President George Weir welcomed all to the March 22nd meeting of the Brattleboro Rotary Club held at the newly renovated American Legion in Brattleboro. Ana Saavedra offered a meaningful invocation about the need to be tolerant.
As a luncheon of corned beef, cabbage, boiled potatoes, black bean medley, salad and golden cake with chocolate frosting for dessert was being digested, the meeting continued.
Guests: Visiting Rotarian Joann Lemieux (Lebanon, NH), Olivia Saavedra, and Bill Monahan (speaker)
TRIVIA QUESTION
Which state has never sent a woman to Congress?
(answer below)
JOKE OF THE WEEK
For our Rotary joke, Chris Wocell told a version of the following:
Steve and Mark are camping when a bear suddenly comes out and growls. Steve starts putting on his tennis shoes. Mark says, “What are you doing? You can’t outrun a bear!”
Steve says, “I don’t have to outrun the bear—I just have to outrun you!”
ROTARY MINUTE
For our Rotary minute, Jenifer Ambler told us the inspirational story of a Rotarian in El Salvador who epitomizes “Service Above Self.”
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At our March 29th meeting, Greg Worden will tell a joke or sing a song while George Anthes will offer a Rotary Minute.
NOTE: Weekly assignments are posted on club website.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
03/29 – Jim Haine: Community Collaborative for Guilford
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
President George was fined for not starting the meeting on time.
President George was fined for not acknowledging Bill McKim’s 30-years of service in January.
Phil George for arriving late to meet his guest.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The following members were recognized for their years of service: Ricky Davidson (1), Rob Szpila (6), Stan Nowakowski (18) and Greg Worden (34).
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.”
Members will be asked to vote on the following change to bylaws at the March 29th club meeting:
Background – issue of needing to pay RI and District for dues without a handle on who will not be paying from the membership has led to overpayments to RI and the club absorbing the expense. The proposal below will require members pay 30 days before the RI and District due days to allow time for secretary, treasurer, membership committee to contact non-paying member and react appropriately. This approach coupled with a carefully worded letter to non-paying member stating “that membership will end but with payment,reinstatement is possible” should be very mechanical and efficient leading to less wasted money and time.
How By-law is changed: ARTICLE 16 Amendments: These bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting, a quorum being present, by a two-thirds vote of all members present, provided that notice of such proposed amendment shall have been distributed to each member at least ten (10) days before such meeting. No amendment or addition to these bylaws can be made which is not in harmony with the standard Rotary club constitution and with the constitution and bylaws of RI.
CURRENT By-law: 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 July and of January, with the understanding that a portion of each semiannual payment shall be applied to each member’s subscription to the RI official magazine.
PROPOSED 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.
Youth Services will be having a fundraiser, “Gala Dinner and Dance Show,” on April 28. For more info, click here.
BRAGS
Jeff Hagstrom – for his recent trip to Hawaii for a family gathering.
Chris Wocell – for Mother Nature delivering great snow for skiing.
Bill Vermouth – for Phil George finally showing up to have lunch with his wife.
Bill McKim – for the club putting up with him for 30 years.
Bill McKim – for Greg Worden sponsoring him as a member 30 years ago.
Carl Lynde – for Chris Wocell skiing rather than working.
Jenifer Ambler – for Mara Williams telling US Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor about Jenifer’s donation of eyeglasses for Puerto Rico. Justice Sotomayor sent a personal note to Jenifer.
Cindy Jerome – for Mara Williams new exhibit at Brattleboro Museum and Art Center.
Rhonda Calhoun – for Marty Cohn and Sandy Rouse transporting her student Rotarians during her vacation.
PROGRAM:
Jeff Hagstrom presented Bill Monahan, a registered nurse and Grace Cottage Hospital Community Health Team Outreach Coordinator, who discussed “Food Is Medicine” movement. 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 FIVE members have acknowledged this rag.
Rotary Cares, Episode 5 features Past District Governor Dennis McMann talking about Polio Plus and Brattleboro Rotary Club long-standing members Dart Everett and Phil Steckler discussing Pure Water for the World. 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....
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