Rotary Roundup

Meets Noon Mondays at the Hilton
www.hbgrotary.org
Executive Director: Linda Freedenberg
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Telephone: 717-234-1208
Fax: 717-234-3234

Speaker: The Honorable Linda Thompson, Mayor of Harrisburg

Topic: "MY ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND CHALLENGES!"

Greeter:  Sam Levine
Invocation:  Bridget Montgomery
Club Singing:  Caryn Carr
Publications:  Jacqueline Jackson-DeGarcia

Corporate Member

          BIRTHDAYS
Deb Abel   FEB 6


UPCOMING PROGRAMS
at the Hilton
2/6      Mayor Linda Thompson
2/13    Board Meeting @ 10:30             AM at the Hilton
Four-Way Test Essay Contest
2/20     NO MEETING
  
For complete programming go to our website: www.hbgrotary.org
and click on calendar.
For meeting cancelations:
Check your e-mail or call the
Rotary office at 234-1208.

PROGRAM: Linda D. Thompson was sworn in as Harrisburg’s 33rd mayor on January 4, 2010.  She took office as the Capital City’s first African American and female Mayor.
Mayor Thompson served as Harrisburg’s City Council President since November 2008. She was first elected to City Council in 2002. She is an elected official at large and served on Council from 2004 to 2010.  She also served as Council Vice-President from 2004 to 2006. She chaired the Council’s Economic Development committee where she dedicated herself to developing areas of alternative means to economic development, securing decent affordable housing for low to moderate income citizens, and implementing programs geared toward workforce and youth development.  She recommended approval of legislation continuing the city’s development totaling $1.4 billion in new revenue, expanding the City’s tax base and revitalizing the City’s neighborhoods.
Both as Council member and Mayor, Mayor Thompson promotes legislative and policy initiatives that improve people's lives including: safe streets, quality public schools, and neighborhoods that are strong, vibrant and engaged.  Her unifying theme, “People are more important than policy, politics, and procedures,” is demonstrative of her core values. 
Mayor Thompson’s career and community interest have been dedicated and focused on ensuring equity in the quality of life for all community residents. She is the author of the “Leave No Senior Citizen Behind Property Tax Relief Program,” an initiative designed to assist senior citizens in meeting their property tax obligations to ensure they can remain in their homes.  She also authored the “Opportunities Unlimited” program which provided youth, ages 14-21, with basic computer training and the guidance and support of case managers.
Mayor Thompson is a Harrisburg native.  She is a 1985 graduate of Howard University in Washington D.C. where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a minor in Political Science.  She is also a graduate of Leadership Harrisburg.
Mayor Thompson has served on numerous boards and commissions, including The South Central Workforce Investment Board, Harrisburg Human Relations Commission, Harrisburg Rotary Service Club, Goodwin Memorial Baptist Church, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and Epsilon Sigma Omega
Mayor Thompson has been honored with numerous awards. In 2004 the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity named her “Citizen of the Year” for her outstanding public service.
Mayor Thompson is a member of Goodwin Memorial Baptist Church. She possesses a passion and zeal for fairness, a sense of right and a sincere desire to help people, all of which have distinguished her as a caring advocate for all citizens.

NEWS AND NOTES: 
• Clothing the Homeless:  Fellow Rotarians, many of you are generously donating your time to help with housing the homeless at Susquehanna Harbor Safe Haven, and we thank you for that.  Please check your closets for any spare new or gently used men’s large (or bigger) winter coats and size 10(or bigger) winter boots to help these men through the cold season.  We are also collecting new white sports socks and t-shirts for them (we also suggest large sizes).  Please bring any such items to the Rotary club meetings in January or February where we will collect them.  If you are volunteering at the shelter, feel free to bring such items yourself and give them to Mike.
Thanks, Ira and Corinne

