Police Captain Tim Cohen talk was titled, What’s going on with the Lebanon Police Department?
Tim doesn’t get out as much as he used to, such as making traffic stops. He spends most of his time in the office as he heads Lebanon’s Professional Standards Bureau, a very important function. He deals with internal and external complaints, policies, and positioning the police department to achieve accreditation.
The Police Department has achieved accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).
Tim shared that less than 5% of NH’s 200+ law enforcement agencies are accredited by CALEA which was created in 1979 by 4 major law enforcement organizations. Going through accreditation forces a hard look on processes, how we can improve with new and better policies, and best practices in every facet of our jobs from handling payroll to use of force, arrests, evidence, etc. Tim has spent the better part of 2.5 years on this process.
To obtain accreditation, Lebanon Police made sure every policy was in line with CALEA standards, then, the department had to ACT on the changes For example, they updated their evidence room. When they moved from City Hall, evidence just was basically tossed onto shelves in a room. They have since gone through everything, returning property to owners when possible and appropriate, getting court motions to allow destruction when owners couldn’t be located, establishing secure-within-secure rooms for drugs, firearms, weapons, valuables.
CALEA accreditation checks on 182 items on a wide variety of issues, for each of which an agency must demonstrate “proof”. For example, when we handcuff, we must double lock and check for tightness. Tim must file a report that shows policy was followed. Another example, they had to present a pay stub to verify provision of insurance for police officers. The process requires A TON OF PAPERWORK, but more importantly everyone in the department had to buy in, and understand the importance of achieving the CALEA recognition.
In June, a group of assessors accessed Lebanon’s computers online, going through all records for the accreditation. Normally, there would be an on-site evaluation from two officers from different parts of the country. Interviews are held with partners like WISE and West Central, and a public forum was held, this year all reviews were done through Zoom. Lebanon received high marks.
On November 13, 2020, Lebanon went in front of the CALEA commission which included, among others, a college professor, a circuit court judge from Ontario, a chief of police, and a former MBTA head, receiving unanimous acceptance. Lebanon Police is just the 15th agency in the state NH to receive such accreditation out of more than 200 law enforcement agencies.
Why bother? Accreditation shows that we’ve taken the effort to act within best practices, taking on national and international standards. We are astonished when we learn that many agencies don’t yet have body or cruiser cameras since Lebanon was among the first in NH to have body cameras which have been a great help in resolving arguments and helping us to strive to do better.
Throughout the traumatic events of 2020 across the country, the rising concern about systemic racism in the profession, Lebanon is proud to say that our community policing is a model. Our annual reports don’t show any racial bias complaints against us for many years.
CALEA process requires re-accreditation every 4 years, so we must keep tabs each year on proofs of our actions. Sununu issued an executive order that cities and towns should attempt to accredit their depts, if not through CALEA, then through some other organization.
Questions:
Paul Tierney: Where do you stand on the Laurie list? The list isn’t disclosed to the public and Paul feels that is a problem. From an editorial in the Union Leader, September 16, 2020, In short, this is a list of police officers who have some conduct that has raised credibility issues. The list is maintained by the New Hampshire Attorney General’s office so that criminal defendants in cases involving these cops can be properly notified of that fact in preparing their defense.
Tim: The list is of officers who’ve done egregious things such as being untruthful with reports or evidence, or use of force, such that their credibility in court would be in question. Officers need to be “professionally perfect,” so their testimony is harder to challenge in court. If the officer is on the list, that officer’s testimony may not be taken seriously and therefore be a liability to the Lebanon force, so officers who get on that list don’t stay long with the department. The list is available to attorneys; any time a Lori list officer testifies, the officer’s position on the list must be made known.
Rudy Fedrizzi: Is there a way residents would know of the accreditation?
Tim: We created supercool-looking business cards. We have stickers on order to put on cruisers. It’s on the website. The chief has done some bragging. It’s still pretty new to us.
Hank: If you let someone go because of the Laurie list and they apply to another force, will that be disclosed?
Tim: Other agencies have access to that list and to our own records.
Garlan Hoskin: I’m interested in your music career
Tim: I work with UV music center giving drum lessons to a lot of kids – I love that. Trying to teach drums on Zoom is very hard, but I’m learning more and more. I haven’t performed since last March, losing out on a lot of money and a lot of fun in 2020.
