Call to Order by Gail Kenison at 7:30 am
Greeter: Mark Lavalle
Mark cited the definition of an invocation as thanking God. In this instance he was thanking God for the end of the debates. An audible “Amen” was heard from the assembled Rotarians.
Attendance:
Bow Rotarians: 38
Visiting Rotarians: 3
Guests: 1
Speaker: 1
Total: 43
Announcements:
Noreen Christensen announced that packets of Auction Flyers and there respective routes were ready for members to pick up. At the end of the meeting there were still several packets remaining and she didn’t want to get stuck doing all of them. Step up people (I heard her thinking).
Michelle Fortin:
- Announced that the Interact Club will be helping at the Halloween Party at the high school. She also noted that this would be a great opportunity for selling raffle tickets, although you MUST be in costume (and able to tolerate scores of young children high on too much sugar).
- She noted that Matt Gatzke will have a list of items available at the auction posted on our website soon. Please share with neighbors and Facebook friends.
- Michelle also said she had auction posters ready for posting in businesses and other public venues.
Chris Parkinson was pushing for more interest in the Rotary Expo to be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Nashua on 11/10/16.
Fines: Only Jon Ruggles was fined for his R&T Electric logo.
Happy Dollars:
Peter Imse had happy bucks for his 37th wedding anniversary and for the very nice job offer his daughter has accepted in the Schenectady, NY area.
Rob Werner announced the happy occasion of his 27th wedding anniversary.
Judy Goodnow was happy about her recent trip out west. She visited both the North and South Rims of the Grand Canyon and took a rafting trip on the Colorado River. The canyon is awe inspiring! Unfortunately, she said, the trip ended in Las Vegas. (She must have arrived too late for the debate!)
Bill McGonagle and his entire table were happy at the debates finally being over and challenged all other tables to match there happy bucks.
Jon Ruggles said that either his son or son-in-law (Sorry Jon, I missed this detail.) was taken by emergency helicopter to the hospital with a serious gall bladder issue. Thankfully he is feeling much better now.
Eric Anderson was happy about the absolutely wonderful time he and his wife had in there motor home this season, but was sad that is was to winterize the vehicle.
Tamar Roberts was happy to have been in Labrador recently to run a 24 mile race. Unfortunately, after she set her alarm to wake up for the race she set it to charge over night. She discovered it had reset to local time here, not Labrador, making her 1½ hours late for the race.
Dave Gazaway was happy to be reminded by Eric Anderson that he should winterize his motor home.
President Gail Kenison was happy that Mike Griffin had covered for her by presiding over last week’s meeting. She also thanked Paul Mercier for providing a wonderful Italian meal for the Board of Directors meeting.
Raffle:
The winning ticket was drawn by Gerry Carrier and the raffle was won by Noreen Christensen.
Program:
District Governor Dennis McMann was the speaker. Dennis’ address focused largely on the Rotary International’s continuing drive to eradicated polio and the clean water initiative.
Dennis shared that he is a polio survivor and is currently dealing with the effects of Post-Polio Syndrome. He urged every one to donate to the Foundation and the Polio Plus program in particular.
Dennis related that had the opportunity to visit island of Haiti recently. The conditions he encountered were desperate. One positive note is that after the earthquake many areas were in shambles and were bulldozed making way for small homes to be built. These homes are 14’ x 14’ and feature a Rotary International blue water filtration system in the corner. In speaking with local mothers it was clear they found the clean water system had led to improved health in their children.
Governor McMann also urged attendance at the Rotary Expo which was addressed earlier in the meeting as well as the District Conference. The District Conference is set for 4/28 – 4/29/2017 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Nashua. The organizers are offering a-la-carte registration, meaning members can sign up for (and pay for) individual days and activities. The two-day event will include addresses on District matters, presentations about the End Hunger New England Public Service Project, a casino night, golfing at Amherst Country Club and “hospitality” suites.
Also promoted were the Rotary International Conference to be held in Atlanta, GA in June 2017 and the Leadership Training programs offered to Rotary members.
Meeting Closed by Gail Kenison at 8:22 am.
Respectfully Submitted,
Bill McGonagle
