President-elect Marilyn Bedell: “Survey Says: Club Engagement Survey Data”
Marilyn Bedell
Marilyn led those present through a series of slides explaining the goals of the survey process, and shared not only the results, but also her own thoughts about our Club’s current status and future strengths and challenges. We achieved 100% participation from all 34 members. (For details, please all of Marilyn’s slides they will be sent to active members via email.)
Here are a some important take-aways from Marilyn’s presentation:
The survey was done so Marilyn could better understand how each individual would be willing to serve the club and be engaged in Rotary activities.
For Lebanon Rotary to survive into the future, it will take all of us plus a new generation of Lebanon Rotarians.
Marilyn reviewed the Vision we created for our club in 2023, covering areas in which we wanted to improve, and how much progress we had made or failed to make. Leadership succession planning is our most immediate need. Marilyn pointed out that “leadership” isn’t as scary or time-consuming as one might fear. Many of our past presidents were working full-time when they served. Club members provide a great deal of support to our leaders by spreading the work among us.
President-elect Marilyn’s action plan areas:
Create a leadership development plan – part of this will be expanding our orientation efforts
Grow our membership – we have had no net growth
Become more conscious of Rotary’s 7 Areas of Focus
Create and work from annual club goals
Let the community know enough about us so they would not let Lebanon Rotary disappear. We are NOT the Rotary we were in the 1980s.
Here are specific responses reporting Rotarians’ willingness to engage in various areas of community and club service:
Fundraisers
Golf – Bruce Bergeron said the first organizational meeting will take place next week. The event requires at least 13 volunteers on the day of the event. 11 survey respondents said they’d help solicit sponsorships.
Charitable gaming – Tim Guaraldi has been pursuing this avenue. We weren’t selected for the first six months. Tim’s spoken with a key person in Dover. We are hoping to be allocated spots in the 3rd and 4th quarter of the year. Marilyn says we should let REVO Casino know that we are Rotarians when we go there.
Brew Fest – Marion needs to be relieved of the planning process, so we need a new chair. Phil will coordinate the day of the event. Marilyn will set a time to meet for next steps among the people interested. PLEASE NOTE: As president, Marilyn will sunset the event if no one accepts leadership.
Community service
12 Rotarians said they’d be willing to serve on an overarching community service committee
Youth Service
Phil R did a good job with the speech contest. Christian did excellent promotion of RYLA to all sophomore students at LHS; Lebanon and Mascoma Interactors will partner with Windsor High School’s Interact club to stage a RISE Against Hunger food packaging project. Curtis said he would “Shepherd the MVRHS Club.”
International
Josh is learning more about his role as chair. At least 8 Rotarians said they’d be willing to serve on this committee.
The Rotary Foundation
4 Rotarians said they’d be willing to serve in addition to Ron and Phil R.
Public image
4 Rotarians indicated interest.
Annual holiday party
Ron, Marion and Bruce B would be willing to chair this event; 19 Rotarians said they were willing to attend.
President’s picnic
9 Rotarians said they would attend
Purge the back room at Dwinell
5 said they would help.
Involvement with District 7850 committees and activities
7 would consider Foundation
7 would attend the annual district conference
4 would attend district changeover
6 would attend training seminars
4 said they’d like to know more about the work of district committees
The Big One – Succession Planning
We don’t have a vice-president this year which means we have no president-elect selected for 2025-26. We need to fill these roles to ensure survival of our Club. Marilyn said she hopes the Club isn’t yet ready for palliative care, and hopefully not for a funeral in our near future.
QUESTIONS
George Wenz – Is there room or interest in other types of sports or social events as fundraisers? Something built around pickleball, for instance. Maybe a cross-country/ski jumping event involving Whaleback?
Cal Wolfe comments
Rotary has been disappointing to me in one way – there is a ton of experience and knowledge in this room yet not very much of that has reached Cal. He doesn’t see us engaged with each other in a way which really demands some deep thinking.
We are living in a changed world, a changed country with challenges with which we should be playing a role. Cal believes that if we do, we would attract young people who are wishing to engage with the challenges. For example, how can Rotary help the City handle its issues? Not just with a nice project, but how can we help the City deal, for example, with changed revenue from Federal and state sources. How can we help schools and taxpayers survive a potentially significant loss of federal education funds. How can we help local hospitals to fulfill their mission if Medicaid support is significantly reduced? How can Lebanon Rotary act as a catalyst, maybe as a convener, to increase awareness.
Steve Grant comments
During my last year in London, I was membership chair of the Paddington club. The fundamental problem I faced is that we failed to pay attention to how overall society and overall charitable activities in the area were changing. We are all part of a dynamic society and economics. We can’t deal solely with how those problems affect those of us sitting in Lebanon Rotary meetings.