Dan Affeldt: What kind of drumming do you do with students?
Tim: I teach matched grip instead of the traditional grip. I do a lot of snare drum rudiments, reading, and drum set work. I love teaching pit work and love playing a wide range of percussion instruments like xylophone, tympani, etc.
Steve Whitman: What other things is the department doing these days?
Tim: A Lebanon contingent of the Democratic Socialists of America is advocating defunding the Lebanon Police Departments by 50% to put that money towards better social and human services, housing, parks and rec. We think that would be tragic for policing. We believe better mental health services are needed. 95+ percent of our staff is crisis intervention-trained to work through MH issues, dealing with things on the road and getting folks where they need to be. We agree that more MH service accessibility is necessary but that it shouldn’t be taken from the department; we think there should be increased federal or state funding for this purpose. We’ve been looking at grants that might “marry” us with West Central as we are with WISE on domestic violence calls.
Marilyn Bedell: Have things improved re: drug interventions?
Tim: I think we are still behind. We are fortunate that things are better in Lebanon than across the river, and than Claremont/Springfield. We are still dealing with hard drugs. We barely even handle marijuana complaints, giving a summons at best. Fentanyl and crystal meth resurgence are far more worrying. A member of our force serves on the NH Attorney General’s task force, so we’re very in touch. We offer diversion when we can.
Hank Clarke: Is the Democratic Socialists of America a national or local organization?
Tim: The folks we know are from town, but I think the organization is national. Their ultimate goal, according to their website, is eventually to abolish police, create a society where police are no longer needed. I think that’s probably not possible, given my experience in law enforcement.
Jimmy Brock: Drug court in Lebanon: Please tell how active and effective it is.
Tim: It’s been great. In each case, the prosecutor makes the decision about whether he thinks drug court will work for the individual. We think it’s the best route when it works. For example, I could write tickets for speeders all day, but if you stop speeding because I gave you a break once, great, let’s do it! Sometimes there are folks who commit crimes because they weren’t in their right minds when they committed the crime -- drug court is very helpful in such circumstances.
Ron Bedell: How’s the 25 mph speed limit going?
Tim: It’s very new. The signs are out. Officers are sensitive that this is a new thing. I hope it will calm things down. Traffic control is a source of many complaints to us. “That guy is flying through our neighborhood!” We cannot answer them all. We hope 25 will get people back to thinking about moderating their speed.
Hank Clarke wants to see cameras at red lights to catch folks ignoring the red light.
Tim: Right now in NH, whether cameras can be used to record and issue summonses legally is in question.
Marilyn Bedell: How many hours is a policeman assigned at DHMC? Is there enough security there?
Tim: Right now, we are working with DHMC Emergency Dept where hospital feels most problems occur. We are at the hospital 6 PM to 2 AM every day; DHMC pays for that officer.
Paul Tierney thinks it would be good for the department to outreach, like when there’s an incident in Minnesota and you guys write a letter saying that we don’t have it here. I think it’s impressive that our police department hasn’t had a bias complaint
Tim: It’s a little uncomfortable and we walk a fine line with what we say. We don’t want to comment, we want to stay neutral.
*********************
Short Bio for Tim Cohen
Tim Cohenhas been in law enforcement since 1995. He started with the Canaan Police Department and in 2000 became the Chief of Police. He held that position until 2006 when he was offered a position as a Lieutenant with the Lebanon Police Department. Since then, he has been promoted to the rank of Captain and now oversees the Professional Standards Bureau and is the department’s Accreditation Manager. During his time in law enforcement, he has been a K9 Handler, instructor, School Resource Officer, and attended the FBI National Academy for 10 weeks at Quantico in 2002. In addition, Tim is a skilled musician. He specialty is percussion instruments. He teaches drumming. He is also a song writer and composed a symphony for the NH Symphony. Tim can often be found in the pit playing at the Lebanon Opera for many of the musicals that have been produced there. He looks forward to being able to support these productions post-COVID-19. He is also noted for his musical abilities, as drummer, as song writer and he has even composed a symphony.
The Lebanon Police Department earned its first international accreditation certification from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) following a panel interview by CALEA commissioners at CALEA’s Fall Virtual Conference on November 13, 2020.
