As we remember Paul Harris, (founder of Rotary) on his Birthday, imagine what he would think of Rotary today. I imagine he would look at what he started over 100 years ago and be proud of what Rotary has become and all the accomplishments Rotarians have achieved together through the simple concept of Service Above Self.
I recently watched a video about the history of Rotary and one segment stuck with me. I can't remember the quote exactly, but the idea is this: I joined Rotary on (fill in the blank)....But I became a Rotarian when (the lightbulb moment when you realize what Rotary means to you).
I ask you to take a moment to think on this. It is going to be different for everyone. Have you had your aha moment yet? If so, what was it? When did it click? What made you feel a part of something bigger? What made you feel like YOU made the difference? What inspired you TO make the difference? What friendship sparked a change in you? If you feel compelled to share, I'd love to hear your story. Tell us at our next meeting during Happy Dollars or email or call me. I'm all ears! I know this has been a common theme throughout my term, but I feel strongly about the enthusiasm behind our purpose in Rotary. So, I will keep encouraging us to look inward to put our best foot forward.
With that being said! I need us ALL to take a bit of action RIGHT NOW. We have two major fundraising events upon us, and we need to spread the word and get more people involved.
Sunday, May 7th is our Third Annual Bags and Beer Cornhole Tournament. We are seeking more teams to participate and more guests to simply enjoy the party. This event will help sustain our food packing program. It is a BIG deal!
Saturday, May 20th is the Emmaus Rotary Pottsville Train Excursion. This is a BIG day for ERC as we go full steam ahead into preparations for our upcoming Centennial Celebrations. It is VERY important that we have at least 100 riders on this excursion. Let me rephrase that! We ONLY need 100 people to come out for a super fun day!
Both events are going to be a ton of fun! I certainly don't expect everyone to attend everything! BUT I'd like to ask that you join in if you can, invite some friends to come with you, SHARE the events with your network, hang up a few posters in the break room or around town. (Think grocery store, bank, library). Its crunch time. This is when we really shine! If we all pitch in, we can make these two events huge successes. Let's make Paul Harris proud!
Shine Bright Friends! Meghan Reed President, Emmaus Rotary Club 2022/2023
Hello Emmaus Rotary Friends! The weather is warming up and we have a ton of ways to get outside and spring into action with service projects! Various organizations have reached out to ERC seeking a helping hand and we hope that you will answer the call! Grab your family and invite a friend to roll up your sleeves and enjoy some sunshine while you make a difference. You can find just about everything happening in ERC on our website calendar where you can sign up to serve. Using our online sign-up option will help our Community Service Committee communicate with you about volunteer details and developments more efficiently. (But no worries if you would prefer to rsvp directly to Karen Hobson you may always do so at a meeting, email or phone call. We just want you there!)
Below is an at a glance look at glance look at what we have scheduled for April and May 2023. (links should be live on the grid to take you to the sign-up pages)
If you have any questions about volunteering, please contact Karen Hobson at 484-560-1711.
Being a part a part of even one small project makes a world of difference to someone. I hope you will find an activity that sparks something in you!
It’s April and we hope you are planning to join Rotarians from around the district at the Rotary District 7430 Training Assembly on Saturday, April 22nd 8:00am -12:30pm. We’ve got a great new location, some very inspiring and energized facilitators and Rotarians like YOU that will share specific examples of what is working to strengthen their clubs.
Who Should Attend:
Presidents, Presidents-Elect, Club Officers and Board Members, Committee Chairs, new & experienced Rotarians, anyone wanting to learn more about growing Rotary and serving our communities. YOU are invited! Bring a group and make memories by experiencing this together! You’ll be able to attend 3 sessions each.
Where it will be held:
This annual learning event will be held at the Upper Bucks Campus of Bucks County Community College, One Hillendale Rd, Perkasie, PA 18944.
What To Expect:
Spend the morning in breakout sessions learning about Membership, Public Image, Service through our Foundation, Youth Exchange, D E I, and the Environment. We will also announce our 2023-2024 District 7430 theme and location of the 2024 District Conference. We’re keeping the program to just half a day – fast paced with lots of great information and inspiration – when Rotarians from different clubs get together
Why Attend? This is YOUR opportunity to learn new tools, make new contacts, and leave with increased motivation to take action in your club and community! We are SO excited for you to start the next Rotary year on July 1 with fresh ideas, inspiration on how to Create Hope in the World and build a team at your club that shares common goals.
