As I write, it is Fastnacht, Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Tuesday, Fat Tuesday ---
MARDIGRAS!---
and I am anticipating eating pancakes and playing Pictionary online tonight in the space created by our Fellowship Committee. There will not be parties and parades down in New Orleans this year because of the Covid 19 pandemic. But that Mardi Gras spirit lives as the people have decorated their porches and facades and balconies like they have decorated their parade floats in other years. Some that I have seen on Instagram and Facebook are amazing, creative and a sight to behold.
Emmaus Rotary parallels the people of Louisiana as we find new ways to carry on our traditions and projects with grace and good humor. While we wait and look forward to meeting again face to face, we use these digital-age cyber tools to our advantage. Continue to read your Trumpet for updates and details of activities. Log-in on Thursday mornings; who knows, you may win the door prize for that day! Send your dues and contributions to the Rotary Foundation (international) and the Emmaus Rotary Club Foundation (earmark it for your passion-- “Feeding”, “Scholarships”. “Happy Dollars” ) by check or Venmo. Speak up when you have questions, ideas, comments or concerns. Join the work of existing committees. Stay connected. And, as always, text or phone me if you want to talk. You may use lexashallcross@gmail.com or 610 393 2043.
Our Meetings will continue to be Hybrid until further notice. While we will continue to meet in-person at Brookside Country Club we will also continue to provide you the meeting virtually. If you prefer not to join us in-person, you are more than welcome to join us virtually this week and every week if you desire.
If you are joining us online, please use the link below to join us this Thursday, at 7:30 AM or sooner if you would like.
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. Pleas ask all guest to 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.
5) Enjoy!
WE ARE GRATEFUL TO ERIC LOCH AND JOHN CHISCA FOR MAKING THE HYBRID MEETINGS POSSIBLE EACH WEEK! And a special thanks to Wade George for helping with the camera and microphone this week.
When you think of Rotary what what comes to mind? Your friendships? Memories of the service projects you’ve helped implement? The sense of belonging you feel to a group of diverse, yet like minded people, who come together as people of action? The incredible opportunities Rotary brings to the communities we serve AND the opportunities we have through our service? Travel? Ways to make world wide connections and fellowship? The limitless potential to make a real difference locally and globally? Infinite ways to get involved?
Pushing outside of your comfort zone to take on a leadership role because you have the skills to help? Delicious breakfasts enjoyed with a side of smiles and laughter on Thursday mornings?
These are some of the topics of discussion our club members bonded over at our virtual meeting last week. We were able to break out into smaller virtual groups for a few minutes and have some thoughtful conversation about what Rotary means to us. (Thank You to John Chisca and the Fellowship Committee who are always up for a new adventure.) What I found so special about this exercise in Fellowship was how it brought to light just how big of an impact Rotary has had on each of us for different reasons. But the reoccurring theme was our common bond to want to do good together. It is clear that Emmaus Rotary Club is like a family. A welcoming “place” where we can all be ourselves and put our unique talents to work. Even in times when being together isn’t always possible we have remained a team and done some impressive work. (7300 meals to hungry kids is a big deal.) We have supported each other with phone calls, cards and drive by visits. Used virtual means to stay connected because we don’t give up! So...on those days when you’re feeling frustrated or down, and miss your fellow Rotarian friends... think of the positives. What is the purpose of Rotary? What purpose has it brought to your life? And then give that friend you’re missing a a call to say “Hi, I was thinking about you.”, because my guess is they are missing you too!
TEAM WORK! Last week our club came together as one team for a great Service Project for the Allentown Rescue Mission. We assemble over 60 bags containing items for the men.
All of the items assembled were donated by the members of this fantastic club.
Many thanks to Karen Hobson and Nicole and Nicole Steirer who organized this event.
