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Speakers
Aug 11, 2025
Scouting America
Aug 18, 2025
CASA Chautauqua County
Aug 25, 2025
Community Helping Hands
Sep 01, 2025
No Noon Meeting
Sep 08, 2025
Club Service- Birthday Table -Committee Mtgs Etc.
Sep 15, 2025
TBD
Sep 22, 2025
Fall Event TBD
Sep 29, 2025
Hart Hotels
View entire list
 
 
Make Up Opportunities 
 
AM CLUB Meets at 7:30 am on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month on Zoom or in person at Northwest Arena
 
FALCONER — Meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month at 7 AM at the Falconer Fire Department Exempt Hall located at 1 Coleson Drive Falconer NY, 14733.
 
WESTFIELD / MAYVILLE — Currently meeting on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 5pm via ZOOM. Contact Janese Berkhouse at 716-397-8801 for Zoom details.
 
FREDONIA/DUNKIRK
Meet Thursdays at 12:00 PM - Zoom Teleconference Meetings - Effective until further notice - Fredonia, NY 14063
 
 
 
Committee meetings or social events can also be used as make-ups.
 
 
Rotarily Yours - August 4, 2025
 
TODAY’S CHAIRPERSON:
 
President,  Michelle Jones, led the club in the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the National Anthem with accompaniment by Caitlin O’Reilly.
 
INVOCATION GIVEN BY:  Sue Jones who gave an excellent reading on how others see us.  
 
GUESTS & VISITORS:
 
The only guest today was our exchange student, Heath Bounday. President Michelle encouraged members to invite Heath to any events that you may be attending, as he is great company and a willing participant.
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
 
President, Michelle Jones, announced the upcoming Annual TRC Camp Onyahsa kickoff Camp Fire on Sunday, August 10th at 7 pm at Camp Onyahsa. Everyone is encouraged to attend.
 
Youth Committee’s Chair, Cheri Maytum-Krull announced that Jan from Switzerland will arrive late on Sunday, August 17th.   Caitlin O’Reilly will be his first host and Emily Cama will be his counselor.  He will be attending Southwestern Central School and his first Rotary meeting will likely be August 25th.  Heath has moved in with the Yaggies for the month of August.  Thanks to the Andersons for hosting him in July.
 
President Michelle announced the need for additional members for the communications committee (contact Jason Sample), the invocation committee (contact Sue Jones) and a Chairperson for the Club Service committee (contact Michelle Jones).
 
50-50 and HAPPY BUCKS: 
 
Randy Sweeney announced that $22 would go to the winner of today’s 50-50, who was Brandon Odell.
Doug Conroe, the Sergeant at Arms, announced that his wife is fully recovered after having experienced many recent doctors and hospitals. Doug proceeded to fine all those who had not made reservations for today’s lunch meeting – and there were many.   He also fined those who had not participated on one of our County’s many activities thus far this summer.
 
President Michelle gave thanks for the Women of Achievement event which was a wonderful time recognizing amazing women in our community.  She also shared that she had an uncle who died with ALS; she participated in an event in Buffalo to raise money for ALS, a terrible affliction.
 
Brandon Odell shared that he and his oldest son attended Kingdom Bound and they had a wonderful experience together, especially hearing the band Skillet.
 
Tory Irgang also attended the Women of Achievement event and encouraged Rotarians to begin thinking about next year’s nominees. There are many women in our community who deserve recognition.   Tory also gave thanks for today’s guest speaker, John Barber, who attended CLN in 2010 the same year as she and has resulted in a wonderful friendship.
 
Dan Heitzenrater gave thanks and appreciation for the Jamestown sign, a project of Rotary located at the entrance to our city.
 
Joni Blackman announced that she has a new grandson, Jackson, and is willing to share his picture. 
 
David Troxell announced that he and Marissa have just returned from a trip around the Mediterranean and as they travelled, they saw many Rotary Club signs.
Stories
Jamestown YMCA New Building Project

Sue Jones introduced our two speakers for today. 

John Barber serves as interim CEO of the Jamestown Area YMCA, which includes leadership of the Jamestown YMCA, Lakewood Family YMCA, Camp Onyahsa and the Heritage House Childcare Center.  He serves in this capacity with 18 years of experience providing leadership with the association.  During his tenure with the Y, he has served in various roles, including directing teen programs, school-age childcare, HUD Housing and USDA Meal Programs.  He has spearheaded the organization of a community-based sports league for non-varsity teens, launched a summer learning loss program called Power Scholars Academy, expanded Latino access to after-school programming and led the ten-fold expansion of USDA at-risk meal programs.  

A Chautauqua County native, John is a 1995 graduate of Cassadaga Valley. He Holds a B.A. from Grove City College and an M Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary. He lives in Frewsburg with his wife and has three grown children and one grandchild.  In addition to his role with the YMCA, John serves as Councilman in the Town of Carroll and as Board Treasurer for the UCAN City Mission.

Dr. Daniel DeMarte, Ed.D. has served as president of Jamestown Community College since August 2018.  He was previously the executive vice president for academic and student affairs at Tidewater Community College in Norfolk, VA and, also, held leadership and administrative positions at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Macomb Community College and Genesee Community College.  Dr. DeMarte has 30 years of experience in community colleges holds a doctorate from North Carolina State University and a master’s and undergraduate degrees from the State University of New York.  He began his college education at the Community College of the Air Force while serving on active duty.

 
The YMCA and JCC are currently working on a building project that would serve both of their populations and their united goals of promoting youth development, healthy lifestyles and educational advancement. Mr. Barber began by sharing that the current YMCA building was built in 1929 and has several building and programming issues. It has old wires, old pipes and is not ADA compliant.  The original new YMCA project located on Winsor Street was going to cost approximately $33-40 million.  However, the newest project, Community Wellness Center will be located on the JCC Campus with an estimated shared cost of $45 million.   
 
Dr. DeMarte shared that the physical education building on its campus is also old and in need of repair and upgrades.  JCC has a strong athletic program and is currently losing potential athletes because of its outdated structure.  The planned new facility will have separate spaces for each organization, as well as shared spaces.  JCC plans to have two new turf soccer fields with overlays for baseball and softball. The YMCA will move its daycare program to the new location.  Other Y programming will be integrated into these new facilities while some of their programming will remain as is ( ie after school programs) with the availability of all that the new facility will have to offer.  
 
The two organizations are 18 months into their partnership. Initial state funding for the design phase has been approved. Both the YMCA and JCC must complete their fund raising and return to the state for final approval.  The two programs are also looking for a health partner to enhance their ability to work with the whole person as they participate in the new shared vision of the Community Wellness Center. 
 
This was an excellent program that allowed Rotarians to keep abreast of the new shared vision of two vitally important community organizations, the YMCA and JCC.
 
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