Cost: $35 (The cost includes a continental breakfast)
Our Third Annual Emmaus Rotary Cornhole Tournament is just around the corner! Mark your calendars and sign up right now for Sunday, May 7, 2023 from 1-5pm hosted at Gio Italian Grill. You can sign up as a team to play in the Tournament or just come for the food, drinks and fellowship! Either way it will be a good time for a good cause. This fundraiser helps us support Community Projects like the Feed East Penn Student's Food Packing Program. Event registration and sponsorship opportunities are live on the Emmaus Rotary Calendar. Use is the link to sign up! MyEventRunner - Event Public Fill (crsadmin.com)
MANY thanks to our official Beer Sponsor McCall Collective Brewing Company for supporting Emmaus Rotary again this year! It is connections with our local businesses that help make this event possible.
Rotarians are a group of well-connected individuals. Who do you know that may like to support the work Emmaus Rotary does to help the community? Please check out and share the sponsorship opportunities listed below with your network. Please be sure to connect any possible sponsors with Courtney Kennedy at Courtney.Kennedy@jacobs.com
An Evening Meeting Opportunity for Emmaus Rotary Club - "The Night Shift"
When: The Third Wednesday of the Month from 5:30pm -7:30pm, at Rising River Brewing in Lower Macungie 1955 Willow Lane Macungie, PA 18062
Doors open 5:30pm. Meeting begins 6:30pm. Meeting to end by 8pm.
The Meeting Concept: Re-engage current members, attract new members and connect with/involve local Community Leaders in project-based planning/activities and enjoy fellowship. We are going to create a productive meeting environment: not just a happy hour. This meeting option will be offered as a Once-a-Month ADDITIONAL meeting opportunity for ERC on the third Wednesday of the month. Mornings are not for everyone due to work/school/life schedules. (AND DON'T FRET! Weekly Thursday Morning meetings aren't stopping! We like bacon and eggs too much!)
Meeting Agenda 4/19/23: On April 19th those in attendance will be taking a closer look at Rotary's 7 Areas of Focus and brainstorming community service project ideas that relate to those areas. Learn more about the & areas of focus here.
The Cost: We ask that Rotarians make a $10 Cash Contribution to their Every Rotarian Every Year Rotary International Fund. First time guests are free.
Food and Drink: Food and Drinks are available for purchase.
Emmaus Rotary Club and Rotary Club of Allentown Joint Service Project! Rotary District 7430 Day of Environmental Service
Wildlands Black River Sanctuary Planting Project Saturday, April 29, 2023 8:00am -? The more hands-on deck the less time this will take! Rain Date TBD if needed.
Join Allentown and Emmaus Rotary Clubs & Interact Clubs to plant native species in the public access parking area as the first leg of the Wildlands Black River Sanctuary Preservation Project!
The 180-acre Black River Sanctuary, located just northeast of Emmaus, PA, is unique in many ways. It contains the headwaters for three different watersheds, has the exposed “spine” of the south mountain, numerous wetlands, meadows, and forests; is home to hundreds of different species from butterflies to bears and all located within minutes of the cities of the Lehigh Valley. Parking areas will incorporate aspects that are designed to have the smallest impact as possible and enhance the conservation values of the property. The parking areas will incorporate the use of native plants as buffers and visual cues that will delineate the limits of the lot as well as demonstrate the values of native plantings in the landscape.
Only volunteers who register to attend using this event page will receive important volunteer information. Please email MeghanReed517@gmail.com with questions.
Details on- parking, exact address, etc. and a list of suggested tools/supplies will be posted/emailed prior to service date and emailed to registered volunteers. A volunteer liability form will also be emailed prior to 4/29/23. NOTE: this preserve doesn’t have any restroom facilities yet or any other infrastructure (picnic tables, etc.) Volunteers might want to bring folding chairs and expect to drive for restroom relief. We don’t expect this will be an all-day event.
