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President's Message
 

Dear Fellow Rotarians,

     “It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities,”  Albus Dumbledore counsels Harry Potter in the book The Chamber of Secrets. We all have choices of how to spend the morning of Saturday, April 17, 2021. Some of us will go to work. Some will be with family and loved ones. Some will mark Earth Day by joining neighbors and friends at Emmaus Community Park or the Emmaus Remembrance Garden to rake leaves and pick up trash wearing our green “Rotary Works” shirts. And others will be zooming for the District 7430 Training Assembly.  I am confident that very few of us will spend the morning sleeping in as we are people of action who value our time and the opportunities we have to serve others. 

     This week we will have an unusual club meeting as we will all participate in a service project by packing kits for the men served by the Allentown Rescue Mission with the many items we have been collecting-- wallets, socks, soap, toothpaste and brushes, snacks, and more. There are still a few hours left to check the Community Service’s sign-up Genius link to see if there is something you can pick up. I have been thinking ahead about what I might want to say in the cards of encouragement we will be including. I don’t want to sound sappy or dorky!

     The momentum to make our first-ever combined Cornhole Tournament and  Beef n Beer (Bags & Beer) on Sunday, May 23rd from 1 to 5 pm at Gio Italian Grill in Macungie a blow-out success is building up.  Buy and sell some tickets!  Help identify some sponsors for the free swag like mugs and tee-shirts! Find a partner to play! Join the fun!  For tickets, sponsorship opportunities, and info visit: www.ercbnb.com  Remember that all the money we raise will go towards the East Penn Food Coalition which is our project to get food to hungry students and families in our school district. 

     I want to thank everyone who took the time to answer last week’s pop-up quiz in the President’s Message. There were 7 correct answers! And a 3-way tie for first place!  Past presidents Steve Gould and Mark Erle were joined by Wade George, co-chair of Membership. All three received a baguette of homemade sourdough bread.  Congratulations! The answer was “together” which is the word I used three times and which I believe holds our Rotary magic and power.

 

Yours in Service,

Lexa Shallcross, 

Emmaus Rotary President 2020-2021

We Continue To Have Hybrid Meetings! 
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. 
https://voxtandem-1-us.3cx.net/join/emmausrotary (This is the updated and correct link)
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. 
 
To watch past meetings that you may have missed or just want to see again. Follow the steps below. 
1) Click this link https://conf.voxtandem.com/b/ste-m9r-f9j  (the same link we use to join the live 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.
 
 
 
 
As always, Be Well and Stay Safe Friends, 
Sal Verrastro
Trumpet Editor 
2nd VP ERC
 
 
Rotary Team Work for the Allentown Rescue Mission
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.
 
 
 
 
 
In Case You Missed It!
STATE OF THE UNION FOR LOWER MACUNGIE TOWNSHIP
 
Thanks to Ron Beiler who gave us a "State of the Township" report for Lower Macungie. Ron is the current President of the Lower Macungie Township Board of Commissioners and is in his seconded elected term and is also currently a candidate (unopposed) for Lehigh County Commissioner District 2.  District 2 includes Lower Macungie, Upper Macungie, South Whitehall and Alburtis Borough.
 
Ron proudly proclaims that he a lifelong resident of Lower Mac and a local small business owner as well.  He also serves as treasurer of the Lehigh County Farmland Preservation Board. Ron is review the accomplishments of the Township while he has been a commissioner.  The following is a summary:

Over the last few years:

  • We successfully reduced property tax bills for homeowners using the homestead program. As it stands Lower Macungie’s property tax is the lowest of any suburban community in the entire Lehigh Valley.
  • We have preserved nearly 300 more acres of open space and farmland over the last 3 years.
  • We’ve become the most transparent local government in the Lehigh Valley.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

.

 

 
 
 
 
Happy Dollars 2021 - It's a Match!
 
If you remember, our Sargeant At Arms has been looking for an anonymous donor to match any Happy Dollars collected in one month so that we could all avoid fines!!!  I am Happy to report that we found an "anonymous donor" (who just might be in the photo above) to match all Happy Dollars collected in the month of May.  Many Many thanks to this generous person!
Rotary Committee - The Heart of our Club
Friends - July 1, 2021 when I assume the Presidency of the Emmaus Rotary Club is just around the corner and one of the most important steps leading up to the new Rotary year is making sure that our committees are all in place and Chaired by the right people.  Our committees do amazing work year after year only because of the passionate, committed and knowledgeable people who chair those committees and do the behind the scenes work week after week.
 
So, I am asking all current Chairpersons to stay on as Chairs next year.  However, if you decide that you don't want to please let me know by April 15 and, if possible, suggest someone to take your place.  If I don't hear from you I'll presume that you will remain as your committee's chair or co-chair.  
 
