Tempate_Spring (Mar. 15, 2024)

Meeting Date: March 8, 2024

Presiding: President Matt Dodge

Greeter: Karen Wadsworth

President Ma opened the meeting at 07:30 and greeter Karen shared some inspiration. Admitted she didn’t know she was greeter. Sap is beginning to run, sun is shining. Had us recite the 4-way test.

Attendance:

29	Live
3	Zoom
0	Visiting Rotarians
6	Guests
1	Guest Speakers
39	Total

Guest's Names:

Aidan Ciminesi - Robotics
Alden Betterley - Robotics
Trevor Avel - Bow Student Senate
Bella Cattabriga(sp?) - Bow Student Senate
Eve Libby - Bow Student Senate
Brenda Barth - Bow High School Teacher

Announcements:

Correspondence: Thank you for sponsorship of Special Olympics of NH.
Reminder about the 8:30 hard stop. Keep questions limited if it’s close to that.
Cheryl Lindner officially joining our club through a transfer from Nashua. Spoke about reaching three month point as finance director in Bow. Thanked everyone for being so welcoming.
Bow Student Senate members - Bring awareness to student concern and positive change to the school. Fundraising for scholarships for two seniors $500 each. Looking to create a scholarship fund to help students who want to do enrichment programs rather than just seniors. Asked Rotary for permission to do gift card raffle at the car show in May. They raised $900 from a similar effort at the craft fair. Money will go toward scholarship fund. Hopeful that the raffle will bring opportunity to raise a large amount of money for the fund. Gerry Carrier asked about logistics. Local businesses donated and parents donated for craft fair. Tickets were 3 for $1, $5 for 10 and $10 for 20. They think they would draw the winners that day at the car show. David Gazaway joked about getting a percentage.
Robotics - The team competed at the Vermont/New Hampshire tournament and qualified for world championships in Dallas. They need assistance covering the cost because of club status. They asked the grant committee and $250 has been approved. They showed a video of a match from state competition and also had the robot in person but the remote was dead so they just displayed it and explained how it works. Gerry Carrier asked whether it was from a kit or own design. Parts come from Vex but they have to design it all themselves. They are designing a new robot for worlds. Dick Swett asked about the new design. They added more motors and wheels. Also going to change the launcher. They are going to raise the elevation. Dave Farr asked about if they speak to the middle schoolers. They do. Ben Kiniry asked about a dollar limit on what they can spend on the robot. There’s no dollar limit, but there is a number of motors and tanks, etc. Has to fit in an 18x18 box. Gerry Carrier asked how close they are to their goal. They need $5,000-$6,000 needed. They have already raised $3,500 already raised. Also reached out to local businesses for sponsorships.

Sergeant at Arms: Tanya Frost

Birthdays:

Alan? had a birthday

Fines:

Happy Bucks:

$1 Eric Anderson is happy about the town report. It can be picked up at the town office or library.

$2 Cheryl LIndner: Thankful for Eric for the invite and for being a part of Bow Rotary.

$1 Steve Destefano: Heading to Fort Myers for spring training.

$2 Dave Farr: Attend New England Revs opener. Going to see Messi in a month and a half.

$1 Gerry Carrier: Glad for students at the meeting.

$1 Bob Couch: Glad tendon surgery is done

$2 Matt Dodge: For each student groups

$1 Tamar Roberts: Happy for students at meeting. Meeting friend for breakfast that has been postponed a bunch.

Program:

Ken Moulton introduced Bill Ardinger. He grew up in Cornish, went to UNH and Harvard Law. He did work in DC on 1986 tax reform. Works at Rath, Young and Pignatelli - been there for 35 years. Likes solving problems. Works well with everyone, no matter who is in office. Chair of Governor’s Commission on Crypto Currency and Digital Assets.

Issued a report in December of 2022 to the governor.

Report defines terms: database across a distributed computer network “DLT”, cryptography, blockchain, permissionless public blockchain, consensus mechanism, cryptocurrency

Bitcoin is only one use of cryptocurrency. Widely distributed with about 45 million users in the US.

Compares bitcoin to gold in the way that it is used and valued.

Key commission findings: blockchain is important tech innovation; legal system for blockchain and digital assets, especially highly decentralized blockchains, is uncertain; NH should establish and robust, clear and effective legal regime that encourages innovation, supports private transactions and protects customers and investors.

Commission recommended that law protects decentralized autonomous organizations HB 645, passed House 340-33 and is now before Senate. Would be the first public digital registry.

Questions:

Dick Swett: Asked if Bill owned crypto currency before commission and after. Answer: Before his commission work, he did work for a client that wanted to be first state regulated bank for crypto currency. He did not own because of potential conflict. After working on the commission, he bought in. Best performing investment in his portfolio but it’s small portion.

Gerry Carrier: Asked “Is it like owning stock and how do you cash it in?” Answer: You don’t need an intermediary. You can go in and buy with private transaction. When making the transaction, you would get info that says you are the owner and could sell. There are intermediaries that can make transactions for you for a small fee.

President Matt closed the meeting with a toast to Rotary the world over.

Respectfully Submitted,

Vanessa Palange