Imagine my delight to read this tag line in my email! I clicked open and read the President of our Rotary International Foundation Holger Knaack's letter. I have included it in its entirety below for you to read also. We are getting it done! And this is no time to let our energy or passion flag.
Our Purple Pinkie event day is October 26, 2020. Save the date and stay alert for ways you can participate. These events are called "Purple Pinkie" and held on World Polio day because when a child is vaccinated, they have a purple stamp put on their little finger.
And while you are checking your calendar, look to see that you are up for our 13th Annual Golf Outing on Monday, September 14, 2020. We have amazing sponsors for the whole event, for holes, for lunch, and for our raffle prizes. Let's not let them down. I will try to get a count before our regular Thursday morning meeting this week on Vox Tandem so that we know how many raffle tickets have already been sold. We are looking to sell 300. Raffle tickets are $50 each and the first prize is a $4,000 gold bangle diamond bracelet donated by Eric J. Loch Diamond Jewelers. The second and third prizes are stellar also: a $1,000 gift card to the PA Wine and Spirits Store and a $1,000 gift card to Shangy's - the Beer Authority.
There is a regularly scheduled Board meeting this Thursday ten minutes after our meeting. All Rotarians are welcome to attend. We will be receiving the report from Mike Waddell, Czar for Fundraising Oversight and his Czarettes which has suggestions for future fundraising activities.
We continue our weekly meeting virtually! There will not be an in person meeting this week but we sure would love to see your smiling face when you join us online! Stay tuned for updates next week as we prepare to meet in person at Brookside Country Club on Thursday, September 10, 2020. We will be sure to offer our members to join in virtually as well.
Please use the link below to join us this Thursday, September 3, 2020 at 7:30 a.m.
We still encourage you to invite a virtual guest to help introduce Rotary to someone who could make a great Rotarian. Simply share the link provided in the red section below with your guest. Ask them to please sign in as - their name (guest of) - in the name field so we know who they were invited by.
To enter the virtual meeting, just click this link or copy and paste it into your URL Browser. Please note that you will need Firefox or Google Chrome as your browser to join the meetings.
2) Scroll down on the sign in page and you will see the list of recorded meetings under "Public Room Recordings".
3) Click on the blue presentation button of the meeting you'd like to view. 4) Click on the triangle shaped play button at the bottom left of the screen to play the recording.
Have you heard the expression that the right-hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing? Of course, you have. Sometimes it is a description of inept, uncoordinated actions by an individual or group. At other times, it is used to describe a firewall that preserves the purity of motivations which may become self-serving when money is involved.
I want us all to know what the right hand AND the left hand are doing. First, because it is all good stuff which flows from our motto of "Service Above Self".
And, secondly, all of you all continue to amaze me with your dedication to Rotary and our values and priorities.
Let's start with the open right hand which is reaching out into our community. We have requested and received approval for two district grants. One is a special Covid19 relief grant which we wrote to get relief to both the Emmaus and the Macungie Ambulances for additional PPE and supplies needed during these difficult times. The second one is to help the new Emmaus Creative Arts and Innovative Center get up and running. In order to open the facility to the public, there needs to be the installation of a public, wheel-chair accessible bathroom. We requested $5,000 in district grant money and have budgeted a $5,000 match. The district money for both of these grants will be released late August or early September.
It was fun to listen in on zoom to Monday night's Board Meeting for the Borough of Emmaus. The team from the Emmaus Creative Arts and Innovative Center petitioned the Board to partner with them in requesting a CARES grant for almost 2 million dollars. They were questioned about local support and pointed to our grant and backing as the Emmaus Rotary Club. Their request carried. I like to think that we had a finger on that scale.
Now, the left-hand. The hand that slips the dollars into a pocket. Let me repeat: basically, money for our projects for this fiscal year is secure. It was raised last year, most notably by the 12th Annual Emmaus Golf Outing which has been our major fundraising event for several years now. We may have to scramble a bit if this pandemic and the economy's downturn continue to create food insecurity in the homes of East Penn School District students. Time will tell. And we will pivot to meet those needs.
This year it will be a challenge to raise money in familiar, tried and true ways as public health requirements call for masks, social distancing, and limited group sizes. Nevertheless, we have an oversight committee looking for creative ways forward. This effort is led by Mike Wadell, the "Czar" for Fundraising and his "Czsarettes". They will be making a report at the Board meeting on Thursday, August 27, 2020.
AND
The Emmaus Rotary 13th Annual Golf Tournament
is scheduled for Monday, September 14, 2020.
