President George Weir welcomed all to the September 28th meeting of the Brattleboro Rotary Club held at the American Legion in Brattleboro. Mike Mandacchia offered the following meaningful invocation:
For friends, food, fun and the fellowship of Rotary
we give our thanks today.
As we bless this meal, let us always be mindful of the
amazing gifts that life has given each of us.
Let these thoughts of Mark Twain guide our lives today:
Work like you don’t need the money.
Love like you’ve never been hurt.
Sing like nobody’s listening.
Dance like nobody’s watching.
Live like it’s heaven on earth.
This was followed by the pledge of allegiance. Birthday greetings were extended to John Meyer, Marty Cohn, Bill Daley, and Cheri Ann Brodhurst.
As a luncheon of pork loin, chicken pot pie (without the pie), mac&cheese, steamed broccoli, roasted potatoes, green salad, bread, and ice cream for dessert was being digested, the meeting continued.
Guests: Visiting Rotarian Bob Meister (Monadnock Rotary Club - Peterborough)
TRIVIA QUESTION
In the center of the Rotary emblem is a 'keyhole.'
In what year was the keyhole added to the Rotary emblem?
(answer below)
JOKE OF THE WEEK
For our Rotary joke, Roger Miller told a version of the following joke:
A politician dies and ends up standing in front of the pearly gates. Saint Peter looks at him for a second, flicks through his book, and finds his name.
"So, you're a politician..."
"Well, yes, is that a problem?"
"Oh no, no problem. But we've recently adopted a new system for people in your line of work, and unfortunately you will have to spend a day in Hell. After that however, you're free to choose where you want to spend eternity!"
"Wait, I have to spend a day in Hell?!" says the politician. "Those are the rules," replies St Peter, clicks his fingers, and WOOMPH, the guy dissapears. He awakes, curled up with his hands over his eyes, knowing he's in Hell.
Cautiously, he listens for the screams, sniffs the air for brimstone, and finds... Nothing. Just the smell of, is that fabric softener? And cut grass, this can't be right?
"Open your eyes!" says a voice. "C'mon, wakey wakey, we've only got 24 hours!" Nervously, he uncovers his eyes, looks around, and sees he's in a hotel room. A nice one too. Wait, this is a penthouse suite... And there's a smiling man in a suit, holding a martini. "Who are you??" The politician asks.
"Well, I'm Satan!" says the man, handing him the drink and helping him to his feet. "Welcome to Hell!"
"Wait, this is Hell? But... Where's all the pain and suffering?" he asks.
Satan throws him a wink. "Oh, we've been a bit misrepresented over the years, it's a long story. Anyway, this is your room! The minibar is of course free, as is the room service, there's extra towels next to the hot-tub, and if you need anything, just call reception. But enough of this! It's a beautiful day, and if you'd care to look outside..."
Slightly stunned by the opulent surroundings, the man wanders over to the floor-to-ceiling windows through which the sun is glowing, looks far down, and sees a group of people cheering and waving at him from a golf course.
"It's one of 5 pro-level courses on site, and there's another 6 just a few minutes drive out past the beach and harbour!" says Satan, answering his unasked question.
So they head down in the lift, walk out through the glittering lobby where everyone waves and welcomes the man, as Satan signs autographs and cheerily talks shop with the laughing staff. And as he walks out, he sees the group on the golf course are made up of every one of his old friends, people he's admired for years but never met or worked with, and people whose work he's admired but died long before his career started. And out of the middle of this group walks his wife, with a massive smile and the body she had when she was 20, who throws her arms around him and plants a delicate kiss on his cheek. Everyone cheers and applauds, and as they slap him on the back and trade jokes, his worst enemy arrives, as a 2 foot tall goblin-esque caddy. He spends the day in the bright sunshine on the course, having the time of his life laughing at jokes and carrying important discussions, putting the world to rights with his friends while holding his delighted wife next to him as she gazes lovingly at him.
Later, they return to the hotel for dinner and have an enormous meal, perfectly cooked. As everyone is falling about laughing and flinging bread sticks at each other, his wife whispers in his ear... And they return to their penthouse suite, and spend the rest of the night making love like they did on their honeymoon. After hours of passion, the man falls deep into the 100% Egyptian cotton pillows, and falls into a deep and happy sleep... and is woken up by St Peter.
"So, that was Hell. Wasn't what you were expecting, I bet?" "No sir!" says the man. "So then," says St Peter. "You can make your choice. It's Hell, which you saw, or Heaven, which has choral singing, talking to God, white robes, and so on."
