The Rotary Club of Catonsville - Sunrise, Maryland

PRESIDENT George Brookhart called the meeting to order.

TREASURER’S REPORT:  Our Treasurer has ordered small flashlights with our logo to give as gifts to Speakers.  Richard suggested that we send a Club package describing our Club’s goals, many accomplishments and Rotary’s lofty objectives.  M/S/P to implement this excellent marketing propaganda.

M/S/P to pay Member Larry Haynes (who we really miss) to respond to an IRS letter requiring records of our contributions, donations to us, and other giving information. This 5 year review of our Foundation is standard operating procedure.

Our foundation has approximately $18,200 or which $7200 will be paid to the YMCA.  We have already paid a $5,000 to Martin’s West.  President George noted that the Club is well on its way to meeting its goal to have $5,000 in reserve (instead of living event to event.)

Dues notices were passed out at today’s meeting, and will be mailed to members who did not attend.

The Club has about $2700 which includes money we have committed to scholarships. There are about $2,000 in outstanding dues.

GENERAL BUSINESS:  The District 7620 Conference is scheduled for May 3 – 5, 2007 in Solomon’s Island. Bruce may go for the day. Our Club members will be asked at the Club meeting next week whether they want to buy ads. Richard suggests that members flood the conference brochure with ads. A full page ad is $125.

The Board was startled to discover that our President is sneaking off to Ireland for 2 weeks beginning May 2 for is first long vacation in about 10 years.

The Club’s written lease has been renewed with the Café on the Grove.  The breakfast cost is raised from $7.35 to $8. A general discussion ensued regarding the Café’s notice to us that the conference room is unavailable for 9 of our meetings in 2007. George and Susan will meet with Becky and Laura after the Meeting on Wednesday.

VOCATIONAL LANE:  Director Cal reported that we have dictionaries for 4 more schools. These schools did not respond to efforts last year to schedule meetings. M/S/P to donate extra dictionaries to The Children’s Home. There are approximately 100 more books to label.

Cal will proceed to work on the 4 Way Speech Contest for 2007. Mount DeSales would like to participate. Registration of the teams is due by March 30. This contest is very interesting to judge and Cal welcomes help.

INTERNATIONAL LANE:  Director Bruce reported on the Unwanted Gift Auction and its 2007 theme “A Home For Everyone.” The proceeds were $250, which we previously decided to donate $100 to C.A.N., the Community Action Network which runs the West side homeless shelter and $100 to the area high school students who are traveling to LA to help rebuilding homes for victims of Katrina. M/S/P the remaining $25 to Pet Rescue of MD.

A Committee to organize and work on the Annual Book Festival on April 27 – 28 will be formed after the Bull Roast next month. Meanwhile, please bring in used books for Bruce. There was a general discussion of wine tasting options. We are starting to sign up authors. It was suggested that we contact Joan Kennedy at UMBC as she requested to get a list of authors. Who was doing this?

We are waiting to hear from Sherry from the Waterfront Rotary Club about that Club’s Dominican Republic project. We also expect to hear how money is to be given for the benefit of the Lithuanian students we are sponsoring at Garrett College.

MEMBERSHIP:  We will vote on Joe Loverde whose application has been received. Susan will order a new membership package. Sherry Welch is also expected to apply.

BULL ROAST:  We hope to have 400 people at the tables reserved. With use of the list developed for Joe Loverde’s fundraising event last fall, we hope to get 10 tables.  Ed Tolzman is helping Richard to send flyers to people who sponsored silent auction items in the past. There will also be a notice in the Chamber View. Plus, George put an ad in the Times asking for items.  If we are more successful than already estimated, the room next to the ones we have rented is still available at Martin’s. We are running behind on Silent Auction items at present and need everyone to work on obtaining items. Richard has about 40 completed packages.

George is sponsoring an ice sculpture in the shape of the Rotary wheel. (Maybe we should have a paper explaining that it’s the Rotary wheel and why that is our symbol – I personally have no idea.) Learn more here --->

It was a productive, well-run meeting.