On Friday, November 13, 2020, Lebanon Police Chief Richard Mello, Accreditation Manager Captain Tim Cohen, Deputy Chief Phillip Roberts, Lieutenant Matthew Isham, and Consultant William Pease, appeared before a six-member panel of CALEA commissioners and CALEA staff to answer questions about the Lebanon Police Department’s recent June 2020 Virtual On-Site Assessment. The commissioners reviewed the assessment report prepared in June by a two-member assessment team of law enforcement professionals from outside of New Hampshire, who reviewed department compliance with applicable standards, conducted inspections of our facility with officers, interviewed citizens, and conducted a public hearing.
The Fall Virtual Panel consisted of Paul MacMillan (CALEA Regional Program Manager) who is a retired Chief of Police for the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority; Randy Scott (CALEA Regional Program Manager) who retired from the Oklahoma City Police Department after 44 years of law enforcement service; Joseph Schafer (CALEA Commissioner) who is a Professor of Criminology & Criminal Justice at Saint Louis University; Timothy Dunning (CALEA Commissioner) who is the Sheriff of Douglas County, Nebraska; Jacquie Daumont (CALEA Commissioner) who serves as the chief executive officer for the Alberta Justice and Solicitor General, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement; and Jon Hulsing (CALEA Commissioner) who serves as judge for the 20th Circuit Court in Ottawa County, MI.
The 42-page assessment report, written by retired Chief David Belmonte from the Lake Bluff (IL) Police Department, following his team’s virtual visit, concluded that the Lebanon Police Department is a very professional law enforcement agency committed to providing a high level of law enforcement services to the community.
CALEA is a voluntary international program that demonstrates a department’s commitment to excellence, while serving its citizens and showing that the agency is meeting internationally established best practices for law enforcement agencies. CALEA Accreditation is the mark of professional excellence and the gold standard in public safety.
In the agency’s quest for CALEA Accreditation, the Lebanon Police Department is required to comply with over 170 standards as set forth by CALEA. The agency is required to establish written directives for those standards, as well as providing proofs of compliance that the agency is in fact in compliance with each of the standards. The department began the three-year self-assessment period after enrolling in the program in January of 2018.
In New Hampshire, there are over 200 law enforcement agencies. Only 15 of these agencies are accredited by CALEA, including the Lebanon Police Department.
“I am extremely proud of the men and women of the Lebanon Police Department for their dedication and buy-in to this process. Without their hard work, this achievement would not have been possible.” stated Chief Richard Mello. “Achieving CALEA Accreditation was a major goal of mine once I was appointed Chief of Police in December of 2015.”
Chief Mello further stated that, “CALEA Accreditation is truly the gold standard in public safety and the Lebanon Police Department will continue to strive to provide the highest quality service to the citizens and visitors of the City of Lebanon.”
Children's Book for the Kilton Library
The book being given in honor of Tim Cohen will be:
Grama's Hug
by Amy Nielander.
May and Grama are a team. They do everything together, from inventing creative projects to going birdwatching to preparing for the annual space fair. And they never, ever say goodbye without a hug. May’s love of science takes her far as her inventions win year after year, helped by Grama’s support, effort, and love. She travels to space camp and eventually beyond, earning her spot as the first kid astronaut to journey into space. As May prepares for her mission to explore the cosmos, she seems ready to go without looking back, making Grama worried that she will leave without a hug.
This picture book explores the importance of treasuring even the smallest moments with people you love with heartwarming illustrations, expressive characters, and delightful touches of whimsy
In the silence we light a candle in your honor. Our paths crossed for a brief time, and we shared life’s journey as Rotarians. Now, your path takes you elsewhere. Your earthly journey has ended and a new journey has begun. May a candles remind us of the sacredness of life and what you meant to all of us.
Moorings
Our premeeting chatter was rather an eclectic mix of local baseball (the Nighthawks); the meaning of life; Ron Bedell coming to the Zoom meeting wearing a suit jacket and tie; Ernst Oidtmann being in Duxbury with family for "party time"; Covid numbers in the Upper Valley which are all trending downward.
Ron Bedell called the meeting to order at 5:31 PM.
Marilyn Bedell led us in the 4-Way Test.
Then we launched into club business and announcements.
