38 Degrees with white skies outside…Inside the Doubletree, it was sunny, thanks to large attendance and a full and active agenda!

TODAY’S CHAIR: President Ruth Lundin led the Club in the Pledge of Allegiance and recitation of the Four-Way test. She explained that a new order of weekly meetings would occur in the new year.

INVOCATION: Paulette Kline’s invocation shared thoughts by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Paulette Kline requested volunteers to deliver invocations in January and March. Joelle Washer thanked members who ordered 41 products from the Rotary Apparel Shop developed as a Club fundraiser and said that the fundraising committee will offer apparel purchases twice a year. Volunteers are needed for greeting, meeting clean-up and 50/50 sales. President Ruth asked members to note the many committee meetings scheduled for January as well as the February online Rotary Leadership Institute sessions.

NEW MEMBERS: New members were welcomed to the Club by President Ruth and Dianna Meckley who represented the membership committee.  Max Eimiller introduced Jennifer Swan-Leuze, the Executive Director of Chautauqua Striders. A Gerry native and Cassadaga High School graduate, Jen lives in Lakewood with her husband Sean and their three daughters Hadyn, Hannah and Heidi. Jen attended JCC and SUNY Geneseo where she earned a Bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in Organizational and Occupational Behavior. She went on to SUNY Brockport where she received a Master’s in Education.

Randy Sweeney introduced new member Zach Agett, the Vice President of Community Engagement of the Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care in Lakewood. Zach previously worked for the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation as Marketing and Events Manager and in various positions at the Cassadaga Job Corps. The Washington and Jefferson graduate also holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Capella University. He is involved in the Jamestown Chamber of Commerce and serves as a board member of both CASA and the Chautauqua Leadership Network. He and his wife Breeanne reside in the Town of Busti with their young children.

BIRTHDAYS

Joni Blackman offered a witty introduction of January member birthdays including best wishes to the January “Snowflakes,” including herself, Courtney Curatolo, Lynne Gruel, Jon Bauman, Katie Geise and Becky Robbins. 

50/50 WINNER:

Amid cheers, Joaquin, our Exchange Student, presented $30 in 50/50 winnings to Vince Horrigan.

SERGENT AT ARMS:

Doug Conroe filled the Club coffers as Sergeant-at-Arms.  Fees were paid by Kristin Melville for a terrific “Shades of Pink” fundraiser; Amy Rohler for an $11,000+ United Way gift from the IBEW; Courtney Curatolo and Melissa Meyers for their reappointments to the County Planning Board; Becky Robbins for the BPU wellness program’s American Heart Association Gold Award; and all the Rotarians celebrating weekend wins by the Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns. In Happy Bucks, President Ruth enjoyed the holidays and Dan Heitzenrater was happy for the Packers’ weekend win. Dan further announced the excellent news that the Chamber in 2023 almost doubled attendance at Chamber events and welcomed “lots of new members.”

FINAL ANNOUCEMENT:  Joelle Washer and Michelle Jones of Northwest Bank presented a $1,000 check to President Ruth and President-Elect Marion for the Literacy Committee’s “Bibs and Books” project. Members praised Northwest, Joelle and Michelle for such a generous contribution to the Rotary cause.

The meeting adjourned at 1:10 p.m.