President,  Michelle Jones, led the club in the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the National Anthem with accompaniment by Caitlyn O’Reily

 

INVOCATION GIVEN BY:  Misti Allen, a soon to be member of our Club.  

 

GUESTS & VISITORS: Caitlin O’Reily introduced the guests today, our exchange students, Heath Bounday and Jan Steinmann as well as Ken Brown and Misti Allen (who will be inducted as members later in the meeting).  She also enthusiastically welcomed back to Rotary, Tim Edborg who was greeted with applause.

 

President Michelle Jones announced there is still a need for Chairperson for the Club Service committee Please contact Michelle.

 

President Elect, Caitlin O’Reilly, the host for Jan, requested the need for a driver for Jan to Niagara Falls, Canada this Saturday. Caitlin also encouraged members to invite Heath and Jan to any events that you may be attending, as they are great company and willing participants.

 

President Michelle announced that new Rotary Pins are still available for $7.00.

 

Joni Blackman, Foundation Chairperson, announced September Birthdays.  They are Stacy Hannon (9/7), Kathy Burch (9/18), Randy Sweeney (9/10), Lori Brockelbank  (9/10), John Healy (9/14), Michelle Jones (9/29), Sue Jones (9/29), Lisa Yaggie ((9/29), and George Harper (9/29). Happy Birthday was sung to “Bills Fans.”   All birthday donations are sent directly to the Rotary Foundation.  Most birthday celebrants are members of the Paul Harris Sustaining Club which is the yearly birthday donation of $100. Michelle Jones was the lucky winner of the free lunch. 

 

 

 

President, Michelle Jones, brought Ken Brown and Misti Allen forward for induction into the Jamestown Rotary Club.  Ken Brown was introduced to the Club by Chris Anderson.  Ken has over twenty years of experience in the insurance and Financial Services industry. From Wealth Management to estate planning and more, Ken’s focus is all on his clients and their needs.  Ken is very active in the community by serving on the boards of organizations like the Boys and Girls Club and Chautauqua Leadership Network, which he was a graduate of in 2015. Outside of the office, Ken loves to golf, hunt and go hiking.  Most of all he loves to spend time with his family. His wife Shirley and 3 daughters love to go on vacation to Disney World or any other place that is close to family and friends.

 

Becky Robbins introduced Misti Allen to the group.   Misti is the Director of Special Projects in Jamestown for Scouting America formerly known as the Boy Scouts.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in cellular molecular biology and biochemistry from Penn State University.  Misti served in the U.S. Navy where she met her husband, also a Navy Veteran. A 13-year volunteer and employee within the Scouting Trailblazer District and the Allegheny Highlands Council, she was honored with the Boy Scouts of America District Merit Award for outstanding service and leadership in youth development. She has helped develop and expand scouting to underserved communities and is also the Shooting Sports Director at Camp Merz.  Misti is an active volunteer and has a 16-year-old son and a 28 year old daughter.

 

President Michelle administered the official Rotary membership commitments and promises and presented Ken and Misti with the Rotary 4-Way Test plaques and Rotary pins. Our new members were officially welcomed into the global family of over 1.4 million Rotarians in more that 200 countries and regions. Both Ken and Misti were welcomed into our Jamestown Club with applause.

 

 

 