Club Meeting Notes and Announcements
In-Person Meetings/Meeting Schedule Changes
The Board of Directors has decided that Lebanon Rotary Club in-person meetings will resume later in July.
The Board has also raised monthly dues to $35.00/ starting July 1st; dues will NOT include food/drink. Harvest Hill has a minimum meeting room fee of $250.00; however, for $300.00 per meeting, they will provide food for 20+ attendees. It’s a great deal.
Those wishing to eat the available meal or consume beverages during the meetings when food will be available, will be charged $10.00 per meal and/or beverages. Those attending and not eating or drinking will not be charged for attending the meeting. Guests and visiting Rotarians will be charged $15.00 for meal and beverages.
For the foreseeable future, all Lebanon Rotary regular club meetings will occur on Thursdays at Noon. We will meet in-person at Harvest Hill twice a month, and twice a month by Zoom. We are working on the schedule with Cindy Jerome and will send the in-person dates to members as soon as the calendar is finalized. Over time, this schedule may change to all in-person meetings with an option to attend via Zoom if we determine we have the technology to make it work.
When a 5th Thursday occurs, we will schedule a social event, a service project, or some other activity during that week.
To keep us all as safe as possible Lebanon Rotary will require all those attending in-person meetings to be fully vaccinated. We will rely on Rotarians’ word that they are vaccinated, bearing in mind the 4-Way Test of the things we think, say or do.
You should not attend an in-person meeting if you don’t feel well – that is, if you have a fever, a cold, flu, Covid or other symptoms of other potentially contagious ailments.
Details about our in-person meeting plan will be emailed by Ron Bedell once the start date is finalized.
Dues
A CHANGE DUES WILL BE $35 a month starting July 1st. This is an addition increase from the $30 first proposed, as we have a added facilities fee to use Harvest Hill.
Lebanon Rotary Charities, Inc Report by Bruce Pacht
1. Emmah’s Garden – report
Who is Emmah?
“She started Emmah's Garden Women's Group. Their first project is creating 5 kitchen gardens for women who did not have enough money for seeds last growing season. We hope to help another 25 women create kitchen gardens soon. Our village research gave us a list of 118 people who were not able to grow a garden last season because they lacked the money for seeds.”
Our Water Project for Emmah’s Garden
“The filters will be on a plane to Nairobi on the 16th of June.
Emmah's brother, Alloys, has a small team organized to assemble them.
I'll keep the club informed of progress. Emmah's Garden's Board is actively pursuing supplementary grants to facilitate the pure water effort the club funded.”
2. Better Lives Social Organization – report via Sharmila and Dipack Niroula
Purpose: To support individuals and families affected by Covid-19 who are in immediate need of food, medicine and other support.
Provided food to 80 households covering 400 people
Provided emergency medicine and PPE to 90 families
Provided stationery supplies to 90 marginalized children
Provided water and fruit to 75 persons
Aid distribution from our donation:
Food – 2,000 pounds of rice, plus bananas and juice
With the proper precautions and following health protocols BLSO tried its best to screen needy families and reach them with emergency.
From BLSO’s Final Report
This is just an “initiation” while we look forward to more support and programs necessary throughout Nepal, as the second variant of COVID-19 has unexpectedly affected the entire country, and which will leave numerous negative impact for a long duration.
After implementing this short and emergency project we have learned much helpful to plan and implement other projects, as this effort was decided in very short order as an emergency support. We could not possibly reach the maximum of needy families and communities with the appropriate quantity of the materials and goods
Pictures from Nepal
3. We have a Trustee vacancy on the Charities Board.
Liss Mooney is leaving our Rotary Club. This will create a vacancy on the Charities Board. According to our bylaws for Charities, the Trustees select persons to fill vacancies on the Charities Board.
The Trustees decided to request members to self-nominate or have a member nominate another Rotarian to serve out this term by WEDNESDAY, June 23, 5:00 PM. Send nominations to Charities board chair, Bruce Pacht.
This vacancy is for a one-year term ending June 30, 2022
Next year, members will vote on an individual for a three-year term ending June 30, 2025. The board includes 4 elected and 3 ex officio members.
2021/2022 members are:
Bruce Pacht – Chair
Bill Secord
Marion Steiner
Vacancy
Ed Friedman
Dave Crandall
Angela Nelson
Brewfest September 4th
Hank Clarke re: Brewfest: Hank is working on acquiring permits, the tents, and portable toilets. More to be shared soon.
