First and Third Thursday at Noon @ Harvest Hill's Dwinell Room
Second and Forth Thursdays at Noon on Zoom
GET YOUR SPEAKER IDEAS TO STEVE WHITMAN.
Steve is looking for members to do classification talks. If you are willing to tell us about how your life path/vocational journey lead you to join Rotary? Please reach out to Steve is you are willing to do this.
Upcoming Programs
November 10, 2022 on Zoom — Rotary Foundation Month, Brenda Cressey, Past Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair
Brenda joined Rotary in 1989 and is currently member of the Rotary Club of South Portland Cape Elizabeth in Rotary District 7780. She served as District 5240 Governor in 2001-02 and is retired as the CEO of Office Support Systems, a telecommunications business in Maine.
Brenda served in several key roles for Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation and in 2018-2019 served as the first woman Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair.
November 17, 2022, In Person — Rotary District 7850 Governor, Caroline Earle
Speaker – Thomas Oppel, President and Founder of O2 Strategies
Steve Whitman introduced Oppel.
Thomas Oppel has more than three decades in management, communications, policy and politics. As Chief of Staff to the Secretary of the Navy in the Obama Administration, he helped oversee efforts to move Navy and Marine Corps off fossil fuels.
As Executive Vice President at the American Sustainable Business Network, he led policy and advocacy on democracy, climate and a more inclusive economy.
Prior to the Pentagon, Oppel was a successful media consultant for progressive campaigns and candidates.
He began his career as a political journalist and English teacher in Hudson, NH. He lives in Canaan, N.H.
He is currently working with Open Democracy New Hampshire, among other projects.
The focus of his speech will be the inextricable link between our economy and our democracy and the need for businesses to speak up in defense of the rule of law.
In his role in Open Democracy, he represents one of 5 streams that cover the state. He is a part of the Upper Valley/Lake Sunapee area. He focused his talk on the importance of businesses to promote democracy.
In his role as Chief Staff to the Secretary of the navy, he reflected on the challenge of political communications and the impact of perception vs. reality. He then reflected on Rotary’s 4-way test, and the statement “Is it the truth”.
He reminded us of the importance of the pledge that those who serve in the military and in political office take.
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.
He reminded us that our form of government is still in its infancy and reflected on the preamble of our constitution that states that accurately reflects that the goal should be “to create a more perfect union”. Lynn Cheney reminds us that the United States of America is the oldest democracy in the world, yet it is only 200 years old. It has been a grand experiment and one that we need to continue to modify and strengthen.
The depth and breathe of our democracy continues to evolve. When the constitution was written only 1 in 5 could vote. Over time, the arc of history has bended to justice, and
President Ed Friedman called the meeting to order at 12:03
Ernst Oidtmann played, and we sang our Rotary welcome song, and a golden oldie, I've Been Working on the Railroad
Jim Damren led us in reciting the 4-Way Test
Steve Whitman then introduced our speaker, Thomas Oppel, see story above.
Bill Secord then presented Thomas with the children’s book that will go to the Kilton Library:
The Waiting Place: When Home Is Lost and a New One Not Yet Found.
by Dina Nayeri
Photos by Anna Bosch Miralpeix
An unflinching look at ten young lives suspended outside of time—and bravely proceeding anyway—inside the Katsikas refugee camp in Greece.
Every war, famine, and flood spits out survivors.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cites an unprecedented 79.5 million forcibly displaced people on the planet today. In 2018, Dina Nayeri—a former refugee herself and the daughter of a refugee—invited documentary photographer Anna Bosch Miralpeix to accompany her to Katsikas, a refugee camp outside Ioannina, Greece, to record the hopes and struggles of ten young Farsi-speaking refugees from Iran and Afghanistan. “I wanted to play with them, to enter their imagined worlds, to see the landscape inside their minds,” she says. Ranging in age from five to seventeen, the children live in partitioned shipping-crate homes crowded on a field below a mountain. Battling a dreary monster that wants to rob them of their purpose, dignity, and identity, each survives in his or her own special way.
