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President's Message
 

Dear Fellow Rotarians,

 

     Are you hungry for more than turkey this year?

     Does the pandemic with economic distress and political/social unrest make it harder to “count your blessings”?

     Believe me. I understand. I would trade my stuffing for a family gathered around the table.  My cranberry sauce for a hug from my grandchildren. My drumstick for so many raised voices that I couldn’t keep up. And my slice of pumpkin pie…??... Well, you get the picture and it is not a Norman Rockwell one of traditional Americana. 

     Just wondering…. What would remain if all that you took for granted, overlooked and were not intentionally grateful for was wiped out...erased off the great whiteboard of life?  Makes you think, doesn’t it? Scissors, measuring scoops, frozen pizza…trash bags…. toothpaste….

     I have been thinking about all the value Rotary brings into my life. Companionship, networking, a sense of purpose, a way to make a difference…. Truly, I am grateful for each and every one of you. 

 

          Together, we see a world where people unite 

          and take action

          to make a lasting change across the globe, 

          in our communities,

          and in our selves.         

                                              RI Mission Statement   

 

     Let me wish you a very Happy Giving Thanks Day!!!!

 

Lexa Shallcross

President 

Emmaus Rotary

2020-2021

ERC Night at the Lehigh Valley Zoo Winter Light Spectacular
ERC Night at the Lehigh Valley Zoo Winter Light Spectacular 
 
Join your ERC friends at the Lehigh Valley Zoo's Winter Light Spectacular!  We have 20 tickets available for $10 each (regular price $15 each).  If you're interested, call, text, or email Tony Moyer at 610-295-7691/anmoyer1229@gmail.com.  First come, first served!  Tony will send your tickets to your home address.  Payment can be sent to Tony at 331 N Broad St. Allentown, PA 18104 or Venmo Don Blose using the handle @DonBlose and fill in the comment section to note that it's payment for ERC LV Zoo.  Looking forward to a safe, festive, outdoor holiday experience on December 9!
Food for the Needy

Friendly reminder! We have resumed monthly non-perishable food collections and monetary donations. 

We will be collecting food for the needy at our Rotary meeting This week, Thursday April 1st.
Share what you can!

If you tune in virtually you can donate by using the Venmo app and sending donations to @DonBlose with a note that the donation is intended for “food for the needy”.  Monetary donations help the food band purchase perishable foods like milk, eggs, and bread. 

Items in need: canned fruit, canned soups, cereals, peanut butter/jelly, anything with a long shelf life 

 Ralph Lewis Thanks You!

Vox Tandem Link, Member Responsibilities, Covid Guidelines  
Our in person meetings continue at Brookside Country Club this Thursday, December 3rd. We hope you will join us.  COVID safety measures will of course be implemented.  


December 3rd 2020
Club member duties:
Greeter - Mike Waddell 
Sign-in Table - Rick Zayaitz 
Erey - Bill Erdman 
Invocation/ Thought of the Day- Bob Goehler 
 
We are meeting indoors with proper social distancing measures in place. There is no need to RSVP…just show up before 7:30 a.m., enter through the main entrance with your mask on, get signed in, find a seat, chat with friends, and enjoy the meeting. 
 
While we meet in person this week at Brookside Country Club you also have the option to participate by joining us through the Vox Tandem platform.  We will see you in person or online this Thursday, at 7:30am.
 
Please use the link below to join us this Thursday at 7:30am.  To join us on the Vox Tandem Virtual Meeting platform. 
 
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. 
You can use your computer, laptop or smartphone to join the meeting.
 
