Cogitator June 22, 2011

VISITING ROTARIANS

Ira Steinberg, from Oberlin, Ohio, joined us, as did Dan Pendergast, from Warwick, RI.  

BIRTHDAYS

Happy birthday to Karen Taylor on June 24th, and, happy birthday to John Wolcott on June 26th.  (John gave us an excellent clue as to his age by reporting that he's now Medicare-eligible.)

CLUB ANNIVERSARY

Past president Bob Sloan passes a major milestone this week--20 years in the Rotary Club of East Greenwich!  Congratulations, Bob, and the club thanks you for 20 years of Service Above Self. 

ROTARY JACKETS

Incoming President Mike Gemma has asked club members to step up and purchase an embroidered jacket, to be worn proudly in the community.  

PHONEBOOK CAMPAIGN KICKOFF

(Yes...it's that time again!)

Past President and long-time phonebook committee leader Richard Waterman announced the 'kick off' of the 2011 EG Rotary Phonebook campaign.  All members received a folder with lists of past advertisers, renewal forms, and extra phonebooks from last year.  Captains have also been assigned, to help stay on track for renewals and new advertisements from businesses that haven't yet made it into the book.    

The first mailing went out several weeks ago and already some $13,000 has come in, which is great.  But, the goal is $60,000 in gross revenues this year, and a net of $40,000.  Richard's message was loud and clear, as we begin again our club's major effort in securing Community Service funds for the upcoming year--'Get going on selling those ads as soon as possible!'  Don't procrastinate--get out there early and visit advertisers.  Get them excited about their ads, and interested in what Rotary does in our local community.  

HAPPY BUCKS

Medicare Man, John Wolcott, now 65, joked that he's more than happy to now be sharing his medical bills with us all.  John also noted that he retired from the US Army as a lieutenant, and he's happy to now be a captain (on the phonebook committee).

Karen Taylor gave a (5-years-away-from-Medicare) birthday buck as well.

Sally Russell's wedding planning for her daughter, Eliza, is proceeding along nicely as the big day in August approaches.  And thinking more thriftily than ever these days, given that upcoming wedding, Sally wondered if she could still buy a $10 Rotary hat instead of a jacket.  ('Where's our friend Arthur Silverman when you need him?')

Judy Pratt congratulated the Boston Bruins for bringing home the Stanley Cup, and she also congratulated her good friend Jane Boynton for being awarded Rotarian of the Year at the installation banquet.  

Andy Erickson had five happy bucks--one for his and Polly's 50th wedding anniversary recently, and the remaining four bucks for the same number of grandchildren graduations this spring (from middle school to college).  

John Wolcott, calling himself an 'officially old fogie,' asked who would join him in a new Paul Harris Team for Old Fogies.  John was looking for four other Rotarians, over 50 years old and with 20 years of service.  Before 2 minutes were up, to the club's amazement and John's, he had TWO new Paul Harris Teams lined up (10 people in total), and a future commitment of $10,000 toward the Rotary Foundation!  (Nice work John, and all other newly classified East Greenwich Rotarian Old Fogies!)     

Richard Waterman congratulated President Ed Neff for a great job at the presidency helm this past Rotary year, and, is looking forward to a great year with Mike Gemma at the wheel.

Mike Gemma gave kudos to Ed Neff for a fantastic Rotary year, and, Mike also thanked Ed for helping him over the past year 'with all things Rotary.'  Mike went on with a great story of his little leaguer son who, after promising in a father's day card to his dad both a home run and a championship, delivered both on cue.  It was an epic comeback and championship win for Coach Mike's 'Phillies,' the stuff, said Mike, 'Disney movies are made of.'  Hmmm...sounded kind of like a combo of these two to me.  :)          

Dave Iannuccilli gave a happy buck for realizing he's now on Coach Mike's team for the upcoming Rotary year. 

Ira Steinberg was happy to announce his 56th wedding anniversary.  Congratulations, Ira!

Steve Lombardi congratulated Coach Mike for the Phillies' dramatic win, and he was also happy to have lunch with friend and Warwick Rotarian, Dan Pendergast. 

George Popella passed on kudos to both President Ed and Incoming President Mike, as they pass the Rotary gavel and torch yet once again.  Also, George presented Rotarian of the Year, Jane Boynton, with her Paul Harris Award pin for that honor.

PROGRAM/SPEAKER

John Wolcott, 'Rotary Foundation Focus'

Rotary Foundation Chair John Wolcott presented to the club recent news about the Rotary Foundation.  He also shared some terrific Rotary Foundation public service announcements, which can be seen on www.Rotary.org (see link below as well).

--Group Study Exchanges will, in the future, likely be longer in duration.  Instead of lasting a few weeks, they will perhaps soon be several months.   Changes are afoot in Rotary International, which includes many changes for the Rotary Foundation.  

--John's looking for a few good men and women to connect Rotary, and our club, with local media members.  Rotary's pre-packaged public service announcements are very well done, and they contain powerful images and messages. 

--Rotary is making a true push to get the word out, looking to promote through radio spots, TV spots, and even billboards, all in the effot to advertise the good work of our worldwide organization.  

--Stan Reuter volunteered to make Rotary's 'Humanity in Motion' posters available for Rotarians' places of business, at no cost.  

John wrapped up by mentioning that he knows he's 'preaching to the choir' in our small room at lunchtime, especially given that $10,000 we just raised in a couple of minutes.  However, he also stated that it needs to also be our mission to get the Rotary message 'out there' to the community at large.  And Rotary has some great PSA's ready to go...

http://rotary.org/en/Members/RunningAClub/InformingTheCommunity/Pages/HIMTelevision.aspx

http://rotary.org/en/Members/RunningAClub/InformingTheCommunity/Pages/HIMPrint.aspx

http://rotary.org/en/Members/RunningAClub/InformingTheCommunity/Pages/HIMInternet.aspx

http://rotary.org/en/Members/RunningAClub/InformingTheCommunity/Pages/HIMBillboard.aspx

http://rotary.org/en/Members/RunningAClub/InformingTheCommunity/Pages/HIMRadio.aspx 

http://rotary.org/en/Members/RunningAClub/InformingTheCommunity/Pages/HumanityinMotion.aspx