Club Business
President Dick O’Donnell opened the meeting at 12:15
PDG Randy Perkins provided the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
No birthdays to report. PE Brooke Carpenter’s anniversary is soon.
Minnesota became the 32nd state in 1858. Land of 10,000 lakes. National “eat what you want” day and national foam rolling day. Also, national Twilight Zone day.
PDG Randy Perkins, a 23-year Rotarian talked about the beginnings of District Achievement Awards. Gold award established over 20 years ago. More recently awards have been expanded for more clubs to be recognized based on meeting specific criteria established by the District. Silver, Gold, and Platinum achievement awards are now awarded to deserving clubs in the district. Since PDG Perkin’s district conference had been canceled in 2020 because of the pandemic, DG Rosser allowed PDG Perkins to recognize clubs from 2020 at the recent 2021 District Conference. IPP Mary Thomas Gilbert was recognized for her efforts leading the Alamance Rotary Club to a gold level achievement award in 2020.
President O’Donnell has 3 Paul Harris fellow award pins to present to Cliff Parker, Brian Dement, and Brad Moser. Thank you for your ongoing support of the Rotary Foundation.
PE Brooke asked for support for the upcoming Feed the Hunger food packathon event scheduled for the 12th at Holly Hill Mall. 15 people have signed up so far. More are welcome and needed.
President O’Donnell reported that a social at Red Oak Brewery is being scheduled. Another blood drive and a musical event at the airport are also in the works. More to come.
Next week’s meeting will be a Zoom event. Invite more members and guests. Two live meetings are scheduled in June at Alamance Country Club on the 8th and 29th. When asked why more meetings are not live, PE Brooke said the Board will discuss at the next Board meeting.
PE Brooke asked Interact Advisor from Western Alamance HS, Sean Quinn, to introduce his guests, members of the WAHS Interact Club. A successful Interact club is dependent on a good advisor. The WAHS club has had over 250 individual members over its 6 years in existence. Ashley Roberts and Savannah Berntson were both recognized with “Service above Self” awards for their volunteer hours along with graduation cords. Ashley for 90 hours, Savannah for 150 hours. Savannah is a graduating senior and outgoing President of the Interact Club. Hayden Ni was recognized as the incoming Interact Club President and Brooklyn Porter as an Interact Club Board member for the coming year. Hayden was also recognized as the clubs 4 Way Test Essay Contest winner and presenter at the District-wide contest with a banner from the RI President.
Happy Dollars: Stuart Sioussat in honor of his daughter’s recent graduation; Thomas Phelps for attending a banquet for the Carolina Adoption Services; Mary Thomas Gilbert for her son’s recent engagement and for her acquiring a new puppy; Carolyn Rhode for Kirk Tucker taking notes and recent Pfizer announcement to provide COVID vaccine to younger teens, one who lives in her house.
PP and Board member Micah Fox announced his resignation with regret from the club effective the end of June because of work assignments.
Program: Walter Britt – Alamance County Community YMCA
PDG Randy Perkins introduced the speaker for the meeting, Walter Britt, CEO of the local YMCA. Walter joined the Y in 1986. Has served the Y and other service providers in a number of different capacities. Walter is married with twin daughters attending Baylor University in Waco, TX. He highly recommends Baylor, and is a recruiter for them.
Walter quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson: “to win the respect of intelligent people….to leave the world a better place, to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded.”
The Y first came to Alamance County in 1955. Walter emphasized the Y’s focus on strengthening the community, youth development, and healthy living. The Y is not just gym and swim. In this past year of the pandemic, they have served 95K meals to children. 21% of the children in Alamance County are food insecure; unsure where their next meal is coming from. Have built shelters to serve meals at the Y, Boys and Girls Club, and Ebenezer Church. Meals are served at no cost. Serve approximately 350 meals per day. Food is prepared at a local High School and prepackaged. K&W Cafeteria prepares food on weekends. Have adopted 12 families who are most in need. Provide groceries twice a month. Services have been funded by generous donors, state, federal, and local governments. Partnering with local farmers. Demonstrating how to prepare and serve locally grown squash and zucchini. Looking for more great partners.
Lost $700K in revenue and 30% of members because of COVID. Thanks to PPE loans and donors the Y is still in a good financial position but needs to keep growing membership.
Ran modified summer camps maintaining social distancing. Provided distance learning centers by modifying racquetball courts at the Y and facilities at Elon University. Had no outbreaks or cases of virus at summer camps and learning centers.
Are currently open with ½ capacity. Check-ins are 70% of pre-COVID levels. Seeing 700 pool check-ins a week. They have recently restarted basketball with a number of restrictions still in place.
Conclusion
President O’Donnell closed the meeting at 1:03 with the 4-Way Test.