Events

Come join this end of summer annual celebration at the Whittaker family home.  The evening starts out with Appetizers by the pool along with the Rotary Club Famed Open Bar.   Dinner starts out with Clam Chowder, followed by clams, BBQ Chicken, Salad, Sides and Dessert.   Did I mention the Bar is open all night?

The Pool will be open along with the hot tub if anyone would like to take a dip.

You don't want to miss this event.  Event is open to members and guests.

Break out the sharpies!  We will be meeting at the Kutz Family residence to join together for our annual duck marking event.  Our annual Duck Race had to be postponed due to Covid-19 and we are aligning with the annual GoFourth celebration.  We'll have casual food and socially distanced fellowship and fun.

The Pottstown Rotary Club welcomes Christa and Keith Costello.  They have been instrumental in some of the downtown investiments and revitalization efforts.  They will share with us why they picked Pottstown, more about their businesses, and their vision for the downtown.

https://ipickpottstown.com/2018/02/14/pick-pottstown-costellos/

We look forward to welcoming them to our club!

We were sad to see the GoFourth festivities were cancelled for this year, but we appreciate all the efforts of the organizers and their focus on our community's safety.  But the Duck Race must go on!  We're crafting a creative and safe approach to help keep our annual event on track.  More details to come.

Join us and spread the word to any eligible donors you know.  We will be holding a blood drive with Miller Keystone at the TriCounty Active Adult Center at 288 Moser Rd in Pottstown on September 18 from 11:00am - 4:00pm.  

This drive will be by appointment only.  You'll get in and out faster and we can maintain safe conditions for the staff and the donors. 

• Donors need to be masked for the blood drive. 
• Walk-Ins are not permitted  
• Everyone will be pre-screened for temperature and travel before they enter the donor room
• ID is required
• Donors need to arrive at their appointment time

Please make your appointment here: https://donor.giveapint.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/82032  -or- Call, email or text me with your desired appointment time and I will let you know if it is available.  Here is my information:

Brooke Martin
215-740-5206
bmartin@4ncg.com

We will be joined by Cpl. Mike Long from the Pottstown Police Department.  Cpl. Long will share about their police efforts in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, and community relations in a time of social unrest.

Mike McCarthy will give us an overview of the HANWASH - the Rotary International Service project that out club will be supporting.  

WHAT IS HANWASH?

HANWASH (Haiti National Clean Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Strategy) is a collaborative national initiative to provide thoughtfully managed and sustainable clean water and sanitation to all citizens of Haiti, along with the associated health, community and economic benefits. The initiative is led by Rotary District 7020 and DINEPA (The Haitian Government’s National Water and Sanitation Agency), along with other non-governmental organization (NGO) partners, such as Haiti Outreach and Pure Water for the World.

THE BACKGROUND

Half of Haiti’s water and sanitation infrastructure is simply not functioning. The country has been a frequent recipient of aid funding, most of which sadly only focuses on creating relief providing temporary fixes to the problems that exist rather than building the systems necessary for the country to function. The end result of “aid funding” is this: A survey of 1,096 water kiosks and 2,266 water fountains by DINEPA in 2013 showed that more than half of existing water kiosks are out of service and only 58.4% of existing water fountains inventoried are functional. Haiti Outreach in 2004, stated that over 40% of wells are non-functioning. A sustainable solution is needed for Haiti that can serve as a blueprint for other developing countries as well.

As Haiti work towards meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 6), they need partners to help build the systems that will move the country forward. This will stabilize the rapidly changing political climate in Haiti and is a significant reason why the HANWASH initiative is needed and the reason why so much time and effort has been invested in building a resilient relationship with the Haitian Government WASH agency DINEPA, along with its Directeur General and Team. Despite political changes, HANWASH’s relationship with DINEPA remains strong.

THE GOAL

The intention of HANWASH is simply to facilitate the creation of safely managed access to financially sustainable, potable water and sanitation to every household in Haiti. More specifically, by 2030, HANWASH would ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all through:

• Universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water
• Access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene
• Long term commitment and engagement of local communities to support and strengthen improvements and management

This task requires a “systems” approach, not simply creating infrastructure, but establishing a framework of accountability, responsibility and transparency that works to enroll partners and create clear lines of authority and responsibility that result in technically sound, revenue
positive, safely managed infrastructure.

Dress up in a costume and receive free beverages of your choice.  There will be prizes for the Funniest, Most Original and Best Overall costumes!  

Tonight we welcome Pam Mathias.  Pam is a Berks County Detective with the Berks County District Attorney's Office.   She is a Crime Scene Technician for Berks County Forensic Service Unit and will share with us some interesting tales about her experiences in the forensic sciences.

Join Pottstown Rotayr to Bowl for A Cause!

Please take this opportunity to help recognize our Veteran's, both in our club, and in our nation.  We take this evening to give special recognition to the sacrifices and bravery of our service men and women.

White Elephant?  Dirty Santa?  Whatever you call it, this ornament exchange is a lot of fun.  Are you naughty or nice?  Will you pick an ornament from the table or steal that one you coveted?   This is a night where your fellow Rotarians true colors come out.  Everyone should plan to bring a wrapped ornament (<$10) and to have a night of holiday fun.

Join us for Rotary Recognition Night as we highlight the efforts of Robert Thomas, a long-standing member of our club.

As you all know, the Rotary Foundation is an integral and outstanding part of Rotary International - helping to promote an improved way of life for millions around the globe every year, and on going.  You are also well aware that it takes donations from Rotarians around the world, including members of Pottstown Rotary, to help support the great work done by and through the Rotary Foundation.

Join us for this informatiove meeting where our own Lori Musson, Area 5 Rotary Foundation Coordinator for District 7430 will share a presentation with the club to highlight what The Rotary Foundation does, how funds are spent/allocated, and how and why our members should support it.