The Waiting Place is an unflinching look at ten young lives suspended outside of time—and bravely proceeding anyway. Each lyrical passage leads the reader from one story to the next, revealing the dreams, ambitions, and personalities of each displaced child. The stories are punctuated by intimate photographs, followed by the author’s reflections on life in a refugee camp. Locking the global refugee crisis sharply in focus, The Waiting Place is an urgent call to change what we teach young people about the nature of home and safety.
Happy dollars were shared
Marilyn Bedell reported that she was the guest speaker at the Middlebury Rotary Club on Tuesday. She talked about Promoting Peace, Rotary’s Area of Focus.
Cal Wolfe let us know that in Kenya, Emmah of Emmah’s Garden has given birth to a baby boy.
Will Koppenheffer travel to Carlisle and Lebanon, Pennsylvania.
Jim Damren gave a dollar in honor of our speaker. We learned that Jim was one on Thomas’s hockey coaches.
Bruce Bergeron let us know his daughter is on the verge of having her baby. She will be induced on Saturday.
Ernst Oidtman shared that his grandson Henry won first prize for his Roman military uniform costume. His sister Helen dressed as Helen of Troy. Luna is recovering from RSV. His wife Linda has recovered from COVID and is feeling better. Fortunately, Ernst has tested negative 4 times for COVID>
Queen of hearts draw and car wash draw. See the winners below.
Announcements
Steve Whitman reminded us that our speaker next week will be Brenda Cressey, past Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair. Then on 11/17 we will welcome our District Governor, Caroline Earle to our meeting.
StyrofoamTM Collection – 5 Rotarians worked with Sustainable Lebanon to collect StyrofoamTM at Jake’s Coffee on Mechanics Street. We filled a 26 foot, a 24 foot, and a 10 foot traier with Styrofoam. Over 300 cars came to the event. Coming the furthest we cars from Springfield VT and Bath NH. Most cars were from Lebanon and Thetford. We received $1600 in donations.
Park Cleanup – Fall Cleanup will be Friday, 11/18, at 3 PM. Bring yard tools and glove. We need leave blowers. If you can’t come, but are willing to loan the leaf blower, let Bruce Bergeron know. Following the cleanup we will head to Cantore’s pizza for a Dutch treat beverage of your choice, and pizza if you would like some.
100th Anniversary – Dave Crandall let us know that Harmony Park will be installed the 3rd week in April. He will be setting up another meeting for the committee soon.
Meeting adjourned a little after 1 PM.
Members at the meeting:
Card – Richard Wallace pulled the 3 of Clubs, the hunt for the queen continues
Car Wash – Paul Tierney
Members Present: Bill Babineau, Marilyn Bedell, Ron Bedell, Bruce Bergeron, Hank Clarke, David Crandall, Jim Damren, Ed Friedman, Ahmad Haidari, Will Koppenheffer, Ron Michaud, Ernst Oidtmann, Bruce Pacht, Bill Secord, Marion Steiner, Paul Tierney, Richard Wallace, Steve Whitman, John Yacavone
Guest Speaker – Thomas Oppel
One Profits Most Who Serves Best
Queen of Heart Draw
Richard Wallace pulled the 3 of Clubs, the hunt for the queen continues
Car Wash
Car wash was won by Paul Tierney.
Next Dinner December 13, 2022, Sign-up to bring some holiday cheer to our community.
Sustainable Lebanon Styrofoam™ Collection on October 29, 2022
Park Cleanup November 18, at 3 PM
Optional Dutch treat beverage and pizza at Cantore's Pizza following the cleanup. Bring your yard cleanup tools and gloves with you.
Hanover Rotary Club Gala
Please plan to join the Hanover Rotary Club at the Hanover Inn on Thursday, November 17, 2022 for the Hanover Rotary Auction Gala. The proceeds from this festive evening will benefit Special Needs Support Center and Hanover NH Rotary Charities, two worthy local organizations that provide important services and funds for our Upper Valley neighbors. Click Here to learn more. Tickets $100.
Rotary Club of White River Junction's Polar Express
The Polar Express will be on the second weekend in December. The 10th and 11th. Tickets can be ordered by Clicking Here.
Holiday Basket Helpers for Listen
Listen 2018
Save the Date: December 12, 2022 to help organize holiday baskets at Listen!!