Emmaus Rotary is proud to present a day out by rail with the Reading & Northern Railroad. This excursion will depart from the Outer Station Reading, PA for a run to Pottsville, PA. At Pottsville, the trolley bus will be available to wisk passengers around town to see the various tourist destinations. Local Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, and Political Ambassadors will be on hand to welcome everyone. The train will depart Pottsville later in the afternoon for a stop over in Port Clinton, PA to tour the railroad's headquarters & facilities. This is a rare opportunity to travel on a Rotary centric trip with VIP access. Proceeds from this journey will benefit the Emmaus Rotary Club's 100 Year Anniversary Celebration.
Now is time to renew for 2023. The price is the same as last year, only $49.00 for the year. This will include having our great Flag put on your property 6 times this year starting with Memorial Day.
I will be set up to take payments this week at Rotary. I can take credit cards or your check.
ROTARY'S WHEEL EMBLEM A wheel has been the symbol of Rotary since our earliest days. The first design was made by Chicago Rotarian Montague Bear, an engraver who drew a simple wagon wheel, with a few lines to show dust and motion. The wheel was said to illustrate "Civilization and Movement." Most of the early clubs had some form of wagon wheel on their publications and letterheads. Finally, in 1922, it was decided that all Rotary clubs should adopt a single design as the exclusive emblem of Rotarians. Thus, in 1923, the present gear wheel, with 24 cogs and six spokes was adopted by the "Rotary International Association." A group of engineers advised that the geared wheel was mechanically unsound and would not work without a "keyway" in the center of the gear to attach it to a power shaft. So, in 1923 the keyway was added and the design which we now know was formally adopted as the official Rotary International emblem.
Hello Emmaus Rotarians! As you travel your path in Rotary service some initiatives just resonate with you. ShelterBox has been a part of Rotary that I think is incredible; and as my roles change in ERC I can envision myself getting more involved in this sort of work. BUT ONE STEP AT A TIME! (don't get any ideas Cindy!) First things first get to the finish line of the honor of serving ERC as President. Then regroup, recharge, and find a meaningful way to take action! For now I'd like to share with you the good work that Shelterbox is doing around the world. Maybe you will find yourself inspired to get involved too. Below is the regular newsletter I get from Shelterbox. Simply Click the Read More tab in the bottom corner of this article to read all about it!
Thank you for your dedication, leadership, and support on behalf of The Rotary Foundation. As a leader in Rotary, you play an essential role in ensuring that Rotary Foundation programs can continue to create positive and lasting change in your community and around the globe. One way you can help Rotary continue to do good in the world is by encouraging members to enroll in Rotary Direct, our Foundation’s recurring giving program.
Last year, our Foundation raised over $434 million and funded more than 1,190 global grants, 470 district grants, and 225 disaster response grants to help communities thrive. Rotary Direct is one of the easiest and most secure ways for our donors to support the Foundation: because contributions are automated, donors don’t need to worry about sending checks or remembering to make an annual contribution on time.
Rotary Direct saves time and reduces administrative costs. Monthly, quarterly, and annual gift options are available. Members can enroll at the Rotary Direct page, return a completed Rotary Direct enrollment form, or enroll by phone by calling the international office that serves their area or +1-866-976-8279 if in the U.S.
Emmaus Rotarians truly do live a lifestyle of Service Above Self!
Many of us help with other organizations to raise funds for great causes. If you wish to mention your outside fund-raising event at
Rotary, just put up four Happy Dollars and let us know about what is going on. If I have a website link to your cause I will post it here.!!
For this year's PCFLV fundraiser Ai Orthodontics have partnered with our local dentists and businesses to help us “Reach for the Stars” in providing a donation to help all families who are affected by pediatric cancer.
The Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley, Inc. is a wonderful organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of children diagnosed with cancer and providing support for the needs of their families.
If you would like to support PCFLV we are selling shirts through the end of March 2023 to raise money for this fantastic foundation! Any donation of $25 or more receives a shirt. Follow the link in our bio to place your order.
Click the link below to make a donation commitment and order your shirt
The Emmaus Rotary Club embraces, practices and promotes the Rotary International Core Values of Service, Fellowship, Diversity, Integrity and Leadership.
