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:
President Andy Browne called the meeting to order. Dennis Palmer led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, Sherry Soutiere performed the 4 Way Test and Jay Einstein gave the invocation. Alicia Ficherawas our notetaker and Cara Stanzione was photographer. Maureen Simmons did happy dollars and there were many happy Rotarians!
Our Program
Jay Einstein introduced member Norm Neill who spoke about his life and experiences. Norm grew up in Cedarville. In 1962 after high school, he worked at Konte's Glass and joined the Air Force. One day he realized "there is a lot you can do to help people" and he wanted to do just that.
Norm was one of the driving forces behind Rowan College of South Jersey's "School Counts!" program which was founded in 2002.
The School Counts! program provides two-year Rowan College of South Jersey degrees to Cumberland County residents who earn four consecutive School Counts! certificates from participating high schools.
To earn a School Counts! certificate, students must:
have a 95% or better attendance record;
have a grade of C or higher in every course;
have completed Algebra I; and
be scheduled to graduate from high school on time.
“There are things we can do to help anyone less fortunate than us, just like Rotary does. So step up and DO IT!” – Norm Neill
There will be a School Counts Fundraiser LUAU Recognizing Norm Neill and Carl Kirstein on April 6th at Merighi’s Savoy Inn at 6:00 PM. See the poster below for complete details!
Our second speaker was Dennis Palmer who recently retired from Landis Sewage Authority. Hugh McCafferty was his sponsor for Rotary. He grew up in the Trenton area. He is a Devils and Giants fan (the crowd booooo’d). He went to NJIT in Newark for his Masters. He was always interested in the environment. "You don’t grow up dreaming of working in waste water" he said jokingly!
Dennis' interest in the environment was born through his experience in the Boy Scouts. As a scout, Dennis participated in a lot of canoe trips. There were as many on the Delaware River as possible. They circumnavigated Manhattan Island by canoe. They did the whole Delaware Raritan Canal from above Lambertville to Trenton to New Brunswick!
Dennis started his career at NJDEP then Camden County Plant, then to Vineland at LSA! He had a great board which allowed him to push the envelope in doing a lot of unique things with energy, habitat, working with students and a lot of intern programs. In which many of those individuals moved on to be professional engineers, doctors and dentists. Boy Scouts has 12 points to Scout Law. He said that Rotary is a lot like scouts, it’s about service, outreach and helping others.
Dennis retired last year, recently started his own LLC in the environmental area and has a few clients. He is staying active in a lot of associations - including Rotary, the Chamber of Commerce, a Credit Union and more.
Thank you Norm and Dennis for the glimpses you provided into your lives!
Joe O'Rourke spoke about the recent Baltimore area bridge tragedy and asked Rotarians to take a moment to reflect on that and how each of us should take a moment to think of and pray for the victims while taking this opportunity to be grateful feel blessed in our current lives. He asked us to be kind each day as Rotarians.
President Andy closed the meeting with a trivia question:
"How many countries have been to the moon?"
The answer: Five They are: USA (1966), China (2013), Soviet Union (1966), India (2023) and Japan (2024)
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The Absecon-Galloway Rotary Club has invited us to enjoy an evening of exciting fun and dinner at its “Roaring 20’s Murder
Mystery Evening”. This
fundraiser is being held at the Historic Smithville Inn.
Please join in and wear your best Speakeasy attire!
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
NEW!!! How would you like to win a trip for 4 to Disney World?
Win a trip for 4 to the Grand Floridian Hotel including airfare and park Hopper passes!
Embark on a magical journey and make a difference in the lives of others by entering our sweepstakes! Win a trip for yourself and 3 others at the enchanting Disney World, where dreams come true. We’re thrilled to offer you the chance to win round trip airfare for 4, a spectacular 5-day, 4-night getaway at the luxurious Grand Floridian Resort from August 12 to August 16, 2024, and Park Hopper Passes which grant you access to the wonders of all the parks. The winner of this sweepstakes will receive the following:
Roundtrip Airfare for 4* to Orlando, FL
4 Park Hopper Passes for August 12-16, 2024
4 Nights at The Grand Floridian for 4 People on August 12-16, 2024
* Entry Deadline: 11:59pm 4/14/2024
* Winner Selected: 10:00am 4/15/2024
Click the link below to get started! Select Rotary Club of Vineland
and your donations benefit our club!
*Flights must originate in the continental United States
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.
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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