RI President Mark Maloney’s 2019 – 2020 Theme:
Rotary Connects the World!
Newberg Noon Rotary Club is doing its part!
Thanks to Mike Caruso’s Zoom account, many of us were able to meet “electronically” and maintain our “social distancing”, too. Thanks to Paula for the meeting’s report and Auggie for the Photos. Newberg Noon Rotary’s own Shannon Buckmaster was our presenter discussing the latest information vis-a-vis the effect[s] of the COVID-19 “shutdown” on local businesses. Her words to follow shortly.
Rotary Club of Newberg Zoom Meeting
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Call to Order
President Corey Zielsdorf welcomed Rotarians and Friends of Rotary to the Zoom meeting at 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, 2020.
Rotarians and Friends of Rotary
Zoom meeting participants: Todd, Dale, Corey, Walter, Julie, Shannon B., Shannon K., Kim, Denise, Mike, Judy, Laura, Joe, Gary Stewart, Gene, Curt, Stan, Jim, Paula, Tony, Karen, Marge, Auggie, Matt, Paul, Kathie, Om, Geoff,
Flag Salute
Todd led participants in the Flag Salute.
Rotary Moments
Laura received an invitation via Zoom to participate in the Rotary Club of Kathmandu’s meeting. Because U.S. time was 4:00 a.m. Laura declined the invitation. Peace Fellow Erin Thomas made a presentation to the Kathmandu Rotary Board. To date, Laura has received Rotary Club contributions of $31,700 for the Kathmandu Peace Project with a need to raise the remaining $3,300.
Rotary News
Julie—attended a Zoom Rota-Dent meeting Friday. Julie reports that Rota-Dent is currently inactive as are other non-profits due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Missionary dental work trips have been cancelled due to coronavirus. To date, Rota-Dent has sold only five (5) or six (6) portable dental units.
Using reserves, Rota-Dent will split $70,000 among the Rotary Club of Newberg, The Rotary Club of Newberg Early Birds and the Rotary Club of Salzberg, Austria. Julie anticipates that our club’s Foundation will receive an estimated $30,000 from Rota-Dent.
Funding of Scholarships
Auggie reports our Club’s Foundation Board has a strong desire to fund scholarships. The Foundation is committed to the same funding level as 2019-2020. A new $1,000 Rotary Scholarship will be awarded to a Dayton High School senior this year.
Auggie gave a “shout out” to Country Financial, and fellow Rotarian and Country Financial Representative Matt Stephens, who recently reached out to provide lunch to Newberg healthcare workers.
Todd: Robin and Danny of Social Goods brought lunch to Friendsview staff. Todd announced that fellow Rotarian Dale Welcome recently joined the Board of Directors at Friendsview. Friendsview is hiring and Is specifically seeking caregivers.
Next Week’s Program
President Corey Zielsdorf announced that David Carroll of Scout Troop 265 will give an update on the Scouts of America. The Rotary Club of Newberg sponsors Newberg Troop 265.
Today’s Program
Shannon Buckmaster, Rotarian and CEO of the Chehalem Valley Chamber of Commerce, provided a snapshot as to the status of our local community in this COVID-19 environment.
“One of the challenges in working on economic development is that federal, state and local initiatives change on a daily basis. The major thing we are working on is re-opening Oregon on a sector basis.”
Last week, Oregonians could access dental, mammography, colonoscopies etc. Clinics are reaching out to patients to schedule procedures.
Reopening Oregon has three phases.
Counties approved for Phase 1 must meet the following prerequisites:
- Show a decline in COVID-19 or had fewer than 5 hospitalizations.
- Have sufficient COVID-19 testing and contact tracing capability.
- Establish plans for the isolation and quarantine of new cases.
- Have the hospital capacity to handle any surge in COVID-19 cases.
- Have enough Personal Protective Equipment for health care workers.
Moving into Phase 1: restrictions will be eased for:
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Restaurants and bars for sit-down service: Requirements include 6 feet of social distancing; a limit of groups to parties of 10 or fewer; food and drink consumption must end by 10 p.m. Workers are required to wear masks.
- Barbers, salons and massage businesses: Requirements include social distancing; appointment-only; Personal Protective Equipment and customer list.
- Gyms and fitness centers: Requirements include a maximum gathering limit; social distancing; and sanitation.
- In-person gatherings: Up to 25 people and no travel.
Even as restrictions are eased, social distancing will continue.
Counties approved for Phase 1 must remain in that phase for a minimum of 21 days before they’re eligible to begin Phase 2.
If any counties, once they’ve entered Phase 1, begin to show significant increases in COVID-19 cases or community spread, the county may have to move from Phase 1 back to a “stay-at-home” order.
