President Chris opened the meeting at the meeting site: Holiday Inn Express of  Brattleboro, VT. Chris welcomed all to the July 10, 2025 meeting of the Brattleboro Rotary  www.brattlebororotaryclub.org

Invocation: 

Jenifer offered a moment of silence for those affected by the recent floods.

Chris lead the club with the Pledge of Allegiance

Rotary Motto Service Above Self

Four Way Test -

Is it the TRUTH? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

25 Members, 0 Student Rotarians and 4 guests attended the meeting.

Guests: 

Julian Mutter guest of Marcy

Steve Cummings, Speaker from Brattleboro Retreat

Christine Alvarez, Speaker from Brattleboro Retreat

Kurt White, Speaker from Brattleboro Retreat

JOKE OF THE WEEK - For our joke or song of the week: 

Stan handed out song books and the club had good intentions of singing the actual words and being on key. Stan suffered a fine for late delivery of the song books.

ED NOTE: 2023-24 weekly assignments are posted on the club website.

Rotarians for Rotarians: 

New Members:

 Rudy  - remember to sign his book.

ROTARY MINUTE

Mark Speno - spoke of the 30% decline of Rotary membership internationally and the importance of maintaining membership and bringing in new members.

Note for future presenters; The Rotary Minute could also have the speaker talk about their personal involvement in Rotary or personal background.

Years of Service in our Club for March:

On Behalf of our Club and all Rotarians, thank you for your Service Above Self

Student Rotarian updates:

Birthday greetings -

BIRTHDAY ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM RUBEN -

Mark Speno - youngest daughter is now a High School graduate going to U of Delaware in the fall. Now two daughters in college.

Ted Kramer - had a great Friday birthday, played on his long time softball team then joined his boys at the 99.

Tami Purcell - missed the fine birthday singing, wish her a happy birthday.

George Weir - happy to have worked thru his 80th year, thankful for family and community.

Announcements

 Mike M –Wheels Sept 27 at Park Place.

Annual Disc Golf Tournament October 4th and 5th.

Mara announced that there are 2 garden beds needed to clean out by Adam Palmiter.  We need 2 crews of 4.  Mara is looking for volunteers for this Saturday morning.

Stan reviewed another successful Ground Works dinner by our club volunteers

Happy Dollars and Brags and Fines

Chris fined her self for taking a number of items from Ramuntos that belonged to the morning club. Reciting a long chain of emails that involved Rhonda and Rob the end result is the morning club items will be returned and Chris offered a humorous apology to the morning club.

Mark fined Tom Franks for apparently promising Mark a hole in one with a $20 payment at the golf tournament - it appears the hole in one did not happen. Mark related the incident to the four way test. Tom made the club richer to settle the fine.

Tom fined himself for announcing a petition to further the Australian ballot in Brattleboro.

Marcy bragged $50 for his 50th wedding anniversary and trip.

Mike reluctantly bragged in some manner about Bill V threatening him for silent auction payment. The treasurer says Mike is all paid in full.

Bill M - bragged he and another driver are alive after a driver with a medical episode ran into his car.

Bill V - happy dollars for the club presenting a Paul Harris award to him, all the help in from the club in the silent auction particularly with making early bids, completing his first triathlon. 

Rhonda - happy dollar for near miss of an eagle in front of her while driving her car.