Meeting notes: Thursday, June 11, 2026

Dwinell Room at Harvest Hill

At the Rotary Youth Leadership Academy gathering from June 20 to June 22 on the Vermont State University campus at Lyndonville, participants prepare food packages to help fight hunger. The group packed 52 boxes, each containing 36 meal packages.  Each package contains six servings of Deluxe Macaroni and Cheese, so they provided 11,232 individual servings! Use this link to see them in action:
RYLA students in action

THE CHANGEOVER EDITION
 

Members in attendance at the Changeover Dinner on June 18

Marilyn Bedell, Ron Bedell, Bruce Bergeron, Dean Cashman, Bill Chabot, Dave Clarenbach, Jim Damren, Mila Dela Pena, Tim Guaraldi, Carol Keeffe, Jane Mason, Ron Michaud, Ernst Oidtmann, Bruce Pacht, Phil Rentz, Marion Steiner, Steve Whitman, and John Yacavone.

Toast:
We give thanks for this day, our fellowship, and the opportunity to serve our community. We strive to make a better world for future generations. May we always keep in mind the ideal of service above self.  Cheers!

In Memoriam—Former members who died in 2025/2026.
A bell tap for each name

• Kirk Baird
• Roger B. Ahrend
• Herbert “Herb” McKinney

“In the silence and quiet of this room, we light a candle in your honor.  Our paths crossed for a brief time, and we shared life’s journey.  Now, your path takes you elsewhere.  Your earthly journey has ended, and a new journey has begun.  May the candle remind us of the sacredness of life and what you meant to all of us.”

President Marilyn presents the year in review:
It has been an honor being you president this year. This is my opportunity to thank all of you for your support. I am hoping you are happy to be here celebrating a year that you all have made so special for me, and I hope special for you.  I’ve tried to be a catalyst for growth and more importantly to encourage all of us to find a way to be engaged in club activities from being at meetings, social gatherings, to participating in service projects and fundraisers to the best of our ability.

Club Goals for 2025/26… So how did we do?
At the Visioning meeting in 2023 (our centennial year, we determined that there were many things we could accomplish, but it would be difficult to do if we didn't grow our membership both in numbers and in engagement to do the projects.
 

We needed to stay focused on Rotary International’s Action Plan that encourages us to:

• Increase our impact.

• Expand our reach. 

• Enhance participant engagement. 

• Increase our ability to adapt.

Strategic Plan for the Rotary Club of Lebanon, NH 2024-2026
Vision: To be a dynamic and inclusive Rotary club that creates a positive impact on our local and global communities. 

Mission: To bring together passionate individuals to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards, and build goodwill locally and internationally.

• Goal 1: Membership Growth and Diversity—
  We have grown to 47 members, that includes 3 corporate memberships and added an additional 9 members. We will induct 2 more members in early July, that includes 1 more corporate membership. Jason Massey and Lebanon Opera House with lead member Joe Clifford. Our membership committee is strong and meets monthly.

• Goal 2: Member Orientation and Integration—
  We have held new membership as part of our social events at Salt Hill.  Our membership committee continues to strategize ways to make sure our new members feel welcome, and to learn what projects they want to be engaged in. 

• Goal 3: Membership Retention—

  • Engagement Surveys: For a second year, we have asked all members to complete an engagement survey as a way for committee chairs to know who they can tap for help.

  • Member Communication: We have a robust newsletter that is distributed weekly. Emails have been used to update members on other activities.

  • Socializing – we held social gatherings at Salt Hill every month.

• Goal 4: Publicity and Branding—
  Objective: Enhance the club's visibility through social media, local news coverage, and branding initiatives. 

  • Social Media Strategy: Develop and implement a social media strategy to regularly post club activities, achievements, and stories.

  • Branding Improvement: Review and update the club's branding materials, including the website, brochures, and banners.

• Goal 5: Committee Involvement—
  Committees are providing ways for members to engage in projects and fundraisers based on the member’s interests.

• Goal 6: Program Variety
  Our programs team has provided such a wide variety of speakers that make meeting more fun and interesting.

• Goal 7: Leadership Development
  We finally have a succession plan…happy dance!

