THE CONTACT   

   

FEBRUARY 2020
                   

Volume 96 | Issue 8

 Rotary Club of Steubenville 
District 6650, No. 3609
President's Message
Michael Mehalik
 
member photo

Being President of our Rotary Club during the last 7 months has made me much more aware of national and International Rotary news.  While attending the Rotary president’s training last March one of the topics that was stressed was keeping the membership engaged in Rotary ideals and goals.  I have tried to accomplish this mainly through my monthly pieces in the Contact and in brief comments at our monthly meetings.
One of Rotary’s goals, and it has been for a number of years, is to grow the membership in our local clubs.  I have stressed membership growth since day one of my term as president. A great deal of work is being done by our membership committee, especially with the corporate membership proposal currently being drafted.
In the February edition of the Rotarian there was a little piece on the Rotary Club of Halifax Harbourside, Nova Scotia that has increased their membership from 22 to 60 members.  They did it by making their club irresistible.  How do we make our club irresistible?  How do we make it the club that everyone wants to join?
Rotary International did an Instagram survey about local clubs’ efforts to grow their membership. The first question was, is your club looking to grow?  90% said their club was looking to grow. The second question was, what is more important to your club, culture or activitie?.  63% said activities. And the last question was, is your club actively pursuing diversity, equity, and inclusion?  78% answered yes.
I believe a survey of our own club would be very similar.  We are trying to grow, we are increasing our activities, and I believe we are pursuing diversity, equity, and inclusion.  Now we have to become irresistible!  If Halifax Harbourside can do it, why not Steubenville, Ohio?
A second topic grabbed my attention in February’s Rotarian.  The article, “How to tell fact from fiction and trust the news again,” was written by Kim Lisagor Bisheff, an expert on fact checking.  Like many of you, I often watch the cable news stations and just shake my head.  When a hot topic arises I will often switch between CNN and Fox just to see the varying spin provided by each network.  It can be remarkable. It is also sad, irresponsible, and creating an impossible environment for all of us.
 
WHY I AM A ROTARIAN
Judge John Mascio
 
My father was always very involved in the community in what I believe were very positive ways.  From an early age the importance of being involved and active in one's community was stressed to me, not only at home but by my many coaches, and teachers that I had growing up.
 
I was always very fortunate to have been surrounded by positive people while growing up here in Steubenville.
 
 I am well aware that I have been given opportunities in life that others have not.  I feel not only responsible but obligated to give back. 
 
 As a young man when I went to law school I had a professor who constantly stressed the importance of becoming active in the community in which one lives.  This professor would frequently say that as lawyers you will be leaders in your community.    
 
 If you look at the memberships of service clubs in general the vast majority of members are the leaders in the community and excel at their chosen profession.
 
 Membership in Rotary is an excellent way to not only become involved for the betterment of one's community but also serves as a positive vehicle to meet and get to know individuals with whom you would not otherwise associate.   
 
 Through Rotary I have forged lasting friendships and associations.
 
I look forward to Friday meetings and I truly enjoy the comradery of Rotary.  Most importantly, Rotary allows me to give back to my community in a positive way.
 
 
 
 
Club News
News, Views and Opportunities
January Board Meeting
The Board of Directors met on Friday, January 10th.   Most of the meeting was spent discussing the price increase of lunch fees.  More information will be imparted to members very shortly as we assess our options.
 
President Elect
Ross Gallabrese has accepted to serve as our President for the 2020-2021 term.  Ross will the second member in our history to serve as Rotary President twice along with Marty Hauser.  At this time Rich Delatore was concerned he would not be able to serve due to health issues.  We look forward to having Ross as President and as the new theme states Rotary Opens Opportunities.
 
2020 Yearly Raffle and Invoices
Do not forget to turn in your raffle tickets.  Also please let Randy know how you wish to be invoiced otherwise he will choose for you.  The January drawing will be held this Friday, February 7th.
 
Welcome to New Members
Katie Hildman and Leah Eft have been installed as new members.  Joining us soon will be Chris Elliott.
 
Upcoming Events
 
District Conference 
Mark your calendar to attend this year's District Conference which will be held on May 16, 2020 at the Kent State University Stark. 
 
This year's District Conference will be a one day event which will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will conclude at 8:30 p.m.
 