Marilyn heard the following from former charter member of the Rotary Club of Lebanon-Riverside Bill Sahlman
In Portland, there’s a group called “100 Good Men.” 180 people pay $100 4 times a year to come to a meeting and distribute the funds (That’s 180*$100*4 = $72,000!) to not-for-profits in need – and that’s their club’s purpose. What if Lebanon Rotary set up a companion club to increase our service potential? 300 people belong to the UV Young Professionals – It’s mostly a social organization, but that’s how Rotary started. How might we harness their energy in a way we aren’t doing now? Staying within our current framework may not work.
President Ernst complimented Marilyn on her work and presentation. He said that we face re’s a serious societal issue with fewer people working or gathering together for anything. He agreed that leadership is our most serious problem
Minutes from our March 20th Meeting
Meeting Called to Order at noon by Ernst Oidtmann:
President Ernst rang the bell at 12:00 pm to call the meeting to order
George Wenz led us in a recitation of the 4-Way Test of the Things We Think Say or Do.
President Ernst accompanied us on piano for the Rotary Welcome Song and “Campton Races”
Rotary Anniversaries - Dean Cashman: 19 years; Joshua Smith: 9 years.
President Ernst graced us with his thoughts of the day:
What is black and white and red (read) all over? A newspaper.
How do you know it’s raining cats and dogs? You step in a poodle.
When was Adam created? Just before Eve.
When is a door not a door? When it’s ajar.
Enough!
Then it was on to our luncheon buffet.
After lunch:
Induction of Returning Member, Steve Grant
President Ernst introduced Steve, a former Lebanon Rotary president, 2000-2001. He was a member of the Paddington Rotary Club while working in London, 2007-2011. Welcome back to the Rotary Club of Lebanon!
Ernst Oidtmann and Steve Grant
Program — ***Survey Says*** Marilyn Bedell shared the data from the Club engagement survey. See story above.
Happy/Sad Dollars
Phil Bush’s granddaughter graduates high school in June. So far, she’s been accepted at all but one of her colleges – she was waiting-listed at that one. Carleton College in Minnesota (past president Dan Affeldt was a Carleton graduate) has accepted her with sufficient financial aid to make her attendance real. Phil’s looking forward to trips to Minnesota in his future.
Ron Michaud is thinking of returning to Scotland one more time to play golf. Because of working out and meditation he thinks he can continue to play though he will celebrate his 90th birthday on May 12. Ron pointed out that the first time he played at Scotland’s historic Saint Andrews, it cost him $25; today’s greens fee is $500!!
John Yacavone bragged that his grandson will start working Monday as “advertising coordinator” at the Valley News.
Cal Wolfe is happy about being back from his hospital adventure. He said that he deadlifted 300 lbs. on his 80th birthday; his ambition is to deadlift 200 lbs when he turns 90, which is still several years from now.
Will Koppenheffer treated us to a story of his vacation’s ups and downs. He and Ellen spent 3 weeks in Arlington, then went to Florida. They took the autotrain from DC to Florida, but Ellen pinched a nerve which left her in pain, unable to lift or walk while Will took care of their grandchild-care responsibilities. Then, Will pulled his back playing golf but is feeling a bit better from this morning’s massage therapy. On the Monday driving back from DC, they hit a pothole north of Springfield which blew out a tire. It was raining, of course. Will took everything out of the trunk, lifted the floor lid and found NO TIRE. Looking in the glove compartment, he found this advice: “If you want a spare tire, contact your dealer.” AAA towed his car, but he had to pay $230 for a new tire.
Ernst Oidtmann offered a happy dollar to celebrate Linda’s impending return from her babysitting commitment in Plymouth. He also had a visit from his son Max who lives in Munich.
Event Details: Saturday, April 12, 2025, 9-11 am at the Hanover Street School parking lot at 193 Hanover Street in Lebanon. Rain, snow, or shine.
2025 Household Foam Collection Day in Lebanon, NH
Sustainable Lebanon is once again partnering with the Lebanon Rotary Club to offer a polystyrene (Styrofoam) collection day on Saturday, April 12, from 9 - 11 am at the Hanover Street School parking lot at 193 Hanover Street, Lebanon. The event will take place rain, snow, or shine, and is open to residents of the Upper Valley.
We will be collecting clean rigid polystyrene #6 (EPS) and #6 food service foam which will be driven to the Gilford, NH recycling facility. Examples of EPS include packaging foam used for TVs and appliances as well as styrofoam coolers. Examples of food service foam include clean food containers, trays, cups, and egg cartons. It is important that all tape and labels be removed and all collected foam is clean, dry, and free of food residue or other debris. We will NOT be collecting #4 EPE or #6 XPS foam insulation board at this event.
Please review these examples of acceptable and unacceptable types of foam
As usual, foam peanuts should be brought directly to the UPS Store or Hanover Transfer and Storage.
