Rotary Works and Norfolk Rotary Endowment

This week's meeting was a doubleheader. First, Rich Salon introduced us to Rotary Works. Rotary Works is an initiative provided for Rotarians and Rotaractors within Zones 33 & 34 experiencing career transition. You can find the in-depth information at ROTARY.WORKS.

The program is comprised of three distinct programs, providing education, networking, and financial resources and grants for participants, mentorship opportunities for personal and professional development.

Next on the program was our own Mark Shaw. Mark told us about the Norfolk Rotary Endowment associated with our club. The Endowment currently has over $667,000 and is managed by the Hampton Roads Foundation. The Endowment allows the club to give back to the community. Last year the club withdrew $26K to be used to the Rotary community grant program.

The Meeting:

Jim rang the bell to begin the meeting at 12:31 pm. Jim led "The Four-Way Test," followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Bob Heely lead us in music with his rendition of “Sunny Side of the Street” and the third verse of “America the Beautiful”. Pam Tubbs gave the invocation.

Visitation Report:

Barb gave an update on Chris McKennis; she has been transferred to a Rehab Facility. Please keep her in our thoughts and prayers.

Announcements and Club Business:

Sigur announced that Chris Bugg is now a PHF+1
There a several upcoming Community Service events; please sign up through the website.
5/12-Basilica of St Mary's Food Distribution
5/25-FoodBank
6/5 Clean The Bay Day

Happy Bucks/Fines:

Jim fined Sally Hartman $5 for missing the shout out given to her last week
Lisa gave happy bucks for her new puppy
Michael gave happy dollars for several reasons:
- Lorna helping him with his Goals for President (21-22)
- For upcoming IN-PERSON meetings.
- For Jim Kitz's amazing leadership and keeping us together through this past year of Rotary via ZOOM.
Sharon gave happy bucks for her daughter's birthday and having all three of her children together last week.
Sigur gave happy bucks for a fun trip to Texas with her friends.
Jeff gave happy bucks for a visit with his 91-year-old mother.
Lorna gave happy bucks to celebrate her husband's birthday while she is helping Michael.

You can pay your Happy Bucks and Fines via VENMO @NorfolkRotary-Charities.

New Members:

Jim announced that we have two new members to induct into our club:

Sigur sponsored and introduced us to - Deborah Davis
Sally sponsored and introduced us to - Lauren LaBonte

School of the Week: Tarrallton Elementary School

Adjourned: 1:30 p.m.

Congratulations, Bob

Bob Ash, our longtime member and past Rotary Club of Norfolk president, is the subject of this excellent article by Phil Walzer written as Bob retired as an Old Dominion University engineering professor and one of its longest-tenured professors. Click here to learn about Bob and his amazing career.

Helping with Food Insecurity

Norfolk Rotarians helped 32 families with food insecurity recently at the Basilica of St. Mary's. Recipients received a variety of canned goods, frozen meat, and their choice of potatoes, sweet potatoes, cabbage, onions and apples. The number of receipents is unusually low which is attributed to the recent stimulus payments and the doubling of SNAP benefits during the pandemic. Pictured above are Rotarians Walt Sobczyk, Sigur Whitaker, David Duncan, long time St. Mary's volunteer Valerie, and Jim Kitz.

Helping to Keep Norfolk Beautiful

Seven Rotarians helped to keep Norfolk beautiful on a cool sunny fall-like day. Traffic was light on Princess Anne Road when they gathered at 8:30 a.m. The litter patrol pictured above of Will King, Mike Richardson, Chris Bugg, Bruce Wilcox and his son Andrew, Tom Ambler and Walt Sobczyk (not pictured) picked up eight bags of trash.

The Four-Way Test

Of the things we think, say, and do:

1) Is it the TRUTH?

2) Is it FAIR to all concerned?

3) Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

4) Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?