Rotary FLASH of 06-19-2007
THE FLASH for the Rotary Club of Greensburg PA June 19, 2007THOUGHTS TO PONDER FOR TODAY
From the writings of Forrest H. Kirkpatrick, 1990
We can never do a kindness too soon because we never know how soon it will be too late.
Money has never yet made anyone rich.
It’s a rare thing to win an argument and the other person’s goodwill at the same time.
Alas! There was no bell for Mary to ring today as we began our meeting at UPG. Perhaps that was fitting for we shall miss her smiling countenance at the start of our gathering. You’ve done a fine job, and thank you very much! REMEMBER – WE MEET NEXT WEEK AT 6:00 p.m. at UPG: Carl Rossman tells us to follow the signs to the meeting place. If the weather is fine we will meet at the Lynch Hall Circle, if not it will be at the vestibule area behind the theatre. FOLLOW THE SIGNS in lieu of a yellow brick road.
Bill McGrath did double duty today, giving the invocation and then the Sergeant at Arms Report. Sadly we are down to 98 members, out of which 44 were in attendance. We were also privileged to have the winners of our Spelling Bee Contest and their Moms.
SPELLING BEE AWARDS were present to the two young men who spelled more than all the rest. Mary Clymer presented plaques to them which will be given to the schools, and framed certificates for them to keep. They were a delight to the club meeting.
Carl Rossman urged us to sign up for the President’s Day Dinner – call Carl if you have not made a reservation, but do it today!
Chuck Anderson reported that the club has cleared $15,000. for scholarships from the Golf Outing. He thanked those who were a part of the staff for the event, the sponsors, and the volunteers who made it all happen – and did it with smiling faces!
Bob Bloom reported on Mary’s last board meeting as President. She was thanked by the Board for her many achievements in our Rotary Club this past year. He noted that the membership was down by two from May, bringing our membership to 98. Attendance has been at 52.7% The board heard the report from the community Day Booth. Notices were sent out because of delinquent dues from two of our members; new officers for the year will be listed in the yearly booklet. The Spelling Bee was a success; and the board voted to send 3 students to RYLA which will be a UPG. Mike Lucotch announced that a $2000. scholarship will be given from the Rutter Scholarship Fund at the President’s Day Dinner. Mark Barnhart is attempting to get a Rotarian from the Greensburg Kansas Club to our Picnic in August.
PROGRAM TODAY under the direction of Steve Ender brought together Dr. Wex Jamison from UPG, Dr. Joanne Boyle from Seton Hill, and Steve Ender from WCCC. It was a look at the Higher Education opportunities in our town. The leading question to be considered was where does each institution fit in the scheme of education in our area, or what is their particular niche in the overall picture.
Wex Jamison spoke about the 20 different schools within his institution. He thought they were attractive to someone who wanted a connection with Pitt and a small campus experience. Their niche was Under Graduate Education, with some co-operative programs; however, most students finish their degree at UPG now.
Joanne Boyle indicated that they were fierce competitors for the same students. Seton Hill asks “What is good for this region?” She noted they have gone from “white gloves to football,” from a female institution to an inclusive one, keeping up with the times. They want to be the Greensburg hometown school. That is one of the reasons they play their football games in Offutt Field and building an extension in downtown Greensburg. They offer a graduate center: MBA/Education/Writing popular fiction. The last is very popular with those who have stories to tell. They are on campus for 2 weeks in January and June, and keep up contact throughout the year.
Steve Ender told us that “Work force Development” was the main thrust of WCCC with its Associate in Applied Science Degree. They reach out to high school students who want a 2 year involvement. Serving mostly middle class needs, they prepare students for 2 years with a lower cost factor and prepare them for classes offered by Seton Hill and UPG if they wish to further their education. WCCC makes it possible for many poverty level students to find a way for a better life.
Questions included the fact that youth are choosing local schools instead of getting away from their community; factors might include the scholarship boundaries established by the state, and parents who want their kids near. Another question asked which subjects were the most popular? IT seems that anything with therapy attached behind the subject or anything with Forensic in front of it is very popular. Financial Services - with Writing and Speaking are areas sought by employers. Psychology, Criminology are heavy favorites at WCCC. Our speakers emphasized that anyone who would study Chinese and be proficient in it would be sought after in the next 20 years. Health Care Fields are also in great demand. It was a superb, interesting presentation. Thank you all~!
On that high note, Mary asked us to hold ourselves to the test – the four way, that is, and closed our meeting for the day.