Our 100th Anniversary
No updates this week.
District Changeover
District Changeover will take place on Thursday, June 24, 6:30 PM-8:30 PM, right after Lebanon Rotary’s regular meeting on June 24th. Our club meeting will be held as planned. Hoping members will sign on to District Changeover at the end of our meeting.
Rotary Foundation
Reminders have gone out to members to get Rotary Foundation donations to Ron Bedell ASAP, as the mailing needs to be postmarked by 30 June. If you decide to make a direct payment via the Rotary web page, be sure to sign into My Rotary to assure the donation is credited to the club. Select Annual Programs Fund/Share to have the donation be a part of the money that is returned to our District for Global Grants.
Our Golf Tournament — Ed Freidman let us know that they are still sorting out what remains to be paid and what is coming in. Ed believes our net revenue will be close to or just over $20,000. AMAZING WORK TEAM ROTARY!!
Anything else for the good of the club? Happy Thoughts/concerns
Bruce Pacht has found his motorcycle replacement and is looking forward to picking it up soon.
JoAnn Lemieux reflected on being a part of Rotary's Motorcycle Fellowship and trips she has done with this group. This then lead to a short discussion about all the fellowships available via your Rotary membership. Read about them by clicking here Bruce shared he was a member of the Wine Appreciation Fellowship (the fellowship has a pin in the shape of a wine cork screw). The link to this fellowship can be found by clicking here
Jimmy let us know it was raining in Bermuda. But his main happy thought was about his twin grandchildren who are at the top of the their class as they end their time in primary school.
Sharmila Niroula is happy for the support we have giving to the Better Life Social Organization in Nepal. Our contribution is helping feed people in Nepal.
The meeting was adjourned close to 6:15 PM. See you all next week.
They profit most who serve the best.
Members at the meeting:
Marilyn Bedell
Ron Bedell
Hank Clarke
Ed Friedman
Cindy Jerome
JoAnn Lemieux
Sharmila Niourla
Ernst Oidtmann
Bruce Pacht
Phil Rentz
Bill Secord
Janet Vaughan
Rich Wallace
John Yacavone
Visiting Rotarian Jimmy Brock from Hamilton, Bermuda
Upcoming Service Projects and Fund Raisers
Rotary Invitation From Northern NH Rotary Clubs to Clean Up Pinkham Notch, July 24th
To: Service Organization Partners
From: Northern New Hampshire Rotary Clubs
Date: February, 2021 Re: Rotary Community Clean-Up New Hampshire Projects
The Rotary Clubs of Bristol, Lincoln-Woodstock, North Conway, Ossipee, Plymouth, and White Mountains invite you to join with us to brighten up our area’s most scenic highways, byways, and trailheads.
The more volunteers we attract, the more impact we will have. We are looking for support from individuals, other service clubs and organizations, chambers of commerce, school groups, churches, municipalities, area businesses, and anyone who would like to join us as we Clean Up New Hampshire.
To participate, contact our Volunteer Coordination Committee Chair: BOB YOUNG
BOB YOUNG YOUNGLAWFIRM@YAHOO.COM
Thank you very much for your consideration in joining our efforts. We look forward to working with you as we Clean Up New Hampshire.
Nexus @ Lebanon Opera House
Reminder: We will be a $2,500 sponsor for this event. Thanks to Rich Wallace's work, our donation of $2,500 should be well-represented in the promotional materials being developed for the festival.
From the Lebanon Opera House Web Page:
Mark your calendar! Friday, August 13–Sunday, August 15
Things feel a bit different. It could be the longer, warmer days. It could be the increase in vaccinations (an important factor in our eventual reopening) coupled with a decrease in COVID restrictions. Either way, we are at a crossroads.
Inspired by the idea of literal and metaphorical crossroads, Lebanon Opera House proudly presents the FREE Nexus Music and Arts Festival in and around Colburn Park, extending to the pedestrian mall and the revitalized rail trail tunnel. Outdoor performances from regional touring artists, LOH’s community arts partners, and student-artists will be featured alongside displays of public art and al fresco dining—flashes of creativity and community at every turn. Necessarily, planning is being done with public health measures in mind.