President Michelle Jones called forward Joni Blackman, Foundation Chair, to recognize our latest Paul Harris Fellow Awardee, Caitlin O’Reily, President-Elect. Caitlin is a licensed creative arts therapist in NYS and a board-certified music therapist.  She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music therapy from SUNY Fredonia.  She is also a master Reiki practitioner.  She is currently working on a doctorate in Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute.  Caitlin worked from July 2009 – December 2016 as a hospice music therapist with Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care.  At the end of 2016 she moved to Estero, Florica to begin a new life with her soon to be husband, Tom Small.  Caitline joined the Rotary Club of Estero, built a small music therapy practice, worked as an adjunct professor at FGCU and became the music director for Lamb of God Church. In early 2021, Caitlin and Tom moved to Colorado Springs to be closer to Tom’s son.  Unfortunately, Tom’s health deteriorated rapidly, and he died from complications due to Parkinson’s Disease in June 2023.  Neer intending to leave Western NY, Caitlin moved back to the area in April 2024 and resides in Lakewood with Tava, a boxer mix and Voodoo, a very black cat. Caitlin served several years as Secretary and Public Image Chair for the Rotary Club of Estero and two years as Public Image Chair for the Rotary Club of the Garden of the Gods.  Currently, she is co-chair of the Membership Committee, a member of the Literacy Committee,  is President Elect for this 2025-26 year, and is hosting our exchange student from Switzerland, Tan Steinmann.   She is an active member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.  Caitlin enjoys traveling, mysteries and detective novels, gardening, creating, listening to or playing music and socializing with friends. 

 

Foundation Chair, Joni Blackman, presented Caitlin with the Paul Harris pin. Caitlin was honored by Jamestown Rotarians with a standing ovation.

 

Emily Cama, the 50-50 person of the day, presented $40 to Tim Edborg, the lucky winner.

 

Today’s  Sergeant at Arms, Vince Horrigan began by fining UPMC, Kristin Mellville for her picture in the PJ; since she was not at the meeting Tim, as a member of the Foundation paid her fine.   Beckly Robbins was fined for the BPU raising prices, The table of David Painter  was fined as they did not know the answer to a question from the Rotary magazine; All the United Way Campaign  Board members were also fined as this year’s kickoff is tomorrow.   Fines were also collected from college football winners attendees, including those high school winners.  Last but not least was a tribute fine for 9/11 responders.

 

Happy Bucks were given by Tim Edborg, since he’s been away from Rotary for 8 months, he congratulated both Past President Marion Beckerink and current President Michelle. Also, he thanked members for all of the cards, flowers, calls and love during his recent loss, President Michelle donated for the Bills win.

 

Amy Rohler gave thanks for Andy & Lisa Goodell, the Chairpersons for the United Way Campaign. She thanked all involved in United Way in any way. She also commented on the importance of community.

 

Mike Roberts paid for missing meetings and missing wonderful Rotarians.

 

President-elect Caitlin gave thanks for Tan and his cross-country win.

 

John Bauman gave thanks for his daughter. son and son-in-law who are in town. Also, John is leaving soon for Bermuda and plans to attend his former Rotary Club.

 

Ruth Lundin gave thanks for good health after a trip to Hilton Head Island and also having her first cataract is done.

 

Misti Allen announced the fundraiser,  Pintwood Derby, Saturday, November 1^st at Wicked Warren’s. It includes an auction as well as races.

 

Dan Heitzenrater announced this year’s business winners. Among the winners were Emerging Business -West Main Mercantile in Falconer; Hospitality-White Inn, Fredonia; Business Champion, BPU, Jamestown; and Overall Business of the Year, Bemus Point Golf Club & Tap House.

 

Marion Beckerink was happy to be back after 3 weeks away.  Her son was married, August 22^nd.  She was happy to return to Rotary.

 

Vision Committee, Zach Agett, requested ideas for the Vision Committee to consider this year, both local and international. There is $22,000 to spend.  Projects must fall within Rotary Ideals and be a not for profit. There is a form on which to submit your ideas. 

 

President Michelle suggested a mural patterned after the RTPI recent mural on a local building. It would promote Rotary and have the Rotary Wheel included; comments welcome.

 

Social Event:  Chairperson Emily Cama announced that on September 22^nd there will be  a social event at Southern Tier Brewery starting at 5:00 pm.  Jaimie from Porcelain Busdrivers will be the entertainment.  Emily is looking for a few baskets for fundraising  (Michelle has a Bills basket started).  Rotary guests will help pay for a portion of the entertainment. Michelle will be inviting other clubs and organizations to join us.

 

The meeting ended with this year’s motto “Unite for Good”