HELP!!! Our own Tony Moyer could use some assistance with our Virtual Four Way Speech Contests! He needs some volunteers for the Regional Speech Contest - April 10th at 10 AM
Rotary has a new “Membership Drive” in place. To entice us to bring in new members Rotary is rolling out the S.T.A.R.T. Now! campaign. S.T.A.R.T. is an acronym for Simply Talk About Rotary Today. There is no better way to grow our membership than to talk about all the good that we do. Over the next three months you will be receiving bi-weekly emails with tips and best practices to help you attract new members to our club.
And here is the great news! For the first time District 7430 will provide a $100.00 incentive for each to member.
Here are a few details: • New members must join between February 1st to April 30th, 2021 • District 7430 will provide the Emmaus Rotary club a $100 incentive per new member for every new member we sign up.
One of the best ways to have a successful club is to grow your club. As your club membership grows you will be able to provide additional services. The more services a club does the more successful it becomes. So let me give you an idea to increase membership during these unusual times.
It is important to remember that every person you talk to is a potential member. Ask them to visit your club or come to help with a project. You will be pleasantly surprised when that person says ‘I have been looking for some way togive back…’ I have done this many times with great success.
Look, I will be the first to admit it is more difficult when you can’t meet face to face. So, here is your challenge. Pick up the phone and call just one person that you think would make a good Rotarian. Just One! You may be amazed by the response.
Don’t forget the Rotary Rebound incentive; every new member you sign up before May 1st will earn your club $100.00.
So, S.T.A.R.T. Now! Pick up the phone andSimply Talk About Rotary Today
Cedarbrook Senior Care and Rehab Centers, located in both Fountain Hill and Allentown, is looking to our Rotary Community to help brighten the day of some residents who have been unable to have visitors or social programming for many months. Inspirational and nonreligious cards and or letters along with Valentine greetings too, would be a welcomed addition to everyone’s day. Please sign your correspondence “from an Emmaus Rotarian” or feel free to just sign your name. The dedicated staff at Cedarbrook would also enjoy notes as well !! Mail all items to the attention of Kerry Magliane, Cedarbrook Senior Care & Rehab., 350 S. Cedarbrook Road, Allentown, PA 18104. Thank you all for your kind attention.
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.
Lehigh Valley Health Network also announcing mass vaccination drive-through event on May 12 at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
On Wednesday, May 5, LVHN will begin accepting walk-ins without an appointment for the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine for everyone 16 and older at all COVID-19 vaccine locations. (Note: Anyone under the age of 18 will need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to get vaccinated.) Those who already received the first dose of the Moderna vaccine will receive the second Moderna dose at these sites. COVID-19 vaccinations provided by LVHN are free. Pfizer vaccine has emergency use authorization (EUA) for people ages 16 and older, while Moderna has EUA for people ages 18 and older.
Many thanks to our own Bob Goehler for this information.
As you all know the Emmaus Rotary leads the establishment of the East Penn Food Coalition along with other community service groups to meet hunger needs in the East Penn School District Community.
We have reached a critical point to fund the East Penn Food Coalition, Feed East Penn Students Program. We currently serve over 200 children a week and need your help to raise money to continue to feed hungry kids in our community.
WE NEED YOUR HELP! We are seeking business, grants, and individual donations to support over $20,000 in need.
You can provide help for our neighbors in need in the following ways:
If you are interested in being part of this group, please let us know. Thanks to all of those who have contributed thus far.
We can all work together to help the families in our own East Penn Community.
Lastly, we also need your help in sharing our mission with your friends, family and colleagues. Here are quick and easy ways to participate in crowd funding.
Share the link on your social media pages. (Share on your own page and in groups you belong to)
Email your contact list.
If you own a business share with your clients via email or social media.
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.
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 believes in developing the next generation of leaders. Our programs help younger leaders build leadership skills, expand education and learn the value of service.
Two great examples if this are the The Rotary Leadership Awards (RYLA) which is a leadership development program for young people who want to learn new skills, build their confidence, and have fun. Events range from one-day seminars to weeklong camps; and the Rotary Youth Exchange builds peace one young person at a time. Students learn a new language, discover another culture, and truly become global citizens.
For more information go to: https://www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/youth-programs
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
