Welcome to the Rotary Club of Williston-Richmond, VT!
Williston-Richmond

Service Above Self

We meet In Person & Online
Thursdays at 7:15 AM
Via Zoom and in person
Williston Federated Church
44 North Williston Road
Williston, VT 05495
United States of America
Be our guest! Club meetings feature interesting speakers, club business, shared inspiration and social networking. For a Zoom link, email us at rotaryclubofwillistonvt@gmail.com. Or join us in person at the Williston Federated Church Fellowship Hall.
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News
Volunteer landscaping project
 
We were contacted this summer by the folks at Memory Care at Allen Brook, a nonprofit facility in Williston, to ask if our club might be able to take on a landscaping project. Rotary member Andy Mikell and his wife Ashley, with help from club members Sherry Pidgeon, Jeanne Kennedy and Elizabeth Davidson, cleared out an overgrown perennial garden.  "It looks so good and will provide our residents with more space to play lawn games or just to sit and enjoy," wrote Cathedral Square CEO Kim Fitzgerald. 
Michael Kennedy, Esq. Vermont Bar Counsel and the basics of legal ethics
Vermont's Professional Responsibility Program
 
 

Michael Kennedy discussed Vermont's Professional Responsibility Program, including the basics of legal ethics and the attorney deterrent behavior system in Vermont. 

Kennedy, bar counsel for the state’s Professional Responsibility Program, advises attorneys on issues related to legal ethics and Vermont’s Rules of Professional Conduct. He also screens complaints and administers the program for resolving complaints via non-disciplinary dispute resolution methods. Michael and his office have proactively taken complaints received in one instance, and shared remedies to a broader group of lawyers, which had dropped overall complaints in half over a 10 year period; a remarkable feat when inquires doubled over the same 10 years.  

To help lawyers remember the most important lessons of ethical responsibility, Michael uses a 7C program consisting of Competence, Communication, Confidentiality, Conflicts, Candor, Commingling, and Civility.

Link to the meeting YouTube video: https://youtu.be/4-J-VWFjbdE

VT State Treasurer shares good news and challenges
Mike Pieciak Williston-Richmond Rotary Club
 
On September 7 the club hosted Vermont State Treasurer Mike Pieciak. Mike spoke about growing up in Brattleboro and the examples his mother and father set for him that led him to pursue a life of public service. He shared information about the Vermont economy, which today looks more promising to him than when he first joined state government several years ago. IRS data suggests that the pandemic drew about 6000 new people to Vermont, the majority being in the 24-44 year old age group with incomes $100K+, contributing to a higher wage base for the state. He also noted that venture capital investment in Vermont has increased significantly, reaching $550 million in 2022. The greatest challenge he sees for the state is housing. He expects the recently passed S.100 bill, which eliminated single-family zoning, to help address housing availability and affordability problems in combination with other state investments focused on this issue. 
 
After Mike's talk, Pastor Paul Eyer shared a humorous anecdote about how challenging it was for the members of the Williston Federated Church marching in last year's Pride Parade to follow right behind the popular Pieciak who was constantly being greeted by parade watchers on both sides of the route.
 
 
Link to the meeting YouTube video: https://youtu.be/UCAHN2g4nvI
Town planner update
 
Matt Boulanger, Williston's town planner, was our guest speaker on Aug. 31. He shared some of the history of statewide planning in Vermont and the intersection of state and municipal planning. Act S. 100, Housing Opportunities Made for Everyone (HOME), signed into law in June, aims to reduce barriers to the development of affordable housing. Among other things, the act commissioned a study on delegating Act 250 compliance administration to municipalities, which could ease the permitting process for developers by removing duplicative approvals at the municipal and state levels. Act 182 from 2022 commissioned a study on the state's designations, such as Williston's Taft Corners Designated Growth Center, to see how they can help achieve goals, including more affordable housing.
 
Link to the meeting YouTube video: https://youtu.be/mjsvL_gQERU
Leslie Black-Plumeau from VHFA
 
On August 24 Leslie Black-Plumeau, Research and Community Relations Manager for the Vermont Housing Finance Agency, spoke to the club about Vermont's housing shortage and the particular challenges faced by Williston. The state is today facing a housing "triple-demic" due to (1) longstanding availability and affordability problems, (2) a pandemic-related increase in demand coupled with a reduction in builders and contractors, and (3) extensive damage to homes caused by the devastating July 2023 floods.  
 
