Rotarily Yours - September 25, 2023 (Sep 25, 2023)

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Walt Pickut
(If you have any comments or questions, please contact the editor)

Oct 02, 2023

Twan Leenders, Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy

Chadakoin River Project

Oct 09, 2023

No Noon Meeting

Federal Holiday

Oct 16, 2023

Eddie Sundquist

Jamestown Mayor

Oct 23, 2023

Kim Ecklund

Jamestown Mayor Candidate

Oct 30, 2023

No Noon Meeting

Evening Social

Nov 06, 2023

Josiah Lamp

Chautauqua Opportunities Inc, Women's Shelter in downtown Jamestown

Nov 13, 2023

Tamu Reinhardt

Jamestown Public Schools' Role in English Language Learning

Nov 20, 2023

Sukanya Burman

TBD

View entire list

Make Up Opportunities

AM CLUB — Hybrid meetings at Venue 31 - Meetings at 7:30 on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month.

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.

September 25, 2023 Rotary Meeting

Today's Chairperson: President Ruth Lundin opened the September 25, 2023 meeting of the Noon Rotary Club of Jamestown at 12:10 p.m. with a club recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, singing of the National Anthem, statement of the Rotary 4-Way Test.

Invocation: Becky Robbins.

Marissa Troxell was today’s official greeter. Thank you Marissa.

Visiting Rotarians and Guests: No visiting Rotarians or Guests this week.

Membership Committee: Membership Committee meeting was scheduled via Zoom for Tuesday morning at 8:30 at Labyrinth and Zoom.Fundraising Committee will meet Tuesday at noon at the Prendergast Library and Zoom.

Youth Exchange Committee: Cheri Krull gave an update on the Rotary Weekend on Saturday, November 18/19. Agenda planning is underway welcoming 10 International Students and a number of district representatives. Local recruitment begins soon for exchange students, interviews in November. Another meeting is planned soon.

Announcements:

President Elect Marion Beckerink announced an upcoming volunteer opportunity to assist with setup/cleanup for a UPMC Latino Heritage Celebration on Saturday, September 30.

Dewey Jones reported on a new initiative aimed at increasing member involvement and attendance, including some exciting initiatives and incentives for greater fellowship and service opportunities. More to come!

There will be no regular Monday Noon meeting on October 30. But there will be “Something Else” (?!)

Joni Blackman asked that all October birthday members please update their profiles for the October 2 announcements.

50/50 Winner: Paulette Klein won $43. She also donated some back!

Sergeant At Arms: Sgt-at-arms fines were then administered and awarded, especially featuring the recent gathering at Roger Tory Peterson in recognition of Greg and Sue Jones’ receipt of the John T. Hamilton award for their outstanding community service over many years, including a “Standing-O” from all present at the noon meeting.

Isaiah Rashad II - We are all Gangsters!

Marion Beckerink introduced the day’s special guest speaker, Isaiah Rashad II, a Buffalo street gang member at the age of seven, and by five years later a homeless vagabond. He presented the story of his transformation to a decorated military veteran of foreign wars, civilian law enforcement officer, a college assistant professor, and currently a lecturer and author concerning human rights, cultural behavior, and crime, as well as a PhD candidate in psychology at Capella University. He is now married and a father of five and a step-daughter.

Isaiah recounted his long and ultimately inspiring odyssey from a troubled childhood to a life of service--a champion of restitution and recovery--a realistic hope for anyone trying to rise from troubled beginnings. He told a number of personal stories that illustrate and illuminate that path. Dreams can be both instructive and foreshadowing, at times God’s message--able to save lives when remembered and understood. He also explained many telling details and insider reflections on the brutality of gang life on the streets as he experienced it as a youth and as it continues today, even in communities like Jamestown.

Isaiah’s stories can be read at length in his recent books, including Homicide of a Rat examining the questions of what is right and what is wrong through real-life stories of murder, deception and betrayal from the view of a gang member. Also see Man's Search For Peace, examining what holds us back on the path to peace and a life of integrity and responsibility.

A lively Q&A, as always, followed Isaiah’s presentation.

Isaiah expressed sincere appreciation for the contribution made in his name to Rotary’s international campaign to forever end polio across the world.

To more fully share in Isaiah’s inspiring presentation, members are invited to log onto the recorded Zoom meeting proceedings of the September 25, 2023 meeting of the Noon Rotary Club of Jamestown.

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