President Andy Browne, sporting a green sweater from Ireland (a gift from his mother) called the meeting to order. Sandy Hearing led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, Ed Morvay performed the 4 Way Test and Jay Einstein gave the invocation. Linda Rumick was our notetaker.
Our luncheon menu continued the March Irish theme featuring Corned Beef sandwiches and Sheppard's Pie.
Announcements
Maureen Simmons did happy dollars! President Andy started things off - explaining that he was $10 happy - followed by a number of happy members who accepted the challenge to match the $10 donation! Then, a number of members decided to DOUBLE Andy's $10 - offering $20 in Happy Dollars, Happy members included: Dennis Palmer, Joe O'Rourke, Eileen Duffy, Melody Montgomery, Karen Bauman, Diane Alcantara, Ed Morvay and Jay Einstein.
Sandy Hearing, the last recipient of Rotary's Helping Hand award, presented the newest recipient with the award. Here's what Sandy had to say: "The time has come for the Helping HANDs award to change HANDs. When I think of the person who will be receiving this recognition it is evident that this Rotarian epitomizes “Service above Self”. While missing only a HANDful of events or meetings, to the HANDcrafted holiday decorations made with loving HANDs, this club member is always on HAND. I’m confident that this Rotarian can HANDle the responsibility of caring for this prized appendage. As I HAND over the Helping HAND award, let’s put our HANDs together and give a round of applause for EILEEN DUFFY!!
Ed Morvay presented years of service pins on behalf of the Membership Committee to two Rotarians. Dennis Palmer received his 20 year pin while Sandy Hearing received her 5 year pin. Congratulations on your years of Service Above Self Sandy and Dennis.
Sherry Soutiere let us know that we will be collecting items for Spirit and Truth. Please bring items to our March luncheon meetings. Needed items include: instant coffee, iced tea mix, instant creamer and sugar.
Reminder: Frank Rumick and Linda Rumick will be presenting a session on District Grants at the Rotary District Assembly at the Burlington County Institute of Technology (BCIT) on Saturday, April 20th starting at 8 am. Two members of our club must attend so that we qualify to apply for a district grant. Please let Frank or President Andy know if you are interested in attending.
Our Program
We had two speakers at our luncheon meeting. First, we were joined by Lauren Brassil, Recruiter for Rowan College of South Jersey. Lauren reviewed a number of the exceptional programs available to students and employers through the college. Through grant programs, RCSJ offers professional development classes that are free to the employer and the employee. There are many different classes at both the Cumberland and Gloucester campuses. There are also a number of discounted tuition offerings provided for employees. Members were interested to hear about internships and career planning programs. These start in a students second year and matches the student with employers in their field of study for paid internships.The college also provides a venue for employers to upload job postings and descriptions to find matches with current students and graduates. Visit the RCSJ website (click here: https://www.rcsj.edu/courses/cumberland) and navigate to the tab labeled "Career Training" for more information about these innvovative programs.
Our second speaker was Ben Kutner of Kutner Landscaping, Ben entertained us with an in-depth history of
landscaping, dating back to ancient Babylon. His talk also focused on the benefits of landscaping to our health and the environment. Walking outdoors and breathing in fresh air can help reduce stress and lead to overall relaxation. Proper landscaping can provide home energy savings and can also increase a home's resale value by approximately $7,100. Ben suggests taking time to "smell the roses" which can actually be very therapeutic and when stressed, "take off your shoes and walk barefoot in the grass" for a few minutes to greatly reduce stress.
Thank you Lauren and Ben for two very interesting talks!
Linda Rumick and JosieSpinelli reminded everyone that our FIRST GOLF OUTINGwill be at White Oaks on Wednesday, May 15, 2024.
Josie noted that a number of sponsorship donations have already been made -- but we need many more! Some of our sponsors include Ryan and Bob Middleton, owners of Larry's II who have offered a major sponsorship - $2,000! Thank you MIddletons! Also, last week's guest speaker, John Ruga who contributed $1,000. Additionally, contributions have been made by Sherry Soutiere, Don Daigle and Jay Einstein.
