Call to Order: President Garlan Hoskin
Opening Song: ROTARY
Patriotic Song: My Country ‘Tis of Thee
Invocation: Bartolo Governanti
Song Leader: Paul Boucher
Song: Molly Malone
Visiting Rotarians: N/A
Guests: Martha Clarke, Valerie Armstrong
Raffle: No Winner (Nate Miller drew the King of Hearts, and five cards remain.)
Rotary Minute: Philip Rentz discussed the next level of the Speech Contest, which will be held at the District Meeting at Lyndon State College.
Announcements:
  • Garlan Hoskin presented Kevin Gould with a Paul Harris Fellow (Plus 3) Award for his efforts supporting the Rotary Foundation.
  • John Yacavone asked for a volunteer on Monday, March 2nd from 4:00 to 6:00 PM to assist with outreach for the Upper Valley Smiles Program.
  • Linda Copp announced that Norm Blakely was able to dance at his granddaughter’s wedding, and he is making substantial progress in his recovery from medical issues.
  • Bruce Pacht announced that Rotary just celebrated its 110th Anniversary. Bruce reported that he recently visited the Drummondville/Malouin Club to and exchanged banners. Their club’s motto (translated into English) is “Share, Give, and Hope.”
Brags:
  • Jennifer Grant’s son Eric, who is a student at the University of New Hampshire, was recently recognized for rescuing a stranded motorist. Jennifer’s daughter Emma’s boyfriend was on the front page of Thursday’s Valley News, and Windsor County Partners was featured in this month’s Kid Stuff magazine.
  • Suellen Griffin completed her Master’s Degree on February 14th.
  • Ron Michaud was on the front page of the Valley News recently.
  • Paul Boucher just returned from a trip to Europe, where his wife got to celebrate her birthday at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.
Business Items:
Don MacMeekin discussed a recommendation that this year’s Rotary Auction proceeds be used to support three programs administered by the Upper Valley Haven: 1) The Haven’s Healthy Cooking/Eating Program; 2) The Haven Backpack Program; and 3) The Haven’s “Chopped” Program. All three programs build nutrition skills for children and their parents.
Ernst Oidtmann suggested that the dietician group at DHMC could also be connected with the Haven to build capacity for these programs. Steve Usle suggested that an elevator speech is needed to succinctly explain what Rotary support would result in. Betsey Child noted Rotary’s successful partnership with the Haven for the club’s Valentine’s Day Dance. Jennifer Grant suggested that the Club commit to providing a percentage of proceeds rather than a fixed dollar amount.
In the interest of time, the discussion was tabled and will be further considered by the Board of Directors.
A Club Forum followed with committee meetings.