Rotary FLASH of 06-12-2007
THE FLASH for the Rotary Club of Greensburg PA June 12, 2007THOUGHTS TO PONDER FOR TODAY
“Work without hope draws nectar in a sieve, and hope without an object cannot live.” Coleridge
“To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive.” R.L. Stevenson
“I am not young enough to know everything.” James Barrie
For the next to last time, Mary Clymer rang the bell and called 44 of us together as a club; maybe it is because Rod Booker is one of us now that the singing of “God Bless America” sounded in tune. The Invocation was given by John Dickson.
Our thoughts and prayers surround the wife of former member Ken Ruoff, who had a stroke. Mary sent a card around for us to send. If you did not get to sign it, you may want to send one of your own. In times like this, it is good to hear from friends. It is beneficial to all concerned.
Dennis Cremonese seemed perplexed today, scratching his head he asked, “Did we leave some of our members on the golf course?” Only 44 in attendance with Bobbi Stemmler Guest bringing her husband Ed to the meeting today.
In lieu of Chuck Anderson – probably picking up divots today – Jeff Malloy reported on the Golf Outing. He told us that the gross receipts were $19,915.00 (before expenses..) and that Chuck would have a more definitive report for us next week. GOOD GOLFING!
MAJOR DOMO MARY is raising the possibility of a GOLF OUTING FOR DUMMIES.
This would be for those of us who qualify as rotten, horrible, pathetic, you name it..with a luncheon of “Bye Bye Birdie” and making those who are good golfers drive the carts for us, and keep score. It may even be a multi instrument game, using croquet mallets, etc. I gather we will hear more about that later – much later. However, someone whose name will be kept secret (unless you ask me) nominated Will Brown to take part in this new venture.
ROTARY BOARD MEETING REPORT by Bob Bloom will be given next week.
There will be a mini board meeting after our session today for a matter by the treasurer.
JIM BOGGS will be featured at the “TGIS” - Thank Goodness Its Summer presentation on Thursday June 21 at the Palace Courthouse. Watch for further news about this.
FISHING OUTING REMINDER: July 12, 4:30 – need helpers for this event at Dr. Hower’s home. Spend a little time, have a great reward!
NEXT TWO MEETINGS TO BE AT UPG. Carl Rossman reminded us of our regular meeting next week, and then the special President’s Day Dinner which will be at 6 p.m. outside, but will revert inside if inclement weather is upon us. Clip Board passed around, and invitations will be mailed. PLEASE RESPOND PROMPTLY.
PROGRAM OF THE DAY
Dr. Steven Ender presented Pat Gerity from WCCC. He spoke about the Westmoreland County Workforce Development. He is a Vice President at WCCC.
The program has benefited local Police, Paramedics, County Aging, Senior Volunteers among others. He urged local companies who needed help training work force to contact them. They help with basic skills, will visit with the company and establish a training plan. On an average they have trained 3651 employees per year. Also they do Workforce Retraining, covering needs in college retraining: e.g., U.P.S. and City Brewing. They network with other states to resource new areas of concern.
They also take students who have graduated from a regular college course of study who cannot find work in their area of expertise and retrain them as well.
The question was raised about training in the Service Industry including plumbers, carpenters, electricians, and the need that exists in that arena. They do help here as well as in the high tech area.
You are invited to contact Robert J. Connelly at 724-925-5974 (WCCC) or email connellyr@wccc.edu
A very informative presentation, thank you! Next week: Steven Ender will a 3 College Panel on Higher Education Opportunities in Westmoreland County. ALSO our Spelling Bee Winners will be with us. REMEMBER IT WILL BE AT UPG CHAMBERS HALL.
With one voice, we closed our meeting with the four way test. Did we pass or fail?
Rotary FLASH of 06-05-2007
THE FLASH for the Rotary Club of Greensburg PA June 5, 2007THOUGHTS TO PONDER FOR TODAY
“The prophet of despair gains a shouting audience. But one who speaks from hope will be heard long after the noise has died down.” John LaFarge
“The mind is no match with the heart in persuasiveness; constitutionality is no match for compassion.” Everett Dirkson
“The worse men often give the best advice.” P.J. Bailey
The weather today was cloudy and dreary, but Mary brightened up our day with her sparkling personality and gleam of her eye as she called our meeting to order. You can always tell when a President comes down to the last three meetings of their term! We began with the pledge to the flag, a very harmonious rendition of “God Bless America!” (Mary accused us of practicing between meetings – and the invocation by JOHN SPROULL.
