Fellow Rotarian, Rudy Fedrizzi gave us an update about the Upper Valley Medical Reserve Corp and the project we helped fund.
Rudy Fedrizzi (Image from Keene Sentinel}
From the Public Health Council of the Upper Valley Web Page:
"The Upper Valley Regional Public Health Network along with the Vermont Department of Health coordinates efforts to recruit, train, and deploy a volunteer Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) during public health emergencies. The MRC is housed under the City of Lebanon Fire Department and supports local emergency responders to provide emergency public health services throughout the region. MRC volunteers include medical, public health, and general professionals.
The Medical Reserve Corps was founded nationally in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It was a way to standardize training and organize response for medical and non-medical volunteers who wish to support responders in times of public health emergencies. Unit 1776, the Upper Valley Medical Reserve Corps (UVMRC) was formed in 2008, and since then, we have expanded to a dedicated group who promotes community health initiatives on behalf of our local health departments, hospitals and community partners. We provide event support at flu clinics, medical tents at road races and fairs, education to students, scouts, and other groups and support positive health promotion wherever we are called on. We teach health focused courses such as Stop the Bleed, NARCAN administration, and host speakers on a variety of topics for our members and the public. In times of emergency we supplement the local capacity of our responders and health institutions. We are proud of our group and all they can do. Please consider joining us.
The Upper Valley Medical Reserve Corps is composed of medical and non-medical volunteers dedicated to community health preparedness/education and response in emergencies. We are a bi-state team for NH and VT."
The Corp has approx. 200 members. They meet quarterly for updates and additional training. As stated above, they help in disasters, weather emergencies and local events that need medical staff on site, like The Prouty.
Offices are located in WRJ, on Prospect Street.
The Corp can provide education about CPR, car safety, stop the bleed, to name a few.
Our club provided funds to provide over 500 reflectors for kids to wear on their coats to make them more visible when it is dark, early morning or night. The reflectors can be seen about 300 yards away from the child. The campaign to get reflectors to kids is called: Be Bright at Night Campaign
Rudy also wanted us to know that the Corp is very concerned about high levels of lead in children. 2.5% of children in NH and VT have high levels of lead. Screening for lead has been required in VT, and finally is required in NH. The corp is distributing a hard-sided children's book, Happy Healthy,Lead Free Me that outlines the risks of lead poisoning. Members where encouraged to take some copies and to put them in places where it would be easy for individuals to pick them up for free.
With the ringing of our bell, President-elect Ernst Oidtmann called the meeting to order at 12:05
No guest today.
4-Way Test — Ernst Oidtmann suggested a 4-Way Test parody, but we decided to recite the traditional version.
No piano at Service Credit Union, so no singing today.
Ernst shared his Dad/Bad jokes:
When does a dad joke become a dad joke?
When it becomes a parent.
Why does a golfer take two pairs of socks to the golf course?
In case he gets a hole in one.
No speaker today, but we did have one important piece of Charities Business to review and to have a club vote to approve the appropriation of $1,890 for thirty jerseys displaying the Rotary International wheel for a new Hanover Youth Hockey 16U team organized and coached by Rotarian Dean Cashman?
Motion to approve the appropriation of $1,890 for the hockey jerseys was made by Bruce Pacht. The motions was seconded by Angela Nelson. The floor was then opened for discussion about the motion.
A question was raised about whether or not this donations fit our Charities guidelines. Should this donation come out of our club's marketing budget as one member believed the donation was more about marketing our club on the jerseys than being a charitable activity. Another questions was asked if parent(s) should pay for the jerseys.
Bruce Pacht and other members of the Charities Board shared that the Charities Trustees approved this as a Youth Service activity. We would be supporting a large number of kids from many Upper Valley towns. It was not seen as a marketing endeavor, though the kids and their parents may learn a little mor about Rotary.