With the third highest job to home ratio of any municipality in the state, Williston is one of the hardest communities to both work and live in.  
 
Link to the meeting YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5lbudlWrQI
Williston updates from Police Chief Patrick Foley  
 
Williston Police Chief Patrick Foley spoke to the club on August 17th. After reaching full staff back in Jan 2023, the town’s police department is currently understaffed by 5 positions. Chief Foley shared that the current community challenge is business theft that is on pace for over 430 cases this year; nearly double from last year's 230 cases.
 
Link to the meeting YouTube video:    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y74yBt9ckmU
A visit from Senator Peter Welch
 
Our guest speaker on August 10 was Vermont's Senator Peter Welch who spoke with us about overcoming partisanship by focusing on shared constituent concerns, his proposal for a new agency to regulate the digital sphere (social media, AI, etc.), and the importance of building back for resiliency following natural disasters such as the flooding experienced after Irene and the July 2023 storms.
 
Link to the meeting YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JmmOzXvSCc
Fire Chief Collette on rescue preparedness
 
On August 3 Williston Fire Department Chief Aaron Collette addressed the club about the technical rescue training and capabilities of his team, as well as recent challenges he and other members of the department faced when deployed throughout the state during the devastating floods in July.  WFD personnel undertake training in a variety of specialize rescue areas, including vehicle extrication, ice rescue, rope rescue and swiftwater rescue. Chief Collette is an Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team manager and a number of department staff are also Vermont USAR members who can be called upon when needed. We were impressed by the bravery and expertise demonstrated during the difficult situations they faced during the flooding disaster, as well as with the wide variety of training department members do to prepare themselves for whatever situation may arise.
 
Link to the meeting YouTube video:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHs7uGgd5wU
 2023 RYLA students share experience

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is an intensive leadership experience organized by Rotary clubs and districts where teens develop their skills as  leaders while having fun and making connections. Our rotary district invites teens in their sophomore year to apply for a RYLA scholarship.  This year our club sent three teens, Eloise Durant, Thomas Mathon and Abigail Usher, all of Williston, to Lyndon campus of Vermont State University for the weekend district-wide convention that included students from Vermont, New Hampshire and Quebec. 

On July 20th the three of them came to our weekly club meeting to tell us about their experience.  The common theme among the three was that they had lots of fun and made deep connections.  They also talked of the value of learning their leadership styles and the insight it gives them in communicating and being a community member. Two of them were more adaptable “off the cuff” leaders while the other preferred to have a plan in place. While there they were involved in making hundreds of meals for those in need.  They also experienced a ropes course, various trust and confidence building activities, and the weekend culminated with a talent show. Having them come speak made for such a fun meeting.  They were generous with their impressions, answered our many questions thoughtfully and were excited to recommend RYLA to next year’s potential applicants.

Buckets to aid flood victims
 
As an immediate response, club members rallied in July to build 12 cleaning buckets to assist Vermont flood victims working to make their homes livable again.  Each bucket includes liquid cleaning agents, gloves, masks and cleaning tools specifically chosen to address post-flood needs.  Involved in the effort were Sherry Pidgeon, Charlie Magill, Dave Ericson, Marty LeWinter, Howard Novak and Jenn Murphy (missing from photo). Other club members contributed funds to purchase supplies.
Williston-Richmond Rotary YouTube Channel
Have you missed a Rotary meeting or a speaker, and want to catch up on what you missed? Or did you see a Rotary speaker that you loved and want to forward the talk to a friend?
 
All meetings are recorded via Zoom, and almost all recordings are posted within 2-4 weeks. The link to our Williston-Richmond YouTube channel is:
https://www.youtube.com/@williston-richmondrotary2785/videos
 
SUBSCRIBE to our Rotary channel, bookmark the YouTube page into your web browser today, and check out the postings. 
Flooding State of Emergency in VT
 
Governor Phil Scott declared a State of Emergency in Vermont on July 9, 2023 due to heavy rainfall, significant localized flooding, washouts, and road closures across the state.  Williston made it past the current Flooding State of Emergency fairly unscathed, but many of our towns did have damage, washed out roads and displacement from their homes. Around us, Richmond, Montpelier, Barre, to just name a few will still have weeks of clean up. 
 
