Pledge & Prayer: President Gary McCauley
'There is no tolerance for racism, our strength through Rotary is bringing people together to effect positive change'
Happy Bucks: Joe for getting store delivery, Jan: 8th grade and high school graduation is set for drive-in with giant LED screens so parents and family members can see their kids graduate on June 16, Kathy was glad to be back and see everyone - she has been very busy during the pandemic, Pete is happy to be busy in this real estate market, Pat S is told a joke about looking smart on ZOOM, Joan is happy everyone is ok, Pat and Patty D are happy we can still laugh despite the circumstances we all find ourselves in, Charlie R was happy to get a haircut, Bill O is Zooming on his computer, Tara was happy everyone is healthy and hopes it stays that way, Marty was happy he didn't have to wear a mask for his dental appointment.
Presidents Update: Gary acknowledged thank you notes sent to the club including one from Jen who recently received a gift from the club for her baby girl Saylor, Amy from Shoreline Soup Kitchens for our donation, the Town of Old Lyme for our donation to purchase PPE and thank you notes from scholarship recipients. The Community Task Force is active and has added new members. Government money is running out.
Foundation Business: Charlie Norz, Chairman
The foundation board met before this meeting and passed a new budget for fiscal year 2020-2021. Due to the pandemic and resulting effect on the economy, our income and spending has been affected significantly. Income is projected at $56,500 (previous $72,000) and assumes the Wine Tasting will go on as past Wine Tastings in February. The golf tournament is scheduled for now, in September but that is not certain at this point. Charlie R is looking into possibly having it at the Fenwick course. $34,000 from the foundation is expected to be used to make up the difference. On the expense side, money was allocated to the DARE program, RYLA, OL Substance Abuse program, scholarships ($20K reduced from $27K), Student of the Month, Dictionary Project, High School expenses, Community Outreach ($10K reduced from $15K) and the soup kitchen. There are other minor line items as well. With uncertainty on the income side, reductions were inevitible.
Dues: So far Kathy has received 8 checks for dues which is $154.00 and $350.00 in happy bucks. Please pay your dues and send along your HB payments.
Fundraising: John Aforismo
The Macaroni Dinner is on and we have 2 dates to choose from in October and January. It will be a drive through/pick up style and has been approved by the police chief.
Marty and Kathy are working on getting a PayPal account and then adding a "Donate button" to our website. Once installed, people can make donations to the club and pay for various things like auction items, tickets to events, etc.
Working on Amazon Smile and Omaha Steaks for their giving programs. When someone makes a purchase and designates a charity such as the Rotary Club, a percentage of the sale goes to the charity.
Community Restart: Pat Settembrino
Charlie Norz and Kathy Callinan expedited $7200 for the purchase of $50 restaurant gift cards for 180 families in Old Saybrook, Westbrook and Old Lyme. Recipients, people who are out of work due to the pandemic, will know the cards are from the Rotary Club. Recipients will remain anonymous. Pat is almost finished purchasing the gift cards. Gary will be sending a note to our sponsors so that they know where some of the money goes when they support our fundraisers.
To date, the district and area clubs have donated over $225,000 to communites for COVID-19 relief.
Schools: Jan Peruccio (Superintendent OS School System) and Tara Winch (Principal Westbrook HS) were asked to inform us on upcoming graduation plans. Jan said that after much planning, the OS Saybrook 8th grade and HS graduations would take place in a drive-thru format on Tuesday June 16. There will be large LED displays so that the ceremonies can be viewed. Westbrook HS awards night is Thursday June 11 and graduation is Friday June 12 from 12-5pm.
Gary and Marty are setting committee assignments. If there is a particular committee and Avenue of Service you'd like to participate in, let them know.
Joan reported there have been no new Outreach requests.
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