Putting in the time, effort and their own funds, Mario, Rick, John C., John Z., Gordon, Eric, Steve, Don have found at least four - 4- count 'em significant sponsors. Once again, AI Orthodontics and Eric Loch Diamond Jewelers have stepped up as major sponsors.
Here's what you can do.
You can gather a foursome and sign up to play a round at Brookside Country on September 14th. AND
You can buy one and sell some other raffle tickets:
They are an easy sell.... at only $50 each and with great prizes!
The first prize is a $4,000 diamond bracelet donated by Eric J. Loch Diamond Jewelers!
The other prizes are a $1,000 gift card to PA Wine and Spirit's Store and a $1,000 card to Shangy's Beer Authority.
Go to www.ercgolf.com and purchase raffle tickets today.
We need to sell 300 to meet the team's fun fundraising goal.
AND You can be a winner holding one of these prizes in your right hand.
Our presentation last week courtesy of Emily Paver, Marketing & Outreach Coordinator of the Guatemala Literacy Project was truly eye opening. I am sure anyone who tuned in felt inspired to do more and felt an immense sense of gratitude for the educational opportunities at our fingertips. If you didn't get a chance to watch (or even if you did), please take a few minutes to watch the video included here about the Guatemala Literacy Project. (video embeded or use link above) This is what Service Above Self is; it is being of service now to create a better future for all.
Some key points about the Guatemala Literacy Project:
The Guatemala Literacy Project (GLP) is one of the largest grassroots, multi-club, multi-district projects in Rotary. More than 600 clubs and 80 districts have been working together since 1997 to improve education for underserved students in Guatemala. In that time, nearly 225,500 students have been served through four sustainable programs that are tested and proven to work. In 2017, RI President Ian Riseley called the GLP “the gold standard of Rotary projects” for its sustainability and impact.
The Guatemala Literacy Project partners with impoverished communities to implement four complementary programs:
Reading - trains teachers in effective reading instruction and provides them with quality children’s literature
Textbooks - provides textbooks to middle schools and trains teachers to use them effectively in the classroom
Computers - teaches students to use technology to solve real-world problems so they can secure better jobs
Youth Development - transforms young lives through youth development, social support, and scholarships
There are three ways you/we can help!
Join the Global Grant
Sponsor a Student
Volunteer in Guatemala
Here are informational links and inspirational stories Emily mentioned in her talk to our Club. I encourage you to explore and share!
WE NEED YOUR HELP! OUR 13TH ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT IS SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 14TH.
PART OF THE TOURNAMENT IS A GREAT RAFFLE—FOR ONLY $50 YOU CAN WIN:
A $4,000 DIAMOND BRACELET DONATED BY Eric J. Loch Diamond Jewelers
A $1,000 GIFT CARD TO THE PA WINE AND SPIRIT’S STORE
A $1,000 GIFT CARD TO SHANGY’S…THE BEER AUTHORITY.
GO TO WWW.ERCGOLF.COM AND PURCHASE YOUR RAFFLE TICKET TODAY --- SPREAD THE WORD TO YOUR FRIENDS AND SHARE ON FACEBOOK!!!
THE MONEY RAISED WILL SUPPORT ALL OF THE COMMUNITY PROJECTS WE CONDUCT LOCALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY! – PLEASE HELP US—WE NEED EACH ROTARIAN TO BUY AT LEAST 1 TICKET…
IF YOU WOULD LIKE SOME TICKETS TO SELL- PLEASE CONTACT RICK ZAYAITZ, MARIO COZZUBO, DON BLOSE, ERIC LOCH AND WE CAN GET YOU SOME
It is time to reserve your bottle for the Fellowship Virtual Wine Tasting Night.
Friday, August 28th at 7:00 p.m.
BE SURE TO PICK YOU BOTTLES UP BY FRIDAY AT 6PM. READ BELOW.
The Emmaus Rotary Fellowship Committee will be hosting another Virtual Wine Tasting featuring our favorite wine experts, Joe Pugliese, Alicia Ruiz-Orbin, Mike Orbin and Dina Zayaitz.
They will coach us on how to taste the wine, we will score it, and compare our evaluation of the wine as a group using the American Wine Society scoring sheet. Please use the score sheet pdf link here.
This will be simple tasting focusing on a specific wine from Scout & Cellar.
The wine of choice for the tasting is: 2019 Gallivant Bubbly White Wine, North Coast California.
(A refreshing choice for this time of year.)
Reserve your bottle today to participate!
We have pre-ordered 24 bottles for sign ups to this tasting.
