HAPPY NEW YEAR! Welcome back to the Elkhart Rotary Club Meeting January 7, 2019; Today we welcomed speaker Aileac Deegan, Executive Director of Ryan's Place, Goshen IN.
President Peter Norton opened the first meeting of the new year and introduced Fran Conner, who provided inspirational words, led the Pledge and Four-Way Test. Guests were introduced by Ashley Bowen, including visiting Rotarian Doug Grant from Wawasee. Guests of Rotarians included Garrick Lankford (Bill Burton), Eric Gingerich (Jason Bryant) and Rob LaRoy (Jim Rieckhoff). Welcome to all guests!
Important announcements from January 7:
- Ann McCuistion, chair of the Grant Committee reminded everyone that GRANTS ARE STILL AVAILABLE, and to visit our website for the link; spread the word to your nonprofit friends; deadline for applications is Friday, January 11 at 11:59 pm.
- Doug Risser announced the deadline for the Travel Abroad Program has been extended until January 19 - IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, please contact Doug directly.
- Some Club Board Positions are up for grabs; President Peter Norton reminded that elections are coming up for the new board term beginning July 1, 2019; it's a great way to get involved and help shape the club's role in our community.
- Tom McArthur reminded everyone about the wrapup for our Rotary Games, a fun way of keeping track of our collective volunteer hours in the months of November and December, and more importantly, promoting our efforts to the community, INSPIRING others to get involved, amplifying our efforts to make our community a better place. Get your hours in for December as soon as possible.
- Candy Yoder provided the list of committees for the new year; if you're still not on a committee, it's your chance to become more involved!
- From the Care Committee - - Club Member Wayne Barker is in Hospice Care at this time; please keep him and his family in your thoughts.
- Our first Board Meeting is Friday morning, January 11, 7 am at Perkins Restaurant on North Cassopolis; remember ALL MEMBERS ARE WELCOME to attend; join us for some Friday morning fun and breakfast while we chart the club's path.
We welcomed a NEW CLUB MEMBER today: Deborah Domine was inducted by Aileac Deegan, along with her sponsor, Candy Yoder. Deborah is the Elkhart County Circuit Court Juvenile Magistrate and said she is excited to be a part of the club and deepen her engagement with our community.
Today's Sergeant was Bill Rieth, who seized the opportunity to extract funds from club members through fun fines centered around trivia from the previous evening's Golden Globe Awards. Rotary fines are collected weekly and are pooled into a fund. In the spring approximately $10,000 is distributed as grants to not for profit organizations around our county.
Today's speaker was Aileac Deegan, Executive Director of Ryan's Place in Goshen, Indiana (and member of our Rotary Club!) who provided a brief history of Ryan's Place and its impact in our community. Aileac was joined by Ryan's Place Program Coordinator, Laurenne Hamlin, who spoke about specific programs Ryan's Place provides.
- Ryan’s Place provides grief support to children, teens, and families.
- Ryan’s Place works with the bereaved to provide support and education as they travel their journey of grief to find peace, hope, and a new normal as they face life without their deceased loved one.
- Aileac and Laurenne shared a video, found on their website: https://youtu.be/PjOfmA07pNQ
- To learn more about Ryan's Place visit: http://ryansplace.org/
About Rotary:
Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, community leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and act to create lasting change – across the globe, in our local communities, and in ourselves. The Elkhart Rotary Club was founded in 1917 and serves its community through volunteerism, providing grants to not-for-profit organizations, sponsoring, and participating in service projects such as ringing bells for the Salvation Army, roadside trash collection, and are the originators and sustainers of Wellfield Botanic Gardens. Elkhart Rotary Club’s membership consists of approximately 150 dedicated individuals from various professional backgrounds and diverse interests. Membership in the Elkhart Rotary Club is by invitation. We welcome guests to attend any of our meetings and hear from our great lineup of weekly presenters.
For more information on the Elkhart Rotary Club, visit elkhartrotary.org or email elkhartnoonrotary@gmail.com. Like and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook/ElkhartRotaryClub to stay current on meetings, upcoming events or speakers, and initiatives in the community.
Upcoming Meetings and Program(s):
- January 14: J. Nelson Kraybill, President, Mennonite World Conference, a community of Anabaptist related churches
- January 21: Paige Risser, Director of Communications, Pokagon Band of Potawatomi
Join us for our next meeting:
All meetings are at noon on Mondays at the Matterhorn Banquet and Conference Center, 2041 Cassopolis St. in Elkhart IN, 46514. In months that include a FIFTH Monday, the Elkhart Rotary Club holds a dinner meeting (no presenter) at the same location.