The Rotary Club of
Springfield
 

February 11, 2021 Newsletter

President Dave's Message
For The Love of Reading Books
Our Club has focused on Literacy consistently for many years, from raising money to provide books and dictionaries to reading with children to clearing land to provide books for a Little Library built by Neal Miller for iMagicNation. We are ready to take additional steps.
 
Our Literacy Grant is to design, construct, and maintain four mini-libraries adjacent to mini-food pantries in our community, the first being at Ridgely School. A new part came to be when we received a contact through Neal Miller of a book representative in Edwardsville who had surplus books to donate, many in brand new condition, 25 cases worth (lead image for this Newsletter, and images to left and right) with more promised if we wish. We wish! This donation provides another opportunity for service, to sort through the books into ages and subjects for our libraries and to share and swap with other mini-libraries.
 
This whole program is called For the Love of Reading Books, and it provides numerous short and long term opportunities to volunteer. Short term opportunities include designing and constructing the mini-libraries and sorting the books that are stored at Computer Banc (Rotarian Dave Fowler’s business, image to right). Long term opportunities include making sure the libraries run smoothly, adding books when needed, gathering books, and sharing or swapping books.  Is there a service role for you?
 
Board Meeting Highlights
Treasurer Sheila Mack reported a positive income figure for our year to date as of the end of January. This year has brought a variety of challenges and innovative ways of pledging money and paying dues remotely in addition to the established ways, and the receipts caught up with the expenditures. Members are encouraged to check their ClubRunner account to verify they are paid up to date.
 
The motion to adjust our agreement with Maldaners was affirmed for the minutes, consistent with the change to meal billings made in July. Barry Tobias also brought forward some ideas for updating technology for our meetings, given that hybrid meetings have shown to provide more opportunities for members to participate, in person, from home, or even while vacationing. The response was positive, and he will pursue this further. A potential collaborative fundraiser with the other local clubs was discussed, supporting local restaurants in the process. The idea was supported, and additional ideas for providing food for those in need came during the discussion. I will discuss these possibilities with the other club presidents and report back. The Virtual 5K is planned for May 29 and is themed Going the Extra Mile. Runners will run independently and report their times. Gifts and awards will be given that Saturday morning, the gifts are designed to be re-gifted to a person the runner is honoring, a frontline fighter against COVID or someone they know who can’t run for themselves. About a dozen service volunteers will be needed on the day of the event and perhaps more as we map out the new process.
 
Lots of good new things, plus reports on our excellent flag fundraiser and our international service projects made for a positive meeting!
 
Ridgely School Supplies
Now that children have returned to school, the supplies collected last August (image to right shows supplies donated for for one student) were delivered to the school. In addition, the donated funds for supplies are being used to satisfy teacher classroom supply wish lists. Principal Ken Gilmore said that new safety protocols require students to leave supplies at home and use a separate set at school, and so the $625 donated by club members is being used to buy duplicate supplies. The teachers are very appreciative of our continuous support!
February 15 Meeting Features Peace Builders
 
Bob Moore and Vicki Megginson will be the featured speakers for our February 15 club meeting. Bob and Vicki are the co-chairs for Peace Builders and will provide information of this important new initiative. Find out what is already underway and and about plans for the future.
 
February 15, 2021 Meeting Link
When it's time, join your Webex meeting here.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
More ways to join:
 
Join from the meeting link
 
 
Join by meeting number
Meeting number (access code): 186 561 9179
Meeting password: nmPearKj495 
 
Tap to join from a mobile device (attendees only) 
+1-408-525-6800,,1865619179## Call-in toll number (US/Canada) 

Join by phone 
+1-408-525-6800 Call-in toll number (US/Canada) 
Global call-in numbers 
 
Join by video system, application or Skype for business
Dial 1865619179@webex.com 
From the Cisco internal network, dial *777* and the 9-digit meeting number.
If you are the host, enter your PIN when prompted.
You can also dial 173.243.2.68 and enter your meeting number.  
 
