Pledge/Prayer: Pres. Gary McCauley
THE FOUR-WAY TEST of the things we think, say or do:
First...
Is it the TRUTH ?
Second....
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Third....
Will it build GOOD WILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
Fourth....
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned
Happy Bucks: Jan: 123 high school seniors graduated last night, celebrated with a "fly-by" complete with police and fire department escort. Lots of townspeople came out for it - incredible!, Bill O: great job Jan!, PZ: happy for the grads (now alums), PS: top 10 day yesterday, JA: witnessed it and joined in the applause, CR for the graduates and Brents birthday, MD for the graduates and entire educational community, BM for the outstanding program, JM for the graduates
Jan jumped in a car and was in the parade. So rewarding, the RAM Boosters, Safe Grad and others used money raised to make signs and individualized gift baskets for each student personalized to their experience at OSHS - a lot of work! The kids were thrilled to receive lifetime momentos!
President Gary reminded everyone that dues and happy bucks are due - please mail your check (PO Box 1125, Old Saybrook CT 06475).
The Chamber of Commerce is hosting a virtual auction which starts June 25 and runs for 3 weeks. In support, the club will purchase a Weber grill at Saybrook Hardward and donate it - a $500 value.
Bill McLaughlin: a Bio
Bill joined the club in 1983. Born in Mondovia in northern Wisconsin, Bill graduated high school in 1952. He attended the Univ. of Wisconsin School of Mining Engineering. He interned for a now defunct company Anaconda Mining for 2 summers. It is really warm half a mile into the earth. He graduated in 1958 but due to a bad economic time, there was no work. Bill took a job with the Illinois Highway Dept. for a while then enlisted in the Navy. Due to a back injury, Bill left the Navy went to New York then Detroit where he met his wife Rosemary. Bill put his communication skills to work for a a company called Solair manufacturer of air compressors for computers. The company went to $180 million in sales. Eventually, Bill and Rosemary and their 3 daughters settled in Old Saybrook where he joined the Chamber of Commerce eventually taking the Executive Directors position. The Summer Concert Series and the Chile Contest are 2 successful events that began during his tenure. In 2001 Bill bought a motor home and they travel the country half a year. Bill has been to all 48 conterminous states. Bill loved traveling in his RV so much he took a sales job in 2008 selling them. Bill and Rosemay timed some of their excursions to participate in Habitat for Humanity, something they found fun and rewarding. On one excursion they went from California to Florida to Wisconsin, taking part in Humanity projects in those areas.
President Gary: The Recovery Task Force is still at work with regular meetings. John Aforismo's fundraising committee met yesterday. John is going forward with Omaha Steaks and Amazon Smiles directed giving programs. The shredding day has been cancelled due to a conflict with the Chamber of Commerce which is doing this in September. Charlie Renshaw is looking into doing a golf tournament at Fenwick or Old Lyme. Macaroni dinner is progressing, waitng for a price from Eric Messner who manages the Firemen's Field facility. John G. says our cost will be about $3pp. A special email address has been set up. Its FundRaising@osrotary.org - emails go to John.
Gary met with community leaders of Old Saybrook, Westbrook and Old Lyme to give the restaurant gift cards out. They were all very thankful. DG Jack Soloman had free PPE that he made available to our club. Pat Settembrino delivered the items to Apple Rehab and Gladeview.
Insurance coverage for our foundation to cover loss due to theft was discussed. The policy is for 3 years at $1,000 per year.
The club committee assignments, are published on this website (members area). If you are not on a committee or Avenue of Service, please select and let Gary and Marty know.
Speakers are always welcome so feel free to invite people you think would be interesting to hear from.
Pete pointed out 2 big reasons (there are 20) to join Rotary: Friendship and business development.
Gary is drafting a letter to be sent to past donors which tells where their donations go.
md