We see Nexus as an important leadership opportunity; a chance to thank those who support LOH and the greater Lebanon arts community. A chance to demonstrate the impact of the arts on our local economy. Mark your calendar and plan to join the chorus of supporters who believe that the arts are worth celebrating!
Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, this family-friendly event is FREE and open to all. Please consider your own tax-deductible gift in support of Nexus. As a nonprofit organization, we acknowledge that every dollar raised makes a difference.
Brew Fest 2021 — September 4, 2021 (Saturday of Labor Day Weekend)
Planning underway for Brew Fest 2021. Save the date to be there to help with this fundraiser.
Mascoma River Clean-up — September 25, 2021
Ernst Oidtmann announce that Mascoma River Clean-up will be on September 25 is the date of the biennial Mascoma River Clean-up which will take place in concert with the Connecticut River Clean-up.
Club Updates/Announcements
Meeting Schedule for December…NOTE CHANGE IN TIME AND DAY OF WEEK— Ron Bedell
We do not have a scheduled zoom meeting between December 10th and January 7th, almost a month. So, this would be a good time to try some different days of the week and times to see if we can get better attendance. We therefore are adding Wednesday December 16 at 7:30 AM and Tuesday December 29th at NOON to our zoom schedule. Plan to join us.
Rotary District 7850 Event on Zoom
COMMUNICATION, COLLABORATION AND PRESENTATION WORKSHOP
featuring
HOLLETTEARLE
January 16, 2021 at 9 AM to 10:30 AM
Rotary District 7850 is pleased to announce a free Workshop from HollettEarle designed for business and community leaders on Communication, Collaboration and Presentation skills. Writer-Actor-Directors and alumni of The Second City improv comedy troupe, Shari Hollett and Chris Earle have been teaching communication, collaboration and presentation skills for over 20 years to corporate, government and non-profit clients across North America. As long-time directors and actors in theatre and comedy, they have developed their own special brand of workshops - using their performing and improvisation “know how” to create a fun, challenging, and invaluable experience for your group or business. With improvisation as their foundation, these workshops enhance existing skills, and develop new ones that help take your team to the next level.
“We are thrilled to have HollettEarle offer this engaging and fun workshop on communication, collaboration and presentation skills to our fellow Rotarians and to the public. Shari & Chris’s workshop will teach skills that can benefit for-profit and non-profit business leaders alike in this COVID and post-COVID climate,” noted Rotary 7850 District Governor Jamie Milne.
Volunteer Opportunities — Listen
From: LISTEN C/O Valerie Thompson <Valerie@listencs.org> Date: October 29, 2020 at 10:42:09 AM EDT To: Valerie Thompson <Valerie@listencs.org> Subject:Volunteers Needed
Hello Community Dinner Teams,
The dining hall is still not open to volunteers but we need volunteers in the Food Pantry. Please pass this information along to your connections and organizations.
LISTEN needs Food Pantry Attendants, Stockers, Drivers for picking-up bread and delivery food boxes
Food Pantry Attendant — Work directly with clients. Register shoppers; take orders and pack bags/boxes.
Stocking- Help restock shelves; unload trucks; and organize bread Pick-up by going to Shaw’s and BJ’s to pick-up bread, it is ready to go when volunteer arrives. Then deliver to 60 Hanover St.
Deliver Food Box- Every Friday we deliver to home bound clients through-out the Upper Valley.
The attendant and stocker also helps keeping the pantry clean and sanitized.
We are still having our Christmas Dinner this year but due to Covid-19 it will be very different. All meals will be take-out or delivered by volunteers. We need drivers to deliver the meals and cookie makers.
The meal will be prepared at the LISTEN dining Hall in WRJ.
Bring your cookies to WRJ as noted. If you are delivering meals you will pick them up in WRJ.
Thank you,
Valerie
Lebanon Senior Citizens Center
On Wednesday December 30th our Club will host a Community Service Event with the Upper Valley Senior Center. We are looking for 4-6 volunteers to assist with handing out meals to seniors. This event takes place outside and most meals are distributed directly to cars. There are a few walk-up meals given to folks from Rogers House.
Social distancing and masks will be priority, and easily accomplished.
Volunteers will be needed 11:15 to 1:00.
The 30th will be a special day for the seniors because it's Liver & Onion Dinner Day! One of their most popular meals!