Also, we have two Chair needs:

1.  Larry Delhagen has done yeoman's work for many years as Chair of the Camp Neidig committee and has agreed to see it through this year.  However, he is stepping away from this position and we need someone to take on this very important position for our Club.  Larry has graciously offered to help anyone who takes it over and you can certainly contact him if you have questions about the responsibilities if you are interested.
2.  We also need a Chair for the Mini-golf fundraiser.  Wade is now Co-chairing the membership committee and Kev Basara has moved onto one of the membership project teams.  The groundwork has been laid for this fundraiser and Wade will be the support person for whomever takes it over.
 
FYI - the members on each committee can be found in Club Runner.  Many thanks for all you do and I'm looking forward to a very service oriented and successful 2021-2022.
 
Yours In Service,
Mike Waddell
Don't Forget  - It's Earth Day!!!
Don't Forget!!!  To celebrate Earth Day the Emmaus / Upper Milford Environmental Environmental Advisory Councils are looking for volunteers to help with Earth Day clean-up.  We need you Emmaus Rotarians, friends and family - let's put together some eager teams of volunteers to help with our Earth Day Clean-up - This Saturday, April 17th starting at 8.30 am starting in the Emmaus Community Park.  Information, gloves and garbage bags are provided - usually over by 1 pm - SAVE THE DATE !!  More information will follow - there will not be a recycle truck this time.
Camp Neidig 2021 Update
Dear Rotarian,
 
Camp Neidig will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2021Neidig Chairs from each club should go to www.campneidig.com
 
For more information about Camp Neidig and we would like to encourage any high school aged Juniors and Seniors within our district (children or grandchildren) to visit the website using the following link:
 
 
To register the club, the chairperson can click on the "2021 Club Registration Page".  We are asking for clubs to register by April 15th.
 
Once the club is registered, they will be sent a link to register their individual students.  We are opening the 2021 Camp to both Junior and Senior high school students.  This year, the Neidig Chairs from each club need to register their students rather than letting the students do it on their own. 
 
Deadline for camper registration is April 26th.
 
If the club is not holding a service project on May 1, the Camp Neidig Committee will assign the student to a project near their home address. This and other information can be found in the Club Chairperson Packet.
 
If you have any question please feel free to contact Camp Neidig Co-Chairs Wendy Body or Charlie Incalcaterra.
 
Sincerely,
 
The Camp Neidig Committee
"Start Talking About Rotary Today"
Hello Rotarians,
 
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 to give 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 and Simply Talk About Rotary Today
 
Gary Volpe
Harleysville Rotary Club
Past President 2019-2020
District 7430 Membership Chair 2020-2021
May Is....
 
May is Youth Service Month
 

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 Vaccines - UPDATE!

LVHN Offering Additional Walk-In COVID-19 Vaccinations

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.
 
 
East Penn Food Coalition Update!
COMMUNITY JOINT EFFORT NEEDED FOR FAMILIES FACING HUNGER
 
Here is a link to the cool video by Eric Loch of the weekly food packing
 
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:
 
 
Check donation:  Send to the following:
                Emmaus Rotary Foundation
                c/o 2225 Riverbend Road
                Allentown, PA 18103
 
Contact:   Cindy Hornaman: hornamca@ptd.net, (610) 360-4875 or Rick Zayaitz: richardzayaitz@gmail.com   (484) 357 5780
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.
  • Simply talk about the program with people.
 
With Gratitude,
The Entire Emmaus Rotary Club
 

 

 
 
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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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
 
2020-2021 President 
Lexa Shallcross                       
 
District 7430 Governor
Janet Kolepp
 
Assistant Governor Area 1
Barb Bottitta
 
Follow us on Facebook!
Speakers
May 27, 2021
Club Business
May 27, 2021 7:30 AM
Let’s Build Construction Camp for Girls
Jun 03, 2021 7:30 AM
Learn American Sign Language
Jun 10, 2021 7:30 AM
StoveTeam International
Jun 17, 2021 7:30 AM
Allentown Rescue Mission
View entire list
CALENDARS
 
Emmaus Rotary:
 
Saturday, April 17, 2021 - "Earth Day Clean Up"
Sunday, May 23rd, 2021 - "Bags & Beer" at Gio Italian Grill
August 21st, 2021 - The Annual Poker Run!
 
 
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
First Vice President
 
Second Vice President
 
Secretary
 
Treasurer
 
Sergeant at Arms
 
Sergeant-at-Arms Emeritus
 
Immediate Past President
 
Director
 
Director
 
Director
 
Director
 
International/Foundation Chair
 
Membership Co Chairs
 
Membership Co-Chair
 
Fellowship
 
Fundraising - Poker Run
 
International Women's Day
 
Bulletin Editor
Sal Verrastro
Rotary Links
Rotary International
RI President Home
Rotary Global Rewards
Joining Rotary
Rotary History
Rotary Foundation
For New Members
 
 
 
Service above Self.