Angela will be sending information out about our family/families that will need gifts once Listen gives her the details. Angela is always will to accept donations of money, and she is happy to go shopping for any of us who prefer this approach to supporting the families needs. The Club charities account will help support this project too.
Holiday Basket Families
Email from Angela...see the message she sent for our kids
Hi everyone! It is that time of year again, Listen Holiday Basket time! We have our kids!!!! This year it is back to normal which is SOOOOOO exciting. If you already know about the Listen Holiday Baskets feel free to skip the next paragraph.
For members who don’t know about the Listen Holiday Baskets, here is a rundown. Every year Listen has people apply for Christmas assistance. Listen focuses on clothing since other organizations focus on toys. Each child’s list has 5 clothing items along with sizes and colors and likes. Each family also gets a $50 grocery gift card for Christmas dinner. The club has a budget to purchase items and the grocery gift cards, but members also provide support. Some members choose items from the lists to purchase, but if you want to help, but don’t share my enthusiasm for shopping 😊, you could make a monetary donation to the club (tax deductible) and I will purchase everything needed.
Due to the charities budget increase, we have 15 kids, so instead of listing them in this email I attached an excel spreadsheet with all the kids listed and their items, sizes and likes (I have reached out for clarification on the sizes of the two highlighted items). If you want to pick items to purchase, just let me know what item(s) you will get, so that we don’t duplicate efforts. If you would like to donate money, send me an email with the amount (so I can plan for the funds available and items needed) and we can either catch up sometime in the next few weeks or you can mail a check to Rotary Club of Lebanon Charities PO Box 132, Lebanon, NH 03766.
The deadline for getting me items purchased is December 1. I will make sure I am at the in person meeting that day. You can also drop items off at my office at 24 Airport Rd, 4th floor or email me when you have your items as we can coordinate a meet up.
Please remember this is all voluntary and I am the only person who knows, please do not feel obligated to do something if you do not wish. Thank you in advance for your help! This is one of my favorite times of year and projects!
Ang
HOLIDAY PARTY and FAMOUS YANKEE SWAP
SAVE THE DATE — FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2022 at the QUECHEE INN, QUECHEE VERMONT
$60/person
Lebanon Casino Fundraiser - Spring 2023
Bedell Classic Golf Tournament - See you at the golf course in May 2023!!
Brew Fest 2023
Brew Fest on to
September 2, 2023
CHEERS!!
Top Stitch Rotary Vests and Jackets
John Yacavone has arranged for members to order light and heavier weight jackets and vest for us to wear when doing service projects...for days when our tees shirts just aren't enough to keep us comfortable and warm.
If you click the link below, Top Stitch has created a special website for Lebanon Rotary Club members to order the following clothing items.
1. Men’s and Women’s light weight jackets
2. Men’s and Women’s fleece vests
3. Men’s and Women’s fleece jackets
All jackets and vests will have Rotary Logo and club name.
Just pick your item and follow the instructions for ordering. If you decide to pick up your item at Top Stitch located at 233 Mascoma Street Lebanon, NH 03766 there will be no charge for shipping, otherwise shipping will be charged. If you have any questions about your order please contact Cody at Top Stitch at 603-448-2931. Turn around time is 3.5 - 4 weeks. Once you place your order your order will be processed no waiting on other orders to be fulfilled.
Here's hoping you will order some Rotary wear soon.
Rotary International News
Rotary Moment for the Week of October 30, 2022
HOW DOES THE ROTARY FOUNDATION RECOGNIZE ROTARY CLUBS?
Donations to the Foundation are essential to securing and expanding our programs throughout the world. We recognize with gratitude clubs that make extraordinary contributions.
· 100% Paul Harris Fellow Club: These are clubs in which all dues-paying members are Paul Harris Fellows. The club receives a banner. This is a one-time recognition, but the intent is that the club will maintain its status.
· 100% Foundation Giving Club: This banner is given to clubs that have an average of US$100 in per capita giving and in which every dues-paying member donates at least $25 during the year to the Annual Fund, PolioPlus, the Endowment, or approved global grants.
· Every Rotarian, Every Year Club: This banner is awarded to clubs that have a minimum Annual Fund contribution of $100 per capita during the year and in which every dues-paying member personally contributes at least $25 to the Annual Fund in that time period.
