Susan Mathison was our speaker today. Sue gave us an overview of the work that has been done and will continue to be done by Common Man For Urkraine/Rotary Club of Plymouth, NH. Common Man for Ukraine was featured in the January 2024 Rotary magazine.
She started by stating that after we hear her remarks we would better understand why the world needs Rotary, and she hoped her story could be shared to help others in our community understand why Rotary membership is important in making our communities stronger here at home and around the world.
Susan Mathison, Common Man for Ukraine
Susan reflected on meeting over a cup of coffee as the start of the war. Alex Ray (Common Man Restaurant Group and Plymouth NH Rotarian), and Steve Rand (Plymouth NH Rotarian) and Susan wondered what if anything they could do to support the citizens of Ukraine. They decided that they wanted to raise money to help, but in addition, wanted to explore what they could do in country to help. They shared ideas with with the Plymouth Rotary Club that agreed to support their projects, and set up the systems to take donations via the Plymouth Rotary 501(c)3 Foundation.
They started their work believing that people want to help Ukraine, but didn't know how. On the Common Man for Ukraine webpage, I found this quote, "As the invasion began, four heartbroken friends in New Hampshire could not look away." Susan, Alex and Steve decided that they could identify ways to help partnering by with Rotarians in Poland and Ukraine.
Their mantra is: The only thing stronger than fear is love.
Alex Ray putting his cooking skills to work making Borscht
Our president, David Crandall called the meeting to order at noon.
We welcomed guests to the meeting, Dedra Zimmerman (She will begin employment as a Dietician at DH) and Mark Zimmerman (Pastor at the Lebanon Methodist Church.
Steve Rand, Rotary Club of Plymouth, led us in the 4-Way Test.
Ernst Oidtmann led us in singing our welcome song, and Home, Home on the Range.
Birthdays: Hank Clarke wasn't here, but we wished him a happy birthday anyway.
We learned it was Albert Einstein's birthday too.
Then it was on to our buffet lunch.
After lunch, Susan Mathison shared information about Common Man for Urkraine/Rotary Club of Plymouth, NH, USA. See story above.
Bill Secord presented our book being given to the children's collection at the Kilton Library:
The Wishing Flower, by A.J. Irving (Author), Kip Alizadeh (Illustrator)
An LGBTQ-inclusive story about understanding your peers, your feelings, and yourself, The Wishing Flower is a love letter to longing, belonging, and longing to belong.
Birdie finds comfort in nature and books, but more than anything she longs for connection, to be understood. At school, Birdie feels like an outsider. Quiet and shy, she prefers to read by herself, rather than jump rope or swing with the other kids. That all changes when Sunny, the new girl, comes along. Like Birdie, Sunny has a nature name. She also likes to read, and loves to rescue bugs. And when Sunny smiles at her, Birdie’s heart balloons like a parachute.
From the acclaimed author of Dance Like a Leaf, with stunning illustrations by Kip Alizadeh, this book will inspire readers to honor their wishes and show the world their truest selves.
Announcements
Marilyn Bedell was asked to include the mailing address for Common Man for Ukraine for members who would like to make a personal donation for the work they are doing. Common Man for Ukraine, 71 Main Street, Plymouth, NH, 03264. Donations can be made on their web page too: https://commonmanforukraine.org/
Common Man for Ukraine provides food, critical supplies, and trauma counseling to Ukraine's most vulnerable and impacted children during this devastating war.
None of this would be possible without the generosity and kindness of individuals and organizations who wish to make a positive difference in the world, however we all can.
Now, an anonymous donor has graciously offered Common Man for Ukraine a tremendous opportunity to Do Good together:
Maximizing this March Match: $50K will bring a total of $100,000 in humanitarian aid to Ukraine's children of war just when they need it most.
Photos from Northeast PETS (Presidents-elect Training Seminar)
Who is the Rotarian towering over everyone?
Ron Bedell being recognized for 25 years of service to NEPETS.
Rotary District 7850 Leadership with RI President-Elec
District Governor-elect Kelly Drew, District Governor-nominee designate Ariel Mondlak, District Governor Susan Cherry, Rotary International President-elect Stephany Urchick and District Governor-nominee Luc Pomerleau
David Crandall, Discussion Leader at Northeast Presidents-elect Training Seminar
Chris Singleton was a speaker at NEPETS. Chris is a former minor league baseball player, drafted by the Chicago Cubs. He became a nationally renowned speaker with a message of resilience, forgiveness and unity following the loss of his mother in the 2015 Mother Emanuel Church Tragedy in Charleston, SC. Chris' overall mission is to inspire audiences with his story of resilience and to unite millions of people with his belief that, "Love is Stronger Than Hate."
