Cogitator Sept 28, 2011

VISITING ROTARIANS

Steve Hinger, past president of the Warwick Rotary Club, joined us for lunch.  

GUESTS

Polly Erickson was with us as well.  Andy gave Polly credit for recently rescuing him and his badly broken ankle in Kodiak, Alaska.  

BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES

None this week... 

CLUB ANNIVERSARIES

Club Secretary Jodi Gladstone (re)joined the Rotary Club of East Greenwich four years ago on October 3rd.  Happy club anniversary also this week to our Secretary/President Elect Ken Colaluca, who received his Rotary pin and badge 11 years ago.  

PHONEBOOK UPDATE

Phonebook Chair Betsy DePrimo gave us the latest Phonebook revenues tally, $60,800.  She also mentioned that Alan Clarke is doing an op-ed piece in the East Greenwich Pendulum on our club's phonebook efforts throughout the years.  Alan will include his observations of all Rotary's hard work and dedication that goes into our biggest charitable funds project each year.  From current chair Betsy to each Rotarian down the line who has done his or her part, the Phonebook Campaign has been at the core of our club's fundraising work for decades.  And...congratulations, Betsy, for a job well done, and heartfelt thanks from the entire club for all of your tireless work this year!   

FEINSTEIN CHALLENGE

Bonnie Sauer, who took the Feinstein Challenge reins immediately upon her induction into the club, read a nice letter from District Governor Bill Vangel.  Bill thanked Bonnie and the Club for success in supporting the District's Health and Hunger Committee goals.  

ROTARACT

President Mike Gemma is excited to sponsor our first ever Rotaract Club, and he continues to spearhead efforts in getting Rotaract off the ground at New England Tech on Division Road.  

INTERACT

Mike also mentioned that we have made recent gains lately in strengthening our already existing Interact Club at East Greenwich High School.  'We're getting more attention,' thanks to Mike and New Generations Chair, Bill Ten Eyck. 

PROVIDENCE BRUINS NIGHT

Not only will you be supporting Rotary District 7950.  Not only will you be helping in Rotary's fight against polio.  Not only will President Mike Gemma be buying beer and hot dogs for us all night.  But now the icing on the cake...P-Bruins sports bottles.  Now, there's no reason to stay home on Friday, October 21st.  Be there, at The Dunk.  See Mike and get your tickets, today!   

INDUCTION

Keith Peacock, from The Vertis Group, and sponsored by President Mike, was inducted into the club today.  Past Presidents Richard Waterman and Bill McHale assisted with the ceremony.  Keith and friend Jon TerMeer now represent a true Youth Movement afoot in East Greenwich Rotary.  Welcome, Keith!  

PROGRAM/SPEAKER

The Rhode Island Foundation, featuring Jim Sanzi, Gail Ginnety, and Jennifer Reid      

"The Rhode Island Foundation was founded in 1916, is one of the oldest and largest community foundations in the country, and is the only community foundation serving the state of Rhode Island.  The Rhode Island Foundation is a proactive community and philanthropic leader dedicated to meeting the needs of the people of Rhode Island.

To advance this mission we:

• Actively inspire philanthropy and increase permanent resources for the state of Rhode Island,
• Create maximum positive impact through our grant making, outreach and other investments in the community,
• Provide leadership and a forum for dialogue on critical community issues,
• Collaborate with individual, business, government and community partners to catalyze positive change and develop solutions to longstanding challenges."

(From RI Foundation website)

Jim Sanzi and Gail Ginnety are senior development officers at The RI Foundation, and they took time to tell us about their organization's good work in the RI community.  Jennifer Reid, RI Foundation's controller, joined us as well.

Jim noted an interesting fact, that RI ranks 46th in the country in charitable giving, donating only 1.54% of its adjusted gross income.  New England as a whole follows this relatively 'stingy' trend, which makes it all the more challenging for the Foundation's development officers like Jim and Gail.  It also makes their work that much more important, given their reach into the community. 

There are some 1200 individual donor-directed accounts, pooled together money-wise to extend their financial power.  The RI Foundation is well connected to, and proactive with, RI philanthropic leaders and politicians.  Jim noted that it is one of those places where liberal and conservatives work side by side to lend a helping hand.  

Gail Ginnety spoke of helping other non-profit organizations manage their operations and boards.  There are even fellowship programs sponsored by The RI Foundation.  These fellowships help encourage and foster personal development of organizations' local board members and seek to augment leadership skills and effective stewardship.  The RI Foundation also has a 'younger generation' focus, like Rotary's New Generations.  

Some $1.3 million has been given as grant money to the East Greenwich area over the past 9 months, including scholarships.  Over $3 million has been given to the West Bay area as a whole, helping over 50 separate organizations.  

Interestingly, Henry Eldridge, a founding member of our club, donated to The RI Foundation years ago, and his funds are still at work.  The RI Foundation has some $575 million in assets today.  There are many ways to donate to The RI Foundation and set up your own 'account.'  Here is their website which shares that information and more...    

http://www.rifoundation.org/Default.aspx 

Chub Clement chatting with Gail Ginnety.  

Bob Petrucelli discussing matters with Jim Sanzi. 

New member Keith Peacock, with Jennifer Reid, controller of The RI Foundation.  

A dedicated Andy Erickson...casts, crutches, and ankle pain can't keep him away from Wednesday at Chianti's.