda from January 14-16, 2021. Check your email for details.
Next week, Jim Konzel will speak on bank fraud and how to protect yourself.
Jim also had the report and check from the chili open. The check was for United Way for $21,000.00.
Program:
Kathy Rathbone is the Executive Director of Programs for Pass It Along. She spoke about the scholarship program and how the recipients excel in their community participation, schoolwork, and sports. Pass It Along's mission is to build confident, resilient, compassionate teenagers through self-discovery, volunteer and leadership opportunities. She read the students’ statements that highlighted their talents and passion for helping their communities.
Ava Brook is the Kittatinny Regional High School Scholar Athlete. She primarily plays soccer and runs track but tried basketball at one point and is trying out rowing this spring. She worked on a research paper that will be submitted to MIT’s archive library. She has not decided on a college yet, but she knows she wants to study biology and do research to possibly become a nutritionist or a doctor.
Steven Ward is the Newton High School Scholar Athlete. He is a swimmer and plays tennis. His best even is the free stroke. He decided to attend Bowdoin College. He said he will possibly study math and will continue to swim. He then spoke about how the nominees are currently creating a field day for local high school students with developmental disabilities. Students will gather for a day of sports, activities, board games and more at the YMCA.
Jim then introduced their mothers. Ava’s mother, Dianna Seville, and Steven’s mother, Jen Ward.
Raffle Winner: Charles had the winning number. He won $7. The pot is $48.