February 15, 2021 Meeting Menu
The menu for indoor dining at Maldaners Upstairs and curbside pickup for the February 15, 2021 meeting is:
 
Potato Crusted Cod
Vegetable Lasagna
Chef's Choice of Salad and Dessert
 
You now have more time to decide if you want to dine at Maldaners or pick up curbside meals for our Club meetings. Please use the following link by Monday at 9:00 a.m. to make your reservations for the meal for indoor dining or curbside pickup click RESERVATION.  Contact Dave Kromphardt at dkromphardt@yahoo.com only if you have a late change.
 
Please note that in cases of inclement weather, we will adjust meeting in person as we previously did when we had the ice and snow storms. We will contact those who said they were planning to attend the in-person meeting and offer a chance to switch to curbside pick-up and will let everyone know if the meeting will be Webex only. People may switch to curbside or cancel entirely if they don’t feel comfortable about driving. 
 
For curbside users, please place your meal tickets or cash in an envelope with your name and “for Sheila Mack” on the outside of the envelope and give it to the Maldaners staff member that gives you your food. They will get the envelopes to Sheila Mack. Curbside pickup is between 4:45 and 5:15 p.m. To pick up food, turn into the alley behind the building and pick up the food at the back door. It's easy to pick up your food and the meals are delicious.
Nate Brags About His Daughter Chloe 
It is amazing what you can learn about fellow members during brag-a-bucks! Did you know that Nate Clemmer considered majoring in art? It was scholarship availability that led him to his current career. However, as we learned during brag-a-bucks, that love of art lives on in his Daughter Chloe. She is a 13 year old 8th grader at Williamsville Jr High School.  
 
Nate bragged during our February 8 meeting that Chloe entered three works of art in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards competition. She won a Silver Key Award in Drawing and Illustration for her work Melancholy (image to right). She won the Phil Martin Art Award and $100 prize for this work. Rod commented that the Phil was a long-time art teacher at Taylorville High School for many years and that he had served on the Board for the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards for many years. 
 
Chloe won two Honorable Mentions for two works of Digital Art that she produced on her phone -- Playing Pretend and Midnight Waltz (shown on left below). Nate commented that she has been very inspired by the recognition and continues her artwork to help her get through the pandemic. Nate exclaimed that "She is exploring a future in art and design including the Chicago Art Institute. So I guess we need to get spun up on the art scene in IL!" We are happy that Chloe gave Nate permission for us to share images of her works in our Newsletter.
 
During the meeting, Rod Buffington noted that he had been involved with the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards in the past. Rod was the Director of the Illinois Art Association from 1985-1995 and during that time, he chaired the Scholastic Awards Program. 
 
Nate thanked Rod for his continued support for the arts, and noted that Chloe would love to meet him sometime!
 
 
Foundation Night is February 22!
Be sure that you have marked your calendar to participate in our annual Foundation Night on February 22. Our Rotary Foundation Giving Circles will be recognizing 5 individuals as Paul Harris Fellows. Significant Others are welcome to attend. The deadline for reservations for this event is Thursday, February 18. Kathryn Harris will present a very special program for us. She will attend the meeting as Harriet Tubman. Stay tuned for more information on this event and program. We hope you will join us in person or online for this special evening.
Encourage Membership in Rotary
Do you know or are you someone who has a passion to give back to your community? As a Rotarian, you adhere to the principles of the 4-way Test., which are:
  • Is it the Truth? 
  • Is it Fair to all concerned? 
  • Will it build Good Will and Better Friendships?  
  • Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?  
If you find value in these ideals and want to be part of a great organization, right click on the attached link to open our Membership Application in a new window. You can also download a copy of the Membership Application from our Club's website Home Page (www.spirotary.org). You can send the completed application to the Membership Committee at illinoisdelta@hotmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you! 
 
Regards, 

Downtown Rotary Membership Committee
 
Thank you. 

Travis
 
Record Your Service Hours and Contributions
Please remember to report your service hours and related contributions. Just follow this link:
 
 

 
Website, Facebook and LinkedIn
Keep up with the club communications by checking the website at www.spirotary.org, Facebook and LinkedIn. Be sure to "like" or "follow" us!
Please add mailservice@clubrunner.ca to your safe sender list or address book.
To view our privacy policy, click here.
 
ClubRunner
102-2060 Winston Park Drive, Oakville, ON, L6H 5R7
Russell Hampton
ClubRunner
ClubRunner Mobile