· Top Three Per Capita in Annual Fund Giving: These banners are presented each year to the three clubs in each district with the highest per capita Annual Fund giving.
· 100% Paul Harris Society Club: This banner is awarded to clubs in which every dues-paying member contributes at least $1,000 during the year to the Annual Fund, PolioPlus, or an approved global grant.
· 100% Rotary’s Promise Club: These are clubs in which every dues-paying member supports the Endowment with an outright gift of $1,000 or more or a commitment of at least that amount in an estate plan. These clubs receive a certificate upon request.
Will you help your club be recognized by the Foundation this year?
Rotary members, Ukraine Friends deliver ambulances to Ukrainian officials
A convoy of nearly 40 ambulances wound its way from Slovakia, around mountains and through roadblocks, military checkpoints, and torrential rain to arrive in Kyiv, bringing the critically needed vehicles to Ukrainian government officials.
The US$600,000 initiative was the first joint project between Rotary and Ukraine Friends, which agreed in July to collaborate to provide resources, organize logistics, and distribute funds for high-impact projects that help Ukrainians affected by the war with Russia. Each organization donated US$300,000 to get the ambulances, and Rotary districts in Ukraine and Slovakia coordinated the delivery. Rotary's funding came from a Rotary Foundation disaster response grant.
After a journey of about 870 kilometers (540 miles) that took more than twice as long as it would have in normal circumstances, the convoy arrived on 27 September at Mariinsky Park in Kiev.
Brock Bierman, the CEO of Ukraine Friends and a member of the Rotary Club of Staunton, Virginia, USA, says the logistics of moving that many vehicles to another country would always be difficult, and doing it across a border into a war zone was especially complex. Yet the ambulances were delivered without any major incidents.
“I don’t think the trip could’ve gone any better,” says Bierman, who was at Mariinsky Park for the arrival. “The way people worked together to get this done was spectacular.”
Ukraine Friends secured the ambulance drivers, while Rotary District 2232 in Ukraine and Belarus bought the fuel. The ambulances are equipped with oxygen tanks, defibrillators, electrocardiogram machines, mechanical ventilators, and other medical equipment.
Twenty-two of the ambulances were procured by Rotary clubs in the Czech Republic and Slovakia and went to the Department of Health for civilian use. Ihor Kuzin, Ukraine’s deputy minister of health, was there to see the transfer of ambulances.
“Updating the fleet of fast vehicles (ambulances) is one of the most urgent tasks on the agenda for Ukraine,” Kuzin says. “We are very grateful to our international donors and partners for joining such an extremely important cause.”
The 18 ambulances supplied by Ukraine Friends were given to military personnel, Ukraine’s Territorial Defense Forces.
Rotary members and Ukraine Friends are also working together to rehabilitate two schools in the Bucha region that were damaged by shelling. Ukraine Friends is organizing the logistics involved to rebuild the school’s infrastructure, while Rotary clubs are buying and providing books, school supplies, and computers.
Mykola Stebljanko, a member of the Rotary E-club of Ukraine and past governor of District 2232, said the ambulance project is part of comprehensive program under which clubs in the region provide specialized equipment for emergency vehicles, including firefighting trucks. “When good deeds are done in partnership,” he says, you can have a greater effect and find more opportunities to plan effectively in crisis situations.
“By combining the connections of both Ukraine Friends and Rotary, tremendous strides can be made to alleviate and mitigate the suffering endured by the people of Ukraine,” Bierman says.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February, more than 13 million Ukrainians have been forced to flee their homes, the United Nations refugee agency says, which created a humanitarian crisis. Rotary, so far, has awarded more than 353 disaster response grants totaling more than US$11.7 million since the war began. These grants, for club projects in 29 countries, support people in and around Ukraine who have been affected by the war. Rotary and Rotaract clubs have donated millions more directly to Ukrainian clubs that are providing people with food, shelter, medicine, and clothing.
Photo above by Chantal Mistral
31-Oct-22
We will be meeting every Thursday
The First and Third Thursday at 12 Noon, at the Dwinell Room at Harvest Hill; and the Second and Forth Thursday at 12 Noon on Zoom
Need to learn how to join a Zoom Meeting? Click Here
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