The Vice President of Programs introduced our Rotarian of the day, Chick Robinson. Chick started as a Rotarian in the Hampton Roads area as a member of the Northside club. He is a Norfolk native, went to Hampden Sydney, and has been married to Kathy for 46 years with two children Charles and Katherine, and two granddaughters Lilly and June. Chick enjoys woodworking, boating, and yard work. His community service includes not only volunteering as a Rotarian but also is currently on the Norfolk Botanical Gardens board and serves on the Westminster Canterbury Trustee board.

 

Chick introduced our speaker, Michael Benedetto, the President and Owner of TFC Recycling which is located in the South Norfolk part of Chesapeake. He first started working for the family business in high school and continued full time after graduating from American University in 1987.

 

Michael is a member of the Chesapeake Rotary Club and like Rotarians, he is community-minded and has served as a board member of the Virginia Aquarium, the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, and Virginia Beach Vision. Michael currently serves on the Virginia Waste Management Board, the Chesapeake Alliance, and is a member of the Neptune Fest.

 

Michael started his presentation with this statement, “it’s not how many customers we serve, but how we serve our customers.” Michael’s PowerPoint presentation informed us about how TFC Recycling started and his commitment to the preservation of our resources. Even the trucks that they use run on clear natural gas to reduce harmful emissions into the air. The presentation reminded us all to “reduce, reuse or recycle/compost". He went on to explain how TFC Recycling processes the 150-200 tons of materials they receive a day.

 

The sorting people start by separating materials on conveyor belts which then runs to the enormous technologically savvy conveyor belt that again separates materials. This leads up to compressing paper goods into bundles for shipments to China, India, South America, and other countries to make boxes and other products. The plastics are shipped off to South Carolina and Georgia where they are recycled into a synthetic fiber.

 

Questions were asked about plastic bags, when will we get rid of them as they are NOT recycled at TFC Recycling, and why are we still using them? Michael suggested that we return our plastic bags to the store that provided them. They are recycled into plastic lumber planks. The Retail Alliance is a supporter of the less expensive plastic bags for small businesses.

 

Another question was asked about recycling glass. Michael explained that at present, landfills use glass (and dirt) for land cover. Chick asked why we don’t have bins to separate recyclable products and Michael let us know that the costs were too high to have pick-ups for different materials 

 

Michael closed his presentation by inviting us (when we can do so) to tour the TFC Recycling facility. Until then, if we should have any other questions or want more information, we can contact him at 757-435-5720 or go to their website http://www.tfcrecycling.com

 

 

 

President Jim rang the bell at 12:30 pm. Jim asked for a moment of silence to reflect on the actions that happened on the Capital and remarked that as Rotarians, we must find common ground. We were then led in song by John Cameron with “America the Beautiful” and Pam Tubbs with our “National Anthem”. Jim led us in the “4 Way Test,” followed by Joe New who recited lyrics from “Let There Be Peace on Earth.”

 

Visitation Report: Joe Massey opened it up to the floor and asked if any Rotarians were aware of members who needed a call or if anyone had a visiting update. Jeff Wells reported that Bryce Burton is closing Burton Lumber due to Covid-19. He wanted Jeff to tell us he said “hello.”

 

Introduction of Guests: Joey Rothgery introduced her guest, Katie Melhuish. She is the wife of one of our former speakers, Capt. Christopher Melhuish, USN (Ret). Lisa Chandler introduced her husband, Web Chandler.

 

 

Sigur Whitaker thanked the club for their generosity as we were 3rd in Clubs that donated online for the Day of Giving. She then went on to introduce our newest Paul Harris Fellows: Michael Richardson and Al Carmichael, Paul Harris Fellow +3.

 

Before President Jim read the Club Resolution for Nancy Chandler, he spoke of her fondly. Nancy Chandler was “a trailblazer” as the first woman member (February 9, 2009) in the Rotary Club of Norfolk. She was a wife, mother, and a successful businesswoman. Jim then read aloud the Club Resolution for Nancy Outland Chandler. 

 

Dr. Marsha Conston introduced one of our newest members of the Rotary Club of Norfolk, Stan Turbeville, the VP for Institutional Advancement at TCC. He’s originally from North Carolina and has been a Past President of his former Rotary Club. Stan’s mentor will be Bob Ash. Joe Massey then introduced Jennifer Dillworth, an attorney whose practice is located in Virginia Beach at Towne Center. She studied Psychology and Criminal Justice at VCU and got her Law degree at William & Mary. Her mentor will be Chip Vogan.

 

Jason Drane updated us on the Club’s latest fundraising efforts. The committee is looking for a venue in the hopes that we will be able to gather again to raise funds for our charitable efforts. Even if a face-to-face event is not possible, the committee is working to have an online auction starting in February and running through March. Jason asked for donations of items or experiences for the auction.