For those of you who many want to donate time, resources or money, here are a few options to check out:
 
Support Vermont Flood victims by donating to the American Red Cross
https://www.wcvb.com/article/vermont-flood-victims-how-to-support-donate-red-cross/44546069#
 
Register with the State of Vermont Volunteer Organization
 
The Vermont Community Foundation
https://vermontcf.org/our-impact/programs-and-funds/vt-flood-response/
 
Williston-Rotary Cleaning Kit Project spearheaded by Charlie Magill (buy and drop off some of the below at the July 21st Rotary meeting)
One five-gallon round bucket with re-sealable lid (14.35” h x 12.19” w x 12.19” d)
One 32-64 oz. bottle liquid laundry detergent
One 16-40 oz. bottle liquid concentrate household cleaner, Not spray cleaners
One 16-34 oz. bottle dish soap
One 4-8 oz. pump spray air freshener (liquid, not gel)
One 6-14 oz. pump spray insect repellent (pack of 10-20 wipes also acceptable)
One scrub brush With or without handle
18 re-useable cleaning wipes, Not terrycloth, microfiber or paper towels
Five scouring pads, Not stainless-steel pads with soap in them
36-50 clothespins
One 50-100 ft. clothesline (cotton or plastic line)
24 roll of heavy-duty trash bags (33-45-gallon sizes)
Remove from packaging
Five N95 particulate respirator dust masks (1-3 mm thickness)
Two pairs kitchen gloves, Durable for multiple uses
One pair work gloves, Cotton with leather palm or all leather
Two sponges
All cleaning agents must be liquid form
Inspired by Camp Ta-Kum-Ta
 
On July 6 our guest speaker Patrick Gallivan shared inspiring stories of the founding, evolution and impact of Vermont's Camp Ta-Kum-Ta, the nonprofit organization that serves children who have or have had cancer. Patrick has volunteered with the camp for over 25 years and serves as the summer camp director. The focus of camp is Safety, Connection, and Joy -- and these benefits are delivered in abundance to the families and children who participate.
 
We went all out on July 4!
  
 
The Williston July 4 parade and Village Green activities booth gave us a great chance to connect with the community and share what we Rotarians do. 
 
It was also a showcase of the talent and creativity of our members. Especial kudos go to Chris Stewart and Sherry Pidgeon for their beautiful Rotary wheels, to Andy Mikell for initiating and organizing the float plan, Dan Clark for the float signs and banners as well as being the Man in the Yellow Hat, Lesley Murray for bringing the fuzzy Easter Bunny to a steamy July parade, and so many more contributions from other members.  We had fun!  
 
Plus we raised funds for our youth scholarships with a 50/50 raffle. Congratulations to our winner, Trevor Thompson!  Thank you to Trevor and everyone who participated to support our work in the community.
 
Here are some of the images we captured for our photo album.
2023 Deb Beckett Memorial 5K
    
 
The 2023 Deb Beckett Memorial 5K on Saturday, July 1 brought the community together to honor a beloved Rotarian and public servant and to enjoy some fun and fierce competition. The annual 5K Run/Walk was joined this year by a half-mile Kids Run with some ambitious runners taking on both challenges. 
 
Local station ABC 22 aired a story about the race and the woman it honors: https://www.mychamplainvalley.com/news/local-news/williston-5k-race-honors-beloved-longtime-resident/
 
Be sure to check out our photo album of shots taken by club members and the race results.
Changeover 2023
 
Our annual Changeover gathering was held on June 29 at the Isham Family Farm event barn. We celebrated the year's accomplishments, acknowledged our members' contributions, voted in our new slate of officers, had a lovely meal and time for fun and fellowship. Two guests were awarded checks: Matt Cota of the Split the Ticket home heating fuel assistance fund received the club's annual donation and soon-to-be college freshman Grace, who plans to study music education, received her Rotary scholarship. Outgoing president Sally Stockwell-Metro passed the gavel to this year's president, Susan Cote. Terrific music was provided by members Marty LeWinter on keyboards and Greg Marino on trumpet along with two talented musicians on drums (Matt DeLuca) and guitar. Thanks go to Mike Isham and Helen Weston for the use of their beautiful facility.
 
