Rotary Foundation Month…The magic of the Rotary Foundation
Our speaker today was our fellow Rotarian, Marilyn Bedell.
Marilyn Bedell
Marilyn stated her objectives were to share stories the illustrate the magic of our Rotary Foundation; provide an overview of how the funds that are donated are used; and explain why recognition is an important feature of our Rotary Foundation.
She started out by reminding us about Rotary International’s Vision.
Marilyn then did a quick review of the Rotary’s Action Plan that guided us as we did our visioning session in 2023. We are asked to increase our impact, expand our reach, enhance engagement of members and members of our communities, and continually work to adapt to a changing environment.
She shared the Rotary Foundation’s mission statement. The Rotary Foundation helps Rotary members to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment, and alleviating poverty. The key words in this statement are the words “enable Rotarians”. The Rotary Foundation’s projects are all driven by local Rotarians like you and me. We can have a direct say in how our funds are allocated and used by Rotarians in District 7850.
Currently, our district is involved in two Global Grants. The Rotary Club of Vergennes just completed installation of a new water system in Mexico, giving the community access to clean water. The Rotary Club of Plymouth, in partnership with Common Man for Ukraine is writing a grant that will address trauma recovery for children in Ukraine. Susan Mathison and Steve Rand came to our club to tell us about this project. The goal is to submit the grant by May 2025.
In 2023/2024, 9 District Grants were approved. We received one for the project Cal Wolfe is leading in Kenya for Emmah’s Garden.
Thank you very much from the community Nyandoche Ibere to the Rotary Club of Lebanon, New Hampshire for the water purification support to Emmah’s Garden.
President Ernst Oidtmann is back from his trip and back in charge!
Ernst called the meeting to order at noon.
Ernst realized that it was his turn to lead us in the 4-Way test, but he decided to recite his own version that only vaguely resembled the Rotary 4-Way Test, but it did make us chuckle.
Rotary Anniversaries:
Koppenheffer, William
27 years
Nov. 01 1997
Bergeron, Bruce
13 years
Nov. 01 2011
Gobin, Joy
8 years
Nov. 09 2016
Clarenbach, Dave
1 year
Nov. 09 2023
Ernst then led us in singing our welcome song, and then If You are Happy and You Know It
Ernst let us know that he was so despondent that he couldn't come last week that he lost his sole...the sole of his shoe that is. It sole fell off the shoe as he was leaving our meeting two weeks ago. How sad.
Then Ernst shared some Dutch History: Dutch forces under Stadholder Willeam II land at Torbay Devon. Approx. 21,000 soldiers and 20,000 mariners and support staff marched 200 miles to London. On December 17, Dutch infantry and supporting calvary enter London at 10:00 p.m. King James ordered his Coldstream Guard to with draw to St. Albans. Later the remaining English Troops were ordered to stay at least 20 miles from London. The whole affair was called the Glorious Revolution. Not one Drop of blood was shed. Ernst went on to say, that he found family relations quite confusing. The Prince of Orange was the grandson of William the Silent. He was named William II. He had married King James' eldest daughter, Mary Stuart, so he was the King's son in-law.
Then it was off to the buffet to get our lunch.
Following lunch John Yacavone let us know that our speaker cancelled on him at 4:00 a.m. He worked to find a substitute. He didn't find a person to come today, but gave their names to Dave Crandall as potential speaker for the next half of the Rotary year.
He then asked Marilyn Bedell if she could do her Rotary Foundation talk today...Marilyn had worked on her talk and said she would do it as long a everyone knows that the PowerPoint hadn't been checked for typos.
See the summary of her talk above.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ed Friedman announced that he is retiring and moving to Florida. Today was his last meeting with us. We thanked him for his service to the club, and encouraged him to find a new Rotary home in Florida.
Epilogos February Trip to El Salvador — Bruce Bergeron learned that Epilogos Charities is planning a service trip to El Salvador. He would like to know if any members are interested in going. Reach out to Bruce Bergeron if you are interested.
District Team Training – Northern Vermont University, Lyndonville, VT, on Saturday, November 16th from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. We still have space in a car to take three more people.
Holiday Party at Quechee Inn for December 17, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. with our Famous Yankee Swap – Ron Bedell
Currently, 27 Rotarians and others have signed up to attend. Ron would love to hear from the 13 Rotarians who haven’t yet responded. Please let Ron know one way or the other ASAP!
