President Samantha Maruzzelli brought the meeting to order at 12:15 PM at Purkey’s Pink Apple with Ruth Gorski reciting the 4-Way Test and leading the Pledge of Allegiance and Dave Wilson giving the Invocation.

 

 

Ad John Buxton – Holy Week services will take place at the Methodist Church. Retiring Al Purdy has written an original piece for the choir and it will be premiered at the Palm/Passion Sunday Service.

 

 

Newsletter went out and website updated.

 

 

On April 19, there will be a membership mixer on Thurs at Flash meeting at 5:15 PM. Plan on attending and inviting a prospective member to attend.

 

 

A multiple Paul Harris was presented at the Board of Directors meeting to Mike Markovitz.

 

 

The Rotary Lounge will be smaller to accommodate only 65 people.

 

They will rope off a pedestrian isle for ticket holders along the first row of cars away from the front gate.

 

We will let people in at 10:30, but advertise entry at 11 AM.

 

There will be a handicap line this year.

 

We will advertise on WAAL in NY.

 

Glenn and Carol are preparing a brochure to help with getting sponsorships. Don Streby needs help with getting sponsors.

 

Ron needs help with distributing rack cards and posters about 6 week before the Festival.

 

 

We have posters now and will have rack cards next week. Give Frank a list of where you are putting up posters and rack cards to avoid duplication and wasted efforts.

 

 

The Spring Roadside Clean-up will be Sat. Apr 7 meeting at the Fireplace restaurant at 9 AM sharp. Please come if you signed up since we are depending on your help to get this done in a timely fashion.

 

 

The Board of Directors selected the QCPR project from the Tunkhannock Community Ambulance Association. Rescue Annie’s are computer-based mannequins used to teach CPR and can give feedback to show if it is being done correctly.  An adult and baby sized mannequin plus software, computer, and monitor are part of the proposal for $6,000.  $3,000 would be requested from a District Grant with a matching $3,000 from the Club.  We can see how these work with a demo at one of our club meetings in the future.

 

 

The Board decided that we are donating $200 toward refreshments for the 35 workers doing clean up for Earth Day.

 

 

Samantha needs a volunteer to assemble a basket for the auction that supports the Rotary Foundation at District Conference.

 

Patty Ehrenzeller is dressing the stuffed panther that we got from DG Karin Breitlauch during her visit to the club. The dressed stuff animals will be auctioned at District Conference.

 

Sign up info for individual days of District conference is now available at the District website.

 

 

Coming up in June in Toronto.  Sign up at http://www.riconvention.org/en/toronto/register if you are interested.  So far Jeannie, Norm, Harry, Al and Samantha are going.

 

 

We received a Thank you from Victims Resource Center for our recent donation.

 

Pres. Samantha showed 2 Rotary videos one from Rotary.org and one from a Bar Harbor Club. Maybe we can consider making such a video for our club.

 

 

The Interactors held a Bake Sale & made $165, which they donated to Meghan’s Mission to end MS.

 

The Tiger Clothing closet has prom dresses. Any extra items are sent to Interfaith, so they stay in the community.

 

Paul DeMarco will be going for full-time exchange to Brazil, along the coast. Elizabeth DeMarco is going full time to Ecuador.

 

The Interactors know about the Roadside Clean-up and may participate.

 

There will be Youth conference on Sunday at District Conference at Kalahari Resort this year.

 

Vito went with the Exchange students to Washington DC last week.

 

 

The CIA trip is now closed with 48-49 participants.  The CIA is now going to split us into 3 Restaurants and you pick your entrée from that menu. The trip is Tuesday, May 15.

 

 

Ron Flatness talked about the dairy farmer issue first described by Tina Carlin, Executive Director of Farm Women United, 2 weeks ago.  He suggested that Rotary possibly give $500 to the FWU, if we have the money.

Our next Meeting will be Thursday, Mar 29. Our guest speaker will be a representative of Not One More.

 

President Samantha Maruzzelli adjourned the meeting at 1:30 PM.

 

Ron talked about several key Rotary moments for him during his 6 years in Rotary. He is very involved with community activities and that attracted him to Rotary.

 

He loves the Rotary relays, particularly watching all the kids smiling and having fun.

 

Another highlight is the Harvest & Wine Festival, which is an incredible team effort to accomplish.

 

He loves the fellowship with his fellow Rotarians at meetings and events.

 

One of his most vivid memories is that he was recognized by District Governor Art Peoples while shopping. DG Art asked him where his Rotary pin was, since he was not wearing it? Since then, Ron proudly wears it everywhere.

 

Ron Furman