Template_Fall (Sep. 14, 2024)

Meeting Date: September 13, 2024

Presiding: President Gerry Carrier

Greeter: Dave Scanlan

President Gerry opened the meeting at 07:30 and greeter Dave shared some inspiration.

Attendance:

26	Live
6	Zoom
0	Visiting Rotarians
0	Guests
1	Guest Speakers
32	Total

Announcements:

President Gerry - Board meeting next Monday night.
Ken Moulton - two golf teams ready to play in District Golf Tournament on the 30th!
Matt Gatzke -Chuckster’s sign-up sheets on tables and on-line. 26 signed up so far. Prizes! Please join us.
Vanessa Palange - New members group will be staffing BACtoberfest table on the 28^th from 4:00-10-00. Chili and cornbread? Other members welcome to help out.
Matt Dodge - Auction in 8 weeks! Start to solicit donations. Lists of past and possible donors sent to all members and available from Matt. If name is crossed out, we already have something from them. Newer members, please scan list and make calls and visits to unassigned names. Think of businesses with whom you interact and consider asking them to donate. Gift cards are best, but not only, option. Our goal is to have several donations from each member. Let Matt know if business says they don’t want to be contacted anymore.
President Gerry - Proposed updated Bylaws amendments to incorporate addition of Satellite Clubs have been circulated. They will be voted on by whole Club at a future meeting. Let the Board know if you have any comments or questions.
President Gerry -Jackie Ruggles celebration of life is this afternoon at the Red Blazer.

Sergeant at Arms: Ken Moulton for Tanya

Birthdays:

Joya Dennehy - 51 Happy bucks! Had a great year, and is thrilled to be back with Bow Rotary. Change of brokerages has been very good for her. She and her husband Mike started a housing non-profit this year, and it has been a wonderful experience.

Rob Werner - 65 years for him! Great year. He is still working, and has no plans to retire. Celebrated with his wife by touring and eating in Cambridge and Boston and then capping it with a Red Sox game.

Fines: Dave Gazaway - Late last week

Happy Bucks:

Steve DeStefano - 40^th Wedding anniversary. Sold his business last September and it did not go well. He bought it back in August, and is now experiencing reverse-retirement.
Judy Goodnow - 21st Wedding anniversary.
Also, a huge thank you to Bill Ames, Linda Bliss and Mike Gula for helping to clean up the Rotary storage room in the Municipal Building.
Ryan Anastasi - Now that he has to be physically present in office at Fidelity 50% of time, he is grateful for shift change from nights to 9:00-5:00!
David Gazaway - Son Caleb doing well at UNH Business show. Touched Dave’s heart when he asked to go to car show with his Dad.
Peter Imse - Good Primary and thank you to all who helped out.
Ken Moulton - Richard Lederer coming to Concord for Walker Lecture on 9/25 at the City Auditorium. Don’t miss it.

Program: Marcy Kelley introduced our speaker Duane Ford Business Administrator for SAU

Duane shared information about enrollment trends. While Statewide enrollment has decreased 16% in recent years, Bow has had a 5% increase. Bow class sizes actually increase in upper grades reflecting the fact that families still see strong value in Bow education. Dunbarton now sends 70 students to BMS and 160 Students to BHS. Total tuition paid by Dunbarton exceeds $4 million. Current size of BHS allows Bow to offer classes and electives that the Town wants, but is small enough for administration and teachers to know all of the kids.

Continued strong K-4 enrollment prompted need for BES expansion project. Phase 1, which includes an 8-classroom addition, new administrative area, new secure entrance, new nurses station, and renovation of 8 existing classrooms, is almost done. Phase 2 will involve the renovation of the existing classrooms on the second floor of the older wing. Phase 3 will finish the project with the renovation of first floor of the older wing. The overall project will net six new classrooms, eliminate teaching in hallways, and provide specialists with better dedicated areas to serve the students. Videos and updates can be viewed on-line.

Other capital projects this Summer that were approved at School Meeting: BMS-new well and bathroom renovations. BHS-Floor upgrades, auditorium upgrades and athletic area improvements. BES- parking lot paving. Projects in future: BHS-replacement of roof and HVAC (25 yrs. old), and premier field upgrades. Also, looking into security system upgrades.

Duane also answered member questions about:

-better maintenance of BMS fields,

-energy improvements including possible use of solar,

-security systems, and

-secondary access to all of the schools.

President Gerry closed the meeting with a toast to Rotary the world over.

Respectfully Submitted,
Peter Imse