Rotary Club Meeting Minutes:  Linda McConville

 

Bill Kehoe opened the meeting at 12:15 at the Hampton Diner. 

 

Bud led the group in prayer which was followed by Steve Westcott leading the group in our weekly patriotic song.

 

Guests:  Dawn introduced Mellissa Teitsma who the Director of Volunteer Services at Bristol Glen.  Nancy introduced Brian Ochrym, Producer and Director for Mirage Productions. 

John Roberts welcomed our guests.

 

 

John Roberts started off the Happy Dollars with his overall happiness … he’s happy to be happy!  He was also happy to participate in the Chili Open.

Mark was happy to celebrate his son Thomas’ 19^th birthday on February 12 … Lincoln’s Birthday. 

Bob Walker is happy to see Laura who he hasn’t seen for a while.  Bob was also happy to have the opportunity to watch two days of wrestling.

Jim Konzel was happy that his son August (Auggie) did very well on the 3rd grade Math Prodigy Tests.

Tom Digby was happy to be part of feeding the homeless at the Manna House. 

Jim Taylor is happy that the ticket sales for the Pancake Breakfast are selling fast!

Bill Kehoe is happy that is son and daughter-in-law landed great jobs in San Francisco AND bought Bill and his wife airplane tickets for their first visit.

 

Marcy was pictured at the Manna House but did not get fined as it was a Rotary function. 

Bill’s picture appeared in the NJ Herald at the January 21^st meeting of the High Point Regional High School Board of Education meeting.

 

 

Manna House:  Bill distributed a thank you letter from the Manna House for the generous donation of $740 in grocery cards AND for the work of the Newton Rotary volunteers who served lunch to the homeless on January 30 and January 31. 

Pancake Breakfast:  Bill distributed the sign-up sheet to volunteer at the Pancake Breakfast and Bake Sale scheduled for March 2 at the Newton Methodist Church.  See Jim Taylor if you need extra tickets for the breakfast.  Jim also has POSTERS to advertise the breakfast.  Pick up a poster from Jim if you can post one to promote the breakfast. 

Bill shared that the District is preparing 400,000 meals for the Hungry.  If you can devote some time to helping them put the meals together, see Bill for details.

Newton Tree Planting:  The Tree Planting is scheduled for May 4 at noon.  See Todd for more information.

Veterans Cemetery Restoration:  We are working with the Wallkill and Vernon Clubs to clean up the Veterans Cemetery.  Clean up will be done the 1^st weekend in April.  More information to follow.

 

Program: 

Carolyn introduced our program speaker, Will Porter, Library Director for the Sussex County Library System.  Will focused on the library in the 21^st Century.  He reported that each year, the library has experienced an increase in the number of people coming to the library.  They have also experienced an increase in the use of Wi-Fi at the library.  Their services are focusing on connections instead of collections, that is, connections via the Internet as well as in community connections.  They are focusing on expanding their education services to include job assistance, for example, interviewing, resume development and computer skills. 

 

The libraries have all expanded their hours as well.  All branches are now open on Saturday.  They also have a call center available during off hours. 

 

The library has also changed their fee structure for overdue materials.  There is a maximum $5 fine.  They are hoping this will result in people returning the materials if they are not faced with an exorbitant late fee.  They have eliminated fines for kids materials. 

 

New services also include the printing of banners and signs as well as laminating. 

The library also has a computer app which allows you to download e-books and other materials. 

 

50/50: Our guest, Brian Ochrym, won the 50/50 prize of $8 … but not the pot. Brian donated the prize back to the Rotary.

 

Bill closed the meeting at 1:15 PM.