Pledge, 4-Way Test: President Nancy Morin
Prayer: Jessica Pilcher
Card Game Winner: Mary Polchaninoff
Raffle Winners: Mary Polchaninoff, Gina Johnson, Marty Palmieri
Guests: Dr. Pam Cyrus and Nancy Popp, “Bare Necessities”
Happy Bucks: Members were happy for new members, guests, Gary’s recovery from
shoulder surgery is going well, Charlie Norz’s grandchild’s graduation from college, Deb
Lee will be attending an art program in Italy, and good weather
Nancy reported that the next Student of the Month breakfast on May 21st will recognize
six students, as it combines May and June.
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Speakers Nancy Popp and Dr. Pam Cyrus from Bare Necessities
Bare Necessities provides diapers to households in need in the local area from Branford to Old Saybrook. Diaper cost per household is estimated at $100 per month. Bare Necessities covers about 80% of the need. Diapers are not covered by SNAP or WIC. Not having enough diapers affects families in many ways including food insecurity, medical needs and education. Last year, Bare Necessities supported 558 babies, including 106 babies in Clinton and 68 babies in Old Saybrook. Diapers are distributed through local food pantries and they also work with town social services departments. Bare Necessities has a partnership with Vista which includes Vista students learning job skills by packing the diapers and doing some deliveries. The organization is supported by the Middlesex Community Foundation, which provides grants and mentoring, as well as local foundations, private donations, and their own fund-raising. Their biggest fund-raiser is the “Ducky Dash for Diapers,” which will take place this year on June 14th from 1pm to 4pm behind the Clinton Town Hall. This free event includes crafts, games, face painting, a magician, and more. Tickets to sponsor a duck for the race are $5 and available at Mirsina and other area businesses.
Kathy Callinan presented the proposed Foundation budget, and explained some
changes since February to the proposed budget because the stock market has gone
down. DARE was taken out and the RYLA scholarship reduced. John Aforismo
discussed the non-traditional scholarships, for technical programs or technical licenses,
for which our club had previously committed $3,000. John Aforismo moved to continue
the club’s support of the non-traditional scholarship program, the motion was seconded
by John Giannini, and the motion passed. Kathy continued with the budget presentation.
Some disbursements were lowered from last year’s budget and there are some
additions: Community Outreach was lowered, Scholarship breakfast was deleted, Internal Grant Project was added. Jan Perruccio explained the Internal Grant Project’s purpose is to incentivize club members to pursue “passion projects” and to get others involved. Ed Pinn moved to approve the budget, Jan seconded the motion, and the motion passed. Nancy thanked the Board for all their work on the Foundation budget, especially Kathy.
Jan thanked everyone who had already responded to her Goals and Priorities survey,
and asked people who had not yet responded to do so.
Nancy discussed the Uganda well project which was discussed at the April 2nd meeting. $8,500 has been requested. Nancy moved to move $8,500 from the Foundation to fund the Uganda well, Kathy seconded the motion, the motion passed.
Nancy reported the sign-up for concerts is being circulated, club dues are due by the
end of June, the Changing of the Guard takes place on June 11th at Lyme Arts Center
($40 per person), the District Conference will be held May 30th through June 1st, and
can be attended for 1, 2 or all 3 days.
Joan Winters reminded members to write thank you cards to Wine and Beer sponsors.
Joan has cards to use. Joan also asked people to sign up to volunteer for the Day of
Service food drive on May 17th.
Nancy mentioned that if anyone wants T-shirts from her to get their orders in soon
because she is closing her business.
John A. reported that the Clinton Rotary Club, which has been very helpful to our club,
is doing a Cans for Cancer fundraiser on May 17th. Members can bring cans into
meetings and John will deliver them to the Clinton Rotary.
