Today was an OPEN CUPBOARD COLLECTION DAY. Thank you, generous donors! Special thanks to Dennis who collected and delivered the goods to their destination!
This was also a Club Assembly Day. Michael began by honoring Deb Engelhardt, one of two of our members who were named Persons of the Year by TBR Newspapers. Congrats, Deb! Next week, it will be Christine Austen's turn to be honored.
Michael handed out a many-paged Member Satisfaction Survey and requested that all present complete the survey. The point of the survey was to learn if our members feel that they are getting everything they think they should be getting out of being Port Jeff Rotarians.
We briefly shared opinions about the once-a-month evening meetings, originally designed to be primarily wine & cheese social and networking events for members, prospective members, friends, and family to gather- and offering an opportunity to get together with those of our members who have difficulty attending noon luncheons on a regular basis. While evening meetings seem to be enjoyed by attendees, it was noted that attendance at these meetings has fallen off. Among suggestions heard: we should reach out to members who are missing daytime and evening meetings and try to learn how we can better accommodate them; suggest that missing members at least participate via committees and/or projects and events; perhaps members unable to be present at meetings can attend and/or make up online (using the RI website). While we are happy to induct many new (mostly younger) members, perhaps each should be assigned a mentor to help boost commitment to our service-oriented group. The evening meetings are among the items to be evaluated by our Executive Board members at the May 25th meeting, as attendees review and work to update the club's by-laws. (See more information about this meeting below.)
We were pleased to welcome as a guest at today's meeting ADG Warren Sternberg.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/REMINDERS: ***Ournext meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at Cafe Spiga, at which time we will welcome as speakers Ruthanne Corrazini & Bob Goldfarb from Canine Companions for Independence. This will also be a COLLECTION DAY FOR GOODS FOR THE RESIDENTS OF WOODHAVEN ADULT CENTER. PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR DONATIONS.Kindly note that our May 22nd meeting will take place in the evening, 5:30-7 PM, at the office of Eric Cherches, 1031 Main St. (former office of Ed DiNunzio). The pot is still growing: $197! You have to be present to win it.Dennis sent a thank you email to the volunteers who helped make Saturday's Stuff-A-Van Event such a success. Helpers, including Sharon, Bill, Erika (& husband Matt), and members of Scout Troop #1776, managed to fill 2 vans with food and other necessities, which were delivered to The Open Cupboard at the end of the event. Kudos and thanks to all participants! The next 2 Stuff-A-Van Events will be held on Saturday, July 14th, and Saturday, September 8th. Can you help out at one or both of these upcoming activities? Michael asks that all club members participate in at least 2 committees. He again passed around the list of existing committees and asked members present to check which committees, projects, or fundraisers interest them. The next Executive Board Meeting will take place on Friday, 5/25, 7:30-9:30 AM, in Michael's office. Attendees will review our club's By-Laws. All members are welcome to attend.John Perkins, who heads the Habitat Build Committee, announced that the Club's 2018 Habitat Build will take place on Friday, June 22nd. If you are interested in volunteering for this activity, please let John know. The cost is $50 p/p, with the club also donating $50 p/p. More information will be forthcoming as we get closer to the Build date.Please note that our Annual Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck Spruce-Up is scheduled for Sunday, May 20th. Dennis hopes that this day will see 100 volunteers from other clubs in addition to our own,as well as Boy Scouts, members of high school Interact Clubs, etc., joyfully participating in this event. Breakfast will be served at 8:30 AM. Pat Sabo will again be Chef-in-Charge for the luncheon BBQ, but welcomes helpers. Dennis noted that prior to this event, some preliminary work has to be done. He is asking for volunteers to help out. Preparation days include Monday,5/14 (10 AM to 1 PM), and Wednesday,5/16 (10 AM-1 PM), at which time power-washing the barn will be among the chores to be accomplished. Contact Dennis