DATE: May 20,2025
This past week we had a packed house. We were joined by Antek, our co-sponsored exchange student from Poland and his host mom Sara. Antek is from Warsaw Poland and has been in the US for the past 10 months. He shared with us his life in Poland, his experience living in the US, and all of the exciting things he has experienced while studying abroad here.
We were also joined by Carmen Spagnola from the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch in Florida. Carmen is a Bethlehem native, and we were exciting to welcome him home and host him at our weekly meeting.
Time is running out for our Polio Challenge. The Board has designated up to $1000 from our Community Budget for a Polio Plus Challenge. We will match dollar for dollar Rotarian's donations up to a grand total of $1000. The challenge ends on June 1. Please make checks payable to The Bethlehem Rotary Foundation and notate "Polio Donation" in the memo line.
As a reminder, dues billing has been sent out. Dues are once again $275 by cash or check, and $295 by credit card. If you have not received your bill, please email Treasurer@Bethlehemparotary.org or reach out to Bill Eckert or me.
Last week Nominating Chair Ham Malek send out the slate of candidates for the 2025-2026 Bethlehem Rotary Board of Directors. Elections will be held June 11, 2025. Per our bylaws, nominations may be made from the floor provided the nominee has agreed to serve before the meeting. If you are not attending the meeting, please reply to Ham and register your vote before the meeting. WE NEED A QUORUM AND ELECTRONIC VOTES ARE ALLOWED. The slate of candidates are:
- President - Bill Eckert
- President Elect - Mark Walter
- Vice President - *
- Secretary - Cindy Glick
- Past President & Treasurer - Lori Knerr
- Director - Bill Royer
- Director - Darlene Heller
- Director - Dave Fenstermacher
- Director - PDG Diane Donaher
* A message from PDG Diane Donaher
While honored with the nomination, PDG Diane has declined the nomination as Club Vice President. Here are her thoughts:
"I strongly believe Rotary is an opportunity to serve and is also a call to leadership. I would prefer to engage members in leadership and help them succeed through the Rotary leadership journey.
It is not necessary to have a Vice President to conduct elections for next year's board as we have the next 2 presidents already determined.
Let's take some time to intentionally focus on our leadership succession and perhaps it is time to have a Past President "Club President Coach" committed to the development and success of each President, or a Past Presidents Team /Council to assist the President through the learning opportunities during their 2 years before serving. We could also consider Co-Presidents in the future, as other clubs have done in the district, if needed.
The great news is our club is growing, and Rotary is flexible to meet our members where they are. I'd like to suggest an ad hoc Leadership Succession Committee to discuss this issue over the next 4 months, which I will volunteer to chair. If you are a past president and would like to participate, please reach out to me by June 6th and we can have an initial conversation. ALL past presidents are welcome to participate.
Thank you for your continued support and friendship."
I look forward to seeing you all this week. PDG Diane and DeeDee Foran will be giving us some tips on Rotary Basics, ClubRunner mobile app, and a website overview.
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