Jan. 28, 2021
Alex opened the meeting promptly at 11:00 a.m. and Joe Gandelman started us off with the Pledge. Diane Remick was our virtual greeter. The Inspirational Message was brought to us by Charley Crew. John O'Neill helped provide the special Foundation Presentation by showing a video of Amanda Gorman, the very talented young lady that read her poem at the Inauguration of incoming President Joe Biden.
Arilla had nothing to report on the Family of Rotary today.
Then John O'Neill put on his Fine Master cap and began asking for Happy Bucks and any other news worthy items that members would like to share! Pat reported we raised $423 today!!
Our speaker was introduced by John Goodrich who gave a very detailed picture of this very important man. Dr. Richard Miller is a member of the Bowling Green Rotary Club. He is currently the Provost for Diversity and Inclusion at USD. Dr. Miller was the first African American Dean at Ithaca College which was also his Alma Mater! The school first opened in 1905 as an all male school. It wasn't until 82 years later that they allowed women! Being a Rotarian, he is taking a close look at the diversity of Rotary Clubs and sees the need to include more people of color. He was almost always a first of color in so many jobs and clubs he joined. There is value in diversity through jobs, clubs, travel and interaction with with people of any color. We can all learn from others and this is his focus. He shared may good ideas and encouraged thinking outside the box. He suggested that we be aggressive, contact minority churches, and invite members to our meetings. He has found that minorities are givers and would like to be included clubs, socials, jobs and share ideas. They can add value to Rotary and learn about our enormous impact on the world! What an exceptional man.
Jim Hyldahl presented the thank you book to Dr. Miller, virtually of course, and we all gave him a big round of applause. Great speaker and great person.
He had to leave us for another meeting but we carried on by announcing Rotarian of the Month...Jeanne Hawkins. She does so much for our club and deserves every bit of praise.
Dave Brooks introduced Resa Coopat who gave her Who Am I to finish her list of "Things to Do" to become a full member. She got her MBA in Honolulu and met her husband Gary in1987. They have spent the last 12 years in San Diego and she worked as a business analyst. Since retiring, they traveled to Ecuador, Bali and Indonesia and had a wonderful tour of the D Day Landing sites, all the tributes to the United States and beautiful cities that remain today because of the sacrifice of our American troops.
We are so happy to welcome Resa and know she will be a valuable asset to our club. So glad to have you with us!
Jim Reid is our representative to RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) and because of the COVID restrictions, the weekend camp had to be cancelled and turned in to a one day event. There will be a $25 charge for each attendee, which our club will pay, and they 'll be treated to a day of fun and discussions on various subjects.
Cathy Glover announced that See's Valentines Day Candy sales have ended and she thanked all those that took advantage of this delicious opportunity.
That's a wrap!
Karen Stelman, Scribe