The cost is only $24.00 a bottle (cash or check written to Emmaus Rotary Club)
To sign up to reserve your bottle and participate in this Fellowship Event you must email Meghan Reed at MeghanReed517@gmail.com.
Those who have reserved bottles can pick them up at Eric J. Loch Diamond Jewelers August 24th-28th between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Please have your payment ready at time of pick up.
A Zoom Meeting Link will be sent out to those who have signed up prior to the event. If you've already signed up no need to email again. We have you confirmed.
Many Thanks to Dina as the commission she makes from our purchase of this wine and commission from future wine sales through this event will be donated back to The Emmaus Rotary East Penn Food Packing Program.
Our last virtual tasting was a ton of fun! It was a great way to catch up with friends and have a lot of laughs together.
The dinner to recognize Past President Steve Gould for his leadership is scheduled for Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. at Brookside Country Club. Steve did an outstanding job leading our club through the craziest of times. Sometimes with crazy hair! Let's give our Past President some props for always bringing his "A game" and a smile no matter what.
The cost per guest is $50.00. Please r.s.v.p with Rick Zayaitz
Bill Erdman will also be holding Paul Harris Recognition at this celebration. If you are attending and have a Paul Harris medallion please be sure to wear yours to the dinner!
The By-Law vote at last week's meeting was unanimous to accept the updated by-Laws. Thanks to everyone for contributing at the meeting. I again would like to thank the committee of Jim Palmquist, Alicia Ruiz-Orbin, Cindy Hornaman and Mike Waddell for their huge effort in getting this done. Also thanks to all those who gave us feed back about the revisions. A special shout out to Roger Whitcomb for his wisdom in editing the By-Laws.
Anyone who would like a copy, please let me know, and I'll send you the document.
Cheers!
Eric Loch
NOTE: The new by-laws have been posted to ClubRunner. To find them: log on through emmausrotary.org, click "member area" on the top of the homepage page behind your name. Click "organization" in the blue task bar. Click "documents" in the gray task bar. Scroll down until you find "by-laws" and click the document link.
MANY THANKS TO ERIC AND THE COMMITTEE FOR THEIR HARD WORK ON THIS IMPORTANT UPDATE.
Perfect Attendance Rules Just Changed in Our New Bylaws:
Quote from the new Club Bylaws "…the Emmaus Rotary Club requires meetings be made up within 30 days before or after the date of the missed meeting. A club member must notify the Club Secretary in writing of his/her makeups, either by letter, a note delivered at a club meeting, or by email.” Our past standard was 14 days before or after the date of the missed meeting.
69,000 of our neighbors in the Lehigh Valley are predicted to go hungry this year. Help them with your garden, one pound at a time!
It is almost the end of the growing season in our gardens. Tony Moyer continues to collect your Plant A Row produce donations on Thursdays. You can drop off your donations at Willow Lane Elementary School by 4:00 pm. (6135 Sauerkraut Lane, Macungie, PA 18062) Please simply leave your bagged and freshly washed veggies at the front door of the school. All of food collected goes to the 6th St. Shelter.
If you'd like to bring your donations to our in person meetings, Sue Wenner has volunteered to serve with Tony on the Plan A Row Collection Committee and would be happy to drop off our weekly collections to the school after our meeting. If you have any questions please contact Tony at anmoyer1229@yahoo.com
Thank you Tony and Sue for volunteering!
To learn more about Plant A Row continue reading...
Thank you to Ai Orthodontics for their absolutely incredible generosity! Dr. Aejaaz A. Issa and his team have donated $3,000 to the Emmaus Rotary Club, East Penn Food Program, Go Fund Me campaign. This kindness has brought us to 25% of our current fundraising goal for the program. Many thanks to Karen Hobson for sharing the Go Fund Me campaign with Dr. Issa. Ai Orthodontics has been a huge supporter of Emmaus Rotary. We are very grateful for community business partners like Ai Orthodontics who lead through service above self.
Does this inspire you to give? Start YOUR team! Since we started in July we have raised $4,255 of our $10,000 Go Fund Me Campaign goal to support The Emmaus Rotary Club, East Penn Food Program. As I have written before, it is important that our Club Members get involved in sharing this campaign so that we can reach our goal of $10,000. Donating and sharing is VERY easy and with just a few seconds a week, together we will make our goal! (If you need instructions on how to donate follow the steps in the read more section on how you can donate and share)
SHARING IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THIS CAMPAIGN TO GAIN MOMENTUM. Creating your own fundraising page as part of the campaign is a great way to invite your family, friends, co-workers, clients, and others to join you in our mission to help feed hungry children!
How to do it:
1) Click the blue JOIN button.
