Tempate_Spring (May 06, 2026)

Meeting Date: May 1st, 2026

Presiding: President Dick Swett

Greeter: Tamar Roberts

President Dick opened the meeting at 07:30 and Tamar shared some inspiration on the history of the holiday May Day in celebration of May 1^st.

Attendance:

29	Live
6	Zoom
0	Visiting Rotarians
1	Guest Dogs
0	Guest Speakers
36	Total

Announcements:

Cornhole tournament is scheduled for Tuesday May 19^th at 7 pm at Alans Restaurant in Boscawen. The boards have been treated by Gerry Carrier to not be so slick this time.
Car Show May 16^th with over 35 cars registered so far. Plenty of volunteering opportunities so please sign up for a job.
June 11^th is awards night and we need nominations so please return Melissa Howard nominations via email by Friday May 8^th please.
May 15^th book reading to the Dunbarton and Bow elementary school students. Carol Niegisch still needs volunteers to read to the kids. Please sign up with Carol.
Summer concert series will have 5 shows during the summer on Thursday nights starting the 3^rd Thursday of July. Looking for more sponsors for the concerts. The bands have been secured.
May 18^th at 6:00pm is the next board meeting hosted by and at Tanya’s home located at 4 Sullivan Dr., Bow.

Sergeant at Arms: Tanya Frost filled in for Dave

Birthdays: Katie Minihan and Marcy Kelly not here to celebrate their birthdays but the Club sang happy birthday to Dick Swett in perfect harmony. Dick reported a very good year saw birth of 17^th grandchild with the 18^th “in the oven.” He is happy about finally completing his office over the garage and is pleased now that he is out of the basement. This coming year he is looking forward to passing the gavel over to Tanya Frost as the incoming President. Has really enjoyed the past year as President and the support from other members during his tenure. He called out Gerry Carrier for all his help and guidance and wants to ski with Gerry Carrier in the 2026-27 ski season if he can keep up with Gerry.

Fines: none noted

Happy Bucks:

Durwood gave 10 dimes and is happy to have his speaker Stephen Croke here and was grateful for the newly restored books from Tom Ives.
Judy Goodnow gave from her time on Zoom last meeting.
Linda Bliss on award recognition encouraging folks to submit nominations.
Gerry Carrier gave for the support of the car show this year and how he could use more help selling shirts and raffle tix and help with parking. He restored the corn hole boards. Has signs for the car show to put up for the May 16^th car show.
Michael Griffin was happy he went to the Bahama’s with his wife. Apparently, there was a lot of logistics involved but it was well worth it for the 1 week in paradise. Michael refused to disclose the secret location to anybody. He has travelled there twice now.
Tamar Roberts had $2 left over from buying her car show T Shirt and gave the change.
Chris Parkinson announced that you need to register by May 18^th for the Keene, NH district conference.
Carol Niegisch is happy about her wonderful bike tour trip to the Netherlands with her husband. She loved the tulip fields in the Holland countryside.
Rob Werner & his wife Marianne visited 6 countries in Europe and had an epic tour of culture and food. He picked up a cold on the plane returning home.
Tanya Frost had environmental day at the Bethlehem retreat and has another retreat in Pittsburgh coming up. She was in New Orleans last week.

Program: Durwood introduced his speaker Stephen Croke

Stephen Croke from Family Promise of Greater Concord executive director.

Been with Family Promise for 3 years. Used to be a film maker out in LA until he met the love of his life here in NH.

Mission statement: Family Promise prevents and ends homelessness for families with children and helps them achieve sustainable independence.

Families experiencing homelessness rose by 50% in 2023

Children make up 20% (1in5) of the total homeless.

Homelessness has a huge cyclical impact with the youth.

Goal is to try to break the cycle of homelessness with families.

Impact in 2025: 76 -families served. There have been 160 children supported thru the Family Promise Program.

Help with rent, car repair, utility help with cell phones. They do NOT just write out checks they pay the bill directly to make sure that all is legit. Focus is to stabilize family life for long term not short term.

They partner with 14 different congregations in the area where families live at the church dependent on the 300 volunteers in support of those families. The 300 volunteers are the backbone of Family Promise.

Family Promise operates in 43 states and 200 affiliates, Concord’s started in 2015.

Family literacy is a priority forcing them to save 70 cents of every dollar that they earn.

Post Shelter program goes on for at least 1 year after leaving the Family Promise program to stop the reentry back into homelessness.

Community services includes: clothing bank, life skills, financial literacy classes, legal help when needed, may include case management, birthday/holiday gift program.

Stephen put a short emotional testimonial video on from several mothers who had support and help from the resources of Family Promise.

They do not receive any federal or state funds. They apply for grants and most of the funding comes from personal donations and the holiday gala on November 12^th at the Grappone Center this coming fall.

President Dick presented him with the children’s book entitled:
“Kid’s Guide to the night sky.“

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

Respectfully Submitted & wishing you all a wonderful weekend ahead,
Mike Gula