and learn more about Lebanon Rotary and our projects.
ONE TEAM. ONE DREAM.
A POLIO-FREE WORLD.
The world has made huge strides against polio with cases down 99.9% over the last four decades. With renewed global attention and commitment, we can finally beat polio, but the last stretch is the toughest.
As with any challenge, we are stronger when we work together as a team.
Melanie McDonough, the City of Lebanon's Chief Innovation and AI officer was our speaker today. She is the City of Lebanon's first Chief Innovation and AI Officer. She started working for the city over 15 years ago, initially serving as an IT and web administrator in the City's consulted IT division before officially joining as the first Digital Medica Officer in 2019. In 2021, at the direction of City Manager, Shaun Mulholland, Melanie was promoted to the new position of Chief Innovation Officer. In July 2024, her title was updated to reflect her leadership in the City's responsible adoption and implementation of artificial intelligence (AI).
In her role she collaborates with the City Manager, Cyber Services Director, and other department leaders to foster a culture of innovation. She leads initiatives that include integrating generative AI to improve public services, identifying opportunities for growth, and implementing creative solutions to streamline processes and better serve our community. She ensures that communication and website content align with City expectations and comply with applicable laws and regulations.
Melanie McDonough
She shared that when she was hired, the goal was for her to help move the City to be more "paperless". Covid certainly helped speed up the process of going more digital. She works with all department heads to help with process management. As processes are reviewed, some are kept, some are revised, and many are streamlined and improved with by using technology. Currently, she is working hard to make the building permit process easier for those waiting to learn if their permit has been approved. Behind the scenes, she has worked to connect all departments that need to sign off on permit. Each has weighed in on what they need to see completed prior to final approval. When this system is updated, the goal is to avoid a permit being approved, then learning that a key department has not officially signed off on the permit. It will possible to pay fees online too
She works closely with City Manager Mulholland on Strategic Planning. Finding ways to involve city residents in the process too.
She has developed an AI policy for the city. Here is the link to the policy, click here.
On December 19, 2023, the City of Lebanon adopted its first Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy, "ADM-143 Use of Artificial Intelligence." This policy reflects Lebanon's dedication to harnessing the power of AI while ensuring ethical, fair, and secure application. The policy is presented here in an open, accessible format and will be updated regularly by the Technology Review Committee as AI technology evolves. The official PDF version of this policy is available for download from our Open Records portal. We encourage you to submit your feedback about this policy and follow our AI Initiative page for more information and updates.
She indicated that we are one of the first Cities to implement an AI policy, and many are reaching out to her to learn more about what is in place in Lebanon.
One of her major goals is to implement changes to processes that are complicated and have multiple steps. She shared that the next task she is charged with with the help of all who are using technology is meeting the new ADA standards that are directly related to use of technology. It is a huge initiative that will need to be completed by 2027.
She briefly talked about the work being done to make sure we are as safe as we can be due to external threats. Before any new technology in integrated into the work space, the assistant city manager, the cyber security chief, and Melanie must review and then signoff on the technology. The city takes cybersecurity a priority, and the work to keep our systems safe is neverending.
If she is doing her job correctly, all the information that is needed won't be lost, but the steps that are needed will be fewer. New technology will help streamline processes, while being safe from a cyber attack, we will have better analytics to understand how the City is responding to the needs of the citizens of Lebanon.
President Ernst Oidtmann called the meeting to order at noon.
Ernst welcomed our guests, former member of the Lebanon High School Interact club and prospective Rotarian, Max Jovanovich, and our speaker Melanie McDonough and Paul McDonough.
Max Jovanovich
Paul McDonough
Ahmad Haidari led us in reciting the 4-Way Test.
Ernst then led us in singing our welcome song, and The Fox Went Out On a Chilly Night (The songbook had illustrations from a Dutch illustrator, Peter Spier.)
Thought of the Day: Ernst focused on Polio. This is from the End Polio Now webpage
Headlines:-
The latest Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) report has been finalized, following the group’s meeting in July in Geneva. The IMB continues to provide crucial, independent analysis of the programme and puts forth recommendations to address remaining challenges. More.