Hockey Coach, Dean Cashman, shared that in addition to supporting the kids, he has been able to introduce these kids and their parent(s) to Rotary. He plans to use the Rotary 4-Way test as part of his coaching strategy. In addition, he was able to recruit over 30-40 students and parents to help us with Mascoma River Clean-up. Although the clean-up was postponed, he still believes the students and parents will show up in September to help us.
Although parent(s) have paid $1,000 for their child to participate in the program, this would be one less expense for the parent(s)
There was discussion about the Rotary logo being used on the jerseys. A student did the design, using Rotary brand logo. There was not enough space on the jersey to use the full Lebanon Rotary Logo. But every jersey will have a Rotary wheel.
Brand to be used
Our Club's Logo
Another member expressed his belief that getting involved with kids will provide more opportunities for us to tell their parents about Rotary.
The dollars for the Jersey are going to a hockey 501(c)3 so giving money for the jersey fits our guidelines.
A few more remarks by trustees shared that the Charities Board approved bringing this request to the club as it was viewed as a Youth Service activity.
Ernst then asked if it was time to call the question. No other comments were offered.
Vote on the motion was in the affirmative with one nay vote and no abstentions.
Dean thanked the club for supporting youth hockey.
Brew Fest
As was mentioned last week, Phil Rentz has a limited number of Brew Fest posters that can be posted "around town". If you know a place where you can hang one, let Phil know. You can arrange a time to pick them up from Phil at Service Credit Union on Mechanics Street. If you are posting a poster please use push pins and not staples.
Jim Damren again talked about the importance of sponsorships. He is asking every member to reach out to businesses to request sponsorships and/or ads. If you need forms, let us know. The form was sent by Marilyn Bedell for Jim previously. As of today we have 24 confirmed sponsors or ads with several pending.
Deadline for ads and sponsorships will be 1 August 2023, so we have less than a week to go.
Reminder....EventBrite ticket site is now up and working. Q code can be used to access the site.
Q-Code takes you to EventBrite Order Page
Poker Room
John Yacavone reported that the State has made the application process simpler for the Poker Room. We will have dates in April 2024.
Announcements and other upcoming events:
Mascoma River Clean-up Due to flooding and ongoing high water levels, River Clean-up moved to September 23rd. Stay tuned for details. Tim Guaraldi will co-lead the event with Ernst with the plan for Tim to chair the event in 2025.
I hope you received the invitation below to the August 9 open house at Lebanon Opera House. This promises to be an exciting event as we prepare to celebrate our centennial year and launch the next 100 years in a new and improved LOH. Please extend this invitation to the full team at Rotary Club of Lebanon!
The RSVP link and more information can be found by clicking here
All the best,
Maureen
Maureen Krauland I Development Relations Manager I Lebanon Opera House
Ahmad Haidari shared that his niece and her family are immigrating from Iran to Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. He will be helping her as she transitions to her new home country. Ahmad will miss a few meeting as he helps get her to Fredericton. Ahmad and Chris are celebrating their 32nd anniversary.
As mentioned above, Dean thanks us for supporting the donation for youth hockey. He will work hard to get volunteers for Mascoma River Clean-up...but Sad he won't be able to attend as he will be out of town on September 23rd.
Bruce Pacht finally had a day without rain for an all day motorcycle ride to Enosburg Falls. He had lunch at Kathy's Tavern...a burger and poutine. He saw a lot of flood damage on his trip. The ride included 6 miles of dirt road...well maintained dirt road.
John Yacavone shared news about all the road damage in his part of the world.
Tim and Anna Guaraldi spent a day on Newfound Lake. They thought it would be a day by themselves on the lake, but a family member found them...oh well. He also learned his name was drawn for one of 35 moose permits for this fall. He will be hunting in Pittsburg, NH. Guess what he won't be joining us at meeting in moose season.
Rich Wallace took his wife to Great Woods (Xfinity Center) for a Boy George and Culture Club Concert. Sounded like this made his wife happier than he was.
Ernst gave 2 happy dollars one for USA and Netherlands women's soccer tie.