Membership—Net gain of 8 members for total of 46 members as of July 1, 2026…that includes 3 Corporate membership which adds and addition 9 people to our rooster

Membership—8 members sponsored new members, Bruce Bergeron, Jim Damren, Dean Cashman, Ernst Oidtmann, Ron Bedell, Dave Clarenbach, Christian McDonald and me

Service Projects – Our goal was 12 service projects this Rotary year and we did 12 distinct service projects …some were done more than once. 

• The refrigerator move and disposal at Senior Center

• Listen Basket purchases/donations

• Listen bag and tag

• Listen food drives (2)

• Dental Clinic in WRJ/Hartford

• Vaccine Clinics (3)

• 5 College Book Sale (3)

• Health Closet Move (2)

• Rise Against Hunger

• Styrofoam

• First Grade Books

• Riverside park work too.

• Food Packaging at

Social Events—had 12 social events throughout the Rotary year.

Web Site—We are working hard to keep our public facing web page, club runner webpage, and social media up to date. A never ending job, but much improved.

Leadership Training—Jim and Bruce both attended the Presidents-elect Learning Seminar in Framingham and various District Leadership meetings.

Youth Service

• We support our 2 Interact Clubs at Lebanon High School and Mascoma Valley Regional High School. We supported their international service project that included Windsor Interact. They supported many of our local service projects too.

• We held Round 1 and Round 2 of the speech contest.

• We are sending 5 students to RYLA.

• We provided personalized books for 1^st grade students.

• We provided scholarships for students at LSH, Ledyard Charter School, and MVRHS​.

At the moment, we are the only club in District 7850 who has achieved a Club Excellence Award! We set 21 goals in the Rotary International System and achieved all 21!
 

Rotary Club of Lebanon, NH, Charities, Inc. —Bruce Pacht reported on total monie raised, total given, and short summary of our accomplishments.

Now on to celebrations and special thanks from President Marilyn:

I will start with my special thanks to these members who helped make my job as president easy:

Our Board of Directors—who can wear many “hats” of service.

• Co-Presidents Elect: Bruce Bergeron plus charities, community service, golf chair and key member of the Brewfest team; and Jim Damren plus Charities, all the work he does to help us get sponsorships for golf and Brewfest.

• Past President: Ernst Oidtmann—and our music man, and our past president who set the stage for us to have a very good year.

• Treasurer: Angela Nelson for both Club and Charities, and Holiday Basket coordinator.

• At-Large BOD: Ron Bedell —Rotary Foundation; David Crandall—Programs. 

• Dave Clarenbach—Sgt at Arms; MarionSteiner—board member and a Charities Trustee.

• Charities Trustees: Bruce Pacht (Chair) + Minute recorder at meetings, and secretary Brew Fest

• Phil Bush, and soon to be the Charities Chair-elect.

• Phil Rentz + Rotary Foundation Team.

• Programs: In addition to David Crandall, our Programs team has arranged for an array of interesting speakers. My thanks to Steve Grant, Hank Clark who also chairs our major fund raiser, Brew Fest, and John Yacavone, who is also a charities trustee and arranges for our food at Harvest Hill, while being part of the program planning team.

• Newsletter Minutes…in addition to Bruce Pacht, Will Koppenheffer has been a faithful substitute.

• Web Site and Social Media—Rich Wallace.

• International Service: Bill Secord and editor of our amazing newsletter.

• Membership: Ahmad Haidari.

• Youth Service: Christian McDonald and Curtis Payne (who also did all the paperwork for the State of NH for Brewfest.

• Revo, Food Drives, President’s Picnic: Tim Guaraldi.

• Casella—Tyler Hagan, Arranging for various waste management such as refrigerator recycling for senior center, Styrofoam and Brew Fest.

• Ron Michaud for his generosity in matching our most recent Rotary Foundation donations, plus framing new member certificates.

