Pledge of Allegiance and 4-Way Pledge lead by Jan Perruccio
Prayer given by Alan Schwarz
Card Game winner: Joe Arcari
Raffle winners: Ralph Stephens, Joe Arcari, Alan Schwarz
Happy Bucks: Changing of the Guard was a lovely event, great 2024-25 year, awards won by OS Rotary, grandchildren’s graduations, US Army’s 250th anniversary, anniversary of joining Rotary, granddaughter winner of an Interact Rotary award, four young people sponsored by OS Rotary going to international meeting in Wisconsin, the recognition given to “unsung” heroes at the Changing of the Guard.
Program: Joe Courtney was unable to be at today’s meeting but will join us at a later date. He has been rescheduled for Aug. 20.
Jan presented two thank-you notes:
· From Katie Huffman, Library Director of the Phoebe Griffin Noye Library, Old Lyme, expressing gratitude for the donation to the traveling Toys Library.
· From Patty Aracari, for the unsung hero recognition.
Tonight is the first Summer Concert at the Town Green sponsored by Old Saybrook Rotary. It was decided ice cream will not be served as the weather is damp and chilly. All Rotarians who volunteered are asked to attend.
New Business:
John Aforismo and Garry McCauley are leading the Fundraising Committee and exploring opportunities for an additional fundraiser. Potential ideas include:
· A cookbook compiled from members' recipes, considered a creative but not significant fundraiser.
· A car raffle, with potential net earnings of $20,000-$30,000.
· A golf cart raffle, projected to generate about half the earnings of a car raffle. However, golf carts have limited use on major roads and highways.
· Martha Rothchild suggested raffling two high-end electric bikes as an alternative.
· Another opportunity is a monopoly game. It would be a lot of work in development but quite unique and fun way to promote our Rotary.
· A second shredding event is another easy opportunity.
All ideas will be taken into consideration and the final proposal presented to the club in July.
2025-2026 Committees
Jan reviewed the committee list and asked everyone for input and to confirm the committees to which they are assigned. The mid-summer Arts Festival and the By Laws Committee will be dormant for 2025-2026.
Meeting Locations:
Marty Drobiarz and a team are exploring meeting venues for our Rotary. While the VFW is a large space, responsibility to bring food and beverages is challenging. Finding a restaurant or a steady location for our large group for camaraderie and food at every meeting is being explored. At a restaurant, everyone could order al a carte and pay for their own food, or a menu could be decided ahead of time and ordered.
Student of the Month will continue at Saybrook Point for the same cost of $25.00. That is a special place to honor our students. A decision will be present at the July 23rd meeting.
Report from Old Saybrook Rotary Scholarship Committee:
Charlie Renshaw reported on this year’s Rotary Foundation scholarships awarded to the following students: Lily Freeman, Karl Schilling, Rodrigo Demelo, Matt Izzo, Wes Percival, Ethan Lane, and Chris Gibbons. Dave Plotkin supported and facilitated the process with no role in selection of recipients.
New Ideas:
Some new ideas for this year are electronic payment at meetings and having a contact person both for Westbrook and Old Lyme to make those communities more inclusive within our club.
Future Events:
· July 9, 7 am Breakfast meeting Estuary
· July 16, noon VFW Speaker: Impact 100-Empowering Women/Transforming Communities
· July 23 Business meeting 12 noon VFW
· July 30 – no meeting. Celebration of new members at the Concert of the Green
· Macaroni Dinner – October 18 and 19
Meeting adjourned. Next meeting June 25, 12 PM VFW.
