Date: March 10th, 2023

Presiding: President Michelle Fortin

Greeter: Chris Parkinson

President Michelle opened the meeting at 7:30 and Greeter Chris Parkinson welcomed members to Bow Rotary and spoke of his time and friends in Turkey leading a GSE Team.  He’s learned his friends are all safe.  He read song lyrics in Turkish and then played a recording of “Come Along with Me...We Are All Family in Rotary.”  He urged members to think of the need for relief in Turkey and Syria.  

 

29	Live
3	Zoom
0	Visiting Rotarians
3	Guests
3	Guest Speakers
41	Total

 

Due to need of student guests to depart for AP Exams, the program was moved to the front of the schedule.

 

Program:  

Carol Niegisch Introduced each of the top three speech contest winners.  Upon the completion of their speeches, Carol presented each of them with their prize money. 
                                                

Joseph McDowell (2nd) 11^th grade (Bow) – addressed overcoming victimhood via the 4-Way Test. He spoke of the challenges of working with others who succumb to always being the victim and about ways to not let it impact your outlook. His speech highlighted how each of the 4-way test elements could be used to help combat victimhood. Hard to serve others when we are overcome with such feelings. 

 

Finnegan Bonner Gerber (3rd) 12^th grade (Bow) – spoke of his struggles with ADHD and how better knowledge of such disorders can help all concerned. For him, his diagnosis has been a tool rather than a disorder. He focused on his successes and how coming to terms of ADHD has helped him move forward. 

 

Adee Cooper (1^st) 11^th grade (Dunbarton) – spoke of the challenges of always pressured to obtain high grades and how it actually impacts the learning process. She put the traditional grading system to the 4-Way Test and argued that in all areas, the system does not represent the whole person and therefore is not fair. Mental and physical health issues come into play as well. Impacts to friendships and social life highlighted. Stress levels are also an issue. Her conclusion was that the current system is not benefitting all concerned. 

 

Sergeant at Arms: Bryant Stevener
 

Birthdays:  Bryant Stevener was reminded that Matt Gatzke turned 65 today.  He enjoyed the vocal stylings of club members present.  Received birthday present from Uncle Sam in the form of his Medicare card.  Has already had reason to use it and all worked well.  Made a $100 Paul Harris donation to RI in honor of Sandy directed to Ukraine relief efforts.  Had a decent year overall, though hope and concern over Emily’s ongoing health challenges remain a constant.  Still envisioning retirement next year and hoping to travel.  He also gave $10 in recognition of the successful speech contest and for Carol Niegisch’s terrific job as chair of the event. 
 

Logo Fines:  No logo fines.
 

Pins & Badges: Sherri Ferns had a phone fine as music started playing during greeting.  Mike Gula was late.  Dave Farr forgot to wear his pin at speech contest.  Bob Couch, Carol Niegisch and Linda Bliss (not present) were fined for no visible pins in photo in town report of the selling Christmas trees.  Dick Swett also reported no pin at contest.  Kim Place reported multiple fines but scribe could not hear them. 

 

Bill Ames happy to be teaching the Matter of Balance program for Granite VNA. 
Aaron Labrie headed to Aruba and looking forward to sister’s baby shower, daughter’s birthday and moving soon.

Michelle Fortin first gave a fine for “Dave violation” when calling on David Gazaway. She is happy son Eric and his wife Suzanne made the move to Charlestown, MA from CA. 

Dave Farr enjoyed trip to Dominican Republic.  Celebration of life today for his mother-in-law, who recently passed away at 94. 

Dave Scanlan gave in recognition of now having too many Dave’s to answer to in the club. 

Dean Cascadden had a great time skiing in deep snow with sons in Canada.  Happy his replacement has been named as superintendent. 

Ben Kiniry had a blast snowmobiling (maturing as to his behavior when there)  He also enjoyed the speech contest and pondered where Eric Anderson was during the contest.  

Matt Dodge’s adult league ski racing team came in first after taking second place last year.

Mike Gula was very pleased with the speech contest and proud to be vice-chair of the committee.  He had a great time with family at Mont Blanc.  His 17-year old son has earned all badges needed for Eagle Scout and will now focus on a project to rebuild walkway to flagpole at BHS. 

Vanessa Plange grateful for the amazing speeches to start off her day.

Melissa Howard and family had a blast in the Dominican Republic with Dave Farr’s family.

John Ruggles granddaughter Jackie turns 18 next week and he will go play golf next week in Texas.

Chris Parkinson happy to be back from Honduras and good experience.  Auctioned off cigars for $20.  Dean Cascadden bought them but warned not to smoke around students.  

Steve DeStefano headed to Fort Myers (baseball must be involved!).  He also was not wearing a pin at the contest.  Spoke of another amazing baseball player from the University of Maine. 

David Gazaway happy to give for being late, needing to scoot and for not having his badge and for buying two new vintage cars.

Carol Niegisch paid her fine without whining for the pin-photo omission mentioned above.  She also paid the fine for the other two and was happy about how well the contest went.  

Tanya Frost gave a buck for each speech contestant and another because it was Friday. 

 

Respectfully Submitted,
Matt Gatzke