If you had any difficulties or questions on how to log on please reach out to John Chisca johnc@voxtandem.com 610-400-0203
 
The following safety guidelines to be followed at Brookside Country Club: UPDATED 11/24/20
 
  • Masks can be removed for eating and drinking only but are expected to be worn at all other times, inside or outside. With the case count rising we are going to present to our membership that masks are always expected to be worn while inside and outside in dining areas. 
  • BCC purchased a stand-alone thermometer that will be arriving this week for the foyer. It will be constantly on. Guests simply stand in front of it and it reads your body temperature. It will give you a single beep if someone is good to go, but it will set off a mini alarm if someone tests high. If you test high you need to retry, and if you test high again you are expected to leave the building immediately.  
  • Tables will be set 6 ft apart to observe social distancing and each table will seat only 5 people.
  • There will be multiple hand sanitizer stations located throughout the Clubhouse.  We encourage guests to use hand sanitizer upon arrival and throughout their time at Brookside.
  • Buffets will now be served by staff of Brookside (gloves will be worn by those serving food.) 
  • Coffee will also need to be served (no station) and we will have to utilize single use packets such as salt, pepper, creamer, ketchup, and syrup.
 
It is imperative that if they feel sick or have contracted COVID - 19, you must stay home. 
 
Please contact Lexa, Mike, or Meghan if you have any questions.  Please also review the Rotary District Covid-19 Guidelines in this newsletter.  
 
 
Weekly Door Prizes!
DON"T FORGET!  Weekly Door Prize Donations Needed! Be our next meeting's prize sponsor! 
It seems like we all like the idea of winning a festive prize at our meetings (in person or online).  We have had some very generous and fun donations since incorporating this new aspect to our meetings. Many thanks to all who have donated a prize!  It is a nice way to give back to each other. 
Do you have a hobby or talent you can share with the club? Maybe you love to bake, sew, or garden. Let’s get creative with our door prizes and share a little bit about ourselves in the process! 
How about we show some love to the local businesses in our community? They have shown us support with raffle donations and sponsorships throughout the years. Consider purchasing a $20.00 gift card from one of the many small businesses in the East Penn Area.  As we know every little bit helps. It's also a great way to start a conversation about Rotary and invite business owners and managers to a club meeting.
So if you’d like to sponsor a door prize contact Don Blose, Meghan Reed, Sal Verrastro or Lexa Shallcross.  
People of Action IN Action 
Over 20 volunteers from Emmaus Rotary and the Lehigh Valley Passport Club raked leaves last Saturday morning at the historic Knauss Homestead in Emmaus. Thank you to all who lent a hand, a rake and a leaf blower to make quick work of a huge task! 
 
People of Action! Community Service Committee 
On Saturday December 5th, our Emmaus Rotary participated in Emmaus's Old Fashioned Christmas at the Emmaus Triangle.  Nicole and Karen help children write letters to Santa and "mail" them. An awesome time was had by all and what a great way to get into the Christmas Spirit!  Thanks to all of our Rotary Elves who helped!
 
 

 

 
Karen and Nicole from the Community Service Committee are collecting any gift cards and other items you may be willing to donate over this holiday period for needy Lehigh Valley families. Last year many Emmaus Rotarians took on getting gifts for needy local children in our area with Angel Network and Zion's Food Pantry.  Zion's Food Pantry are asking for gift cards of  a $25 value to either Walmart or Target to help them spread the cheer to local families.  Also Turning Point has various items of household needs as they move into new homes.  We have also been asked by Miracle League of the Lehigh Valley for $25 gift cards for a drive-by party for the children. Contact Karen or Nicole for more information and for how you can get your donation to the right place! 

Please use the following link for the Jefferson Elementary School Angel Network Wish List:
 
 
Thanks to all for your generosity!
 

 
Submit your nomination for 4th Emmaus Rotary Club International Women’s Day Celebration

Dear Emmaus Club Rotarians,

Surely there are women in our Emmaus and Lehigh Valley communities with an outstanding record of volunteer humanitarian service who have given their time and efforts to advance RI’s Mission to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance understanding, goodwill, and peace, and who are leaders in their chosen field.

