President Elect Dave opened the meeting at 07:30 and Rob shared some inspiration.
Attendance:
25
Live
6
Zoom
1
Visiting Rotarians
0
Guests
1
Guest Speakers
33
Total
Visiting Rotarian: Steve Rand – Plymouth Club
Announcements:
President Elect Dave informed the members that Evelyn may be available to prepare the Friday morning breakfasts more often. Since this may impact the charge for meals, the Board is discussing the impacts and will report back to the membership in a few weeks.
A new member application is in the process.
The Club received a Thank you note from the University of New Hampshire Foundation
Gerry Carrier announced that the Christmas trees are ordered, the down payment has been sent out and trees are arriving on November 27th (Friday after Thanksgiving). We will need many members to be there to help unload the 225 trees. This will also allow us to have a full day of sales on Saturday. Mike Griffin and Gerry are looking into other alternative suppliers for wreaths. More to come.
Interact Club: Dick Swett reported that 30 students are starting the year. Only looking at Freshmen for new membership.
Bryant Stevener announced that “The Pumpkins are Coming” looking for volunteers to unload on Sunday at Noon. Interact is sending volunteers.
Sergeant at Arms: Barb Griffin
Birthdays: none
Fines:
Happy Bucks:
Linda Bliss - $ for messing up the schedule for breakfast team -Thanked Dick Swett for helping.
Barb attended a concert and had a great time. Also, she now has a list of Birthdays so that will be helpful in the future!!
Ryan $30- announced first child is due on April 1, 2027! Also, his first trip on new job was delayed due to NY/NJ Flight Control Communications cable cut. Ryan did some sightseeing while stuck in Philly overnight.
Eric – Took the RV to Maine for 10 days and had no rain!! He visited Kennebunkport and went to a parking lot. Had trouble getting ticket in slot to pay and was approached by Kennebunkport Rotarian, Bob Webster (former Bow Rotarian) who helped out. Small world! Eric also announced with sadness that John Sheridan’s (former District Governor and Bow Rotarian) wife Alice passed away last week.
Donna was happy for a week in Cancun, Mexico for a Rotary Zone Training on Membership & Public Image.
Bryant celebrated his 26th wedding anniversary with his wife in Wells, Maine. Took his annual golf trip up North and the foliage is fantastic.
Club Assembly Announcements: Pres Elect Dave:
Vanessa Palange has received a non-profit license for CANVA and members can apply for being a user if desired. Contact Vanessa for details.
The Bow Times will be charging the Rotary Club for articles in the paper moving forward. A discount of about 50% is being offered. This was approved by the Board as the Club gets much community recognition by having articles in the monthly issues.
The Board approved a $500 donation towards the Amigos Project
A grant request from a Bow Student is in progress.
The Auction is in full swing so bring in your sold raffle tickets as soon as you can. Items are arriving and Carol Niegisch is available every week to receive your solicited items from local businesses. The Auction begins on November 4th.
Ken Moulton reminded everyone that two teams will be representing the Club for the competition at the District Golf event next Monday.
Pres Elect Dave announced that an updated fact sheet for the possible 3D printer project at the school will be sent out before more discussion at the Board Meeting next month.
Roadside Pickup is scheduled for October 3rd. Barb is looking to fill the signup list to make is easier for all who volunteer. Need 5 more volunteers!! See Barb for details and let her know if you will be picking up trash on a different day so that trash bags and vests can be provided.
Trunk a Treat is scheduled for October 25th. Candies and treats are being collected now from members.
Program:Ryan Anastasi introduced Steve Rand and Susan Matherson who presented their efforts as part of Common Man for Ukraine.
Steve is a member of the Plymouth Club and a founder of the program. He explained how the program name changed from “NH for Ukraine” to “Common Man for Ukraine” to be more inclusive of a greater support area.
Susan Matherson used slides to explain the purpose and scope of the efforts. The Program started in February, 2022 with a small team. After 5 years and 16 trips to the front lines in Ukraine, the program is focused on Children abandoned and provide Safe Houses for abandoned kids. The team provides food, clothes, beds and counseling to kids who have lost their parents. Moms are now also provided about 10 days of health counseling and help away from the horrors of war. The teams also provide needed foods, toys for kids and supplies to villagers close to the front lines that have been destroyed and abandoned by Russian Armed Forces. These are mostly abandoned moms with children and elderly. Over 54 convoy trips have been made the one-week trip to the front lines by local Rotarians from Poland and volunteers on roads covered with nets to reduce visibility by drones. Many other stories and experiences were shared using a slide presentation and videos. Over two million families have been displaced during the 5-year war. Susan ended by explain how all Ukrainian people stop for one minute of silence every morning to pay tribute to all of the brave souls both fighting and those who have died. More information is available at the web site https://commonmanforukraine.org/donate
A book was provided for signatures and will be given to a local library.
Pres Elect Dave closed the meeting with a toast to Rotary the world over.