Respectfully submitted,
Susan Souder, Secretary

Our determined PRESIDENT George Brookhart called the meeting to order. Cal graciously offered the Devotion.

GUESTS:  Alan Ray returned as did Joe Loverde (don’t forget to vote).

Old Business Update:  The theme of the Unwanted Gift Auction, which netted $225, was Everyone Deserves a Home.  We are contributing $100 to C.A.N. – Community Assistance Network – Westside Homeless Shelter and $100 to high school students traveling to LA to help rebuild for victims of Hurricane Katrina and $25 for Pet Rescue of Maryland.

New Business: – Chris Jones is (or has) obtained a new club email address because there is too much spam from the other one. (Noted Comcast users have not see any spam.)

The  January 31, 2007 meeting is VISITORS Day. We need an emcee and a casual way to have everyone participate in the meeting so that we talk about the Club and who we are.

MEMBERSHIP:  Please vote on the nomination of Joe Loverde.

HAPPY DOLLARS:  Susan was happy to see Alan since we haven’t seen him since last year.

Richard reported that we will have an Ice Sculpture in the shape of a Rotary Wheel sponsored by George Brookhart. Richard was also delighted that his son Mark had returned to college for the semester.

Alan was happy to be back;  he moved and has been living out of boxes (we’ve all been there – glad to hear it’s mostly over).  What is Alan’s new address?

Joe was excited to be attending the Inaugural Ball for Governor O’Malley. His tuxedo still fits!  He and his wife recently took the Acela train to NYC to see Jersey Boyz (Frankie Valle). He was also happy to be working out today.

George was happy to have contributed greatly to the profits of G.L. Shack’s profits while cheering for the Ravens.

Reggie was happy to have made a good start on her goal to make an annual Snowbird pilgrimage to a warm mecca, this year in Florida.

SPEAKER:  Rachel Lewkowicz, a lovely young lady, talked to us about the Casey Cares Foundation (CCF).  The CCF was founded in 2000 by a young woman named Casey when she was 22 years old.  Casey has been successful and works in her family’s trucking business in Arbutus. The CCF provides entertainment for critically ill children age 1 day to 18 years old.

Casey located the headquarters of CCF in a warehouse in Arbutus off Sulphur Spring Road off on Rome Road.  CCF served 5 families (20 people) its first year;  today it serves 215 families (3400 participants).  Several programs are offered – Family Festivities – sport events, movies, pizza, theme parks, 1 – 2 night vacations to Williamsburg, Hershey Park or Ocean City.

On birthdays, DDF sends cookies, flowers, balloons, whatever is acceptable to the ill child.

Another Program is “Better Together” which provides services for up to a year after active treatment has ended.  CCF also provides services to families, including brothers and sisters,  up to 1 year after a child passes.

CCF has 2 full-time employees, 2 part-time employees, and a cadre of regular volunteers. 95% of money donated is spent on providing services to families. Casey, now 29 years old, is a volunteer. She has children ages 5,3 and 1. 

It was interesting to note that the speaker identified us a group in the area of CCF to whom she wanted to speak through our FABULOUS Web site. She remarked what an excellent Web site we had (and she had looked at all of the Rotary Clubs in Maryland.) She was complimentary about Rotary and about our Club in particular.

Volunteers are needed by CCF (and us, BTW) to deliver stuff to children’s birthday parties, organizing and hosting an annual GALA, and in support of their golf tournament.

There was a record number of questions (which I personally believe was motivated by this charming lady’s radiant smile and youthful profile).

George warmly thanked her for her remarks and presented her with our new speaker gift – a mini flashlight with the Rotary wheel and our Club’s info. She seemed delighted with the swag.

50/50: We missed Medicus so terribly, we were unable to tear tickets for this popular fundraiser.

Respectfully submitted,
Susan Souder, Secretary

Our Prominent President George Brookhart called the meeting to ORDER. Secretary Susan offered the devotion.  We missed Greeter Galley who recently moved.

