Logo for: Rotary Old Saybrook

OS Rotary Meeting 01/13/21

Pledge & Prayer: President Gary McCauley
Happy Bucks:
PLEASE SEND IN YOUR HAPPY BUCKS TO TREASURER KATHY CALLINAN AT ESSEX SAVINGS BANK.
MD for our guest, AS: nice day, good golf weather, JA: everyone is healthy, CN: guest John is here, his nice course, state coming up a vaccine plan for people ages 75 and over, PD: everyone is here and healthy, PD: our guest and lookiing forward to the next vaccine phase, PZ: echos hopes for vaccine availability, CR: guest John here to answer questions on the golf tournament, GM: the vaccine and all its promise and hopefully allowing us to get together again.

Program:
Charlie Renshaw introduced our guest John Jackson of Fox Hopyard Golf Club
We have held a tournament for many years but this year, due to the pandemic and restrictions put in place by the state, the format will be different. Large gatherings are not possible and so the shotgun start where everyone starts and finishes at the same time will not happen. A new model was developed to insure the safety of staff and participants. We can market our tournament as safe and compliant to guidelines. Under the new model, tournaments have done very well. A short video, which aired on channel 3, will be available. Among the changes: starting tee times will be taken (at players' choosing) and players will play the course as they would normally. This model also allows for bad weather - if its raining, you don't have to play that day. Indoor dining is available. All participants will receive a gift card that can be redeemed for food & beverages at the restaurant or used to purchase items at the pro shop.
     Food service is staggered throughout the day and large gatherings of people are avoided. John feels our tournament can still be successful. Its possible to double up by having people start on the 1st and 9th tees. Though our player counts have declined in recent years, conditions caused by the pandemic may help by giving people something to do thats safe and fun.
    The base cost is $80 (green fees) plus $30 (gift card). The scoreboard will be maintained by the staff and an email with a link can be sent out so people can find out who won. A raffle can be done at registration time with winners drawn after the last group is registered. Perhaps this scenerio can be seen as a stop-gap measure until things return to normal. John stated that this model has not hurt and if anything tournaments did better.
     If becomes incumbent to get everyone's email address particularly the "captain" of each team so that communication with all particpants is possible. This personal touch is a good thing. Check this link for a short video broadcast by Channel 3 Eyewitness News.

Gary:
- The masks we have plans of distributing did not arrive as planned. Delivery to be determined.
- There was an article in the publication, Westbrook Events, that featured the gift card project the club did partnering with the Westbrook Foundation.


- The district wants ideas from area clubs for giving. $1000 is available for local projects to help those in need during these difficult times. Pat DeVito suggested help to the food pantry - your ideas are welcome.
- Checks have been sent to the Students of the Month for Science (January)
- Charlie Norz is in charge of the nominating committee. Please let him know if you are interested in taking an office or wish to nominate someone.
- Marty reported on our website upgrade. The financing will have to be settled first. It will cost $5000 for the initial platform creation and more (another $5000) down the line. We will try to move data from the old system which may or may not require help from Web Solutions.
- Gary took a formal vote from all in attendance and the motion to allocate the money was unanimously approved. We have contacted our accountant to make sure we are acting within our bylaws for this expenditure.
- Gary DeVito talked about a handbook which will in fact be virtual, no more physical handbooks. ADG Tari Marshall-Dey is involved to help with our interaction with the district website. Eventually, club members will be asked to provide their personal information to help build our club and district contact database.
- Gary will send information to club members who wish to order Rotary apparel so look for the email from Gary.
- Charlie Norz reports the stock market is doing well and thus our foundation is in good shape.

Next meeting is Wed, Jan. 20 on ZOOM at 12. We'll be discussing the golf tournament.

md