President Mark opened the meeting at the meeting site: Holiday Inn Express of Brattleboro, VT
. Mark welcomed all to the July 16, 2026 meeting of the Brattleboro Rotary Club,www.brattlebororotaryclub.org
Invocation:
Cathy C shared “May we begin this gathering with gratitude for the opportunity to serve our communities and one another. May we be guided by wisdom on our decisions, integrity in our actions, and compassion in our service. As we work together, may we strengthen the bonds of fellowship and seek the common good for all. Amen”
Mark led the club with the Pledge of Allegiance
Marcy led the club with the Rotary motto and Four Way Test.
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?
19 Members, 0 Student Rotarians and 2 guest attended the meeting.
Guests:
Maeve Stack Jenks who works in the schools and may be interested in becoming a new member and Julian Mutter visiting from New Orleans
JOKE OF THE WEEK - For our joke or song of the week:
Mara W and Bill M led us in a rousing rendition of “America the Beautiful”
EDITOR NOTE: 2025-26 weekly assignments are posted on the club website.
Rotarians for Rotarians:
Rob Szpila is now a Grandfather
New Members:
Two New Members were inducted today: Mara Williams reminded us not to forget to sign their books.
Sarah Weiler was inducted by President Mark. She lives in West Brattleboro and is the Operations Manager at BMAC
Mike Wagner recently moved to Chesterfield after living in Arizona for 30 years. Had a career in technology sales and then spent 5 fives teaching English globally
ROTARY MINUTE
Mara W reminisced about our club’s traditions around fines. Fines were typically only 10 cents to encourage healthy teasing and 25 cents for having your picture in the paper. Mara was fined at the end of her remarks since she went over a minute.
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
Stay tuned.
On Behalf of our Club and all Rotarians, thank you for your Service Above Self
Student Rotarian updates:
Birthday greetings -
BIRTHDAY ANNOUNCEMENTS Cindy-
Tucker Kramer’s birthday is today 7/16 and Rob Szpila’s in tomorrow 7/16. Neither was in attendance, so no singing
Announcements
Stan N needs help with the next Groundworks meal on August 12
President Mark took credit for the early membership growth in his tenure (though the 4- Way Test would suggest credit might go to Immediate Past President Chris H)
President Mark is planning to update club bylaws and other process documents if people are interested in helping
Happy Dollars and Brags and Fines
Rick M – appreciated the services of Flatchuck
Mara W – reminded us that brags support our honorary Paul Harris Fellowships
Bill M – for BMH’s accurate diagnosis of his spinal ailment which explains his limp
Cathy C – for her husband Rick’s tolerance of pet sitting
Gina P – grateful for the support of all as BMH has confronted challenges, most recently the possible closure of the Birthing Center
Sarah W – she was a black belt martial arts instructor and has now returned to the sport at a new Dojo in Greenfield
ED NOTE: Weekly assignments for the invocation or motivational thought can be found on the club
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