NEWTON ROTARY CLUB

 

President Todd called the meeting to order at 12:17 pm.   The salute to the flag was followed by a moment of prayer offered by Luis Ponce.  Our voices were raised, singing “America” under the guidance and encouragement of Kathie Shankman.

It was noted that we had 18 of our club members present, with Athena Storm as Mike Hanifan’s guest, plus four guests from the Regional Scout Council – including: Mark Andreo, Robert Brady, Dave Dumbroff and Mitch Stein.   Frank Eberhart thanked those present for being here for the luncheon and presentation of the award to Mike Hanifan.  

 

Happy Dollars were contributed by:

 

Laura Camp – gave $1 – for members of the Board of Directors having set up everything in the booth before we open on Friday of this week.

Todd Lattig – gave a dollar for the installation of new white lighting in the picnic table area of the booth – it is now very bright there.

Mike Hanifan – gave $5 – is very happy to have his Scouting family present today to be part of the award ceremony.

Mark Andreo – gave $3 – for Mike’s three children who are involved in scouting.

 

 

President Todd asked if there was anyone in the club who could use a get-well card or some similar expression of concern and well wishes.  It was suggested that we send cards to John Frank and John Cuozzo.  The two cards were circulated and signed by everyone present and the cards were mailed out following the meeting.

 

President Todd made one final pitch about the Military Vehicle Show and Swap Meet event at the Fair Grounds taking place on April 28, 29 and 30.  We will be opening our food booth and will be the ONLY group selling food.  I guess you could say that we are going to hopefully corner the market on this event.  Todd again circulated the sign-up sheet for that event today.  Hours for our work shifts will be:

Friday, the 28^th – One shift – 4:30 to 7:00 PM   -   (initial booth setup)

Saturday, the 29^th - Two shifts – 8:30 to 12:30 and 12:30 to 5:30 PM

Sunday, the 30^th – Two shifts - 8:30 to 12:30 and 12:30 to 3:30 PM

Friday will not just be a set-up time – but also we will be serving dinner to the vast majority of those assembled there the night before the Saturday/Sunday program events. 

We still need a few more of our members to sign up for this project.  It will be work!  It will be fun!  It will raise a goodly amount of money for our club.   Fortunately, there are only a few open slots left on the sign-up sheet.  PLEASE consider signing up and making each shift complete.

 

Todd again thanked Wayne McCabe for agreeing to handle the writing of the weekly newsletter for the balance of his term as president. 

 

Marge McCabe reported to the members on the status of chocolate bar sales.  By having the bars on sale at high volume personal service firms (barbers and beauty parlors, and other commercial establishments) sales have maintained a steady fast pace.  It seems that by the end of April, we will start to cut back on the sales – by which point we will have a rough net profit of $2,000.  That means we would have sold roughly 2,000 candy bars.  Marge said that we would pick back up again in the early fall of this year. 

 

Todd also stressed that the blue jars on the tables are for loose change or folding money to go to help fight polio.  While we thought we rid the world of this plague, it crept back out in different spots around the globe in countries that do not encourage or outright forbid the inoculation of children.  So, we as Rotarians have to rise to the clarion call and once again raise money to help fight polio.

 

 

Wednesday, May 3 – I am not sure exactly what we will be covering today, but traditionally the different committee chairmen report on programs or projects they are working on and the president will give us an update on the various major undertakings the club is presently working in.  It is also a time when we can wish those members present who have a birthday or anniversary in May congratulations on reaching that individual milestone in life.

 

 

Michael J. Hanifan represents scouting activity at it best.  Not only having been a scout and involved in all levels of scouting programs, Mike achieved the high honor of becoming an Eagle Scout.  He has been involved in scouting programs and projects on the local, regional, state, national and international levels.

 

Gerry Hanifan noted that between himself, his children and grandchildren, there are ten members of the Hanifan family that have been or still are actively involved in scouting.  No small accomplishment – as scouting is all about building confidence and self-esteem, learning important life skills and leadership skills, team building, outdoor adventure, and education.  Scouts learn how to make good choices and to take responsibility for their actions so that they are prepared for their adult life as independent persons.

 

The Cliff Dochterman Award is an honor available to recognize an individual Rotarian or Rotaractor who acts as a role model and renders distinguished and dedicated service to Scouting through active service, leadership or other exemplary contributions to the Scout Association of his or her home country; or, internationally, to any WOSM or WAGGGS recognized Scouting Association.

 

A nominee for the Dochterman Award must be a Rotarian in good standing, nominated by a local Rotary Club, by the Governor of a Rotary District or by the International Chair of the International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians (IFSR). The nominee need not be a registered member of any scout association to receive the award.

In keeping with the objectives and principles of both Rotary and Scouting to encourage character development, leadership, citizenship and personal growth for youth, this award is presented to a qualified Rotarian who has displayed distinguished service and outstanding dedication to the program of Scouting through:

Work accomplishment and dedication, rather than a specific number of years in Scouting or Rotary, will be the major criteria for this award.

 

 

Mike has assembled a considerable resume in Rotary.  He has been a member of this club for 18 years and has served on the Board of Directors.  He is also a Paul Harris Fellow and in 2022 served as the Chairman of the Annual Champaign Garden Party.  For 15 years, he has served as one of the shift captains for a number of fund-raising events.  Mike has also been responsible for coordinating having scouts help out at numerous functions sponsored by the Newton Rotary.

 

A new program Mike has initiated is the promotion of the boy scouts and Rotary connection through presentations of the history of the two organizations working side-by-side.

 

Mike has also served in the following capacities or received the noted Scouting awards: Assistant Den Leader – Pack 181 (2008-2012); Pack 181 Chairman (2010-2012); Committee Member Pack 181 (2012-2020); Asst/ Scout Master Troop 1130 (2019-present); Commissioner with Arrowhead Honor (2000-present); Sussex Star Award (2019); District Award of Merit (2022); WD Boyce Award (2020); Training Award (2021); National Jamboree Committee (2021-present); World Jamboree Staff (2019); N.O.A.C. Staff (2022); Eagle Scout (1986); Member D.E.I. Committee; and serves as a sea base advisor.