Round Three Rotary Speech Contest...and the winner are Riley Naylor, Lebanon High School and Ari from Essex High School.
Riley and Ari
Youth Service Committee Report
Thank you to Phil for running the Speech Contest on 1/25/24. Winner Riley Naylor from LHS and she did round 2 at a Hanover meeting.
Subcommittee Updates:
Speech Contest: Lebanon Rotary will hold Round 1 on Thursday Jan. 25th; Round 2 Completed 3/9/24; Round 3 of the speech contest will take place during a district training event on Saturday, March 16 Northern Vt. University in Lyndonville Vt;
Round 4 during the District Conference, April 19-21 at Lake Morey Resort.
Contest Topic is: How can we increase hope for our schools?
Interact Clubs:
LHS continues to collect non-perishable food for the Listen Pocket Food Pantry with monthly donations. This school year we have donated more than 400 items.
The club is also still collecting WARM items to restock local community sites and delivered another 75 WARM kits to The Haven, Lebanon libraries, LHS nurses’ office on 1/31/24.
Ledyard Charter School has an event planning class that schedules a variety of activities for Ledyard. This could be a possible connection and maybe have someone participate. Fundraisers, in store thrift stores, field trips, planning a prom, end of year events. Executive Director: Wendy Koza
MVRHS: Curtis Paine/ Lindsay Coolidge advisor and continue to support various school organizations.
Scholarships:
Ledyard Charter School: Bruce
LHS: Joy
MVRHS: Bruce
RYLA: LHS meeting Friday March 8th Advisory 9:08-9:30 in the Library of the Sophomore class to begin the process of learning about RYLA. Applications due by March 29, Interviews April 19, 2024 and selection of RYLA students.
Christian McDonald will be the new ELO Coord at LHS. I will submit her name for membership beginning July 1, 2024. I would like for her to attend a few meetings over the next 3 months.
YSC Meetings for the balance of 23-24 at noon via zoom YSC April 10, May 8, June 12
2023-24 Rotary Club of Lebanon Youth Service Committee
Chair; Joy Gobin,(jgobin@sau88.net), Bruce Pacht, Ahmad Haidari, Curtis Payne
From Rotary District 7850
District Conference - April 19-21
Lake Morey Resort, Fairlee VT
Please register now Click Here for the District Conference. We will be at the Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee, VT the weekend of April 19-21, 2024. Friday night is just a gathering, fun night. There is nothing planned except meeting and greeting. Saturday starts with breakfast and a business meeting. We then break into sessions for youth service, membership, and peace centers. These break out groups repeat so you can pick 2.
Our special Rotary International guest is Carol Tichelman, Endowment/Major Gift Advisor for Zone 28, and was the District Governor for District 5050 in Canada 2020-2021. She will be speaking at breakfast and dinner on Saturday. Our other special guest is Eileen Rau from the Rotary Club of West Hartford. She was District Governor 2012-2013 and is the Rotary Regional Foundation Coordinator for Zone 32. She will be our Peace Center presenter during our break outs and throughout the conference. Our Youth Exchange students and our Interact students will share their stories. The theme of the weekend is, “Look how we are Creating Hope in the World!” Please bring artifacts from your International Projects and travels! Let’s share how we are creating hope together!
If you have been to Lake Morey, you know the food is amazing, and the water – well…I love the water!! Sunday we will have a Memorial Service to honor those who passed away this past year. As I have been going from club to club, I am meeting our Rotary Family. I want you to all have the same wonderful experience of meeting the other family members. Now I sound like a grandma! I want my family to get together! Please plan to attend – at least on Saturday. There are many options and packages. You can register on the website and call the Resort to reserve your room.
During the business meeting, we will take some important votes. Our DGND Ariel Mondlak will be officially voted in to be District Governor 2026-2027. We have new By-Laws which we are presenting. The summary and the proposed By-Laws will be sent to each Rotarian following this newsletter. According to RI, “The purpose of the district conference is to bring together members and community leaders in the district to inspire greater involvement with Rotary, strengthen existing relationships, and to showcase the impact and outreach of Rotary in the world.” Clubs will be recognized, and the Governor’s Bowl winner announced! There will be discussion and adoption of last year’s audited financial statement for PDG Caroline Earle’s year.
Voting at the District Conference for the DGND shall be by electors. Each club shall select and certify at least one elector to its conference. A club with more than 25 members has one additional elector for each additional 25 members. A club with up to 37 members gets one elector. A club with 38 to 62 gets 2 electors. 63-87 members get 3 electors, and so on. Electors must be present at the conference to vote. All Rotarians present may vote on By-laws and the approval of the financial statement. Club presidents will get the elector information by email.