Above, all past presidents in attendance, including founding president Bill Skiff, posed along with this year's president. See our photo album for more images capturing the evening. 
Looking forward to Independence Day
 
We're bursting with anticipation for the fun and excitement of Williston's annual Fourth of July festivities!
 
Events kick off with the Deb Beckett Memorial 5K on Saturday, July 1, which this year will also include a free half-mile Kids Run. Pre-registration for the 5K is open until June 18 with same-day registration also an option.
 
The parade theme this year is "Growing Community." After an absence of several years, the club will once again field a float, which promises to deliver lots of positive energy. Our booth on the Village Green will give us a chance to say hello to our friends and neighbors and share what Rotary is all about.
 
 
All about water
At our first meeting in June, we hosted Joe Duncan, general manager of the Champlain Water District (CWD) as our guest speaker.  Joe gave us the history of the water district, which was formed in 1973 and now serves 12 water systems--including Williston, South Burlington, Shelburne, Essex Town and Essex Junction, Milton, Jericho Village, Winooski and parts of Colchester--with a total of 9 million gallons of water a day.
 
We learned that the intake line is located 1/2 mile into Lake Champlain at a depth of approximately 80 feet. The pump station, located in Red Rocks Park, generally cycles on during the day to take advantage of solar electricity generation. Water takes 2-3 days to travel to Jericho. Surprisingly, the rapid development experienced in this area since the 90s has not led to increased usage, as the number of residential and business users has been offset by greater efficiency and the area's conservation mindset. The biggest fluctuations in usage the district has seen in past decades have been due to changes in demand from industrial customer IBM/GlobalFoundries. 
A day of remembrance
    
 
Our club's second annual Memorial Day Observance took place on a beautiful morning at the Williston Memorial Park that sits between the Town Hall and Town Hall Annex. Rotarians, first responders, veterans, families and residents from Williston and Richmond gathered to reflect on the sacrifice of those who we have lost in service to our country and communities.
 
The Rev. Katelyn Macrae of the Richmond Congregational Church provided an invocation and Club President Sally Stockwell-Metro reminded us of the history and meaning of what was once called Decoration Day. Major Patrick "Gene" Enriquez, a resident of Williston, spoke eloquently about the necessity and power of remembering those who have sacrificed to protect American liberty and values to help unite us in this difficult time of national division.
 
Several new veteran's bricks for the memorial patio were dedicated and the names of Richmond and Williston first responders and veteran's were read. Hazen Metro's stirring bagpipe music and the playing of taps by CVU student Luke Buehler enhanced the solemnity of our occasion. 
 
Thank you to Lesley Murray for organizing the event and for all the club and community members who contributed their efforts.
 
Read a local news story about the event here. For more photos from the day, check out our photo gallery.  
Williston's Energy Committee
On May 25 our guest speaker Kevin Thorley filled us in on the activities of Williston's Energy Committee, which was formed in 2022 following the 2020 adoption by the Williston Selectboard of a comprehensive energy plan. The mission of the committee is to create a community powered by renewable, locally produced and owned energy, fed by town farms, housed in efficient homes with an environmentally responsible transportation system, all sustained by a vibrant, local economy and social network. The volunteer committee's activities focus on community education, decreasing transportation-related energy demand, taking an active role in drafting town bylaw amendments and incorporating energy efficiency in town capital improvements. 
 
One example of their work involves outreach to energy-burdened households in Williston to offer assistance in making their homes more energy efficient and affordable.
The work to achieve a Hunger Free Vermont
Anore Horton, Executive Director of Hunger Free Vermont and Williston resident, spoke to the club on May 18. Now in its 30th year, Hunger Free Vermont's mission is to create permanent systems that remove the need for people to access food pantries and feeding sites. The organization's focus is on changing policy and on helping people access programs such as 3SquaresVT, Vermont's name for SNAP or food stamps.
 