Now is your opportunity to nominate a woman from our community who personifies these qualities to receive the Emmaus Rotary Club International Women’s Day Celebration (IWDC) Rotary Award on March 11, 2021. For the fourth year, on behalf of the Emmaus Rotary Club, I am writing to encourage you to submit a nomination by January 24, 2021.

You will find detailed information about the nomination criteria and how to submit a nomination when you click read more below. If you have any questions before this date, please feel free to e-mail me at aruizorbin@aol.com or to call me at my cell #610-392-5134.

On behalf of our Club’s IWDC Committee and on my behalf, I thank you for your support and look forward to receiving your nomination.

Yours in Rotary Service,

Alicia Ruiz-Orbin, Committee Chair International Women’s Day Celebration


 
Read more...

December Is....

DECEMBER is Disease Prevention and Treatment Month
 

At Rotary, we believe good health care is everyone’s right. Yet 400 million people in the world can’t afford or don’t have access to basic health care.

Disease results in misery, pain, and poverty for millions of people worldwide. That’s why treating and preventing disease is so important to us. We lead efforts both large and small. We set up temporary clinics, blood donation centers, and training facilities in underserved communities struggling with outbreaks and health care access. We design and build infrastructure that allows doctors, patients, and governments to work together.

Our members combat diseases like malaria, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and polio. Prevention is important, which is why we also focus on health education and bringing people routine hearing, vision, and dental care.

 

 
 
 
 

Read more...
Rotary Leadership Institute

 

RLI: Rotary Leadership Institute
 
LEARN MORE ABOUT ROTARY
         BE MOTIVATED
                  DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS
                           DO IT ALL IN ONE RLI DAY!
 
NOW is the time to make your decision to become better educated about world-wide Rotary.  If you have any wish to maximize your Rotary club membership, especially if you are new to your club, RLI makes it easy.  Attend the virtual RLI training session on March 13, 2021.  DEADLINE TO REGISTER FRIDAY March 5th.
 
Any Rotarian, newcomer and “seasoned" members, who attends a day of RLI programs becomes a more valuable, and more dedicated, member of your Rotary club.
 
Please register NOW for Part I, II, III, and if you have graduated you may register for the Post Graduate Course.
 
 
For additional information and to register visit
 
Click the link, on the left hand side under "Upcoming Classes", Find the information for the 7430 – Pottstown RLI and click on "more info", the next screen click "RLI Registration" on bottom right.  Enter the security code as shown in the box, and click "Register Now".   At this point you will be able to enter your information.
 
For other information or registration help, please feel free to call or e-mail Len Gieseler, District Chair, at 610-323-2201 or lgieseler2023@gmail.com.
Rotary District 7430 COVID-19 Guidelines

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.
 
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Thankful for Rotary 
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
District 7430  Club 5427
 
2021-2022 President 
Michael Waddell                       
 
District 7430 Governor
Bob Hobaugh
 
Assistant Governor Area 1
Rick Zayaitz
 
Follow us on Facebook!
Speakers
Jan 06, 2022
ERC Club Assembly
Jan 13, 2022
"Emmaus Main Street Partners 2021 Review & 2022 Look Ahead”
Jan 27, 2022
Kalmbach Park
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Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Treasurer
 
Secretary
 
Co Chair Rotary Foundation/Intl Service
 
Membership co-chair
 
First Vice President
 
2nd Vice President
 
Immediate Past President
 
Community Service
 
co Chair Foundation/International Service
 
Fund Raising- Flag program
 
Departing Secretary
 
Fund Raising Poker Run
 
Director
 
Sargeant at Arms-Emeritus
 
International Women's Day
 
Director
 
C0-chair Community Service
 
Fellowship
 
Director
 
Membership co-chair
 
Director
 
Interact
 
Sergeant-at-Arms
 
Youth Services
 
Bulletin Editor
Meghan Reed
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For New Members
 
 
 
Service above Self.
The Emmaus Rotary Club embraces, practices and promotes the Rotary International Core Values of Service, Fellowship, Diversity, Integrity and Leadership.