Meeting Date:   March 11, 2022

Presiding:           Ben Kiniry     

Greeter:             Matt Gatzke 
President Ben opened the meeting at 07:30 and greeter Matt shared an inspirational poem on doing service work in our communities.

 

Attendance: 

 

President Ben discussed the recent email from Rotary District Governor John Bob regarding help for the Ukraine crisis by supporting Polish Rotary Clubs in humanitarian aid for refugees.

Chris Parkinson made a motion and Dick Swett seconded to waive the policy regarding the procedures for a donation over $2,500 for the club for this one issue.  Motion passed.

Dave Gazaway made a motion and Bob Couch seconded to send $10,000 from the Bow Rotary Foundation to District 7870 to be sent as part of our districts relieve effort to send aide top Polish Rotary Clubs for refugee support.  Motion passed. 

This coming Friday there will be an opportunity for individuals to give to the same cause and the board will meet that following Monday and decide on matching our members donation to be added to the $10K.

Peter Imse reported on the town elections and annual meeting.  There was a great turnout and extra ballots were needed.  The meeting was short and well run and he thanked all of the volunteer workers for their help and support.  It was a great cooperative process.

Gerry Carrier stated that there is still an opportunity to sponsor Car Show Trophies for $100 and he is leading a committee to look at how to honor fallen Rotary members with some sort of memorial.  Members interested in that should contact him to help develop a proposal to come to the full club.

Dean Cascadden gave an update on the 4 Way speech contest.  Applications were due today and three were in with more expected.  Rick Menard will be asked about heading up the judging committee.  More information will be sent out to Rotary volunteers next week.  The Contest is March 22nd virtually.  President Ben will be the emcee.

Sergeant at Arms: Bryant Stevener

Chris Parkinson was happy for a great trip south and his daughter Kristin being there, who was our speaker.

Matt Gatzke reminded Rotarians to respond about the April 30th Gala Event.  Matt also shared about his birthday and taking a day off for the first time in 42 years to celebrate in Portsmouth.  He has had some difficulties in life this last year, but overall sees good things in life.  He is getting passports and looking to travel more.

Dave Gazaway was happy for Peter Imse being a great citizen and moderator.

Dick Swett needs Interact experience to help start an Interact club in their sister club in Cabo Verde.  School supplies will be collected until the end of the month to be sent there.

Steve DeStefano was recognized as being the #1 realtor in Bow and also advertising the car show.

Chris Parkinson introduced his daughter Kristen who is a 2000 Bow Grad, and a Bow resident.  Kristen talked about Climate Change and Capital Markets.  She emphasized that investing in light of environmental and social issues is now a smart business decision.  The pandemic affected the economy by 5%, whereas climate change could double that.  Developing nations will be hit hardest and inequality will increase.  The response needs to be systematic and not just individual.  Kristen worked at Ceres which promoted green and sustainable investment and now is in a capital firm.  She emphasized that environmentally conscious investing is a smart business decision and investors will be influencing policy and government decision makers.  Of the 17 trillion dollars of investments, about a third are sustainably focused.  Large institutional investors have been on board for a while as they need long term vision, but now individual investors are coming on board.  This idea is becoming mainstream.  Companies are analyzing the financial risks of climate change and informing investors of those risks so pressure is growing for change.  Where this used to be a niche idea, it is now becoming mainstream.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Dean Cascadden