Today, hunger in Vermont is at the highest rate ever recorded. Income cut-offs for 3SquaresVT are very low, so many who need help are ineligible. Meals on Wheels, a program that helps address hunger among the elderly, hasn't seen an increase in federal contribution per meal in decades.
 
A positive development this year in addressing hunger in Vermont was the passage of the universal school meals bill. First introduced by Debbie Ingram in the state senate a number of years ago, Rep. Erin Brady of Williston was the introducing sponsor for the bill that passed this year. Published research conducted in Vermont and elsewhere demonstrates the positive effect on academic achievement when universal school meals are provided.
Williston Officer Matt Cohen and K9 Duke
 
On May 11th,  guest speaker Williston Police Officer Matt Cohen brought in the department K9 Duke, and discussed the Comfort program for our community. He shared a presentation detailing the program purpose, himself as a handler, K9 Duke as therapy dog, training, deployments, and cases. The talk was fascinating and meeting K9 Duke was a thrill for the Club.
 
We look forward to having Matt and Duke back at a future date.
 
To see Matt’s Comfort Program presentation, click below
 
To provide donations directly to the Williston Police Department or learn more
Williston-Richmond May 2023 Club Fund Drive
 
The Williston-Richmond Rotary Club is a non-profit that services OUR community with a focus on youth literacy, seniors, veterans, those individuals in need, and the community at large. Each dollar collected goes back into your town (Williston, Richmond and St George). We are a 501(c)(3) organization, and your support is tax deductible.  
 
Our 2023 goal is to raise $20,000 to support the events you, your families and businesses rely on, including:
  • Heating assistance for neighbors in need (“Split the Ticket” Program)
  • Building ramps for those with accessibility challenges
  • Funding a lifesaving Cyanokit for the Williston Fire Department.
  • Coordinating the annual Deb Beckett 5K Memorial Run on the 4th of July weekend
  • Hosting an annual senior holiday luncheon
  • Sponsorship of the Williston Central School mentoring program
  • Funding for local and international literacy and STEM programs
  • Rotary Youth Leadership training weekends for high school sophomores
  • Academic scholarships for 2-3 college or vocational bound students from Williston, Richmond, and St. George
  • Our community park bench placement and maintenance
Be generous to continue these and other projects.
 
To read more or donate
 
 
Rick Cote shares highpointing stories
 
On April 20 guest speaker Rick Cote shared the challenges and adventures he and two college classmates have had over twenty-five years as "highpointers," people who aim to visit the highest point in each of the 50 states. Having achieved 48 of the 50, leaving only Montana and Alaska, their travels have afforded them the opportunity to experience natural beauty and cultural sites all across the U.S. while also building a deep friendship.
 
Rick recently completed a Denali prep course to qualify for a guided attempt of Denali in Alaska. He shared the tricks he learned about winter camping and how to stay safe and healthy while trekking with heavy gear in a harsh environment.
Green Up Vermont
 
 
Kate Alberghini, Executive Director of Green Up Vermont (GUV) spoke with us on April 13th. She described the year-round efforts of GUV and the positive impact of Green-Up Day itself. GUV works throughout the year to increase youth engagement, broaden public  awareness, promote educational initiatives and increase partnering relationships within communities. Community engagement in Green-Up Day continues to grow resulting in the following statistics from last year. Over 19,000 volunteers cleaned 75% of Vermont town and city roads, collecting 497 tons of trash (42,992 bags) and removing 14,315 tires. Green-Up Day is held the first Saturday in May (May 6, 2023). For more information: https://greenupvermont.org/.   
Speakers
Are you interested in a way to give back to your community?  We're welcoming volunteers to join our many local service projects.  Whether you have just a few hours or time for a weekly commitment, Williston-Richmond Rotary invites you to join us in activities to help others and support our community. 
 
Do you know of a need in our community?  We want to hear from you about how we can help.  
 
Contact us! To find out about volunteer opportunities and to share your ideas for how we can serve, email us at RotaryClubofWillistonVT@gmail.com.
 
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Club Officers
President
Susan Cote
President Elect
Elizabeth Davidson
Vice President
Vince Conte
Secretary
Philip Stevens
Treasurer
Jeanne Albertson
Past President
Sally Stockwell-Metro
Sergeant-at-Arms
Marty LeWinter
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