Meeting Date: October 03, 2025
Presiding: President Dick Swett
Greeter: Marcy Kelly
President Dick opened the meeting at 07:30 and greeter Marcy shared some inspiration and humor about fall.
Attendance:
| 29 |
Live
|
| 4 |
Zoom
|
| 3 |
Visiting Rotarians
|
| 7 |
Guests
|
| 1 |
Guest Speakers
|
| 43 |
Total
|
Guest Names:
Jay Lucas, Chris Emond, David Gooze, Senator John Sununu
Visiting Rotarian’s Names: Rick from Nashua Club with guest Gianna
Announcements:
- Ryan introduced Club to Interact students – Colony Barret, advisor. Hannah Miller & Alexis Pelletier members. Last weekend participated in 2 events. Did pumpkin unloading at Bow Mills Church. Also attended WAC Meeting with Ukraine Parliament. Tonight is annual movie night for elementary aged kids. Saturday participating in SPCA walk and then BACtober Fest. Interact now has 50 students!
- BACtoberfest is tomorrow. Matt Gatke will assist with set up at 3pm. Tanya has table covered.
- Auction update – Carol reminded to go to businesses and pick up items. In need of one person to assist with Trunk or Treat on Sunday Oct 26. Raffle tickets are being distributed to sell.
- Next week is last week to sign new member Brad Abel’s booklet.
- October 17 is Bowling Night at Boutwells. Email Matt Gatzke if you are planning to attend
- Cornhole Tournament tentatively set for October 18
- Golf Tournament update from Dean Cascadden. Bow team won outright by 10 strokes! Brad Abel is “the real deal” golfer. Controversy was 4 Rotarians requires to receive the cup, but we only had 3 (discrepancy in rules). Plans in place to steal the trophy!
Sergeant at Arms: Dave Farr
Birthdays:
Fines:
- After the bell fines – Barb Griffin, Mike Gula
- Tom Ives - picture in NH Magazine without a pin
Happy Bucks:
- Tanya Frost – had a great time in DC last weekend!
- Brad Abel (submitted by Bill Ames) – traveling to South Bend. Sent in happy bucks in honor of gold teammates!
- Ryan Anastasi – happy Interact is here to day and looking forward to our program.
- Chris Parkinson – thank you to golf team. Injured right elbow on first practice hit! Bow 1 team did not place in the tournament, but had a great time! Also going to best friend’s house in Plymouth MA. And Yankees beat the Red Sox! (Much groaning among the club!)
- Byrant Stevener – won the live drive at tournament. Great time at tournament. Fitting for Bow to win while Donna Deos is Governor
- Rick – great pleasure to visit Governor Donna’s club!
- Mike Ard – just back from Lake Champlain. Beautiful place.
- Tom Ives - Mother’s 91 birthday. Spent last few days in Canada
- Matt Gatze – in honor of his guest Bow firefighter David Gooze
- Judy Goodnow– saw Sandy Eldrige – sent her best!
- Linda Bliss – Happy Buck for Chris switching greeter duties.
- Paul Mercier– Happy to be in person today!!
Program:
Former Senator John Sununu, Secretary of State David Scanlon, and Ambassador Dick Swett from Democracy Defense project.
Secretary Scanlon – update on what is happening around the state. Politics very polarizing right now and national polls show decline in voter confidence. Committee established and recommendations given from committee and now recent polling is showing leveling of the drop of voter confidence.
Ambassador Swett - National Democracy Defense project is an organization established to bring transparency and higher participation around the country. Original focus for 7 battleground states that had controversy in their elections. Group helped to establish clear, transparent action for voters. Created 24 recommendations where improvement can be made. In NH, there had been voter errors that were interpreted as fraud. This group is working with NH to create better belief in how elections are handled.
Senator Sununu – 7 States all have chair and co-chair that is bi-partisan with a Republican and Democrat leading. NH is great position. We have strong elections, least amount of government corruption. High confidence in election integrity. Focus is on communication and education to ensure as little disinformation as possible. Defense project also working on countering misinformation through events, op-eds, education. In New Hampshire we have all paper ballots (No voting machines), counting done in a timely manner. Goal is to do more to share best practices among the states. We are not a lobbying organization lobbying to change laws or rules. But working to advocate best practices.
How can Bow Rotary Club help build confidence?
Senator Sununu: participation. Be a poll worker, moderator, checklist supervisor. For those in those positions, reflect on importance of training and communications so if there are issues, town is equipped to deal with quick and efficiently. At state level, be an advocate for practices Secretary of State is offering and election laws.
Ambassador Swett – NH has great connection between election officials and voters. We know our moderator Peter Imse has relationship with voters in his community. This is prevalent in New Hampshire. Other states don’t have same relationship.
Robust question and answer session from the audience and panel.
President Dick closed the meeting with a toast to Rotary the world over.
Respectfully Submitted,
Melissa Howard