• Rotary/Red Cross Blood Drive:2nd Blood Drive will be on April 2 at the Hilton.  We will have our regular Rotary meeting that day in the banquet room with a speaker from the Red Cross.  Please sign up for time slots 10 AM - 2 PM (blood drive in another room) and you can still attend our meeting.  You will also receive future attendance credit for your blood donation.  
Below are the Links to sign up sheet for Blood Drive April 2 and the Red Cross Donor info site:  http://www.timetosignup.com/ipackman/signupsheet/7485    ---- use this link to sign up to donate blood

http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/eligibility-requirements   ---use this link to read the donor requirements

• Rotary Discount for Ma Rainey's Black Bottom at Open Stage - February 3-25, 2012.  www.openstagehbg.com   use code "ROTARY"for $5 off tickets.

• The Membership Committee is encouraging EVERY MEMBER to BRING ONE GUEST to any meeting during the 2011-12 Rotary Year to hear some of our fantastic speakers!!

•  83% have paid the $100 HRF contribution.  42% have paid the Support for the Troops contribution. Please send in your payments today!  RIF contribution invoices were mailed with the Jan-Apr dues statement.

• DISTRICT NEWS:  
• VOLUNTEERS are needed for a team to travel to India in February 2012 for 10-14 days to participate in a National Immunization Day (NID) to continue the eradication of polio.  For more information, contact Dr. John Judson ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or go to http://nid7730.wordpress.com The approximate cost to participate in this remarkable volunteer effort will be between $3000 and $3500.  This will include airfare, in-country travel and 10 to 14 days lodging and food.   D-7390 Rotarians and spouses are encouraged to contact Dr. John Judson for more information ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text41056 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //--> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it / 717-877-0871). 

• District 7390 Conference to be held at Williamsburg, VA on Friday, March 30 through Sunday, April 1, 2012 at the Williamsburg Lodge.  Come experience all that the Colonial Williamsburg has to offer Rotarians and their guests.  Dinner at Shields Tavern is included in the total package plan.  Register online at www.rotary7390.org for the conference and contact the Williamsburg Lodge at 1-800-261-9530 (Group #15318) for overnight hotel accommodations.   

• The February Governors Newsletter is available at:
http://www.rotary7390.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=Ok1pspPQ9Sk%3d&tabid=113

LAST ROTARY MEETING:  1/30/12
Minutes by Jenn Doyle:
SPECIAL EDITION ROTARY MEETING- CONDUCTED BY THOSE “NEW ROTARIAN COMMITEEE” MEMBERS WHO ARE HOPING TO TURN THEIR RED BADGE BLUE!

Stand in -President Mr. James Good called to order the Rotary Club of Harrisburg at 12:10 P.M.  He called upon the fearless leader of the New Rotarian Committee, Robin Scaer to deliver the invocation.  The flag was pledged, and “My Country Tis of Thee” was led by Mr. Doug Pieper who also accompanied us on the piano.   As is customary, everyone shared warm greetings with each other.  Mr. Good invited Mr. Marty Manion to introduce visiting Rotarians and those whom brought guests today.  Mr. Manion noted 2 Rotarians brought guests and he invited Ms. Betty Hungerford to introduce her guest; her cousin from Washington and Mr. Henry Rhoades to introduce his guest whom had been a former Rotarian.

Mr. Good introduced Ms. Maddie Young to complete her Mini-Classification Talk.   Maddie Young is currently the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region and has been since 2008.  She was raised in New York City where she was a patron of the arts and enjoyed Broadway shows.  She went to college unsure of what she wanted to do when she grew up and after taking an internship at a local Domestic Violence program, was sold on the nonprofit way of life and the difference they make.  She has a daughter who is very active in sports and is also a musician.  Her biggest joy in working at Big Brothers is the opportunity to be able to do everything- from assisting with janitorial services to fundraising, to writing newsletters; she is a multi-faceted and ambitious asset to our nonprofit community.  Welcome to Harrisburg Rotary, Maddie!

