President George Weir welcomed all to the January 18th meeting of the Brattleboro Rotary Club held at the American Legion in Brattleboro. Phil George offered the following invocation:
With our friends beside us,
And no person beneath us,
With the bonds of Rotary Between us,
And our worries behind us,
With our goals before us,
And no task beyond us,
With a thirst for knowledge,
And a dream of a Polio free world,
We are thankful for our Rotary friends
and the meal we are about to share.
This was followed by the pledge of allegiance. Birthday greetings were extended to Chris Wocell.
As a luncheon of baked chicken, vegan Mexican dish, rice, cooked carrots, salad, rolls and cookies for dessert was being digested, the meeting continued.
Guests: Connie Snow, Deb Zack, and Greg Sukiennik (speaker)
TRIVIA QUESTION
How many Rotary districts are there worldwide?
HINT: There are more than 32,000 clubs worldwide.
(answer below)
JOKE OF THE WEEK
For our Rotary joke, Marty Cohn told the following:
An old man went to the Doctor complaining that his wife could barely hear. The Doctor suggested a test to find out the extent of the problem. “Stand far behind her and ask her a question, and then slowly move up and see how far away you are when she first responds.” The old man excited to finally be working on a solution for the problem, runs home and sees his wife preparing supper. ” Honey” the man asks standing around 20 feet away “what’s for supper?” After receiving no response he tried it again 15 feet away, and again no response. Then again at 10 feet away and again no response. Finally he was 5 feet away “honey what’s for supper?” She replies “For the fourth time it’s lasagna!”
ROTARY MINUTE
For our Rotary minute, Rob Szpila called on Roger Miller to recount his travel experience with the club’s international project, Pure Water for the World. Roger told us about how he had to overcome his fear of heights by crossing a swinging bridge in Honduras. Roger noted how proud he was in seeing the good work of the club develop.
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At our February 1st meeting, Phil Steckler will tell a joke or lead us in song, while Jerry Theberge delivers a Rotary Minute.
NOTE: Weekly assignments are posted on club website.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
· 02/01 – Betsy Gentile presents: Gary Graff, HCRS
· 02/08 – Phil George presents: 99 Restaurant's Philanthropy Program
· 02/15 – Club Assembly
· 02/22 – Road Show to BMC
NOTE: 2017-18 Weekly assignments (program, joke, and Rotary minute) are posted on club’s website.
FINES
FINES: Mike Mandracchia fined himself for mistakenly thinking that Roger Miller’s height challenges all these years was due to his physical height.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
2018 Annual Norm Keubler 4-Way Test Award was presented to Connie Snow, recently retired executive director of Windham & Windsor Housing Trust. ED NOTE: This is the seventh time we are honoring Norm who was the President of our Club in the 2008-2009 year. Norm died suddenly in April 2010 of a heart attack. During his funeral, his family spoke about how important Rotary was to him. In 1934 Rotary International adopted its code of ethics, which we know as the Four-Way Test. Norm kept a copy on his desk as constant reminder. Norm strived to live his life and conduct his business according to its principles: Of the things we think, say or do- Is it the truth? - Is it fair to all concerned? - Will it build goodwill and better friendships - Will it be beneficial to all concerned? It was in the spirit of honoring him and his passion for Rotary that the annual “Four-Way Test” was born. Each year our Club recognizes a local business or person who best exemplifies these values. A committee takes nominations from members and, as is typical each year, a number of very worthwhile recipients were considered.
Connie Snow (left) with Past President Cindy Jerome
There will be a roadshow to Brattleboro Music Center on 2/22. Contact Bill McKim or Dave Twombly for more info.
If you can help out for this year’s Sugar on Snow project on 2/17, please contact Milt Gilmore.
The next Seasonal Overflow Shelter meal will be served on 2/16. If you can help, contact Stan Nowakowski
The Gateway Foundation board will meet on 2/1 following regular club meeting.
The Board voted to give each student Rotarian a Rotary tee shirt. If you would like to order, please send an email to Marty Cohn. NOTE: If 24 are ordered the unit cost is $15; 48 drops the unit cost to $12. ED NOTE: So far, 14 shirts have been committed.
BRAGS
Mara Williams– for collecting $237 from the bottle redemption center for Pure Water for the World.
Greg Worden – for Jeff Hagstrom’s leadership in raising $5700 from the Christmas Tree Sales.
Greg Worden – for Joe Little building seven “Little Free Libraries” that will now be given to local artists for painting.
Ana Saavedra – for Mother Nature’s ice show in her backyard.
Milt Gilmore – for all the lawyers that lined up to honor Tim O’Connor at his funeral.
Greg Sukiennik - for the community work of Windham & Windsor Housing Trust.
Marty Cohn – for Chloe Learey being named “Entrepreneur of the Year” by Brattleboro Area Chamber of Commerce. ED NOTE: it naming Chloe, the Chamber cited the recent article about Chloe’s presentation before the club.
PROGRAM:
Marty Cohn presented Greg Sukiennik, Vermont Managing Editor, New England Newspapers. He told us about how the Brattleboro Reformer is really interested in being more involved in the community.
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.
To view the episode 4 of Rotary Cares featuring 7870 District Governor Jonathan Springer, click here.
To listen to episode 3 of Rotary Cares podcast, 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
For administrative purposes, the more than 32,000 clubs worldwide are grouped into 529 districts, and the districts into 34 zones.
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