President George Weir welcomed all to the March 29th meeting of the Brattleboro Rotary Club held at the newly renovated American Legion in Brattleboro. Phil George offered a meaningful invocation by reciting “A Light Exists In Spring” - by Emily Dickinson:
A light exists in spring
Not present on the year
At any other period.
When March is scarcely here
A color stands abroad
On solitary hills
That science cannot overtake,
But human nature feels.
It waits upon the lawn;
It shows the furthest tree
Upon the furthest slope we know;
It almost speaks to me.
Then, as horizons step,
Or noons report away,
Without the formula of sound,
It passes, and we stay:
A quality of loss
Affecting our content,
As trade had suddenly encroached
Upon a sacrament.
As a luncheon of chicken, curried potatoes, broccoli/cauliflower medley, tofu, salad and chocolate chip cookies for dessert was being digested, the meeting continued.
Guests: Elly Majomen (speaker)
TRIVIA QUESTION
Women were admitted as Rotarians in 1987. Who was the first woman elected president of Rotary International?
(answer below)
JOKE OF THE WEEK
For our Rotary joke, Greg Worden told a version of the following:
Morris and his wife Esther went to the state fair every year, and every year Morris would say, "Esther, I'd like to ride in that helicopter".
Esther always replied, "I know Morris, but that helicopter ride is 50 dollars -- and 50 dollars is 50 dollars".
One year Esther and Morris went to the fair, and Morris said, "Esther, I'm 85 years old. If I don't ride that helicopter, I might never get another chance."
Esther replied, "Morris that helicopter is 50 dollars -- and 50 dollars is 50 dollars".
The pilot overheard the couple and said, "Folks I'll make you a deal. I'll take the both of you for a ride. If you can stay quiet for the entire ride and not say a word I won't charge you! But if you say one word, it's 50 dollars."
Morris and Esther agreed and up they went. The pilot did all kinds of fancy maneuvers, but not a word was heard. He did his daredevil tricks over and over again, but still not a word. When they landed, the pilot turned to Morris and said, "By golly, I did everything I could to get you to yell out, but you didn't. I'm impressed!"
Morris replied, "Well, to tell you the truth, I almost said something when Esther fell out, but you know -- 50 dollars is 50 dollars."
ROTARY MINUTE
For our Rotary minute, President George Weir asked Marty Cohn to tell us why he joined Rotary. Marty acknowledged Greg Worden, his sponsor, who told him about the many good works of Rotary. The motto, “Service Above Self”, resonated as did the fellowship of the club.
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At our April 5th meeting, Roger Allbee will tell a joke or sing a song while Bill Bedard will offer a Rotary Minute.
NOTE: Weekly assignments are posted on club website.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
04/05 – Adam Grinold: Brattleboro Development Credit Corp.
04/12 – Meg Donahue: Plant-based Diets
04/19 – Club Assembly
04/26 – Wendy Harrison: Southeast Vermont Transit
NOTE: 2017-18 Weekly assignments (program, joke, and Rotary minute) are posted on club’s website.
FINES
NONE ;-(
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The following members were recognized for their years of service: Wendy Harrison (1), Gina Pattison (2), Steve Gordon (7) and Sandy Rouse (16).
There will be a meeting of Rotarians for Rotarians Committee following today’s club meeting
The next (and last) Seasonal Overflow Shelter meal will be on April 3. If you can help, contact Stan Nowakowski.
Reminder, you only have one more week to introduce yourself to our newest member, Lisa Mendelsund to avoid the “walk the shame.”
A vote was passed to approve the slate of officers for District Rotary.
Members voted in the affirmative to following bylaw change:
PASSED change to by-law (proposed changes underlined): ARTICLE 6 Fees and Dues - Section 2 – The membership dues shall be determined by the board and shall not be less than $140.00 per annum, payable at least semiannually on the first day of June and of December, with the understanding that a portion of each semiannual payment shall be applied to each member’s subscription to the RI official magazine. Bills for membership dues will be issued 30 days before their due date.
A team is being put together for Youth Services’ “Bowl for Kids Sake Benefit” on April 4. If you can participate or donate, contact Rob Szpila. For more info, click here.
Sunrise Rotary will be meeting next week at Boys and Girls Club.
Cheri Ann Brodhurst brought a New Orleans Rotary Club banner.
Brattleboro Rotary Club tee shirts have arrived and are being distributed.
BRAGS
Bill Vermouth – for Marty Cohn’s production of the club newsletter.
George Weir – for Red Sox opening day.
Jeremy Coleman – for his daughter-in-law being named a professor at SUNY Plattsburgh.
Jeremy Coleman – for his grandson having a sister.
Jenifer Ambler – for Rob Szpila organizing a team for “Bowl for Kids Sake Benefit.”
George Weir – for Milt Gilmore being recognized by Winter Carnival for Sugar on Snow.
PROGRAM:
Jim Haine presented Elly Majomen who told us about the Community Collaborative for Guilford, a nonprofit community organization based in Guilford with the goal to support the creation of a community center in Guilford. For more info, click here.
REMINDERS
Bottles and cans can be brought to Putney Road redemption center to benefit Pure Water for the World. To date, we have collected $300 towards our goal of $500. Please see Mara Williams.
If you like this newsletter, brag at next Club meeting. So far only SIX members have acknowledged this rag.
On episode 6 of Rotary Cares, Brattleboro Rotary Club past president Marty Cohn discusses membership with long-standing Rotarian Turner Lewis and Brattleboro Sunrise Rotary Club’s newest (and youngest) member, Bethany Martin. Produced at the studio of Brattleboro Community Television. To view the show, click here.
This bulletin was respectfully submitted by Past President Martin Cohn who attempts to give a gist of the meeting. However, it is always better to attend. If you have any complaints about the contents of this bulletin....
ANSWER TO TRIVIA QUESTION
Trick question… no woman has been elected president of Rotary International.
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