Celebrating Rotary Service…for Bruce Pacht and John Yacavone50^th Anniversary Resolution for Bruce and John

RESOLUTION OF RECOGNITION AND APPRECIATION
ROTARY CLUB OF LEBANON, NH, USA

WHEREAS Bruce Pacht and John Yacavone have been active and dedicated members of the Rotary Club of Lebanon, NH, USA for fifty years, having joined this esteemed organization in 1976, and

WHEREAS throughout the past half-century Bruce Pacht and John Yacavone have continuously embodied Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to humanitarian service, community betterment, and the advancement of international understanding; and 

WHEREAS Bruce Pacht and John Yacavone have faithfully served the club in various capacities, including Club President, Bruce in 1981/1982 and John in 1986/1987, in addition to a variety of other positions over their 50 years of service to the club,

WHEREAS Both Bruce Pacht and John Yacavone have provided invaluable leadership, wisdom, and mentorship to their fellow Rotarians; and 

WHEREAS Bruce Pacht and John Yacavone have fostered the ideals of fellowship and high ethical standards within our club, serving as a shining example of the Rotary spirit to both new and seasoned members alike; 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Rotary Club of Lebanon, NH, USA, hereby expresses its deepest gratitude and highest commendation to Bruce Pacht and John Yacovone for a combined total of 100 years of outstanding, loyal, and dedicated service; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be spread across the permanent minutes of this club’s history, and a copy be presented to Bruce Pacht and John Yacavone at Change Over 2026, as a lasting token of our esteem, admiration, and affection.

Special Recognition Distinguished Service Award

I have the honor of presenting a most special and prestigious award this evening, the Distinguished Service Award.

The highlights of the award:

• To qualify for the DSA, a member must have:
  Completed a minimum of ten years of membership in a Rotary Club; 

• Held the office of president or secretary in Lebanon Rotary; 

• Achieved an attendance record above the club average; 

• Demonstrated devotion and outstanding service to Lebanon Rotary, its activities, and to the objectives of Rotary International 

• Demonstrated outstanding public service to the community in which the member resides or works; 

• Earned respect in the member’s business or professional community while exemplifying the objectives of Rotary International as they pertain to that business or profession; 

• Received unanimous approval of the DSA selection committee. Those serving on the selection committee shall not be eligible during their year of service on the committee.

The award is intended to honor exceptional service beyond that expected of every Rotarian. Accordingly, the award may not be given during every Rotary year. The recipient is to be honored with the following: A cash donation of $1,000.00 made in the individual’s name to The Rotary Foundation, and a plaque.

This award is presented to ……. Bruce Pacht.

Rotary Foundation—Ron Bedell and Phil Rentz
Foundation Giving 2025/2026
Presentation of Honorary Paul Harris Awards

Jane Mason receives her Paul-Harris-plus-six pin! One ruby!

President Marilyn passes gavel to incoming Co-Presidents Jim Damren and Bruce Bergeron

Incoming Board and Committee Chairs

A note from Sharmila Karki

Dear Rotarian family,

A note from Kristi Lenart-Rikert

Executive Director/Listen

View letter here: Letter from Listen's director

In Kristi's email she wrote:

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Lebanon Recreation Parks and Park and Arts is planning events on July 2 and July 4 to celebrate 250 years of the United States’ creation.
• July 2—farmer’s market, family friendly entertainment, front porch, and a Novo Nordisk-funded fireworks show
• July 4—Special parade this year. Invitation to community organization—classic cars, 11:30. BBQ free in Colburn Park. Lions will do some food. Leb Women’s Club—baked goods.

DISTRICT 7850 COMING EVENTS:

• September 3, District Governor Ariel Mondlak visitation—Just before our Brewfest!
• September 5, Saturday of Labor Day Weekend: 2026 Brewfest

 

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

June 25—Meredith Melendy, our Malouin Teacher Scholarship winner 

July 2—Club Meeting Classification talk, James Carroll

July 9—Sylvia Dow Executive Director, Non-profit VISION

July 16—Will Towne (New) Executive Director, Upper Valley Haven

July 23—Lynn Howard Executive Director, Cornerstone Chartered School

August 6—Classification Talk, Tyler Hagan

August 13—Gary Summerton, Photographer
August 20—Clara Moses, from Hydrate Marketing
August 27—Colby Price, Director of Lebanon Adult Education and Literacy Services (SAU 88)

Program coordinator for start of Rotary year 2026-2027:

John Yacavone (July, August, September).

 

Awesome News from Rise against Hunger