GPEI welcomes and appreciates Canada’s pledge of CAD $151 million to achieve the eradication of polio and build stronger health systems worldwide. More.
Democratic Republic of the Congo: two cVDPV2 cases
Niger: two cVDPV2-positive environmental samples
Nigeria: four cVDPV2 cases
Afghanistan:
No WPV1 cases were reported this week. There have been 19 cases reported this year.
No WPV1-positive environmental samples were reported this week.
Pakistan:
Four WPV1 cases were reported this week from Balochistan, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. There have been 21 cases reported this year.
No WPV1-positive environmental samples were reported this week.
Rotary commits funds to polio outbreak response in Gaza A recent detection of polio in Gaza is a reminder that as long as polio exists anywhere, it is a threat everywhere. Rotary committed US$500,000 to support the polio vaccination campaign in Gaza that began earlier this month. Read Rotary’s statement.
Your secretary was busy throughout the opening trying to get our speakers files to load from the internet without success. So Marilyn missed most of President Ernst's remarks about Polio. Thus the summary above is from the web.
We enjoyed our buffet lunch.
John Yacavone then introduced out speaker, Melanie McDonough, Chief Innovation Officer, City of Lebanon. See story above.
Bill Secord presented our book for the Kilton Library given in honor of Melanie McDonough
How to Make a Picture Book
By Elys Dolan (Author, Illustrator)
Everyone has a story to tell—and now you can learn how to tell it in your own picture book, using this helpful, humor-filled guide from an award-winning creator.
Have you ever wanted to create your own story—and capture it for posterity? Elys Dolan brings her comic touch to the process by portraying her narrator-self as a friendly worm (it’s quicker to draw than a person!). How do you come up with something to write about? Build and flesh out your story? Use color and space effectively? From combining two favorite things to form a story idea to “interviewing” your characters to physically putting a book together, the author walks readers through some surprisingly comprehensive beginners’ techniques that may have something to offer even seasoned storytellers.
This witty, fun, conversational, step-by-step guide—part picture book, part activity book—is packed with prompts, exercises, tips, and jokes. So find your inspiration, grab your pens and pencils, and get making!
Time for Happy Dollars:
Dean Cashman shared that he and Meredith enjoyed Ron Bedell shout out to Saturday Night Live at his anniversary celebration...you had to be there. He let us know that Meredith was at Gusanoz's when a customer went into cardiac arrest. Meredith jumped in to action and started CPR and worked to stabilize the customer until EMS arrive. She was described on Facebook as being a badass superhero.
Ron is continuing to have fond memories of his 50th wedding anniversary celebration.
Announcements
Invitation from the Hanover Rotary Club to join them for a special meeting— October 9, 2024, Dartmouth College, Class of 1953 Commons, Paganucci Lounge at 11:45 AM.
Chris Singleton video presentation…
Chris Singleton 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.
Date: Wednesday October 9th at 11:45
Place: P53 Commons (formerly known as Thayer Hall to old timers) located at 6 Mass Row on the Dartmouth campus. It is directly behind Collis Center which is the building on the corner of the green which is undergoing renovations.
Parking: There is no parking on campus but one could pull in close to assist a handicapped person to get close to the front entrance ramp. We use street parking or the lots behind Molly’s or wherever…… The meeting is in Paganucci Lounge which is connected to the main lobby
Payment: After you pay at one of the two ticket kiosks. They are credit card only and take just a few seconds. Tell them you are with Hanover Rotary and it’s about $16.50 for a wonderful lunch with way too many options. Several of us will be there to welcome and assist.
Why come?
Well, you, Ron, and Ernst heard Chris’s presentation when I did. I immediately felt he spoke to core Rotary themes - forgiveness and caring.
Second, it is a good way to assemble both clubs which we don’t do often enough. If our members could each identify themselves as I point to each table, that would be great.
Third, the setting and food are terrific and it will be a good warm up exercise for our joint session with President Beilock sometime during the winter term. They are working to set the date as I write this, so please stay tuned.
Time: 11:45 seems like a good target time. (or sooner - I’ll be there by 11:30) This will allow everyone a chance to wander back and decide what to eat - whatever you wish and as much or little - you decide. The only “problem “ is there are too many choices!
