Club Business
President Dick O’Donnell presided. Jim Cartner led the prayer and pledge of allegiance to our flag. Dick announced that our club will donate $4100 to worthy institutions: $2000 to the Women’s Resource Center, $1500 to the ACC Foundation, $500 to Sustainable Alamance, and $100 to the Hero Project, which will be augmented by $400 from Rotary, to help first responders in the area.
Dick invited club members to participate in the Alamance Leads meeting on Monday morning at 8 am. Craig Whelden will be the speaker. Contact Dick to obtain the Zoom link.
Rotary Moment with Rick Moore
Rick has attended two Rotary International Conferences and related how impactful they are. He is also a big proponent of the People of Action photo program that is being used to promote Rotary worldwide.
Sharing Among Members
Since there was no planned program for today, Dick asked those on the Zoom call to share any positive things that have come out of this Covid Pandemic. What did we give ourselves “permission” to do? Below is a summary of some of the responses.
- Pete said the he remodeled his basement and wrote a book on the history of his family. He also said spiritually he has been able to refocus and prioritize. Some things, such as some sporting events, do not seem important any longer.
- Dick has been able to attend Zoom meetings of the Carolina Club, which were too difficult to make when they were in person in Chapel Hill.
- Susan expressed her gratitude for the club’s support of the Women’s Resource Center, saying that many people are really struggling because of what the lock-down has done to the economy. The City of Burlington has given a grant that has enabled WRC to venture into a new area, financially assisting people with legitimate needs. She also is thankful that the pandemic has made a way for her to spend more time with her family at home.
- Mary Thomas echoed that sentiment, saying that Covid has provided her with more quality family time. She also shared how much she appreciates her Rotary friends.
- Rick volunteered that he and his wife, Sylvia, moved to our area to be near their daughter, Jessie, just before the lock down began. Had they not done so, it would have isolated their only daughter from them. They have been able to spend a lot of time with her; although, it has been more difficult to make friends in the broader community.
- Ed added that his Rotary relationships, especially with MTG, have helped his family find a solution to their challenge with schooling at home due to the lock-down. Two of Ed’s children are now at BCA, where Mary Thomas works, for which Ed is extremely thankful. Now his children are able to learn in the classroom instead of being stuck at home.
- Jim wonderfully expressed how our net worth should be measured by the quality of our network. He has been enriched by his faith community, Rotary community, and family.
- Mike chimed in that he has much for which to be thankful and that the pandemic has drawn him closer to God. By the way, he is making manicotti tonight, in case you are hungry.
Conclusion
Dick closed the meeting by leading us in reciting the Four Way Test.