As a bonus, volunteers are welcome to take a meal home with them!!!!
If you are able to help please use the Doodle link below to sign up:
Thank you for your past support of the Hanover Rotary Club's Auction Gala. Due to the COVID pandemic we were not able to have an auction in 2020, but we are writing to let you know about our current efforts to support our community during this difficult time.
For decades holiday shoppers in Hanover heard the sound of Rotarians ringing sleigh bells as they walked along Main Street. Since 2000, the bell ringers of the Hanover Rotary Club raised over $100,000 for LISTEN Community Services and the Heating Helpers program. And Heating Helpers DOES make a difference! Last year LISTEN provided 400 households in the Upper Valley with $130,000 in heating assistance. This year, with the COVID pandemic, fewer people will be out on the streets of Hanover. Yet the number of families needing heating assistance is likely to increase!
The Hanover Rotary Club has the ideal solution to this problem: Virtual Bell Ringing! It’s now possible to donate to LISTEN’s Heating Helpers program from the comfort of your home! Just visit our GoFundMe page to donate:https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/fuel-assistance-listen
Our 62 club members have filled the pot with $13,000 already and we’re challenging the community to match that amount. If we get there we’ll be able to provide 80 families with warm homes this winter!
To see our Club members and friends doing their Virtual Bell Ringing please visit this YouTube playlist: Bell ringing videos
You can also donate via Venmo at "HR-Charities" or send a check to Hanover Rotary Charities P.O. Box 381, Hanover, NH 03755.
Thank you for your support of Hanover Rotary and LISTEN!
Paul Tierney shared that he received a note from Listen saying that they have an anonymous donor willing to match donations 2:1. Bruce reported that Charities received an appeal from Listen’s executive director which will be discussed at Charities’ next meeting
Update on Poker Room — John Yacavone
John wrote to NH poker room contact re: surge of COVID-19 wrote and said that unless the governor tells them to close, they will stay open.
She said she’d send John the paperwork in December; it has to be done within 90 days. John needs a copy of the 501(c) letter which Marilyn said she’d supply.
Tom McGonis, now a Lion, called about the poker room. Knowing that an applicant must put up $2,500 was a surprise to Tom. He said they have 20 members, with a few showing up to Zoom meetings. They received a new club charter in March, 2020.
Rotary and the U.S. Government support Italy’s fight against COVID-19
US$5 million for pandemic response, recovery and preparation for future outbreaks
ROME, Italy (December 4, 2020) — In the face of surging infections in Italy, Rotary and the U.S. Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), are taking action to support the country’s COVID-19 response and recovery efforts.
As part of an 18-month partnership, USAID will provide US$5 million to The Rotary Foundation – Rotary’s philanthropic arm, to support Italy’s pandemic response, prepare communities for future outbreaks and address the long-term social and economic impacts of COVID-19.
This partnership is one element of America’s commitment to Italy to help save lives and build resilience for the future. To date, the United States has provided $60 million in assistance to Italy, through USAID and the U.S. military. USAID's work is one part of the overall U.S. Government response to the pandemic in Italy.
“With Rotary’s knowledge of local needs, we’re now able to target our support to help those most affected by this pandemic, while building stronger and more resilient communities, said USAID Assistant Administrator Brock Bierman. “I am proud to support Rotary because of the organization’s enduring commitment to community-led development.”
USAID-Rotary in Italy: Communities Against COVID-19 partnership, Italy’s 13 regional Rotary districts can each apply for a minimum of three, $100,000 grants to support health, education and community development. Eligible activities include providing equipment for medical facilities, educational supplies and equipment to schools, students and families; and resources to help businesses remain open safely during the pandemic.
“As we are part of the communities we serve, Rotary is dedicated to helping Italy and the world recover from this pandemic,” said Rotary project lead Giulio Koch. “Our collaboration with USAID will provide us with valuable resources and expertise to help make our initiatives more impactful and sustainable.”
About USAID
USAID is the U.S. Government’s premiere development agency. USAID works in over 100 countries to promote global health, support global stability, provide humanitarian assistance, catalyze innovation and partnership, and empower women and girls.
We are meeting via
Zoom!
We will be meeting every
Thursdays at 5:30 PM
Please join us if you can!!
Need to learn how to join a Zoom Meeting? Click Here
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