Mr. Good announced that there were some committee reports for presentation:

YCDT- Ms. Una Martone   Ms. Martone extended an invitation to the YCDT Fundraising presentation on February 7th at the Chamber at noon.  She asked that those interested please RSVP to her, and encouraged everyone to come out and support the students in this very important part of their project!

Homeless Initiatives Committee - Dr. Ira Packman reminded us of the blood drive upcoming.   Please sign up for time slots 10 AM - 2 PM (blood drive in another room) and you can still attend our meeting.  You will also receive future attendance credit for your blood donation. Below are the Links to sign up sheet for Blood Drive April 2 and the Red Cross Donor info. site:  http://www.timetosignup.com/ipackman/signupsheet/7485   ---- use this link to sign up to donate http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/eligibility-requirements  ---use this link to read the donor requirements

Mr. Good reminded everyone to register for the 98th Annual Rotary Conference being held from March 30-April 1.  He encouraged everyone to register soon!   Additionally, he announced that 2 committees will be meeting today immediately following Rotary: the membership committee and the essay competition committee.   Mr. Good concluded his remarks with solicitations for Good News Reporting.  Several members shared Good News for the day with the Club.

Program-  Mr. Good invited Ms. Maddie Young back to the podium for introduction of today’s speaker.

Ms. Young opened her introduction by sharing with the club that the New Rotarian committee upon planning todays’ speaker, under the realization that January was National Mentoring Month, wanted to stay within that theme.   She provided a brief background of national events and local events occurring this month to promote the power of youth mentoring.  When thinking about the potential of mentoring and what is being done within our community, the Allison Hill Mentoring Partnership came to the forefront, and so is today’s topic for presentation.  Ms. Young shared a brief bio and introduced Mr. Steve Schwartz, Executive Director of Brethren Housing Association and founding partner in the Allison Hill Mentoring collaborative.  Mr. Schwartz shared a bit briefly of his background and then posed a very serious question to the Club-“Why do you get out of bed in the morning?” Personally, for Mr. Schwartz and for many others; that answer is HOPE.  Mr. Schwartz spoke briefly of hope and the power that hope has on our day to day functioning; and how children who have none are adversely affected.  Resiliency is the combatant to lack of hope, and our youth have that! Building up that resiliency is paramount in developing our youth.  Mr. Schwartz provided the Club with the background and the inception of the Mentoring collaborative and the current partners which include: Center for Champions, Brethren Community Ministries, Joshua Group, Danzante, Allison Hill Community Ministries, and Brethren Housing Association.  Mr. Schwartz shared the 5 goals of the Mentoring Partnership:  1) youth need a 1:1 caring relationship with an adult, 2) youth need guidance and assistance in developing life skills, 3) youth need a nurturing environment, 4) youth need character development and leadership skills, and 5) youth need a healthy environment.   Mr. Schwartz indicated how the Allison Hill Mentoring partnership provides all of these necessary components to assist youth in developing themselves positively, increasing self-esteem and confidence and developing values that will guide them on to become successful adults.  If anyone is interested in becoming a mentor, a sign-up sheet for more information was circulated during the presentation.  Mr. Schwartz encouraged individuals to get involved in the life of a child, and to make a difference!  A fantastic Q & A session concluded Mr. Schwartz’s presentation.

Stand-In-President Good sent us on our way at 1:00 P.M. to go forth and serve.

Our next meeting will be held on Monday, February 6th at the Hilton Hotel.

OFFICERS:

DIRECTORS:

Robert S. Saline              
Una Martone
Karen F. Snider
John P. Judson, M.D.
Carolyn Dumaresq, Ed.D.
William B. Boles
Richard Utley                

President
President-Elect
Vice President
Immediate Past President
Secretary
Treasurer
Sergeant-at-Arms

Sandra Beck
Caryn J. Carr
David E. Freet
Kent E. Frese
Lisa Lewis
Thomas A. Peluso
Andrew R. Rebuck
Robin Scaer