Watch for the By-Laws to come to your email.
From Upper Valley Business Alliance (UVBA):
YOU'RE INVITED
UVBA Economic Outlook Breakfast and Annual Meeting March 21, 2024
Please join us to dive into crucial topics affecting our region and bi-state area - housing, workforce and childcare. This is a great opportunity to hear predictions and trends for 2024 from our panel of experts.
Speakers include:
Rob Dapice, Executive Director of NH Housing Finance Authority
Maura Collins, Executive Director of the Vermont Housing Finance Agency
Brian Gottlob, Director, NH Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau
Joanne Roberts, Early Childhood Education Consultant and coordinator of Vital Communities Early Childhood Education Initiative
Chris Emond, CEO, Boys & Girl Club of Central New Hampshire
Clay Adams, President & CEO, Mascoma Bank
Thank you to our sponsor Mascoma Bank.
Date/Time
Thursday, March 21
8:00 - 10:00 am
Fees/Admission
$35 pp includes breakfast buffet
$165 for Table of 5
$300 for Table of 10
Location
The Fireside Inn
25 Airport Road
West Lebanon NH 03784
Happy Dollars
Oops...didn't make notes about happiness except that Steve Rand announced his son was married by an Elvis impersonator in Las Vegas
Raffles
Queen of Hearts
Steve Rand pulled the 3 of spades followed by Ron Bedell pulling the ace of clubs. (John Yacavone for got a raffle ticket needed to be pulled before the card was picked...oh well. The hunt for the queen continues.
Car Wash
Dave Clarenbach won the carwash.
Upcoming Speakers
March 21: Aaron Rivkin from the Hopkins Center
March 28: Karen Borgstrom, Sr. Adviser of Public Affairs at Dartmouth Health, Medical AI
April 4: Jim Kenyon, Valley News Columnist
April 11: Bruce Garland, NH Rank Choice Voting
April 18: Brian Nolan, NH4Ukraine.
April 25: Kathleen Harvard, Alzheimer’s Disease, and other dementias
May2: William Winard, Chocolatier
May 9: Lynn Goodwin, Lebanon Welfare Department
May 16: Rich Adams, Communications Specialist
May 23: Brooke Finnell, Epilogos Charities
May 29, Invitation to join Hanover at there meeting to hear the President of Dartmouth College, Sian Beilock
May 30: Alex Bortolot, Deputy Director, Hood Museum at Dartmouth College
June 6: Morgana Isenberg, VA Services
June 13: Ed Morris, Enfield Town Manager
June 20: Dianna Hastings, NH Children’s Trust
June 26: Changeover
Meeting Adjourned at 1:17 PM
Attendance
Members at the meeting: Bill Babineau, Marilyn Bedell, Ron Bedell, Bruce Bergeron, Jimmy Brock, Phil Bush, David Clarenbach, Dave Crandall, Jim Damren, Tim Guaraldi, Jane Mason*, Ron Michaud, Shaun Mulholland, Bruce Pacht, Phil Rentz, Bill Secord, Marion Steiner, Rich Wallace, Cal Wolfe, John Yacavone
Guest: Susan Mathison and Steve Rand from Common Man for Ukraine, and Dedra Zimmerman, Dietician at DHMC and Mark Zimmerman, Pastor for Methodist Church in Lebanon, (Guests of Ron Michaud), Jimmy Brock*, Hamilton, Bermuda
*Joined by WebEx
Standing Meetings
Membership Meetings: Third Tuesday at 3:30 PM
Contact: David Crandall
Youth Services: Second Wednesday of the month at Noon
Contact: Joy Gobin
Charities: Third Wednesday of the month at 1:00 PM
Contact: Bruce Pacht
Board Meeting: 4th Tuesday of every month at 4:00 PM via Zoom
Contact: David Crandall
Golf: Let Ed Friedman know if you want to know when Golf Planning meetings are happening. Dates vary.
Brew Fest: Let Phil Rentz know if you want to know when Brew Fest meetings are happening. Dates Vary.
Community Service Projects
Lebanon Poker Room
Poker Room week will be
March 27 to 32, 2024.
Styrofoam Collection
The next Styrofoam Collection will be April 6, 2024
31st Bedell Classic Golf Tournament
Save the Date
Friday, May 17, 2024 at Eastman Golf Links
Changeover 2024
Save the Date:
Changeover 2024 will be held on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. Time, place, activity to be announced later.
Brew Fest 2024
Save the date! August 31, 2024
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.
Rotary News
From Rotary International
Rotary honors a tireless advocate for women and girls: The 2024 Sylvia Whitlock Leadership Award recipient promotes women’s health and empowerment
.png)