Meeting Plan: I will reopen the meeting shortly after noon for the pledge to the flag, a brief invocation, and a welcome from me. Then will allow time to enjoy the meal and we’ll reconvene around 12:30ish to introduce ourselves and screen the video. I’m guessing we’ll be done by 1:15 -1:30 but folks can linger and chat if they like.
Enfield Flu Vaccine Clinic will be October 10, 2024. Thanks to all who have signed up to help.
Rotary Foundation Month, November. The appeal letter has gone out to members. Let Ron or Phil Rentz know if you have questions.
Park Clean-up at Riverside Park will be October 25,2024 from 3 to approx. 5 PM. Will Koppenheffer will circulate the sign up sheet over the next couple of week.
Rotary Leadership/Learning Institute —Come to learn more about Rotary International, and to meet other Rotarians from around our region. Attend the Rotary Leadership Institute in St. Johnsbury, VT on October 26, 2024 from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM at St. Johnsbury Academy, 1000 Main Street, St. Johnbury 05819 Registration is only $75 but will be reimbursed by our club. Register at www.rlinea.org Breakfast and lunch included. Contact or Ron and Marilyn Bedell or our Immediate Past District Governor, Susan Cherry susan.cherry1@gmail.com if you have questions.
Polio Awareness Day is October 24, 2024. With Polio in Gaza, and more cases happening in Afghanistan (22) and Pakistan (24), along with an assortment of vaccine derived cases (40), you donations are needed more than ever. It is hoped that all Rotarians will make a donation to Polio Plus via My Rotary. Consider being considered a PolioPlus Society member with a donation of $100.00.
Holiday Basket Helpers: Angela sent word that we will be helping to review gifts, bag them, and tag them on December 9th from noon to 3 PM and December 10th from 10 AM to Noon. Please save these dates and time to help.
Holiday Party at the Quechee Inn — From Ron Bedell
The date for our Annual Christmas Party and Yankee Swap is Tuesday December 17th. The cost will be $50 per person, including tax and gratuities. The club is subsidizing the meal which makes it $10 less than last year for basically the same menu. Make your check out to the Rotary Club of Lebanon, P.O. Box 132 and send it by November 15, 2023.
The event will take place at the Quechee Inn at Marshfield Farm in Quechee, VT.
5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Hors D'oeuvres and Cocktails in the Tavern (Cash Bar)
6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Dinner
8:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Yankee Swap
The menu will be:
Chef's Choice of 2 Passed Hors D'oeuvres in the Tavern, Mixed Green Salad & Fresh Baked Rolls, Pre-Selected Entrees: Blackjack Sirloin, Grilled Salmon, Chicken or Vegetarian, Dessert and Coffee Service, One Glass of House Red or White Wine with Dinner
The Yankee Swap will begin right after dinner. Remember to bring a new or used gift valued at $20.00 or less for each person in your party.
Please respond to Ron Bedell. He will need a preliminary head count by October 31st.
Members at the meeting:
Bill Babineau, Marilyn Bedell, Ron Bedell, Phil Bush, Dean Cashman, David Clarenbach, Hank Clarke, Jim Damren, Mia Dela Pena, Ahmad Haidari, Will Koppenheffer, Jane Mason*, Ron Michaud, Ernst Oidtmann, Phil Rentz, Bill Secord, Richard Wallace, John Yacavone
Guests:
Former member of the Lebanon High School Interact club and prospective Rotarian, Max Jovanovich
Our speaker Melanie McDonough, and
Paul McDonough.
*Joined by WebEx
Card and Car Wash Raffles
Ron Bedell pulled the 3 of Spades... thus the hunt for the Queen of Hearts continues.
The car wash was won by Marilyn Bedell
Winning (although not the "big bucks" must be in the Bedell's DNA.