to offer your assistance.You are invited to attend the annual Gift of Life L.I. Dinner Dance/Fundraiser to be held on Wed., May 23rd (6:30-10:30 PM) at the Timber Point Mansion (398 Great River Rd., Great River). This will be an evening of celebration of the children who have been given the Gift of Life and will honor Dr. Sean Levchuck, who plays a pivotal role in this program. The Guest Speaker will be Robbie Donno, Founder of G. of L. Our club will be donating $1,500 to Gift of Life. While tickets cost $100 p/p, our club will pick up $50 per member and $50 per guest attendee. We would like to fill up at least one table for the event (Tables seat 10-12.) Already signed up: Pat & Sally Sabo, Dale Kuhn & Joan Elliott, Bob & Melissa Dooley, and Michael Burghardt and his wife, Silvana. Won't you join them? Tickets include dinner and open bar. Dance music will be provided by "a Fabulous DJ". Kindly let Michael know if you'll be attending. On Saturday, June 2nd , Saranto invites you to attend his annual Shredding Party, from 10 AM-1 PM, at his office's parking lot- 620 Belle Terre Rd. Whether or not you bring papers to shred, you are invited to enjoy wine, beer, BBQ, and music that accompanies this activity. We now have a date for our President's Dinner & Raffle Drawing: Thurs.,September 20th. ***Please save this date. ***More info TBA. You are invited to participate in Hope Children's Fund's 14th Annual Kenya/USA 5K Walk/Run on Sunday, July 8th, at which time you'll be competing against Kenyans of all ages who will be running or walking at the same time on the other side of the world. Our 5K will again begin on the Port Jeff Station end of the beautiful Setauket-Port Jefferson Greenway (Rte.112- parking lot entrance at Hallock Avenue traffic light, between Enterprise Car Rental and 7-11 shop). Registration: 9-9:50 AM. Run/Walk Begins at 10 AM. Entry fee: $25 (or free to participants who secure more than $100 in pledges.) Medals for all who complete the course. ALL PROCEEDS GO TO SUPPORT THE JERUSHA MWIRARIA HOPE CHILDREN'S HOME IN MERU, KENYA. For more info. or pledge sheets, contact Larry Hohler (631-473-1662) or Ed Hyshiver (631-664-0257). Sharon, who recently gave a presentation about our club's activities to the Hauppauge Rotary Club, is currently working with PJHS Principal Christine Austen on a job-shadowing project that will match students with mentors in their "dream careers". Sharon is asking our members to volunteer to help out with this project (to be or help seek out mentors). Sharon invites your assistance.
We still have a few handsome PJ Rotary golf shirts for sale ($10 each) and invite you to purchase one. Bob H. now has custody of the t-shirts. Contact him to make a purchase.
Bob is still seeking evening meeting places, 1 per month. Can you provide a meeting site?
***Please check out our page on Face Book- and Like Us. ***Photos from our Winter Golf Classic are posted there as are photos of the inductions of our newest members and other delights.
If you missed today's meeting, kindly inform Yvette about make-ups in a timely fashion.
***The following is a list of donation "assignments" for members' once-a-month donations via the Club to the Open Cupboard: (*If you don't see your name on this list, select an item from it for your donation.)***NOTE: This list will be updated as needed:
Black Beans- Bob H., Pat (& brown rice), Yvette
Baby Wipes- Jim, Tom
Canned Fruit- Dennis
Cereal- Jennifer, Paul, Amanda
Oatmeal- Lisa, Sean
Soap- Kathy, Paul
Canned Chicken- Sharon, Michael B.
Jelly- Debbie, Michael
Shampoo- Saranto, Nancy
Conditioner- Nancy
Toilet Paper- Judi
Diapers- John Perkins
Apple Juice- Bill C.
***Check the list for your name and assigned item. (If you are not listed, you may donate any listed item. Corporate members are encouraged to donate individually. If you would like to be listed with a specific item, contact Debbie and specify your item of choice.)
***Bring contributions to Cafe Spiga on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, or give to another Club member who will be attending.
*** If you would like to be reimbursed, bring receipt(s) to the meeting.
...LISA MULVEY, whose birthday is tomorrow, May 9th; MIKE BURGHARDT, who will celebrate his birthday on May 11th; AMANDA ECKART, who celebrates her birthday on May 13th; ERIKA JURASITS and AMANDA ECKART, who both had anniversaries on May 6th; ARCHANA GAUTAM, who celebrates her anniversary on May 14th; PAT SABO, who will be celebrating his anniversary on May 25th; and BOB HUTTEMEYER, whose anniversary is May 27th!