An educational handout will be provided explaining the chemical content of polystyrene foam, how you can encourage companies who use foam packaging to transition to eco-friendly packaging, and suggestions on how to shift to a plastic free lifestyle.
There is no fee to participate, but donations are welcome to support the costs associated with this event. Donations can be made at the event via cash or check (payable to Sustainable Lebanon). Thanks in advance for considering a donation!
For more information and to volunteer on April 12, please contact Cindy Heath, 603-543-1307, cheath58@gmail.com.
District 7850 Team Training Seminar, April 12th at Northern Vermont State College, Lyndon. If you can't help with styrofoam, consider joining Marilyn Bedell at the District Team Training Seminar.
Clean Up Day in May: Ernst indicated he has suggested May 17, 2025 for this event...so save the date.
Club Change Over Celebration — Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at 5:30 PM SAVE THE DATE. Location being worked on. Stay tuned for details.
Attendance:
Rotarians in attendance: John Yacavone, Ron Michaud, Dave Clarenbach, Steve Whitman, Marilyn Bedell, Ernst Oidtmann, Mila dela Pena, George Wenz, Phil Rentz, Ron Bedell, Bill Secord, Cal Wolfe, Hank Clarke, Dean Cashman, Jim Damren, Dave Crandall, Richard Wallace, Rich Wallace, Will Koppenheffer, Bruce Bergeron
Guest - Steve Grant
FUTURE MEETING PROGRAMS/SPEAKERS
Mar 27:Classification Talks – Max J. and Mila D.
Apr 3:West Lebanon/Hanover Greenway – Tim Cox Apr 10:Committee Updates Apr 17:Art and Community at AVA Gallery – Claire Geno Apr 24:Open Democracy: Strengthening Voter Participation – Autumn Raschick-Goodwin
May 1:Legalized Marijuana: Risks and Benefits – Bob Lyon May 8:The Sweet Story Behind Katie’s Cookies – Katie [Last Name?] May 15:Understanding the Economy – Dartmouth Professor Charlie Wheelan May 22:Infrastructure and Public Works Update – Jay Cairelli, Director of Public Works May 29:Lifelong Learning at Osher – Osher Presentation (at Osher offices, organized by Hank
Note: David Crandall will be scheduling programs January through June 2025
Standing Meetings
Membership Meetings: Second Tuesday each month at 3:30 PM at Downtown Lebanon Library and via Zoom.
Contact: Ahmad Hadari
Youth Services: Second Wednesday of the month at Noon
Contact: Christian MacDonald
Charities: Third Wednesday of the month at 1:00 p.m.
Contact: Bruce Pacht
Board Meeting: 4th Tuesday of every month at 4:00 PM via Zoom.
Contact: Ernst Oidtmann
Golf: 2025 schedule to be announced
Contact: Bruce Bergeron
Brew Fest: The 2025 Schedule to be announced
Contact: Marilyn Bedell
Rotary News
Nobel laureate leads speaker roster for 2025 Rotary International convention
Yemeni journalist Tawakkol Karman promotes peace and women’s rights
By Etelka Lehoczky
Tawakkol Karman
The first woman from the Arab world to win the Nobel Peace Prize will address Rotary International’s 2025 convention, which takes place from 21-25 June in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Tawakkol Karman has endured persecution and imprisonment for speaking out in favor of democracy and women’s empowerment.
“In the most trying circumstances, both before and during the Arab Spring, Karman has played a leading part in the struggle for women’s rights and for democracy in Yemen,” said Thorbjørn Jagland, chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, announcing the Nobel Prize in 2011. Karman shared the award with Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Leymah Gbowee.
A journalist and human rights activist, Karman organized numerous protests against the repressive regime of Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh from 2007-2011, acquiring the nicknames “mother of the revolution” and “the iron woman.” In 2005 she founded Women Journalists Without Chains, which trains journalists, reports on efforts to silence the media, and promotes women’s rights.
“‘Women’s rights’ means democracy, means freedom of expression, means freedom to choose your ruler,” Karman said at the 2023 Munich Security Conference. She says Western governments have supported anti-revolutionary efforts in the Middle East, undermining democratic movements in the region.
Karman also founded the Peaceful Revolutionary Youth Council. During the Arab Spring movement in the early 2010s, she called for peaceful dialogue rather than violence and worked for reconciliation between Shia and Sunni Muslims. She believes Islam should peacefully coexist with other religions and that it presents no barrier to women’s full participation in every sphere of society.
Time magazine included Karman on a list of 17 of “History’s Most Rebellious Women” and named her one of its 100 Women of the Year in 2011. Foreign Policy magazine has included her among its Top 100 Global Thinkers. The Tawakkol Karman Foundation builds schools, fights poverty, and supports health care in Yemen.
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