Logo for: Rotary Old Saybrook

OS Rotary Meeting 11/25/15

Pledge: Gerri Lewis
Prayer: Gerri Lewis
Song: Rick Beck
Brent's Card Game Winner: Bill O'Shaughnessy

Sergeants Report: Joe Arcari
    Raffle Winners: Gerri, Amber, Charlie R.
    Happy Bucks: The Thanksgiving Fund, Bill for winning the card game, Charlie for the turkey drive and being here, Sandy for going to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.


Announcements:
Gerri  reported that $4,081 was raised for Thanksgiving which included the match from Liberty Bank. The funds were distributed to Westbrook, Old Lyme and Old Saybrook Social Services, as well as Meals on Wheels.

Amber announced a fundraiser by the Interact Club - the 2nd Annual 5K Jingle Bell Run which takes place Saturday, Dec. 5. The money raised will help support the club's various activities which includes Habitat for Humanity, the food pantry and other community service projects. The race begins at 9am and volunteers are needed. The entry fee is $20 and there are sponsorship opportunities. The club will support this activity by purchasing a $500 gift card which can be used for food and other expenses.

Program: Gerri: Rotary International Foundation
Last year, over $250K was donated, much of it went back to our district. The money helped pay for many international causes including education, clean water, sanitation, health care, polio eradication, alleviating poverty and conflict resolution. 2.6 billion people lack basic sanitation facilities and clean drinking water which results in poor health which impacts education particularly for females. 1.4 billion people live in poverty worldwide. 
    The Annual Fund is the main source of funding for the many projects Rotary performs and each Rotarian is asked to make a contribution. You can go to 
https://www.rotary.org/en/give and make your contribution directly. You can also sign up for Rotary Direct, a recurring giving program. Our district had $185,000 to spend this year and there is still some money available for district managed grants. Former District Governor Rick Benson is the team chair. 
    Last year the club gave $50 per member with the hope that each member would match that with a personal contribution.

We ended the meeting with the four-way (plus 1) test.

Unofficial Five Way Test of the thongs we think, say, or do. 
    1,) Is it the truth?
    2.) Is it fair to all concerned?
    3.) Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
    4.) will it be beneficial to all concerned?
    5.) Is it fun?


md