Garrettsville-Hiram Rotarians were treated to a surfeit of riches in the area of interesting and relevant speakers at their meeting on August 18, 2014.
They heard first from District Governor Mike Devanzo from the Medina club who thanked members for being a part of the great sharing of time, talent and treasure which is the spirit of Rotary. His encouraging vocal exercises led him to announcements about the upcoming “Dine to Donate” event on October 23(the day before World Polio Day) co-ordinated with local Bob Evans restaurants, and the District 6630 foundation day on November 9. This led him to Rotary’s new focus on increasing membership and boosting Rotary Foundation contributions. In aid of this, Rotary Days, with featured activities in area clusters will be highlighted this year. Rotary offers many opportunities to serve, locally, statewide, nationally and internationally. The sum is greater than its parts.
Next up was Chris Scheuer, “the Y Guy”, who will be co-ordinating programs and activities out of the former Garfield Intermediate School on Park Ave., Garrettsville. The roll-out will be accomplished “with all deliberate speed” based upon the expressed desires of the community. So far, the flag football, youth soccer and Jr. Cavaliers have been well received. Child care registration is on-going; information is available at childcarereg@clevelandy.org or by calling 216-263-6860. Active adults will be next on the menu and their ideas and requests are being sought; the website www.clevelandymca.org could be helpful or the local operations director, Kim Curry is also a resource (kcurry@clevelandymca.org/ 330-367-9720). More input, more volunteers are being welcomed. There is an open house on Park Ave. on Thursday, August 21.
Third presenter of the meeting was Michael Charney, candidate for the State Board of Education in District 7. He is an experienced educator with insights not only in his field but into the workings of the political and legislative processes which go into the functioning of the State Board of Education. The current member representing District 7 is not a graduate of public schools and is, in fact an advocate for private schools, charter or for-profit. Mr. Charney proposes shining a light—lots of light—on the workings of the non-public, non-accountable schools receiving public money and wasting it. He has also been active in the formation of the Cleveland Teachers’ Institute aiming to expand the capabilities of educators in Northeast Ohio. Accountability is an across-the-board goal.
After all that, the Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Club voted to sponsor the Dictionary Project in the third grade of the Garfield Schools to give every third grader a dictionary of their very own. What an encouragement!