Guests at the outing will include former Philadelphia Eagles' players Irving Fryar and Barrett Brooks.More information will be presented soon but make sure you mark your calendars for the golf outing (we will need volunteers and players) and invite golfers you know to save the date as well!
Stay tuned -- there are some very exciting additions to outing prizes that will be announced this week!
Click the button below to view more information (including the sponsorship and golfer registration form) about our golf outing:
Sandy Hearing, Director of Youth Services, reports that Ryla opportunities are available. TIME SENSITIVE INFORMATION: Are there any Rotarians who have a family member (son, daughter, grandchild, niece, nephew or even a good friend) who will be entering his/her senior year of high school this September? Do you think they may be interested in attending the RYLA conference to be held June 23rd to June 27th? If so, contact Sandy Hearing at sandykh@comcast.com for an application to attend. The student MUST be a senior in high school as of September 2024. The MUST commit to being in attendance the entire time at Stockton University from Sunday, June 23 to Thursday, June 27. Your application MUST be returned to Sandy NO LATER than April 1st. Filling out the application does NOT mean immediate approval. You will be notified by Sandy Hearing in early April if you have been accepted to attend RYLA 2024.
There is NO cost to for the student to attend the conference.
Don't miss this opportunity to honor our own Norm Neill who is being recognized April 6th for his long-time leadership with SCHOOL Counts at RCSJ!!!
Get Well Wishes
Member Jay Parks is currently a patient at Big Oak Rehab in Elmer. Please keep Jay in your thoughts and prayers. Get well wishes can be sent to Jay and wife Carol at:
Jay and Carol Parks, 1383 McMahon Drive, Vineland NJ 08361
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SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATIONS NOW FOR THE 2023-2024 ANNUAL DISTRICT
VOCATIONAL SERVICE AWARD
Nominate a worthy Rotarian for this prestigious award.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: APRIL 2, 2024
The award will be announced and presented by our District Governor at the upcoming annual District Conference on Saturday, May 4, 2024, to a Rotarian who through projects or actions in the past two Rotary years (2022-2024) has best exemplified the Rotary precepts of Vocational Service.
A worthy nominee could be someone who:
Mentors others, especially younger people or those in need
Helps train or teach skills that are useful to the individual, to the community, or to society generally.
Donates time and skills in his/her field to help serve those in need.
Designs, manages or is actively involved in service projects that further education or training or any project that in an innovative and sustainable way puts members’ vocational or professional skills to use in a way that shares and promotes them in others.
gift from his mother) 
time has come for the Helping HANDs award to change HANDs. When I think of the person who will be receiving this recognition it is evident that this Rotarian epitomizes “Service above Self”. While missing only a HANDful of events or meetings, to the HANDcrafted holiday decorations made with loving HANDs, this club member is always on HAND. I’m confident that this Rotarian can HANDle the responsibility of caring for this prized appendage. As I HAND over the Helping HAND award, let’s put our HANDs together and give a round of applause for EILEEN DUFFY!!
wed a number of the exceptional programs available to students and employers through the college. Through grant programs, RCSJ offers professional development classes that are free to the employer and the employee. There are many different classes at both the Cumberland and Gloucester campuses. There are also a number of discounted tuition offerings provided for employees. Members were interested to hear about internships and career planning programs. These start in a students second year and matches the student with employers in their field of study for paid internships.The college also provides a venue for employers to upload job postings and descriptions to find matches with current students and graduates. Visit the RCSJ website (click here: 
caping, dating back to ancient Babylon. His talk also focused on the benefits of landscaping to our health and the environment. Walking outdoors and breathing in fresh air can help reduce stress and lead to overall relaxation. Proper landscaping can provide home energy savings and can also increase a home's resale value by approximately $7,100. Ben suggests taking time to "smell the roses" which can actually be very therapeutic and when stressed, "take off your shoes and walk barefoot in the grass" for a few minutes to greatly reduce stress.
include former Philadelphia Eagles' players Irving Fryar and Barrett Brooks.More information will be presented soon but make sure you mark your calendars for the golf outing (we will need volunteers and players) and invite golfers you know to save the date as well! 
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