Club Business
Club President Dick O’Donnell welcomed members and guests to the first in-person meeting in a long time. He also introduced Dr. Bebe O’Donnell as his special guest. 3 more in-person meetings will be held in the coming months including a meeting to install officers for the coming year.
Phil Brown provided an invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
2 birthdays are being celebrated; Webb (Tripp) Durham on the 17th, and Ryan Risko on the 18th.
President O’Donnell mentioned a number of things that happened this day in history, including the first flight from Europe to the Us, Thomas Jefferson’s birthday, Sydney Poitier’s first Oscar for best supporting actor in “Lilly’s in the Field”, explosion on Apollo 13, and Tiger (Eldrick) Woods first Master’s title.
New members, Kirk Tucker and John David Wagner were introduced and presented with their new member packages.
President O’Donnell reminded members of the upcoming fundraiser on the 24th. Brook made additional comments: Invite guests, buy tickets for the raffle, and for the trivia contest. Bring your own chairs and picnic food. Beverages will be provided.
Zoom meetings will continue. Invite guests and potential members to hear the great speakers.
A volunteer opportunity is available for up to 20 people to pack food at Holy Hill Mall on May 12 from 6 to 8 pm.
Program: Phyllis Stevenson – Children’s Adoptive Services
Charlie Nolette introduced the guest speaker, Phyllis Stevenson, Executive Director of Children’s Adoptive Services. As part of his introduction, Charlie spoke of his and his wife’s personal experience with adopted daughters.
Phyllis opened her presentation by talking about being married for 40 years in September and how she started her career working with victims of abuse. There are many children with needs even here in Burlington. Phyllis and her husband have not adopted any children but over the years they have taken in 27 children that no one else wanted. We have failed children in many ways. Every child deserves a “forever” home. Phyllis oversaw a state project to find ways to bring children homes.
Children’s Adoptive Services founded in 1993. Work to provide domestic and foreign adoptions. The mission is “to improve the quality of life for children and families both domestically and internally on a daily basis.” (that’s what the slide says; wonder if it shouldn’t be “internationally”). Vision is “to create opportunities for every child to grow and develop in a loving, caring, and safe environment.” Children’s adoptive services is a local community with international impact. Works in Eastern Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Their “Choices” program matches birth parents with adoptive parents with the type of adoption they both desire; closed, semi-open, or open. The adoption process includes home study training, counseling, post-adoption support, and extra support for birth families.
Emphasize finding homes for older children. Ask the question: “Why do you want an infant?” Want to invest in a mentoring project for older children. The goal is to change people’s lives.
There are a number of ways we could help through volunteering, providing donations, advocating, sponsorships, board service, and opening doors into the community. Phyllis closed by saying she was looking to join a Rotary Club. Of course, we know which one that should be.
Following a brief Q/A session, Dick again emphasized the need to invite potential members, to take and post pictures to increase to social media presence of the Alamance Rotary Club.
Conclusion
Rick Moore Closed the meeting with the 4-Way Test.