Pledge: President Pat Devito
Prayer: John Aforismo
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?
Sergeants Report: Nathan Wise
Card Game Winner: Bill M
Raffle Winners: Patty D, John A, Marty D
Happy Bucks: NW: for the badly needed rain; guest Ralph: recent reunion with friends ($10); MD: Tari being here; BM: for the day and winning the card game; CR: celebrated his 54th wedding anniversary; JW: getting her Macaroni Dinner tickets to sell; JA: happy to be back; NM: grandkids coming; JA: Joan doing a great job of PR; JM, GF, PD, KR: happy Joe is back; Pres PD: happy for Tari being here ($10)
Presidents Items:
- Pat recently applied for a grant that pays for lost revenue to non-profit organizations due to COVID-19 cancellations in 2021. The Wine Tasting brought in $23.8K last year so that is the amount we are applying for.
- Gary McCauley is working on a meeting venue for Fall starting in October. The tentative plan is: lunch meetings on the 1st and 4th Wednesday, 2nd Wednesday is Student of the Month at Saybrook Point Resort & Marina and the 3rd Wednesday would be breakfast at the Estuary. If there is a 5th Wednesday, it would be a social possibly at Myrcene Ale. There is a possibility of a Zoom option as well.
- Next Wednesday, Aug 24, is the last concert on the Green. We will be there, tent and all so try to come out for the last performance, The Larry Bonin Band is playing - a very popular group!
Ken Roche talked about Joe Arcari and his 35th annual Lobster Fest held at his house on Sunday Sept. 4 at 4 Wildwood St, OS. They need some help to set up and break down (mainly for the big tent) and Joe invites everyone to help out and have a great time. Just pay for your lobster and your help would be greatly appreciated. Joe guarantees you'll have a great time. Call 808-218-4319 by Aug. 25 if you can attend.
President Pat Devito introduced our special guest, District Governor Tari Marshall-Day
Tari started out by saying she loved our meeting location! This year marked the first year in our organizations 117 year history, that the RI President is a woman! Tari's father was a physician and Rotarian who spent 15 years working in India at a tumultuous time of religions fighting each other. She showed of picture of her family which represents 3 generations of Rotarians.
Tari then started talking about some sobering facts. Tari's son, a Wallingford high school graduate, lost 4 classmates to suicide. Millennials (Gen Y) are 40+ years old now and some aren't well. Its important that we help and be there as a friend to those in need. They may be victims of bullying, living alone and feeling isolated and need help. People are stressed out with some serious fears: the economy, children's safety and more. We're seeing grandparents taking in their children's children - something they didn't plan on. Perhaps our club can help through programming.
Technology is here to stay and has in some ways changed Rotary. We need to embrace those changes which are mostly good and present opportunities to grow the club. Rotary is getting more flexible to accommodate today's busy people and technology is part of that initiative.
Tari will send a recap of her visit so look for that email.
Committee Reports:
Arts & Crafts Festival, Oct 1-2, Chair Gail Fahey
Amber will be enlisting some of the Interact kids to help out. Tomorrow, Gail and Pat will go to the NMP warehouse and take an inventory of supplies
Golf Tournament, Oct. 3, Chair Charlie Renshaw
Someone will have to coordinate the "ditty bags" - Brent's term. Sponsors are needed so please make your calls. The registration form is online - both with and without the QR code. You can download and email or print. Forms printed on card stock can be picked up at Marty's office or at a meeting. Oct. 3 is the day of the tournament and is rapidly approaching.
Macaroni Dinner, Oct. 16, Chair John Aforismo
Everyone was given 10 tickets to sell. Please keep track of your sales and how many are adult and how many are children for food ordering purposes. John is working hard to gain donations of items. Tickets will be available at Marty's office. Tickets will be made available for sale at the summer concert Aug. 24 as well.
Gary McCauley spoke about the Commodities Exchange. Its still on hold until the issue of the retaining wall is settled. The town will be replacing the Gazebo on the Green with a new ground level unit. Rotary will help finance the project with amenities after completion. Gary is hoping more electrical service will be provided.