GUESTS:  Sherry Welch, Chair of the St. Agnes Foundation, has recently applied for membership. Joe Loverde also visited (George, how are those votes going? I have a new membership package for him).  Gail Lee, Bruce’s BOSS at The Children’s Home, also visited us.

Happy Dollars:  Larry A. was grateful for the taxpayers among us who sent him to Disney World – the food and hotel were great. He may have taught or learned something while he was there. CCBC is sponsoring a Conference on how businesses should prepare for an emergency. 

Brent was happy with the visit of Wanda Liu visiting from Taiwan. 

Joe told us about the Free State Organ Society and its concerts every 3^rd Sunday of the month. For $20 one can join the group. Joe also enjoyed the Inaugural Ball (although he enjoyed the food provided by 20 top restaurants so much that he and his wife left and ate in Little Italy.)

Joe suggests that you check out the Web site for his new Foundation regarding the Thanksgiving dinner he is planning on 11/22/07 at 3 PM – the  Web site is www.lfcfund.org and Joe’s email address is joe@realtyconcept.com.

Bruce was proud that his boss, Gail Lee, the former director of development at the CCBC Foundation, and former Director of Development at Safe & Sound In the City, is now the Director of Development of The Children’s Home. She is “just getting settled.” (Seems like there is more of a story here.)

Bruce also offered a dollar for the First Single’s Night auction at the CCBC Barn featuring food and music.

Joe also offered a happy dollar to discover whether Russ had removed his spot from the Italian leather jacket. Those of you interested can ask Russ.

Alan offered a $1 for the horrible pun made by Russ about the Free Organ announcement above.

Richard offered some wonderful investment advice:  There is a theory that where an original NFL team wins the Super Bowl, the stock market rises. In 2007, both of the teams in the Super bowl are original NFL teams.

Old Business Update:  February 24, 2007 BULL ROAST - 1 word (phrase) – SILENT AUCTION:  we have roughly 4 weeks to increase our 42 items (plus 5 or 6 additional packages). Restaurant certificates and Bed & Breakfast Certificates are needed. Know anyone who can donate TOOLS? They sell well. Alan Ray told me he might be able to obtain same from Patrick’s in Columbia. Hopefully, Russ will follow up with him and report to Richard.

A sign up list was circulated. Richard needs volunteers to help with check-out (besides Tom Medicus and John Galley who are OK but, we need more) and with set up and close down.

Treasurer’s Report:  The Club has about $2100 and Semi-Annual dues are about $800. The Foundation has about $10,800 which is actually a lot of Bull Roast $, including Tom Booth’s sponsorship of $5,000 and our Martin’s deposit. 

President’s Report:  Our meeting attendance is about 54% (give or take 20 % considering the Secretary’s math abilities) which is excellent compared to many clubs.

Vocational Lane Report:  Cal related that 4 more elementary schools are left to which  we wish to distribute dictionaries.  Books have been donated to 9 schools so far this school year.

International Lane Report:  Bruce is spending the $ raised from the Unwanted Gift Auction as previously reported. He has also directed the funds from the Arts & crafts Festival to Lithuanian students from our sister city Inishe (phonetic spelling) attending Garrett College. They are interested in learning about our economy and promoting tourism in rural areas.  DR efforts remain stalled.

NEXT WEEK:  VISITORS DAY January 31, 2007:  Inexplicably Susan agreed to emcee this event (after the last event it seemed clear that anybody could volunteer and do better). She will put together a Power Point presentation about who our Club is and what we have done (from our Web site mostly and with the help of her gruff teenager) and email it to Cal who will bring it to the meeting. George will get a screen – which belongs to Tanya - from the Chamber of Commerce.)

Please invite past members to attend, such as Bill from Bill’s Music House (Russ?), Ray (Susan), and current members like Bev and Scott Baylin and Larry Haynes, as well as visitors who haven’t been members before.   We will talk about Guest Bartending nights (Reggie?) and other wonderful events.