FUTURE MEETING PROGRAMS/SPEAKERS
October 2024
October 10 Paul Coats, New children’s playground at Civic Memorial Field
October 17 Nicole-Food Burley, City of Lebanon Historian
October 24 Tamira Martel,Governor’s Institute of Vermont
October 31 Steve Fine,Melanoma Cancer Foundation (Webex)
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 Marilyn Bedell, Our Rotary Foundation
November 28 THANKSGIVING - No Meeting
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 PM
Contact: Bruce Pacht
Board Meeting: 4th Tuesday of every month at 4:00 PM via Zoom
Contact: Ernst Oidtmann
Golf: 2025 schedule to be announced
Brew Fest: The 2025 Schedule to be announced
Other Events and Service Projects
Enfield Flu Vaccine Clinic at 3 PM on October 10, 2024 at 3:30 PM at the Community Center
We will be working with the Public Health Council. Our role will to be support set-up, registration of people coming for vaccines, keeping lines moving and orderly, and other urgent tasks as they come up. We are pleased to partner with Geisel School of Medicine and will have a host of medical students providing the vaccines.
Please try to arrive around 3:30 pm to help me put up signage, stage vaccine stations, and set up for registration. Then we will turn our attention to entertaining the people who arrive VERY early for vaccine, until the students are ready to start. We will try to keep people outside until at least 3:45 pm. Clinic traffic usually slows around 6:00 pm and the students help with packing up, so we can start to let volunteers leave as flow slows down.
Enfield, please park along the back edges of the parking lot; volunteers arriving later can park in the Mascoma Bank lot behind the basketball court. We reserve the closer parking spaces for people coming for vaccines.
Address: (308 US Route 4, Enfield, NH)
Riverside Park Clean-up on Friday, October 25th at 3 PM
Bring rakes, leaf blowers, and other tools to help with the clean-up.
Rotary Leadership Insititute (RLI) Saturday, October 26, 2024 from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Come to learn more about Rotary International, and to meet other Rotarians from around our region. Attend the Rotary Leadership Institute in St. Johnsbury, VT on October 26, 2024 from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM at St. Johnsbury Academy, 1000 Main Street, St. Johnbury 05819 Registration is only $75 but will be reimbursed by our club and/or the District. Register at www.rlinea.org Breakfast and lunch included. All RLI Levels will be held if enough people sign up, Level I, Level II, Level III and Graduate. Contact or Ron and Marilyn Bedell or our Immediate Past District Governor, Susan Cherry, susan.cherry1@gmail.com if you have questions.
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
For centuries, people have gathered at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers in Calgary, Canada. Next year, it will be Rotary’s turn, as members, family, and friends worldwide will gather there for the 2025 Rotary International Convention, 21-25 June. Get a preview of what lies in store for those attending the convention in the September issue of Rotary magazine. And read about Canada’s fourth-largest metropolitan area, a big city without big city problems. Register now to be a part of the magic in Calgary in June.
Register before December 15, 2024 to receive the preferred rate of $525!
District 5360 is excited to welcome the world to the Rotary International Convention!
Prepare to be captivated by Calgary’s vibrant culture, embraced by warm hospitality, and inspired by the spirit of Rotary as we gather in this iconic destination.
Come for fellowship. Leave with a broader understanding of how we are making a difference in the world!
Learn how Rotary members continue to the “boots on the ground” volunteer service army providing life-saving vaccines to children around the world. Together we are working to end polio and malaria, and many other preventable diseases.
Experts in the field will share how Rotary and its partners are working to make the world a healthier place by working together.
Develop stronger connections with Rotary members worldwide, creating opportunities for collective impact.
Leave the convention with a greater understanding of how we are stronger together!
Make plans to attend our Beyond Borders event, exclusively for Rotary members in Zones 28 & 32 - Monday, June 23rd at 5:30pm, at the Calgary Zoo!
Since we are approaching World Polio Day on October 24, 2024, we asked Past Rotary International Vice President and Rotary Foundation Trustee Mike McGovern, the International Polio Plus Committee chair, why every Rotarian should attend a Rotary convention. He replied:
Michael McGovern, Rotary Club of Cape Elizabeth Maine
“I can’t wait to go to Calgary. I’ve been to about 25 conventions and somehow I missed the last one (1996) everyone raved about how much fun it was all they learned and how it made them be better Rotarian so I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of Rotary friends new and old in Calgary.
In her World Polio Day message, Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick calls upon the Rotary community to build on our incredible progress, face the challenges ahead with tenacity, and stay focused on our ultimate goal: a polio-free world.
.png)