"Well... I know this sounds strange, but on balance, I think I'd prefer Hell," says the politician. "Not a problem, we totally understand! Enjoy!" says St Peter, and clicks his fingers again.
The man wakes up in total darkness, the stench of ammonia filling the air and distant screams the only noise. As he adjusts, he can see the only light is from belches of flame far away, illuminating the ragged remains of people being tortured or burning in a sulphurous ocean. A sudden bolt of lightning reveals Satan next to him, wearing the same suit as before and grinning, holding a soldering iron in one hand and a coil of razor-wire in the other. "What's this??" He cries. "Where's the hotel?? Where's my wife??? Where's the minibar, the golf-courses, the pool, the restaurant, the free drinks and the sunshine???"
"Ah", says Satan. "You see, yesterday, we were campaigning. But today, you voted."
ROTARY MINUTE
For our Rotary minute, Dave Neumeister asked us to talk about some unusual experience when visiting another club. Liz Harrison visited a club in Scotland where she was the only woman. Roger Miller visited a club in Bermuda where the fines were $25-100. Dave Neumeister visited a club in Palo Alto where they did a community service project as part of its regular club meeting.
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At our October 5th meeting, Fred Moriarty will tell a joke or lead us in song, while Stan Nowakowski delivers a Rotary Minute.
NOTE: Weekly assignments are posted on club website.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
10/05 – Rhonda Calhoun presents: “Vulnerable Populations and Partnership”s
10/12 – Rich Carroll presents: Michael Hertz and his guitar
10/19 – ROAD SHOW to Scott Farm
10/26 – Marty Cohn presents: Sal Napoli and Larry Johnston, McDonald’s
NOTE: 2017-18 Weekly assignments (program, joke, and Rotary minute) are posted on club’s website.
FINES
Dart Everett was fined for not having the right birthday for Cheri Ann Brodhurst.
Bill McKim proposed a fine on Chris Wocell for being a “discreet” member. Chris successfully defended.
Chris Wocell proposed a fine on Bill McKim for calling him “discreet.” Bill paid fine.
Chris Wocell proposed a fine on Bill Vermouth for not adequately teaching him about fines. Bill successfully defended.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
A thank you note was received from Dummerston Conservation Commission.
Road shows are planned by Rotarians for Rotarians Committee: Scott Farm on 10/19; NECCA on 11/2. Contact Dave Twombly for more details and to sign up.
Mixer with Sunrise Rotary is scheduled for 10/26 from 5-7pm at The Marina. Please RSVP Dave Twombly.
Second Annual Disc Golf Tournament will take place on October 1. For more info, click here
Buddies for Student Rotarians are needed. Please contact Betsy Gentile.
Holton Home will be celebrating its 125th anniversary on 11/18 at BMAC.
BRAGS
Ana Saavedra – for Bob Meister being a wonderful mentor.
Betsy Gentile– for her family throwing a surprise 70th birthday party on Cape Cod.
Bill McKim– for Chris Wocell being an interesting new member.
George Anthes– for Brattleboro Youth Hockey.
George Weir– for his son completing a 50km foot race.
George Weir– for a family gathering at Tuckerbox, a great restaurant in White River Junction.
Carla Lineback – for a fun art gallery outing with her almost 4-year old daughter.
Cheri Ann Brodhurst – for a nice family-time gathering on her birthday.
Cindy Jerome – for celebrating her son Ben’s 26th birthday.
PROGRAM:
Gateway Foundation 31st Annual Meeting
Secretary’s Report – George Anthes
Gateway Foundation Annual Meeting Minutes, September 8, 2016
The annual meeting of the Gateway Foundation was held on September 8, 2016, during the regular meeting of the Brattleboro Rotary Club.
A quorum being present, President Marty Cohn called the meeting to order at 1:03 p.m.
President Marty Cohn noted that proper notice of the meeting was given.
President Marty acknowledged the membership of the foundation and the board.
Secretary’s report – George Anthes
On motion made and seconded, the reading of last year’s annual meeting minutes was waived.
Treasurer’s report – Bill Vermouth
Decrease of approximately $18k in net assets.
Rotary club $5349 contribution.
Individual $10,868 contributions.
Corporate contributions $1031.
Managed by Park Place Financial.
$22,555 expenses, of which $20,500 was scholarships.
Amazon Smile program.
$31 this year.
Bill Vermouth explained Amazon Smile. First time you sign in, select Gateway Foundation Brattleboro.
President’s Report – Marty Cohn
Started in 1986 to create local fund to provide scholarships to deserving local students for higher education.
