President Adam Manning welcomed everyone to the Centerville Rotary Club and led reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Brian Hayes provided the prayer.
Today’s quote provided by Don Overly: “Every day may not be good...but there is something good in every day." Alice Morse Earl, author
Thanks to today’s greeters: Mark Febus & Socks Bowersocks.
Tyler Roark had his red ribbon removed as he has completed all requirements for new members. Congratulations, Tyler!
Today’s announcements:
- Thanks to Lee for driving the fire truck in the Americana parade. Lee, Bev, Raj, Mike Weir, Brad Huffman, with his niece & nephew, and Adam had a great time spraying water on the parade watchers.
- Rotary Women Connect meets at 5:30 pm tonight
- There are ten Rotarians with July birthdays (see list on the right)! Happy Birthday was sung to them all.
- The Board determined this quarter’s Happy Bucks will go toward Disaster Relief from the Texas flooding through Rotary District 5840 in Texas.
- Welcome today’s guests: Jeff's guest, Laticia Taylor, visiting Rotarian (Dayton); Arnie’s son, Peter; Jackie’s guest Alice Mfungo, and intern at Bethany; Carol’s granddaughter, Kaycee; Ron Tringali, future member.
Arnie Biondo shared a video of former exchange student, Saloni Bagwani, who talked about her exchange year in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Rotary Exchange program.
You can watch the video
HERE.
Kelly announced the next Public Image Ad hoc committee will meet via zoom on July 31, 5:30 pm. Let him know if you would like to become involved and he will send the invite.
Happy Bucks this quarter will go to Disaster Relief for those affected by the recent flooding in Texas. Rotary District 5840 will distribute the funds.
Pat Beckel was our Sergeant at Arms with help from Brian Hayes.
Happy Bucks were generously given for:
- Pat B for the hard work of the Americana Festival committee, everything went really well. Next year America is celebrating 250 years as a country so the festival will be bigger and better. Don’t forget the concert series all summer at Stubbs Park and the Freedom Whiskey event Thursday, July 31 will be at Benham’s Grove and the proceeds will be used to improve the quality of life for local disabled Veterans.
- Pat T’s daughter will be coming home as she’s getting married next month.
- Tyler R is heading to South Carolina for a family vacation with 17 of them!
- Mark F was happy.
- Arnie B. shared that Saloni calls them on every holiday, anniversary, birthday, etc. Her exchange experience was really impactful.
- Jeff S was happy Leticia was visiting today; this weekend, they are headed to a lake near Columbus with kids ages 3-14 age. Activities include throwing knives/hatchets, BB guns, etc., so he hopes to bring everyone back alive.
- Chuck K gave prayers for the people in Texas.
- Ron H talked about Boyd attending Kaycee’s dance recital, but that Kaycee was unable to teach Boyd how to dance :-)
- Crissy A for Texas.
- Lee H. Shared a banner for the County Fair chicken champion.
- Don S for Texas.
- Harvey S for Texas.
- Elda GG for Texas.
- Bob D for Rotarians.
- Ron T for Texas.
- Raj in honor of Lee’s wife, who commiserated with us that we also have to put up with Lee.
- Adam M was happy.
- Kaycee K for her birthday in 2 weeks.
- Carol K for Kaycee being at Rotary and spending the night with her all week while she’s at dance camp.
- Sivaji S was enjoying the week.
- Socks B was blessed to live in this part of country, and prayers for the people in Texas.
- Jackie D for Texas and guests today.
Our guest speaker today was Monnie Busch with the Victory Project.
Kim Cooper, Volunteer coordinator also here
Monnie shared a video that provides an overview of the program. You can view it
HERE.
Those who graduate from the program are kept off streets, and create a better path for life. They are not forced to change, but make a decision to become part of a productive society. The program focuses on:
Education
Entrepreneurship
Enlightenment
They get to know the boys and identify their talents to help them find a positive path. They come voluntarily to the program instead of spending time on the streets. Streets are always open so their facilities is also open 6 days/week including holidays. Family has to be part of the process, and potential candidates are Interviewed by current students.
Monnie said when he was young, jobs were within a bike ride away, but now it’s miles, so transportation to work is an issue for young adults. Guys that come into the program want to work.
The goals for the students include: good grades, consistent participation, and good behavior. The reward is they get to go to work.
Their key focus is: Work ethic development.
Having a job opens up financial education and money management. The program works to break generational poverty. “It’s less about what we do and more about what we undo.”
They currently have two campuses. Program includes bible study, Overall Gentleman (OG) class, Hygiene, learn how to tie a tie, change a tire, how to treat a woman on a date, etc. The Citizenship Now class content was taken from the requirements for the citizenship test. Most of them after receiving their first paycheck say, “I’m going to do something for my mom.”
How to help
- Tell people about it. Podcast, YouTube channel
- Visit campuses
- Volunteer, bring a meal
- Tutoring
- Drive kids to job sites
- Chaperone
- Share expertise- career exploration
He starts the interview with potential students by reminding them government services tell you where to live, what to eat and how much money you can make. The work helps to get them out of social services.
Students are 12-18 year olds and they are working to open a girls campus.
For more information, visit the website: https://victoryproject.org/
President Manning thanked everyone, lead reciting of the 4-Way Test and wished all a great week.
