ROTARY CLUB OF VINELAND

Editors: Melanie Druziako & Linda Foster
Photos: Jay Parks
Website: www.vinelandrotary.com
Email: vinelandrotary@comcast.net

Flag Salute & Prayer

Guests

Birthdays

Announcements

The District is having a Fundraiser – 76’ers Night. Tickets are $40.00 ($20.00 goes to Rotary, plus you get a $30.00 replica jersey.)

Jay Parks announced that the Women’s Club (his wife is a member) is having a Wine & Cheese Night on Thursday from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. Tickets are $15.00. Contact Jay for tickets.

Abbey Bradway kicked off her announcement by asking, “How many people have feet?” We have 2 more weeks to collect sneakers for the International Fundraising Program. Please bring in your old sneakers next Tuesday (washed with new laces.)

Dave Schad reminded everyone (on Keith Petrosky behalf) about the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) in June. Contact Keith for applications.

Rob Tola reminded us that we have 4 weeks left to get sponsors for the Duck Race.

Betsy Frank (in her duck necktie) reminded everyone that the 1st quack event is this “3rd Friday” in Millville. Volunteers are needed and sign-up sheets are available at each table. It will be a great time for hanging with friends and fellowship. George volunteered to wear the duck suit. We are still in need of a second person. Only 122 ducks were sold to date, and we need to sell 5000. The 2nd quack event will be held at the U-Sell Flea Market on Saturday, March 24th.

Cornell Bronson is having a Lenton Luncheon on Thursday, March 29th at the First Presbyterian Church on 8th & Landis. Lunch will be served from 11:00am to 1:00pm. Volunteers are greatly appreciated. Contact Dave or Cornell by phone.

Lou Tramontano spoke on the District Conference. Rooms still available, so make your reservations now.

Pat shared his weekly joke.

Finemaster

Today’s Program

Art gave us a general overview of the Boy Scouts of America, Southern New Jersey Council. Our territory covers Cape May to Camden and serves about 10,000 people. Our Cumberland County area has 58 scout units and 15 Learning for Life. The Programs include the Traditional Scout Program for Cub Scouts (available to boys 7 to 10) and Boy Scouts (available to boys who are at least 10 years old but not yet 18 years old.) The Venturing Program is a youth development program for young men and women ages 14 to 21. He also discussed the Learning for Life (Exploring, Character Education) Program.

There are numerous Troops, Packs and Posts throughout Vineland. Programs are currently held at Vineland Methodist Church, St. Francis, Sacred Heart, Redeemer, Vineland Police Department, just to name a few. The newest program is with the Vineland ARC. It is the first time that boys with disabilities, autism, can have the opportunity to be in Boy Scouting.

Boy Scouting involves countless activities. Scout University (merit badge work) was held at the VoTech. The notorious Pinewood Derby is being held this weekend at the Cumberland Mall from 10:00am to 3:00pm at Boscov’s Court. BP Camporee is our major event held in April. We hope to have a fireworks show. There is also the Memorial Day parade, and in September, a conservation project called Good Turn for America.

Art gave some ideas on how we can support the Boy Scouts not only financially, but also in other ways. We always need volunteers to host troops. You can serve on a District Committee, sub-committee, or advancement committee (serves as a board of review for Eagle Scout participants.) Merit badge counselors are needed and even a space for one of the troops to meet. By partnering with BSA, the Exchange Club in Vineland has started a CC Scout Reach Committee to help kids who cannot be involved in scouting for financial reasons. The Exchange Club is reaching out to the Hispanic community.

BSA is having its 100th anniversary. Boy Scouts was founded in England in 1908, and 1910 in the US. April kicks off the beginning of the celebration. Art closed his program with the Scout Law. He invited anyone from the meeting to stand and join him in reciting the Law if they had been involved with Boy Scouts.

Bill Dudley emphasized that the Vineland Rotary has shown their support to the BSA through the many members who have served or are serving in some capacity with BSA. Bill commended those who are still doing scouting. “My hat is off to you."

Upcoming Programs