The Meeting was called to order and Terri asked for updates on current projects and activities.  Andrew advised that there will be an Art Show meeting 2/8/23 and Joe Kraft shared that we have 20 artists so far and our goal this year is to host 60 artists. 

 

Lisa Hebert gave an update on the Speech contest and reported that it will be March 22, for our club and April 22 for finalists at the districts.  Lisa also reported we have 3 judges Jim Strunk, Liz Pernot and Steve Pettyjohn.  Terri volunteered as a timekeeper and Jeff Appel will emcee the event.   

 

We are still looking for families to host an exchange student since we sponsored Onyx.  Terri reported that Onyx suffered an accident in a field trip to the Amazon rainforest and fractured vertebrae and will be recovering for 6 weeks.  The good news is that she loves her host family and her mother has been in constant contact.

 

Our speaker was Flo Brett from the E.L.A. Effective Leadership Academy, a non-profit agency founded in Cleveland in 2008.  Kaye Wolfinger the Director of Community Relations for ELA was also present to address any questions. Flo talked about the leadership development and social and emotional training that the ELA provides primarily for children in grades K-12.  The readiness programs focus on inclusivity, diversity and empowerment to develop future leaders in business and effective employees in the workforce.  The ELA has influenced 30,000 students and 230 schools and community organizations in its 15-year history.  The representatives provided a brochure and notepad to contact them at effectivela.org and encouraged business owners and leaders in our club to serve as a speaker in future presentations to children. Jim Strunk advised that Rotary has a similar program RYLA for Rotary Youth Leadership Academy for school children. There may be an opportunity to work together. 

 

We had time for a happy buck and Amy Kubacki introduced her grandson Jack Judge to the group, and Jack got to experience his first Rotary meeting via zoom.