OTHER BUSINESS:  Sherry offered the CFO of St. Agnes, Bonnie Phipps, to talk about Mission Health a new community outreach partnership between St. Agnes and St. Joseph and which may soon include other faith-based health care providers.

Women’s EXPO – Larry A. suggested that a check should be forth coming. The Board should discuss participation this year;  we have not been able to recruit new members from this event the past few years. Will members agree to staff a table again this year?

50/50:  RUSS was the big winner. At least he didn’t win the (not so) big pot.

Respectfully submitted,
Susan Souder

Our celebrated President George Brookhart called the meeting to order. And, what a meeting! 

The distinguished Joe Loverde served as Greeter. Tom Medicus sincerely offered our thanks and asked a blessing for the deserving. 

GUESTS:  Attorneys Salvatore “Manny” Anello, Mike Mastracci, Bob Clark and Robert Greenwalt along with Joyce Glandon, Jim Himel, Garry Ash, (Charter Member) Jackie Webster, Nancy Noppenberger (Doug Scriba’s sister) and the lovely Cindy Loverde were all guests of Joe Loverde. 

Matthew from Huntington Learning Centers was again a guest invited by Cal. Jill Black from the YMCA was again our guest. Guest (soon-to-be member) Sherry Welch from St. Agnes Foundation invited Rick and Sherry Powell from the Christian Temple. Rachel our recent speaker from the Casey Cares Foundation was invited by Richard.  Carolyn Gilgore (sp?) from Mosaic  was invited by John Monck.  (There were so many guests, I’m sorry I didn’t get all their names.) 

INDUCTION:  Joe Loverde, sponsored by Richard Hiteshew, was inducted to Membership. (Richard will you order his pin?) Anyone needing a badge, or changes to a Badge, please email Susan.

HAPPY DOLLARS:  Tom is celebrating his birthday this weekend with a trip to see his grandson who plans to take Poppy to Skateboard Park. 

Joe  was $4 worth of happy:  Mike Mohler, Coach at Catonsville High School, needs to raise $10,000 for new equipment for girls sports. Joe will donate $100 to match other contributions for this worthy cause. Joe was also happy to announce that George has agreed to be a sponsor of the 2007 Thanksgiving dinner in Catonsville. Joe was also happy that so many of his friends agreed to have breakfast with us. 

Cal gave a dollar to point out to all of us that he and George had attended the same Dress for Success seminar as they were both attired in plaid shirts and khaki pants! Very cute! 

George was delighted with the Huge turnout for our first VISITORS DAY in 2007.  And, he was happy to have inducted Joe to membership. 

Susan was very happy not to have to hear Public Utility Regulatory matters regularly (as they are somewhat tedious). She was also happy that we can all pick on morticians in retribution for the doctored Judge cartoon Russ passed out to the tables. 

Mike Mastracci was happy with his son’s excellent performance at his interview for Mount St. Joseph High School.

Richard is happy that we have sold 326 tix to the bull Roast and have 49 quality Silent Auction packages the retail value of which is 411,000.  

Guest Carolyn is happy to be beginning her birthday celebration having breakfast with a fun crowd like us. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:  Russ told us a very nice story of asking Tom Booth to become a major sponsor of our Bull Roast at a ball game were some imbibing was involved. Still, it was an easy sell because we have such a terrific event.

PROGRAM:  Richard distributed a list of charities and causes to which we have donated or raised $125,000 over the last 6 years. He described the Bike Coast To Coast For Cancer and the 5 K YMCA race. Richard and John related some   the work our Club and members have done for the Catonsville Emergency Food Ministry. John described many of the services provided by the CEFM. 

Cal summarized the Dictionary Project. George provided some background on the guest Bartending nights and the donation of proceeds to the Disabled Sports USA Wounded Warrior project.

Bruce mentioned the Arts & Crafts Festival and our booth which raises money for the CHS Ellipsis magazine and scholarships for Lithuanian students at Garrett College.  He mentioned the Book Festival and our work with the Friends of the Library.

50/50 was won by Joanne Booth. 

Respectfully  Submitted,
Susan Souder