SERVICE PROJECTS COMING UP
Listen Food Drives at Lebanon Coop on Saturday, November 23, and Saturday, December 14, both from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (setup at 8:00 a.m.) Rotarians are asked to sign up for at least 1 hour over the 2 days, 4 people for each hour, to spread the work among many of us.
Holiday Basket Helpers – Listen, December 9th from 12 noon to 3:00 p.m. or December 10th from 10:00 a.m. to noon. There’s room for about 4 volunteers each session. Check with Club treasurer Angela Nelson. At the meeting and then via a post meeting email Angela provided detailed email about the families we have adopted this year, and what is needed from us. Please review the email and let Angela know how you can help by getting gifts, or making a donation so she can shop for you.
Time for Happy Dollars:
Ernst Oidtmann was happy a Dutchman won the NYC Marathon. He reported that his 73 year-old sister just completed another ironman competition.
Angela Nelson is home from a fun trip to Las Vegas. She reported that her luggage is still traveling somewhere around the globe. It has yet to be found.
Bill Secord commented that Ron and Marilyn Bedell where features in a mailing from D-H Health.
George Wentz reports he wa happy he woke up again this morning.
Dean Cashman let us know our Rotary hockey Jersies will be on display at Youth Hockey in Tilton. If the team wins in Tilton, the team will be on to New Jersey.
Members at the meeting:
Marilyn Bedell, Ron Bedell, Phil Bush, Dean Cashman, Hank Clarke, Jim Damren, Ed Friedman, Ahmad Haidari, Max Jovanovich, Jane Mason*, Christian McDonald, Ron Michaud, Angela Nelson, Bruce Pacht, Phil Rentz, Bill Secord, Josh Smith, Rich Wallace, Richard Wallace, George Wenz, John Yacavone
Guests:
No guests today
*Joined by Zoom
Card and Car Wash Raffles
The hunt for the The Queen of Heart.. Hank Clarke pulled the 10 of spades.
The car wash was won once again by Phil Rentz
NOTE: The Car Wash Code Reader is still broken in Lebanon. The Car Wash Codes will now come from the new Jake's car wash in Enfield. 223 US-4, Enfield, NH
FUTURE MEETING PROGRAMS/SPEAKERS
November 2024
November 7 Rob Stenger, Co-owner of Simple Energy
November 14 Iris Alitilo, A.A.R.P. Downsizing & Decluttering.This presentation begins by helping participants understand why keeping stuff is important to some people. Then, we'll tackle practical, easy-to-follow downsizing and decluttering tips to get your home and office organized!
November 21 TBD
November 28 THANKSGIVING - No Meeting
December 2024
December 5 Nicci Maynard, AuD, Clinical Audiologist
December 12 John Fenley, “Spark” a local nonprofit
December 19 Ernst Oidtmann and Matt Locker, Concert
December 26 NO MEETING. Happy Holidays!
January 2025
January 2 NO MEETING
January 9 Recital for 4-hand piano with Annemieke McLane and Ernst Oidtmann
January 16 TBD
January 23 TBD
January 30 SPEECH CONTEST ROUND ONE
Note: David Crandall will be scheduling programs January through June 2025
Standing Meetings
Membership Meetings: To Be Announced
Contact: Ron Michaud
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. Note: We have changed the meeting time for November and December. Because the November meeting would be Thanksgiving week we will meet instead on December 3, at 4:00 p.m. The next meeting then will be the 4th Tuesday at 4:00 p.m.
Contact: Ernst Oidtmann
Golf: 2025 schedule to be announced
Brew Fest: The 2025 Schedule to be announced
Take Flight Update
Greeting from Bonnie Robinson, LHS
It is remarkable to see multiple sub-assemblies come together and begin to resemble a part of a plane, at least if you use your imagination. Our students, teachers, and mentors are busy every day, finding new ways to solve problems and taking it one rivet at a time.
Today, one group was making great progress on the cockpit area of the fuselage.
Another group got creative when they needed to produce more torque. They found a pipe and used it to increase the force on a vice while working on the longerons. force on a vice while working on the longerons.