SGT. OF ARMS REPORT by Bill McGrath told us that we had 56 Members in attendance out of a membership of 101. Introduction of Guests by Members included:
Steve Ender: Anna Marie Pallatella and Annette Boyer from WCCC; our student Camila Bobelete from Chile; and here Bill ended his introductions by introducing MARK PARKER, as the new Sergeant at Arms beginning in July. He asked for some help for Mark, requesting that we contact him if we would like to help. BUT THEN – as if giving John Sproull a mystery guest wasn’t enough, Mark Barnhart spoke out that if he was going to bill Chuck Strobel for hosting his wife, he ought to be able to introduce her, and so Chuck presented Lynn to us – with the chagrin of Bill McGrath – only to discover that Don Bloom had his wife Isabel as a guest, also. WHOOPS! Bill and Dennis have done such a super job for us all year long that it was only fitting they should show their human side with a few flubs! Thanks, guys, we appreciate all you have done.
CAMILA BOBELETE was invited by Mary to speak to us of her prom and graduation experiences, and she thought they were great, and wanted to express her gratitude to the club for hosting her. She got a big hug from Mary on behalf of all of us, and Mary extended a big thank you to her host family.
A THANK YOU FROM THE WITCHITA ROTARY for our donation to their foundation for the Greensburg Kansas Club. They assured us that it would be used at the direction of the Greensburg Club. “Service Above Self” is helping people you never knew in a place you have never been – thank you!
RECOGNIZING MICHELE BONONI – who was given acknowledgement as one of the 50 top business women in Pennsylvania by Gov. Rendell. CONGRATULATIONS, MICHELE – but we knew that already!!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Rotary Board will meet Thursday at 5:30 at the Boulevard Restaurant – it will be Mary’s last board meeting as President. Next time she will be Past President Mary!
Mary announced that we will meet at the Sheraton next week; but on the 19th and 26th we will be at UPG. The 26th will be an evening President’s Day Meeting.
HEALTH SCREENING – Kevin Metzger presented a check from Excela for our health screenings for $7000. Thanks to Kevin and his team of volunteers that made this happen!
GOLF REMINDER - Chuck Anderson reminded us of the Golf Outing on Monday. There is still an opportunity to sign up, still time for prayer for good weather, still time for Sponsorships. JUST GIVE HIM A CALL. Also – ROTARY SHIRT sign up – he needs 25 to get a good price.
ROTARY DIRECTORY – Bob Bloom gave a last call to check personal information to be included in our July Directory. If you have not checked your information, give Bob a call so that it can be done.
PROGRAM FOR TODAY was announced and given by Dr. Steven Ender, President of WCCC, just 24 hours back from a trip to Italy. He brought Anna Marie Pallatelle and Annette Boyer, associates with him. Using a power point presentation, he gave us an introduction to Westmoreland County Community College. He made us realize what a jewel we had in our midst, and what a wonderful opportunity to connect with an education for all of us.
THE MISSION : WCCC improves the quality of life for everyone we touch through education, training, and cultural enrichment.
THE VISION: WCCC is a learning-centered college focused on student success, a catalyst for economic growth, a leader in workforce development and a hub for cultural and artistic experiences.
VALUES: WCCC has a framework of cultures and values that embraces:
1. Commitment to teaching and learning. (Personal attention, individual choices, academic excellence, adaptive, promoting curiosity.)
2. Accountability (responsibility, stewardship of resources, empowerment, result-oriented)
3. Diversity (respect for self and others, inclusion, value uniqueness)
4. Collaboration and Cooperation (teamwork, community partnerships)
5. Social Responsibility (promoting active interest, awareness of the world, being a good steward)
6. Integrity (honesty, ethical standards, dedication)
7. Innovation (creativity, commitment to growth, forward thinking)
Following these statements, Dr. Enders shared a plethora of facts from the budget, the tuition – e.g., In-County Students have a cost of $73. per credit (Quite a bargain); WCCC founded in 1970 with main campus now in Youngwood and 7 0ff campus Centers; 6000 Credit Students, and accreditation Middle States Assoc. of Colleges and Schools, and others. Programs of study range from Allied Health, to Business, office technology, Engineering Science and Industrial Technology, Culinary Arts and Hospitality, Public Services, Horticulture, Computer Information Service, Graphic Design and Multimedia, Liberal Arts and Science.
What an opportunity for all of us, as they reach out to the community with a new Speaker Series, a Community Choir and a Community Orchestra under the leadership of Rod Booker. This was a terrific look into the life and functioning of a major influence on the life of our community. Thanks so much, Steve!
The words of the four way test sent us out to do our work…