Pledge, 4-Way Test, Prayer: Pres. Alan Schwarz
Card Game Winner: Charlie R
Raffle Winners: Tony Marino, Marty, John A, Gail
Happy Bucks
John was happy for the successful Macaroni dinner and special thanks to John Giannini who worked very hard on the food preparation, and recognition goes to the non-members who also played important roles, CR was happy for John and the great job of organizing, Tony Marino was happy to be here, more happy bucks for the Mac Dinner, GF for our speaker, JW for the great things we do, Ralph for the meatballs, sausage, etc, MO for his daughter getting married in a Scottish ceremony
Presentation of $500 check to the VFW with much gratitude for their space to hold our meetings! They love having us and will always be welcome!
Program: Charlie Renshaw introduced our guest, Tony Marino, Executive Director of The Rockfall Foundation. Tony has been the ED since 2017. Located in Middletown, they serve the lower Conn. River Valley since 1935 providing environmental consultation and other support services. Their mission is to promote environmental initiatives through education, conservation and planning. At the OS Chamber Chili contest recently, they provided compostable containers and utensils eliminating disposables that wind up in landfills.
Theu've been giving grants for environmental projects since 1982 with over 27 awarded. Recently, the OS Middle School was funded for education pertaining to environmental diversity. They work with DEEP and sponsor speaking programs. New members are welcome, currently there are about 300 members. On Oct. 28, The Rockfall Foundation will be hosting a Repair Cafe where anyone can bring an item in that needs repair and their experts will try to fix it - a lamp for example. Its at the Estuary from 1pm - 4pm. They will also show you how to repair things yourself. For more information, go to www.RockfallFoundation.org
Maui Fund: There are 9 people on the committee. The club voted to match funds received and approved. The OS High School will be selling tee shirts, cost is $20 and proceeds will go into our fund.
John Aforismo, report on Macaroni Dinner
Our cost was 20% lower than last year despite higher prices. Big Y, Guiliani Bakery and others donated items. We ended up with a profit of $2,836. 431 tickets were sold and 287 meals were dispensed. Online sales totaled $75. 100 tickets were donated though not everyone showed up to pick up their meals.
Joan Winters: The Happy Hour at the Old Lyme Inn was fun with 30 people attending including 19 Rotarians. The cost to the club was about $350, a little higher than expected.
Marty: Torchlight Parade
This will be our 35th year hosting the tent on the Town Green serving the marchers hot chocolate and baked goods. The date is Dec. 9, 2023. This is a long standing tradition in town for many years.
District Foundation Showcase & Celebration
Nov 5, Saybrook Point Resort & Marina
The following is an email from Tari Marshall-Day
Greetings District and Foundation and Grants Fans everywhere!
Just back from Toronto Rotary Zone Leadership Institute and more than ever motivated by the stories of Former and Future RI Presidents, Leaders and those on the ground. I was most pleased to sit with John McGovern, Rotary's lead for Polio Eradication for half a day as well. What we do in Foundation impacts people, communities and our next generations forever. Thank you for all you do for THE ROTARY FOUNDATION!
November 5th is our FOUNDATION SHOWCASE and CELEBRATION. This event will offer an opportunity to meet and mingle, chat with and enjoy the friendships of those who have had successes with Grants in District and visit their tables. It is also the opportunity to celebrate all the successes of 2022-23 with recognitions so well deserved.
BOOK NOW!!! Please register to come to Old Saybrook for the event 11-30 to 2PM . It is a heavy Hors D'oeuvres event and an opportunity to be uplifted in our successes. Cost is only $48pp with thanks to some sponsors who are helping keep the price down. We will also be recognizing many of our peers and thanking ALL who have made our FOUNDATION WORK possible.
You can either register directly at DACdb on this link, https://www.dacdb.com/index.html?EventID=77636961
or if the Club is sending some members and providing a check or you are paying by check please email me directly. Thank you so much.
In Rotary Service, Tari Marshall-Day
Meeting Times and Venues
Alan brought up the topic of meetings and where we meet, when and the price. Should we continue what we're doing or change? Currently, the first 2 meetings of the month are breakfast meetings and the second 2 are lunch meetings. If there is a fifth Wednesday, thats an evening social. Breakfast at the Estuary is $5, lunch at the VFW is $10 and breakfast at Saybrook Point is $25. It was decided that starting Jan 2024, the 4th meeting will be an evening meeting venue to be determined.
An email from John Merkle at district said we need to close out the last grant we were awarded. On that topic, someone in the club needs to be DMG certified in order to apply for grants. Bill McLaughlin has volunteered.
