VP in Charge of Programs, Barbara Lipskis, introduced Rotarian of the Day - Marty Raiss. Marty is a graduate from Miami – Duke University, She has been a Norfolk private tutor since 1972, has worked in Public Service and community outreach for the City, the Director of Ballentine Assisted Living, has worked on the board of Prime Plus, and she has two children including a son who has just retired, a daughter and three perfect grandchildren. 

 

Marty introduced Adale M. Martin, Ph. D to the Club. Adele’s career history is both eclectic and remarkable. She has an obvious broad range of interests and expertise, and as she says, she is passionate about the issues in which she has been involved. After obtaining a B.A. in International and French Studies from Ohio State, her interest in public service was sparked, and she pursued a Master’s degree in Public Administration at Louisiana State and then a Doctorate in Public Administration and Policy at ODU. She is also a graduate of the Sorensen Institute of Political Leadership at UVA and serves on the organization’s alumni council. 

 

Marty continued her introduction with more interesting facts about Adele. Her myriad interests are reflected in the variety of jobs she’s had. Including Program Coordinator, at the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Assistant Manager at the National Center for Biomedical Research and Training Academy of Counter-Terrorist Education, Executive Director of the Slover Library Foundation, a position of which she is especially proud; as principal owner of Martin Consulting, she has worked on, among other things, watershed mitigation planning; and most recently, she has served on the Norfolk School Board an elected chair from 2020-2022. Adele has also served this community through other volunteer work at CHKD and as a member of the Garden Club of Norfolk. She and her husband Roy live in the Algonquin neighborhood of Norfolk. They have two children in Norfolk Public Schools, and to say the least, she is their biggest cheerleader.   

 

Adale M. Martin, Ph. D. thanked the Club for the introduction to speak at the meeting. She is up for reelection for the Norfolk School Board and wanted to share her dedication to improving the graduation rate in Norfolk Public School. Her vision and commitment to ensure a 95% Graduation Rate for NPS seniors so that they can have opportunities upon graduation, which means that they are prepared to be enrolled, employed, or Enlisted. She believes strongly in kids first for a better Norfolk! And she believes she can help make a difference in Norfolk’s education system. 

 

Adele also talked about expanding security resources in schools and supporting our amazing teachers and staff. Her passion, in part, comes from being a product of public education from Pre-K to Ph. D. She explained that NPS is the largest non-federal employer in the City of Norfolk with over 5,033 employees. Despite a national workforce shortage, the NPS’s teacher retention rate is over 87%, which exceeds the national average. The NPS Board approved funding in the SY2023 Budget to provide a more equitable pay scale and incentive bonuses for teachers. They also plan to expand bus driver pay and work schedules to give them more daily hours by offering other in-school roles, like lunchroom monitors, etc. 

 

By the way, the NPS bus drivers are the highest-paid in the region! The NPS board also explain support positions in the schools by increasing the gifted resources teachers, English language learner teachers, behavioral specialist, social workers, and school psychologists, and improving coordination of social-emotional services by lengthening the contract of an administrator of school social work from 10 months to 12 months. All of these changes are for one purpose. KIDS FIRST FOR A BETTER NORFOLK! She asked us for her support!

 

Laurie rang the bell to begin the meeting at 12:30 pm. Sigur Whitaker led us in the singing of R.O.T.A.R.Y. Laurie led the Four Way Test followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Kelly Stefanko gave the Invocation. Ben Mason gave the visitation report. We had a moment of silence for the Passing of Jim Sell who was a Norfolk Rotary member for 4 ½ years and a Rector of Christ & St Lukes from 1990 to 1995, his memorial will be on Nov 12th. 

 

Mal Branch memorial service is scheduled for Nov 5th at Christ & St Lukes. Laurie welcomed all of the Rotarians joining on Zoom. We will continue to offer the Zoom link as an option for members to join our meetings. We sang Happy Birthday to all the October birthday babies. Laurie celebrated October Wedding Anniversaries and the Rotary Anniversaries. 

 

- Thank you to Jeff for conducting our last meeting while Laurie was out of town.

- Thank you: Mark Shaw, Bob Powell, Carlisle Wroton, and Rick Coradi for representing our club at the District 7600 Golf Tournament at Kingsmill.

- We have a fundraiser at Cape Henry Oyster Crush-Charity Roast hosted by Cape Henry on Sunday, October 9th, 1 pm – 6 pm at Ballyhoos in Virginia Beach.

- The Golf Tournament is scheduled for Oct. 19 at Cypress Point: Sign up to play, attend the social or donate an item to benefit Polio.

- Community Service Event: Halloween Family Fun Day, Saturday, October 29th, 4 pm – 7 p at Camp Grom in Va. Beach.

- Rotary Club ball caps ($20), T-shirts for sale, and we have free Mugs. 

- Sigur congratulated Past President Michael Desplaines for being Paul Harris Fellow +6 pin. 

- The Board will be reviewing fees at the 10/17th meeting.