This informative event will keep you busy from sun up to sun down with .....
  • Service Project 
  • 6 - 8 Breakout Sessions
  • Social - Happy Hour
  • Distinguished Speakers
    • Justice Kennedy - Luncheon Speaker
    • Mary Beth Growney Selene - Keynote Speaker speaking on "Empowering Women in Rotary" and "Rotary Strategic Plan"
  • Entertainment
 
Every Rotarian, Prospective Rotarians, Spouse/Partners, Family, Friends and Neighbors are encouraged to attend this ALL DAY event.
 
Further details for this exciting and informative District Conference will follow!
 
 
Opportunities to Help
Dictionaries are almost ready to be distributed.  If you have already signed up THANK YOU, and if not there is always room for one more Rotarian to assist.
 
Donna Loy and her team are preparing for Student Vocation Day.  If you can spend some time with students on Friday, March 6th so that they may explore their future studies and learn about different job opportunities please sign up.
 
 
THE MONTHLY QUOTE FROM "HONORING OUR PAST: THE WORDS AND WISDOM"OF PAUL HARRIS
 
There can be no better introduction to the life of a community than one that comes through the local Rotary Club.
 
from My Road to Rotary
 
 
 
Rotary Clothing and Gifts - Use the link below to create your own Russell Hampton account for Rotary Logo clothing, jewelry, and gifts.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OUR NEW LOGO for 2020-2021
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Upcoming Events
Board Meeting
YWCA
Feb 14, 2020 11:00 AM
 
Rotarian Birthday Observance
Feb 21, 2020
 
View entire list
Upcoming Speakers
Feb 07, 2020
Refuge for Women Ohio Valley
Feb 14, 2020
District News and recognition of Paul Harris Fellows
Feb 21, 2020
What's New in the World of Invasive Insects
Feb 28, 2020
We are planning a field trip. Watch for more information on this important meeting.
Mar 06, 2020
View entire list

CELEBRATE

Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Adam Perzanowski
February 17
 
Join Date
George Ash
February 12, 2016
4 years
 
Robyn Hill
February 15, 2004
16 years
 
Stories
Time for Humor
 
A West Virginia State trooper pulled a car over on Rt. 19 about 2 miles north of Fayetteville, WV.
 
When the trooper asked the driver why he was speeding, the driver said he was a Magician and Juggler and was on his way to Nashville to do a show for the Children’s Hospital. He didn't want to be late.
 
The trooper told the driver he was fascinated by juggling and said if the driver would do a little juggling for him then he wouldn't give him a ticket. He told the trooper he had sent his equipment ahead and didn't have anything to juggle.
 
The trooper said he had some flares in the trunk and asked if he could juggle them. The juggler said he could, so the trooper got 5 flares, lit them and handed them to him.
 
While the man was juggling, a car pulled in behind the Troopers car. A drunken good old boy from the southern part of the state got out, watched the performance, then went over to the Trooper's car, opened the rear door and got in. 
 
The trooper observed him and went over to the police car, opened the door asking the drunk what he thought he was doing.
 
The drunk replied, “You might as well take me to jail, cause there ain't no way I can pass that sobriety test.”
 
GOOD NEWS
SCOTT AND SARA LANE WELCOMED TWIN SONS, ARTURO AND VITO ON JANUARY 27TH. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ENTIRE FAMILY.  I AM SURE SISTER SCARLETT IS EXCITED ALSO.
 
 
Read more...
Get to Know Me
ERIKA LYON
 
Erika Lyon is an Extension Educator for the Jefferson and Harrison Agriculture and Natural Resources program at the Ohio State University. She started her career at the Mahaska and Wapello County Soil and Water Conservation Districts in Iowa in 2012 before attending the University of Maine for the Ecology and Environmental Sciences graduate program to study fungal pathology in crops. Erika came to work for Ohio State University Extension in May 2016, where she provides agricultural programs, trains Master Gardener Volunteers, answers bug questions, and writes articles about a variety of topics, ranging from invasive species to the impacts of weird winter weather on livestock. She has been a member of Rotary since March, 2018 and enjoys the fellowship and service opportunities Rotary provides.
 
Erika will be presenting a program later this month on "Bugs" so be sure to attend.
Read more...
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We meet Fridays at 12:00 PM
YWCA
320 N. 4TH STREET
STEUBENVILLE, OH  43952
United States
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