Meeting Date:      March 24, 2023

Presiding:            President Michelle Fortin 

Greeter:               Tanya Frost

President Michelle opened the meeting at 07:30 and Tanya welcomed members to Bow Rotary and read a poem about spring and renewal in our lives. 
 

3 Guests: Anna Able, Finn Bonner Gerber from Interact and Marcy Kelley (incoming SAU 67 Superintendent) guest of Dean Cascadden

Announcements:

• Michelle Fortin read a thank you letter for club’s donation to the Winni Dip sponsored by Special Olympics NH.
• Dick Swett, Michelle Fortin and Chris Parkinson attending global grant seminar on April 22 from 6-8pm  in Bow at the OTH.
• Ben Kiniry gave an update on the Thrive Grant. It appears that RI and the Rotary District in Rwanda  have agreed to get on board and they will hold the money. Ben to notify other donors as it is a change from earlier expectation. 
• Chris Parkinson reported that the grant for the mobile kindergarten in Turkey now fully funded by another district. He is uncertain what our district is going to be doing in terms of response. He will check in with Rick Manganello.
• Mike Griffin reported on scholarships and promotional efforts. Martha Rae getting word out and Dean Cascadden and Dick Swett also helping to promote within BHS. History indicates applications come in right at the deadline.  
• Linda Bliss reported on roadside clean up set for May 6.  Need 12-14 volunteers. Holding it a week later than usual to avoid April school vacation.  She is looking forward to seeing us all there!
• Anna Able gave report for Interact. They will participate this weekend in the Sleep Out to raise money for Waypoint. The purpose is to raise awareness of teens who are homeless. Club also volunteering for the town Easter Egg Hunt and also offering their “Egging” fundraiser campaign. Michelle Fortin announced that our club will match what Interact raises to reach a total of $1,000.
• Dave Gazaway reported car show sponsorship checks coming in. Eleven cars already signed up. Always fun for all to participate. May 20, 8am-2pm. As ever, the goal is to surpass the auction in terms of dollars raised!
• Eric Anderson will update on concerts next week.
• Peter Imse reported EarlyAct raised $300 during a bake sale held during a school concert and school meeting. They conducted a trash pickup at the middle and elementary school. They are looking forward to helping at the car show. They donated funds to a bird rehabilitator and are exploring something within the school they might sponsor such as a trophy case or sound system. 
• Bryant Stevener announced June 15. 5:00-7:30 p.m. as Awards and Recognition Night at Baker Free Library.

 

 

Fines: Both Dean Cascadden and Ben Kiniry were cited for not wearing Rotary pins in color photos featured in the latest edition of The Bow Times. 

No other fines noted.

 

• Judy Goodnow offered dollars due to technical difficulties with connecting. She occupied two Zoom squares but it was agreed twice as much Judy is always a good thing.   
• Dick Swett happy about last Friday when three members gave generous donations for relief to victims of Cyclone Freddy in Malawi. He wanted their efforts recognized. 
• Ben Kiniry paid for color photo in The Bow Times and for taking delivery of 500 coffee tumblers with his logo. Paid fine for one he brought to the meeting. His son got orders to report to Norfoik, VA.  He fulfilled his daughter’s wish for a father- daughter ski day at Mt. Sunapee.  
• Mike Griffin was fortunate in the 1980s when he saw many amazing bands.  In 1989, he and Brenda saw the Stones with $37 tickets.  Went to Springsteen concert last Monday with two kids and it was special, though nowhere near 1989 pricing.  Bruce can still sing with power and emotion. 
• Steve DeStefano gave for a photo of his wife and story about her work for Waypoint. She works with seniors and deals with many challenges in helping the elderly.   
• Tanya Frost offered a sad buck that she was not made aware to dress in red and black plaid like Ben Kiniry and Matt Gatzke. We will work on a special theme “dress up” day! 
• Dean Cascadden gave in honor of the longevity and lasting impact of our first-grade books tradition. Monica Swenson let him know that while sorting through her child’s items left at her house, she found a first-grade reader from 2000. Dean was wearing a Laconia Ice Hockey Legends sweatshirt as this weekend he will be playing and hopes for a win. He also gave in hopes of having his guest, Marcy Kelley consider joining the club. 
• Linda Bliss gave in honor of the first-grade books, a project well managed by Carol Niegisch. 

 

 

 

Program: Club Assembly

Secretary’s Report: Gerry Carrier reported 49 total members (42 members and 7 honorary members). Attendance is at 92% which is great. He reminded all too do make-ups. All breakfast payments up to date but for one. 

Treasurer’s Report: Paul Mercier reported $15, 515.73 in club treasury. Activity is mostly breakfast related.  We are getting hit with high fees on the Paya account so we will shut that down and keep it only for special events. Writing a check for most items is preferred. On Foundation side, we have $52,847.32 with restrictions for camperships and our Global Grants.  $31,507.50 unrestricted for rest of the year not counting income from car show. He expects the treasury to be were we want to be at year end with a cushion. 

Programs/International Service/Publicity:  Bill Ames reported we are on target to complete the year with a full schedule of speakers and programs. He commented that International Service was covered earlier in the meeting by Chris Parkinson and Ben Kiniry. For Publicity, Bow Times has an article about scholarships. Club will spend $400 for the year to have a feature in each issue. 

Administration: No report offered. 

New Generations: All items covered earlier in the meeting. 

Sergeant-of-Arms:  Bryant Stevener reported that the budget is doing well with generous donations. Last week, we set a new record ($175) for Happy Bucks in one meeting.  

Community Service:  Things are in motion. Bryant Stevener spoke of staffing the cashier position with Tanya Forst, Kim Place, Melissa Howard and Tamar Roberts who have volunteered. Dean Cascadden asked what the Sgt. money goes toward. Bryant explained that Paul color codes the items that are pass-throughs for specific items, but the income goes toward a lot of club items including, website expenses, domain fees and toward our own Paul Harris Fellow fund ($1,000 a year). Also first-grade books and breakfast supplies and attendance at POETS and other district trainings for president-elect. 

Other Club announcements: Dick Swett will attend the District Interact Conference at Souhegan High School with eight BHS students. Michelle Fortin reported for Gerry Carrier that the building permit for the pavilion is in hand and materials are being sourced. Matt Dodge announced with regret that despite a positive Fireside Chat, Eliot Berman has withdrawn his application from the club citing personal reasons.

Linda Bliss reminded next week’s setup team that we do not need juice. 

Ben Kiniry reminded Dean Cascadden (and informed incoming Marcy Kelley) that he had tried to reduce the school budget every year.  Dean will warn her of other things to watch out for.   

Lastly, Dean Cascadden was asked about the photo of him in the hockey helmet displayed at the school meeting. He explained that during Covid spectators were not allowed at school games, but they held a fundraiser where you could have a cardboard cut-out or photo in the stands.  Bryce Larrabee took Dean’s likeness and put it on display at Dean’s last school meeting. 

 

Respectfully Submitted, 

Matt Gatzke