Phase 3 focuses on large gatherings. Phase 3 will not begin until reliable treatment or prevention of COVID-19 is widely available.
Independent from county by county Phase 1 re-openings, beginning May 15, restrictions will be eased for child care facilities and other retail businesses across the state.
Child care facilities will be allowed to expand operations. Some summer schools, camps and youth programs will be able to resume. There will be limitations and specific requirements, including social distancing procedures.
Look for retail opportunities opening May 16th, small businesses not in malls, may reopen state-wide on May 15th. Retail is no longer limited to big box stores.
There is no executive order to wear masks. Businesses will post signs if masks are required. Oregonians are encouraged to wear masks as a courtesy to neighbors and merchants.
The reopening process is done regionally by county and is dependent on healthcare zones. Newberg is in Zone 2. The state will determine how well Yamhill County is prepared to open. Yamhill County recently submitted an application to the state which was approved.
Under Phase 1 we should also see:
Restaurants, tasting rooms, childcare, gyms and dance studios expect to open Friday with no draft guidance to assist with re-opening.
Yamhill County is in a difficult situation. Oregon counties will open up at different rates dependent on the county meeting state guidelines. Rural counties will open ahead of denser metro areas. Yamhill County is bordered by Washington and Multnomah counties and is close to Marion county.
Currently, there are not many details about Phase 2. Phase 2 may include transit, possibly leisure and lodging opportunities. It is likely we won’t enter Phase 3 until the end of September or later dependent on a vaccination.
Phase 3 may be as close to opening as normal. The “new normal” for many people is to wear masks in public regardless of whether or not one is ill.
The New COVID Normal Compared to the United States post 911
Shannon visited with her daughter about the anticipated COVID-19 “new normal’ drawing a parallel to life before and after September 11, 2001. Prior to 911, one could accompany a family member to the airport passenger departure gate. Following 911 we adopted a new way of operating with increased security
CARES ACT and the Payroll Protection Plan (PPP)
The Payroll Protection Program (PPP) established by the CARES Act, is implemented by the Small Business Administration with support from the Department of the Treasury. This program provides small businesses with funds to pay up to eight (8) weeks of payroll costs including benefits. Funds can also be used to pay interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities.
Businesses receiving PPP funds to offset payroll costs have eight weeks to spend the funds and agree to restore 75% of payroll or the workforce.
Fourth Stimulus Package
The fourth stimulus package was read and passed in the U.S. House of Representatives. Because the package is viewed as partisan, there is a good chance it may not pass the Senate.
Hospitality is the hardest hit sector in Oregon. Some workers are making more money staying home, than the amount they received as an hourly wage. Some workers do not feel safe returning to work.
Oregon State-Wide Grant
Business Oregon released a state-wide grant for support. Is it more strategic for the City of Newberg to apply? The city is trying to determine the best way to approach the grant.
Strategic Economic Development Corporation (SEDCOR)
The Chehalem Valley Chamber of Commerce is working with the Strategoc Economic Development Corporation (SEDCOR) as our community does not have a full-time Economic Development Coordinator.
TERRIFIC PRESENTATION, SHANNON!
5/14/2020….Our Rotary Board of Directors met this morning regarding a number of issues. One item the Board discussed was how to credit Rotarians for meals paid in advance. All “in person” Rotary Club meetings were cancelled effective Wednesday, March 18, 2020. Vicki Baker, accountant with Want, Emery CPA, suggests we “credit” Rotarians for meals paid but not served. Our Rotary Board of Directors is in agreement with Vicki’s recommendation. Therefore, effective with the 2020-2021 Rotary Year, Vicki will apply meal credit to your account if you paid in advance for meals. Meal credits begin once we return to “in person” Rotary Club meetings. Please let us know if you have questions. Thank you.
In these “trying times”, what a fantastic set of guidelines are found in Rotary’s Four-Way Test of the things we think say and do….The test is one of the hallmarks of Rotary. Since it was developed in 1932 by Herbert J. Taylor, who later became RI president, it has never ceased to be relevant. Its four brief questions are not based on culture or religion. Instead, they are a simple checklist for ethical behavior. They transcend generations and national borders.
First – Is it the TRUTH?
Second – Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Third – Will it BUILD GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
Fourth – Is it BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Respectfully submitted by Rick Kaufman, Newsletter Editor…with a few extra thoughts…wisdom…& some trivia.
Q. What do bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers and laser printers have in common? A. All were invented By women.
Q. What is the only food that doesn’t spoil? A. Honey
In Shakespeare’s time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes. When you pulled on the ropes, the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase …’Goodnight , sleep tight’