This year, we awarded $20,500, which included second Corum scholarship.
Average student loan debt is over $26k, with one in ten students owing more than $40k.
Goal is to raise $20k from club membership.
We’ve raised $11,000 so far this year.
Nominations
Marty Cohn, John Meyer, George Anthes, Bill, John Mabie, Jeff Hagstrom, Gina Pattison, George Weir, Robin Sweetapple.
Motion to elect the nominated persons to the Board, seconded and approved unanimously.
On motion made, seconded, and approved, the meeting adjourned 1:12 p.m.
Treasurer’s Report – Bill Vermouth
Attached are year end June 30 2017 and year end June 30 2016 Balance sheets. Also attached is a comparative and Profit and loss statement for fiscal years ending 2016 and 2017.. Total assets show $310.912 and liabilities of $13,500. Net assets show $297,412 representing an increase of approximately $24,273 over year end 2016. Liabilities represent 2017 scholarships totaling $13,500; all deferred scholarships from previous years have been paid. Most scholarship disbursements are made in late summer and early fall.
Major revenue sources were contributions from the Brattleboro Rotary Club approximately $5,014. Rotarian and other individual contributions approximately $6,072 and income from corporate contributions approximately $44.78. All investments are managed by Park Place Financials and the checking account is held at Brattleboro Savings and Loan. Non-trading expenses totaled approximately $16,155 consisting of $16,000 of scholarships awarded. Trading expenses were approximately $1,884.61 for investment fees and administration expenses.
Financial highlights this year include individual donations of $6,072 down from the previous year that included special contributions in Jesse Corum’s name. Late in 2013 we applied and were accepted as a Smile Amazon foundation recipient. Purchases made thru smile.amazon.com with the Gateway Foundation (Brattleboro) as the listed recipient have a .5% of most purchases disbursed to the Gateway Foundation. This year we received $41 from the Smile Amazon Foundation. Total corporate contributions were down about $1000 due to not participating in the Brew Fest event.
President’s Report — Marty Cohn
The Brattleboro Gateway Foundation was founded by our club in 1986 to create a local fund to award scholarships to deserving, area students pursuing higher education. Historically, the Gateway Foundation has been supported through club fundraisers, such as Christmas Tree Sales, as well as individual donations from dedicated Rotary members.
We typically give $18,000 to the club’s scholarship committee to award six $3,000 scholarships. However, due to a decline in profits from Rotary’s Christmas Tree sales and a decrease in the donations, Gateway only gave the Scholarship Committee $16,000 this year. In addition to six students from area high schools, we presented the third recipient of a $2500 scholarship to a Community College of Vermont student pursuing a career in medical assisting. This award was created to honor Jesse Corum, a dear Rotarian who recognized the need for education.
This year we are asking our Student Rotarians to develop a fundraiser for Gateway.
Since the Gateway Foundation’s formation in 1986, the cost of a college education has more than doubled. According to Forbes, the average student loan debt of graduating college seniors is over $26,000, with 1 in 10 students owing over $40,000.
Scholarships such as Gateway Foundation are important for students as they embark upon their college education. However our current award amount of $16,000 is not enough to fund even one year of college for one student.
We know that we can do better. Our goal is to raise $20,000 from our club membership before December 31, 2017. This money will allow us to sustain our endowment and award more scholarships to more deserving students. To date, we have reached 30% of this goal, having raised approximately $6,000. Please help us to make it all the way!
Please bring your check to the next club meeting or send it to:
Gateway Foundation
Attn: Bill Vermouth, Treasurer
PO Box 6433
Brattleboro, VT 05302-6433
Thank you for your consideration.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Thanks to this year’s Board:
Marty Cohn, President
John Meyer, Vice President
George Anthes, Secretary
Bill Vermouth, Treasurer
Robin Sweetapple
Gina Pattison
John Mabie, Scholarship Chair
Jeff Hagstrom, BRC Pres
Greg Worden, BRC Immediate Past Pres
Motion to accept the following the following passed unanimously:
George Anthes (2019)
Marty Cohn (2019)
John Meyer (2018)
Gina Pattison (2019)
Robin Sweetapple (2019)
Bill Vermouth (2018)
John Mabie, Scholarship Chair
George Weir, Club President
Jeff Hagstrom, Club Immediate Past President
REMINDERS
Bottles and cans can be brought to Putney Road redemption center to benefit Pure Water for the World.Please see Mara Williams.
If you like this newsletter, brag at next Club meeting. So far only two members have acknowledged this rag.
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....
