Meeting Date:      April 28, 2023 

Presiding:            Matt Dodge on Zoom, and Ben Kiniry live  

Greeter:               Bill Ames

Past President Ben opened the meeting at 07:30 and greeter Bill shared some inspiration. 

 

Announcements:

• Dick Swett reported that the project in Malawi has made a request to have their loan extended with smaller payments. With a show of hands, the club was amenable to the request once we learn what terms they are requesting.
• Ben Kiniry mentioned it is time for the Auction Committee to begin getting active.
• Bryant Stevener is still requesting nominations for awards and recognitions for the June 15 ceremony.
• David Gazaway reminded everyone the Car Show is May 20, and 49 cars have pre-registered. 
• Carol Niegisch said all of the spots for the first-grade reading have been filled. 
• Linda Bliss reported a full contingent is ready for roadside cleanup
• Eric Anderson is waiting for responses from the solicitation letter that was mailed out for the concert series. Concerts will begin in mid-July.
• Gerry Carrier mentioned the sign-up sheet for the car show is going around.
• Jerry Kingwill said the pavilion project is moving along, and materials should be arriving on site.

Birthdays: Michelle Fortin and Judy Goodnow both celebrated birthdays recently, but neither were present at the meeting.

 

Fines: None Noted

 

• Dean Cascadden was vacationing on Amelia Island in Florida, and was ready to come back to 7 hard weeks left in the school year.
• Chris Parkinson took his granddaughter to see “My Fair Lady” in Boston, and he was able to attend a social gathering with his old team at Blue Cross / Blue Shield that they hold twice a year.
• David Farr terminated all subscriptions to volunteer activities a couple of years ago, but they are sliding back into his life.
• Peter Imse is back from a two-week Florida vacation and is looking forward to celebrating his mother’s birthday with family.
• Tamar Roberts was happy because the doctors don’t want to see her again until August.
• Bob Couch had a great trip to North Carolina to visit family.  The weather was perfect.  He did lose a chrome wheel cover on the trip.  He is also happy for his fifth great grandchild.
• Steve DeStefano spent last week in Florida.
• Tanya Frost was pleased that Tom Ives was able to visit the Boys and Girls Club with staff from Trout Unlimited to present activities related to fly fishing.
• Tom Ives enjoyed the event as well and hoped they could make it an annual event.

Program: Club Assembly

Secretary’s Report – Gerry Carrier reported the Club has 49 members, and the board is reviewing the status of rules related to honorary members. March had an 88.8 percent attendance rate. All member dues are paid up. Members should expect dues to go up for next year. The district has increased its portion of the dues by $9 per member.
 
Treasurer’s Report – Paul Mercier reported $14,241 as the club balance and $53,000 in the foundation account restricted to scholarships and camperships. He is reviewing the dues structure for next year.
 
Sergeant at Arms – Bryant Stevener stated he is on track to meet his budget.
 
Bill Ames said the greeters and programs worked out very well this year. On the international front, Ben Kiniry said the M.O.U. is still being reviewed for the global grant. Chris Parkinson is making a presentation to the District Assembly.
 
New Generations – Dick Swett said InterAct members will be helping at the Car Show, and the have elected a new president. Peter Imse said the EarlyAct students recently held a cleanup day on school grounds.
 
Matt Dodge led a discussion on campership grants.  The demand for camperships is growing, and costs are going up. The board granted most of the requests after reviewing the applications. If we fund the growing demand, it may reduce the amount of funds available for scholarships in the future. It is important to award campership grants early as the slots at the camps fill up early.
 
There was also a brief discussion the new members deciding what programs would they like to undertake as members of the Rotary Club.
 
Ben Kiniry closed the meeting with a toast to “Rotary the World Over”
 

Respectfully Submitted, 

Dave Scanlan