Those who need child care are having a difficult time finding it.
Child care and transportation are the two biggest barriers to employment according to Job and Family Services. Rachael Reeder, Jessie Doyle and Joe Patton told us Monday that Job & Family Services' career consultants work with anyone seeking employment to make sure they have reliable daycare prior to being referred to employers. JFS also works with child care providers to help them through the state licensing process and comply with Ohio's Step Up To Quality standards. Reeder says complying with Step Up To Quality has been a challenge for many providers and who find that it is cost-prohibitive. As a result, many Allen County child care providers have closed their doors. Then COVID hit. The number of children allowed in day care centers was reduced and with children not in school, there was a rush for the few slots available. Many day care centers gave those slots to parents who were working full time, causing many parents who work part time to have to quit their jobs. "We have thousands of local working parents needing child care. Parents are now absent to work. They're losing that vital income that's coming into their household and if they don't have income they're not spending it here in Allen County, boosting our economy. That's also costing our employers a lot of money. You guys are now forced with the increased cost of doing more trainings and the turnover rates with the parents and hiring staff."
To help day care providers cope with the challenges, Job & Family Services is offering them hands-on assistance, including $500 vouchers to help purchase materials, assistance complying with state mandates, training classes, and more.
We made it through 2020 and that calls for a celebration! Join the Lima Rotary Club at The Met for wine and great fellowship on January 21 from 5:30-7:30. Let Demi know if you can attend so we can plan the proper distancing precautions.
The Bath High School Interact Club is looking for service projects.
Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, many of our usual projects have been postponed or cancelled. We are asking Lima Rotary Club members to suggest projects for our club which would allow us to meet safety and health guidelines.
The criteria should include:
Projects which could be completed by a small group or multiple small groups in separate areas.
Social distancing of 6 feet could be implemented by our club members.
Masks would be worn.
The project should fall into the category of Community Service.
If you have any ideas or suggestions, contact Joe Kitchen or Missy Vandemark. Keep in mind that our students are ages 14-18.
Vocational Service: a pillar of service above self.
By Rotary Service and Engagement staff
Vocational service is at the core of Rotary, embedded in its history, present and future. It calls on us to foster high ethical standards in business, recognize the value of all occupations, and dignify our occupations as an opportunity to serve our communities. By including men and women from diverse professions and backgrounds, Rotary recognizes the importance of all skills and occupations and encourages our members to leverage their skills and expertise to enhance communities.
This January, Rotary’s Vocational Service Month, we are challenging every Rotary member to put their vocational service in action by:
using your skills and expertise to serve a community.
mentoring young people to help achieve their career goals.
offering leadership and professional development guidance to others.
practicing your profession with integrity and inspiring others to do so.
Here are some examples of how to put your vocational service in action:
Join a Rotary Action Group to share your expertise and make a difference in projects outside your club or district. These global, independent Rotary-affiliated groups are comprised of members with expertise and experience in a particular area of specialization. They use their knowledge and global network to help clubs and districts plan and carry out impactful service projects. If your professional background and/or expertise fits one of the current 26 Action Groups, contact the group’s leaders using our directory (My Rotary login is required to view).
Join or form a Rotary Fellowship related to your vocation. Rotary Fellowships are international groups whose members share a vocational or recreational interest. There are many vocationally-oriented fellowships such as: Health Professionals, Executive Managers, Lawyers, Editors and Publishers, Photographers, Police and Law Enforcement. There are also Fellowships for those who are passionate about Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility.
Share your expertise through your district resource network. If you have expertise in one of Rotary’s areas of focus or with project planning and implementation, community assessment, measurement and evaluation, or other important aspects of large scale projects grants, let your district international service chair know. Lend your skills to local clubs and help develop more impactful projects.
Mentor young professionals. Younger members of the Rotary family such as Rotaract, Interact and Rotary Community Cops members are interested in leadership and professional development training opportunities. Share your knowledge with young people in your community. Mentor them to achieve their career goals. Encourage your club to organize business networking and professional development events and conduct leadership training workshops.
Volunteer on a service project using your vocational skills or support a project that offers vocational training. Visit Rotary Showcase to review projects from around the world for inspirational ideas and/or projects in progress to support. You may find vocational service related projects using the keyword search function.
Join TRF’s Cadre of Technical Advisors The Rotary Foundation Cadre of Technical Advisers is a group of volunteer Rotarians who provide technical expertise and advice to Rotarians planning and carrying out Rotary grant projects around the world. Cadre members review, monitor, and evaluate projects and ensure grant funds are being used properly. Apply online to be considered for the Cadre.
Review The Vocational Service in Action handbook for more guidance to practice vocational service in your Rotary, personal and profession life and share it with your club.
As we approach the end of 2020, we’re taking a look back. Here are this year’s top five posts (based on number of views) from Rotary Service in Action:
5. In May, Juliana Corredor González, member of the Rotary E-Club of Latin America, shared how her club pivoted to support young leaders through a virtual RYLA during this unprecedented year of changes.
4. In March, we highlighted different grant options to address COVID-19 Rotary clubs can use to find ways to help care and protect people in their own communities and others around the world.
3. In June, we celebrated Rotary Fellowships month. Lisa Cook, RI staff who supports Rotary Fellowships, shared four reasons to join or start a Rotary Fellowship and build community through shared professions, hobbies, and identities.
2. In April, Ron Denham, Chair Emeritus of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Rotary Action Group, emphasized the important role of water in the fight against COVID-19 and encouraged Rotary clubs to collaborate with health facility administrators and local officials to increase access to soap, water and sanitation to reduce the spread of the virus.
1. In May, Flordeliza Castro Ampatuan, District 3820 Community Service Chair and Assistant Regional Public Image Coordinator for Zone 10B, Philippines, shared how Rotary clubs addressed the shortfall of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the Philippine’s for frontline workers during the COVID-19 crisis.
During this unprecedented year, we are so grateful for our resilient global Rotary family. Your commitment to service and to Rotary inspires us to do better and to do more. As we bid farewell to 2020 and look to a brighter 2021, we wish you and your loved ones a healthy year ahead.