Mentor Google Group
I'm pleased to say that we have developed a new google group for mentors. They will be able to email the group to share highlights & insights, troubleshoot issues, and ask questions. Since some are only able to be in the hangar once per week, it will be helpful to keep track of what happens. With 14 students hard at work every day, we are making progress. If you are a mentor and would like to join the google group, please send me an email.
Other Events and Service Projects
YOU'RE INVITED
Wine & Cheese Business After Hours hosted by Systems Plus Computers
November 19, 2024
Systems Plus Computers is under new ownership! Join them and the UVBA for a networking Business After Hours with Wine, Cheese, and conversation on Tuesday, November 19 from 5-7pm!
Meet the new owner, Patrick, learn what they offer, see education, enjoy food, drink, and networking! Plus enter to win a free one hour 1on1 training/consultation!
11/23 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m (set up at 8:00 a.m.)
12/14 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m (set up at 8:00 a.m.)
Let Tim Guaraldi know when you can be there to help!
Listen Holiday Baskets...organize, bag and tag
December 9th from noon to 3 PM and December 10th from 10 AM to Noon. At the white church in downtown Lebanon. Please save these dates and times to help get gifts organized, bagged and tagged. A call will be going out to get gifts sometime in November once Listen assigns us a family or families.
2025 Rotary District 7850 District Conference
The 2025 District Conference will be a one day conference on Saturday, May 31 2025 with an optional overnight on May 30, 2025. It will be at Mount Cranmore Resort in North Conway, NH. Stay tuned for details.
2025 Rotary International Convention
Join us in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, for the 2025 Rotary International Convention!
Calgary calls
November is Rotary Foundation Month. This is a great time to remind every Rotarian coming to the 2024 Rotary Convention in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, that you will to learn how your valuable contributions to the Rotary Foundation are making a global impact.
Take part in this transformative, one-of-a-kind event and experience the Magic All Around at the 2025 Rotary International Convention in Calgary, Canada 21-25 June 2025.
Imagine the excitement and energy when we, the family of Rotary, all come together at one time, in one place and renew our commitment to being people of action. Our Rotary leaders, members, and global leaders will motivate and empower you with their words, as will world-class speakers, and heart-pumping entertainment!
Besure the check out the Host Organizing webpage to learn about all the activities being planned by our Rotarian hosts in Calgary.
You can consider volunteering to help at the convention too. There will be a wide variety of volunteer roles to match a wide range of interests and skills, providing everyone a chance to contribute to this global gathering. Join us in showcasing our city and making the 2025 Rotary International Convention a resounding success!Click Here
Bottom Line...The best time to purchase your ticket to the Calgary convention is today! The next best time is before **December 15, 2024**. To secure your early bird rate visit: https://convention.rotary.org
Watch the video to hear a first hand account of why Rotary Conventions are so special. Click Here
Mr. Privilege teaches about hunger, poverty, and the power of creative storytelling
Jason Browne in Raleigh, North Carolina, during his storytelling tour.
By Jason Browne
In September 2024, I found myself in an unexpected situation: I was “held hostage” by an entity whimsically named Mr. Privilege. He forced me into a disaster simulator where my water was scarce, my light extinguished, and my shelter stripped away. It wasn’t a physical abduction but a self-imposed journey to confront the comforts we often take for granted. By living without basic necessities, I shared a reality that so many worldwide face daily.
This adventure began in March 2024 at a Rotary conference. A seemingly innocent observation was shared with my friend Bill Tobin, Rotary Relations Manager at ShelterBox USA. “You have such great stories – why don’t you share them more on social media?” I asked candidly. ShelterBox Trust, founded as a Rotary Club initiative in 2000, provides emergency shelter and essential supplies to families devastated by disasters and conflict. ShelterBox Trust’s partnership with Rotary has been instrumental in reaching communities worldwide. Yet, it felt like ShelterBox USA’s storytelling didn’t fully capture the human impact of their efforts.
Bill listened thoughtfully and posed a challenge: “Why don’t you help us tell these stories?” I was taken aback. Me? My observation was only meant to be a critique, not to express a passive interest in volunteering! But Bill’s suggestion ignited a spark.
What if we told their stories in a way never done before in Rotary or in ShelterBox? What if we took all the lessons learned from public image and brought Rotarians together across the United States online and in person? What if there were no restrictions on our storytelling?
Today was his last meeting with us. We thanked him for his service to the club, and encouraged him to find a new Rotary home in Florida.
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