2) Sign in - follow the prompts to create an account or log in with Facebook if you have one.
3) Click the blue JOIN THE TEAM button. This will automatically make you a member of the team. Regardless of donation amount. You can donate whatever amount you'd like even $10 puts us closer to our goal. EVERY single dollar matters! You can create a team without donating (I tested this on my husband's cell phone to join the team it took 5 second to do) The goal here is create a page to engage your network and share the information to attract donors.
4) Now share your link! You can share multiple ways. Facebook, Twitter or copy your link and past it into an email to go out to your clients, workplace, family, friends, and other organizations your a member of. Remember to share often on your social media pages! Please consider creating a team for your business.
It's that simple. An easy way for "People of Action" like us to....well...take action!
If you need help with how to share you may reach out to me and I will do my very best to walk you through it or think of some creative ways you can help spread the word.
I have included an email that I sent out to another board that I sit on. Feel free to use it! Just click "read more" below.
If you have questions on how to use Go Fund Me please contact Meghan Reed 610-797-5942 / meghanreed517@gmail.com THANK YOU!!
The 3rd Annual Motorcycle Poker Run is postponed until next year. Our Hope was to raise $7500 to give to Tails of Valor, a 501c3 organization which raises and trains dogs for veterans suffering from PTSD or other service-related illnesses or injuries.
Although the event is not happening this year, several donors and sponsors have elected to make a donation anyway. If you would like to make a donation, please send a check made payable to “Emmaus Rotary Club Foundation”, add a memo of “Tails of Valor”, and mail it to the following address. We will present a single check to Tails of Valor in late August.
ERCF c/o Joe Pugliese P.O. Box 98 East Texas, PA 18046-0098
It only takes a few minutes to make someone's day! Please check in with your fellow members and see how they are doing. If you are a member in need of assistance please reach out! We are here for one another. If you learn of a member who could use a little encouragement please let someone on the Fellowship Committee know. Together we Connect!
Need a Member’s Email Address, Phone Number or Mailing address?
ClubRunner app solves those problems and gives other information.
Ever need to find contact information for an Emmaus Club member and not know where to look? I find this information in 10 seconds using three clicks on my smart phone.
ClubRunner Mobile app allows you to view full contact information from our club member directory, our club executives, our district leaders, your attendance record this Rotary year and other information, right from your smartphone or tablet!
Get the free ClubRunner Mobile app by keying “ClubRunner” into the app store you use. Open the ClubRunner option and download the app. Have your login and password handy to sign into your account.
If you don't know your login and password, you can retrieve it using this link:
If the information you expect to be there is not, refresh the app by clicking on the two arrows in a circle on the upper right corner of the screen. This calls down a current set of data from the server. Sometimes the app shows you what was there the last time you used the app rather than the current information.
If you find an error in the listing in the club Runner app, let me know so I can correct it. This benefits us all. Thanks.
Join us for our next webinar in the Training Tuesdays series on Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at 7 pm. The topic will be Youth Protection Orientation. Darlene Scott, District Youth Services Chair, PDG Ron Smith, District Youth Protection Officer and Sharon Rittenhouse, District Administrator will review the newly updated District Youth Protection Policy and the procedures for club compliance.
Who should attend? Youth Program Chairs, Interact Chairs, Youth Exchange Chairs, Youth Services, Club Officer and anyone in your club that works with youth. We encourage each club to have at least one member attend. Youth Protection training will be required for any club involved in Youth Programs including Youth Exchange, Interact and Camp Neidig.
COVID-19 is impacting us all in our personal, professional and Rotary lives. We must base our decisions about Rotary activities on the health and safety of our members and compliance with government and health regulations. Even though we may not be able to conduct the usual weekly in person meetings, many of our clubs are leading or participating in food and other relief programs in their communities. These efforts will likely be continuing through the balance of this Rotary year and into the future.
With this in mind, the following are guidelines for all Rotary District 7430 activities:
All guidelines set forth by the Governor, counties and other authorized persons in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the CDC should be followed.
Should any Rotarian be diagnosed with or have symptoms that they suspect to be consistent with COVID-19, that Rotarian shall:
Not participate in any Rotary event that involves a personal appearance at the event.
Report their diagnoses or symptoms to the Rotarian supervising any program in which they have participated in-person within fourteen (14) days before the diagnoses or occurrence of symptoms.
We also suggest that you adopt guidelines for your clubs that reflect the current health crisis.
Welcome to the Emmaus Rotary Club!
We meet at 7:30 AM on Thursday mornings
at Brookside Country Club, 901 Willow Lane, Macungie, PA 18062
