February 10th 2023 Bulletin (Feb 10, 2023)

Meeting Date: February 10th, 2023

Presiding: President Michelle Fortin

Greeter: Rob Werner

President Michelle opened the meeting at 07:30 and greeter Rob shared some quotes.
Any Guests:

Attendance:

23	Live
9	Zoom
1	Visiting Rotarians
4	Guests
0	Guest Speakers
37	Total

Guests:

Liam Miller, Interact club President, and two other members, Finn ? and Anna Able.
Michelle Fortin had a guest – Vanessa Palange, who is interested in joining.

Lucy Morris was a guest from Concord Rotary

Announcements:

Dick Swett introduced three interact members: Finn, Liam, and Anna. He also shared a copy of loan agreement to enter in with Malawi via a Foundation in Poland for the boat business proposal. Dick has shared the agreement electronically and Michelle will execute after reviewing. The money has already been forwarded.
Liam Miller – Interact Update: They are raising money for WayPoint. Hoping to raise $1000 for homeless around NH. They request $500 from Bow Rotary to match the $500 they are donating. This Saturday, they are helping to run sledding and set up and clean up of winter carnival. Bow Rotary is lending coffee urns for distribution of hot cocoa. Also holding a clothing drive through the end of March.
Carol Niegisch – no updates on four-way speech contest. Event is March 8 at Baker Free Library. Dean Cascadden is working on signups for contestants to compete. Application forms and rules are on our website.
Dave Farr asked if there were rules about Rotarian’s children participating. There are no rules preventing children of Rotarians entering the contest.
Vanessa Palange – announced as a new prospective member.
Eric Anderson shared an update on Tom Wilson –he has mobility but can’t drive. Tom’s spirits are high. He’s a fighter and Eric hopes to see him this coming Tuesday at a meeting.
Eric also update on summer concert series. They are set for Thursday evenings at 6pm for 6 weeks beginning July 13. The committee is welcoming offers from groups to play. If you have ideas, share them. Get your friends and neighbors excited to attend these events on Thursdays in the summer! These will be 90-minute concerts with a short intermission.
Dave Gazaway – Car show is May 20. Need everyone to be there. It’s the most fun we have all year. Second highest fund raiser for the club!
Ben Kiniry shared an update on global grant. Still in progress. Having challenges with details of logistics of the money. May have to pivot going forward.

New Member Installation:

Dave Farr was inducted as a new member. Shared his enthusiasm in joining the club. Mentioned his father was a Mason, so that’s been his only experience with civic organizations. He feels like the Rotary has more fun!

Sergeant at Arms: Bryant Stevener

Birthdays: None

Fines:

Mike Gula – arrived late

Michelle Olivier – wearing MCSB logo

Happy Bucks:

Tom Ives on Zoom - takes exception to new member Dave Farr saying Mason’s don’t have fun.

Tanya Frost - for not being able to be at Old Town Meeting Hall today. Bryant asked her to take on Sargent duties next week. Watch out, she agreed!

Tamar Roberts – happy $20 for being in person for first time in three years! She needs to switch greeting duties on April 9. Let her know if you’re able to do so.

Dick Bean – also a fellow Mason

Dave Farr - Survived layoffs at work. He reiterated Masons are fun!

Michelle Olivier – family planned trip to Germany in June for 2 weeks. First time her kids will meet Michele’s grandfather and other relatives!

Lucy Morris from Concord Club – was here at December meeting skit - Loved it. Started learning to play guitar.

Vanessa Palange -happy to be here as perspective member. Recently spoke at the Jaffrey Rotary Club. She commented that they don’t have as much fun as Bow does.

Matt Dodge – Bob Couch helped him get set up with his bulletin duty. Behind the scenes Bob makes any corrections without saying anything. Appreciate Bob always picking up the slack. Matt also shared it’s been a rough week – emergency vet visit Sunday and Tuesday. His dog is still at CAVES and has been all week. Had surgery. Hoping to come home today or tomorrow. Hoping for proper and non-cancer diagnosis, hopefully today.

Michelle Fortin – paid $10- owed from last week

John Ruggles – mentioned he also is a Mason.

Dave Gazaway – hello from former member Peter Winship. Dave is also happy to have Tamar back in person.

Michelle Fortin – for failing to call on Dave to update the club on the car show.

Karen Wadsworth – remembered her first fancy party as a young girl was when her father, a Mason, was installed as Grand Master of his lodge.

Bill Ames – Also a former Mason. Masons had a lot of fun!

Vanessa Palange – also has related Mason experience as a Rainbow Girl.

Bob Couch – Past Master Councilor Demolay.

Program:

Michelle Olivier – branch and business development manager at Bow office of Merrimack County Saving Bank. She has two daughters, one in high school, one that has graduated. She and her husband Josh have been married for 6 years.

The Merrimack is expanding south and opening a new branch in Windham.

Michelle shared news about upticks in scams happening as well as fraud awareness. Affects lots of businesses and causes a lot of work. Scams happening include calls or letters that a warrant is out for your arrest and payment is due. Scammers ask for payment to be send via FedEx with gift cards. Sometimes ask people to deposit checks on their behalf. Tellers are trained to ask a lot of questions to help mitigate scams with customers.

Other scams are computer take overs posing as Microsoft or Dell and are able to get into your online banking.

Spoke of several scams are out there and be vigilant for anything out of the ordinary. If ever have any questions go to bank and ask. Scam alerts are available at MCSB and on their website.

President Michelle adjourned meeting at 8:30 with a toast to Rotary the world over.

Respectfully Submitted,

Melissa Howard