Cogitator Nov 20, 2013

Posted by George Cooper 
on Nov 20, 2013
 

Jan Young and Kevin Fissette, Goodwill Industries of RI

 

 

GUESTS

Bob Miller’s niece Katie Scalera joined us for lunch.  (Katie was actually having lunch for two!) 

 

BIRTHDAYS

Happy birthday wishes from the club, as well a hearty serenade, were delivered this week to Honorary Rotarian Jon Eastman (November 21st) and to Wil Yoder (November 23rd). 

ROTARY ANNIVERSARY

Beth DeGerlia celebrates her 5th anniversary in Rotary this week on November 19th.

MILLION DOLLAR MEAL

Don’t forget…next week, Wednesday, November 27th, we travel to Temple Torat Yisrael on 1251 Middle Road for our second Million Dollar Meal.  Rabbi Amy Levin will be our host for a tour and a delicious kosher lunch. 

ROTARY FOUNDATION DINNER

Chuck and Bonnie Sauer were able to attend the recent Rotary Foundation Dinner held at the Venus DeMilo Restaurant.  The guest speaker received a Service Above Self award for his fine work in building an aquifer in a Pacific territory affected by frequent monsoons. 

ROTARY FOUNDATION MOMENT

John Wolcott shared a quote from the Rotary Foundation’s architect, Arch Klumph, who was also the sixth president of Rotary International:  ‘Our job in Rotary is not to build monuments, but rather work on mortal minds which will brighten the world for all eternity.’

Read more about Arch Klumph, and the Foundation (including an interesting connection to Abe Lincoln):  http://www.rotaryfirst100.org/presidents/1916klumph/klumph/index.htm

CITRUS CAMPAIGN

Only one week left folks, and we’re at 58% of our goal.  Keep on selling!  Bonnie Sauer thanked top salesman Lou Lepry for leading the club with $755 in orders.  (Bob Sloan was mentioned last week for his outstanding work, too.)

LITERACY COMMITTEE

Karen Taylor will head back to London Bridge Child Care Center next week (December 4th) for round two of the Literacy Committee’s book distribution.  Please see Karen if you’d like to be part of delivering books and spending time reading to the London Bridge’s pre-school kids.

PHILIPPINES RELIEF

Rotary International President Ron Burton hails from Oklahoma, a state ravaged by tornadoes in the recent past.  So, he knows a thing or two about human suffering following natural disasters.  He is currently leading Rotary’s efforts to assist those in need following the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.  One major plan includes delivery of scores of Rotary’s ‘shelter box’ tents.

ROTARY AFTER DARK

Jonathan TerMeer announced our next Rotary After Dark event, to be held at 5:30pm on Thursday, December 5th, at Caprice Restaurant.  The cost is only $10, which will cover light appetizers and allow us to also make a donation for shelter boxes.  Make sure to be there for a nice after-hours get together and an evening of Rotary fellowship.        

PAUL HARRIS FELLOWSHIP

Vin Meola was pleased to note that new two Paul Harris teams have been formed this year.  And, he announced the first award recipient from one of those teams, Dr. Bob Miller.  Congratulations, Bob! 

Also, if you’re on a Paul Harris team, please make sure to send in your annual contribution to Vin as soon as possible.

COMMUNITY SERVICE DISTRIBUTIONS

The board of directors recently approved several donations:  $500 for the Providence Food Pantry; $200 for Foster Forward; $300 for St. Mary’s Home for Children; $200 for the Jimmy Fund.

MEMBERSHIP

Janet Essex was on hand as Membership Chair for last week’s ‘fireside chat’ with two incoming members, Bill Sequino and Anne Marie Charland.  Past President Ken Colaluca was the gracious host. 

HAPPY BUCKS

-Pat Lenihan was very happy that Coldwell Banker’s charity event for Crossroads raised close to $18,000! 

-Sue Dorne asked everyone to support local businesses in the upcoming East Greenwich Holiday Strolls.

-Wil Yoder was happy to still be on sabbatical from his Rhode Island School of Design teaching duties.

-Dave Iannuccilli, back from the Dominican Republic, confirmed he was indeed scouting local talent for the New York Yankees.

-Bob Miller was pleased to dedicate his new Paul Harris Fellowship award to his niece Katie, and his future grand-nephew. 

-Bob Sloan’s wife Cathi had a rough week featuring eye surgery, a daughter moving away to California, and a wrecked car.  Yikes!

-Vin Meola gave a buck for Bob’s niece Katie, and her bringing into the world a future Red Sox fan.

-John Wolcott’s Santa duties include work on Newport’s Polar Express, where he was met last week by a young lady who last year asked Santa for ‘a man in her life.’  She gushed that she got her wish this year, and more…a diamond ring, and, a baby on the way.  (Behold, the power of Santa John!) 

-Sally Russell was proud to announce that her daughter Eliza is a finalist for Ohio Alliance Charter Schools’ ‘Teacher of the Year!’

 

PROGRAM/SPEAKER

Kevin Fissette, Goodwill Industries of Rhode Island

‘Founded in 1863 as The Irrepressible Society with a mission of taking care of disabled veterans of the American Civil War, Goodwill Industries of Rhode Island is today a comprehensive education and employment center committed to serving the needs of persons with disabilities and other barriers to employment. 

In 1929, the agency name changed to The Bureau of the Handicapped and occupational and therapeutic services were added to the offerings. In 1945 the agency’s name was changed once again to Community Workshops and in 1977 to Vocational Resources reflecting the broad range of educational and vocational services now available.

 Goodwill Industries of Rhode Island serves over 1500 individuals each year and partners with over 280 employers. Services for youth and adults provide the academic, life management and vocational skills needed to help people obtain and maintain the best job at the highest wage possible.’

Goodwill allows for a 10-day work experience, free of charge, during which time Goodwill’s placements come to your business on a trial basis.  ‘If you’re not satisfied in any way, the contract is over—no questions asked,’ offered Kevin Fissette.  Well-known local partners include Cox Communications, Job Lot, Stop and Shop, TJ Maxx, and Rhode Island School of Design. 

Goodwill is greatly expanding its clothing donation bin business.  Sales from clothing helps fund many programs such as computer training and retail/customer service training.  They are looking for new spots for bins.  ‘Those clothes are like gold to us!’ Kevin exclaimed.  He encouraged Rotarians to ‘try us for 6 months…let us put a bin at your workplace.’    

Goodwill is also engaged in a free electronics recycling program in which they can pick up goods at homes or businesses.  Computers are both rebuilt or deconstructed based on new ‘green’ standards.  Many educational institutions, including Brown University, have been terrific partners.  ‘We do all the work, making it easy for people to donate clothes and electronics,’ Kevin concluded. 

http://www.goodwillri.org/