Queen of Hearts Card Draw
No Card Draw this week.
Car Wash
Ron Bedell won the car wash.
CORRECTED
Members at the meeting on July 27: Marilyn Bedell, Ron Bedell, Dean Cashman, Jim Damren, Tim Guaraldi, Ahmad Haidari, Will Koppenheffer, Ron Michaud, Angela Nelson, Ernst Oidtmann, Bruce Pacht, Phil Rentz, Marlon Steiner, Rich Wallace, Steve Whitman, John Yacavone.
Projects and Fundraisers
Next Listen Dinner August 15, 2022, Volunteers needed.
See email sent last week with other dates when help is needed.
ONLINE SIGN UP HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED.
Let Dean Cashman know if you can help and he can email Larry the names of members who will help at the dinner. Currently only one person has signed up to cook the meal.
Lebanon Senior Center
Contact the Senior Center for Dates and Time when Helper are needed.
Papa John helping at the Senior Center
Mascoma River Clean-Up — September 23, 2023 at 9 AM
Save the Date! September 23rd for our next Mascoma River Clean up!
Ernst Oidtmann with Tim Guaraldi as co-chair will lead the event.
We will do this in partnership with the Lebanon Conservation Commission and other interested community members.
Brew Fest 2023
Brew Fest on to
September 2, 2023
CHEERS!!
Our next fund raising priority.
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 convention speakers envision a more peaceful, equitable world
The keynote speakers at the 2023 Rotary International Convention are transforming health care, rethinking cities, advancing the cause of peace, and working to protect our environment. They share a vision of a more sustainable, equitable world. When they take the stage in Melbourne, Australia, 27-31 May, they’ll tell how that vision can be realized – not just in the years to come, but right now.
Some of the convention speakers include:
Leymah Gbowee
She's a 2011 Nobel Peace Laureate and champion of women’s rights. Gbowee led a nonviolent movement that helped end a 14-year-long civil war in Liberia. She has lived in a refugee camp, worked as a counselor for child soldiers and currently sits on the United Nations Secretary-General’s High Level Advisory Board on Mediation. She’s the founder and current president of the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa and serves as the executive director of the Gender, Law and Transformative Peace Initiative of the City of New York (CUNY) School of Law, USA. She was a founding member and Liberia coordinator of the Women in Peacebuilding Network, a program of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom.
Kari Aina Eik
She makes cities smarter. She’s headed such initiatives as the United Smart Cities Program and the United Cities Organization and Funds. During more than 15 years at the United Nations and 10 years as Secretary General of the Organization for International Economic Relations, she led numerous programs to meet global environmental targets and shape the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Currently, she is working to reimagine effective philanthropy at the SDG Impact Fund.
Gregory Rockson
He's revolutionizing health care in Africa through mPharma, the company he co-founded at age 22. mPharma uses data analytics and innovative inventory services to reduce the cost of pharmaceuticals while preserving quality. As CEO, Rockson has overseen the Ghana-based company’s expansion to eight other African countries. mPharma now owns leading pharmacy chains in Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda, and has become the largest operator of community pharmacies in Sub-Saharan Africa. In partnership with over 1,000 hospitals and pharmacies, the company has helped more than 2 million people save on medications.
Nakeeyat Dramani Sam
She's a 10-year-old climate change activist and poet. She’s the youth ambassador for the Climate Vulnerable Forum and spoke for Ghana at COP27 in Egypt. “Have a heart and do the math,” she told delegates there. “It’s an emergency.” Sam won the “Ghana Talented Kid” competition at the age of 7 and has been honored as a Young Peace Ambassador in her country. She’s the author of the book “Nakeeyat Trees for Life” and is currently working on her next project, “One Tree, One Child.”
We now have hybrid meetings on Thursdays at noon, in person at the Dwinell Room at Harvest Hill on the Campus of Alice Peck Day Hospital, OR join us via Zoom. Click Here to request the Zoom Link.
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