November 30 TRI-GEAR REPORT
Flag Salute: President Joeen Ciannella
Invocation: Ray Falcon
Members Present: M Albergo, R Balentine, D Beattie, B Bustard, M Cappitella, I Chazotte, J Ciannella, B Cohen, P DiRosa, R Falcon, S Gold, R Guller, L Hanlon, S Hopper, P Jacobson, A Kilmartin, F Logan, C Rose, G Sherman, N Swales and V Zherenovsky.
Visiting Rotarians and Guests: District Governor Bonnie Sirower (Paterson Club); District Secretary Pat LaRocco (Fair Lawn Club); AG Mukesh Malkan (Paramus Sunrise Club).
Make Ups: Fay Logan and Bob Bustard at All Hands Volunteers in Staten Island, Ray Falcon - Hackensack Club, Bernie Cohen and Suzanne Hartmann-Silva -Fruit Sale, Linda Hanlon - Walter Head meeting, Hurricane Sandy Relief and Board Mtg., Joeen Ciannella Board Mtg. and Hurricane Sandy Relief, Pat DiRosa, Stuart Gold, Dick Beattie, Michelle Albergo, Steve Hopper, George Sherman and Cindy Rose-Board Meeting. Present at today's pre-meeting with Gov. Bonnie were Michelle Albergo, Dick Beattie, Bob Bustard, Irma Chazotte, Joeen Ciannella, Pat DiRosa, Ray Falcon, Stuart Gold, Linda Hanlon, Steve Hopper, Fay Logan, George Sherman. (Please be sure to report your make-ups for our records and to improve our percentage of attendance!)
Late Fines: Cindy Rose; Bob Guller.
Photo Fines: Ann Kilmartin; Steve Hopper
Birthdays and Anniversaries: Ray Falcon and Linda Hanlon had birthdays this month.
Sunshine - Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who are currently contending with adversity of one type or another:
Irma Chazotte reported that Harriet Kallet's husband Steve was in need of a second hip replacement as a result of having a faulty device implanted during the first operation.
Linda Jones is undergoing a second operation on her ankle which she broke while vacationing in Rome.
Happiness:
by George Sherman
Many, many Happy Dollars were given to celebrate the official visit of Governor Bonnie Sirower, District Secretary Pat LoRocco and our AG Mukesh Malkan.
Michelle Albergo was happy to have visited Dorchester School in Woodcliff Lake with Vlad Zherenovsky to distribute Dictionaries to third graders there.
Nancy Swales was happy to have celebrated Thanksgiving with her family and to have had her daughter's family decorate her house for the holidays.
Dick Beattie was happy to have finally made a Friday meeting.
Pat DiRosa is eagerly anticipating the delivery of this year's fruit from Florida.
Steve Hopper had a happy Thanksgiving with 16 members of his family and is looking forward to seeing the holiday decorations in NYC.
Fay Logan was happy to have taken part with Bob Bustard in a project sponsored by the organization All Hands Volunteering in response to Superstorm Sandy.
Ray Falcon was happy to have enjoyed a nice Thanksgiving in spite of the performance of the Jets against the Patriots.
Pat LaRocco and Mukesh Malkan were happy to be visiting our club today.
Cindy Rose was happy to have made contact with a childhood friend.
Bernie Cohen was happy to have had 29 people at his house for Thanksgiving.
Pete Jacobsen was happy to have had his father Herb - now nearing age 101 - along with 18 others at his Thanksgiving table.
President Joeen Ciannella was happy to be serving under Governor Bonnie this Rotary year and for all that has been accomplished.
Governor Bonnie was happy to offer "flabbergasted dollars" after having been presented by Steve Hopper with a letter of appreciation from Governor Chris Christie for her efforts in responding to Superstorm Sandy.
Announcements:
by George Sherman
Bernie Cohen was happy to report that 418 cases of fruit had been sold. Since SO MANY orders came in so late, there will likely be NO EXTRA FRUIT AVAILABLE. Thank you to all who took part in the sale.
Governor Bonnie Sirower presented certificates to Bob Balentine, Bernie Cohen, Jan Doornbosch, Stuart Gold and Ralph Padovano in recognition of their membership in the District's Silver Jubilee Club. In addition Ann Kilmartin was presented with an award recognizing her nomination by the club for the 2012 District Vocational Service Award.
by George Sherman
Mon., Dec 10 - District Staff Meeting and Holiday Party - Holiday Inn, Hasbrouck Heights - 5:30. $40.00 per person for a special meal featuring salad, antipasti, a buffet of four entrees, dessert, coffee and unlimited wine and beer.
Sun., Dec. 16 - Annual Club Holiday Party at Old '76 House in Tappan, NY - Noon-2:30.
Tues., Dec. 18 - Board of Directors Meeting - Pascack Historical Society, 19 Ridge Ave., Park Ridge. Dinner at 6:00; Meeting at 6:30.
Program:
by George Sherman
President Joeen Ciannella asked Past President Fay Logan to present pins of recognition to Ann Kilmartin and Linda Hanlon for their 25 years of service to the club. Ann and Linda were among the first women to become members of Rotary International in 1987.
District Governor Bonnie Sirower was then formally introduced to members by District Secretary Pat La Rocco. Her extensive resume, both within Rotary and beyond, may best be summarized by noting that she was named recipient of the prestigious Rotary International Service Above Self Award earlier this year. Rotary's highest honor for an individual Rotarian, the award recognizes Rotarians who have rendered exemplary humanitarian service with an emphasis on personal volunteer efforts.
Governor Bonnie began her presentation reminding members of the difference an individual can make. Superstorm Sandy has provided repeated evidence of that. In what was undoubtedly the most devastating natural disaster to have befallen the New York metropolitan area in our lifetime, the compassion and support offered by individuals from around the world has be overwhelming. Their generosity has so far contributed over $200,000 to the 6 Rotary Districts most affected by the storm.
Two local Rotarians, District Governor Nominee Calisto Bertin and our own Peter Wells, the District's Disaster Relief Chairman were singled out by Governor Bonnie for special praise. Through their efforts 4 nearby warehouses were set up as staging areas for the collection of goods and over 220 volunteers were brought together. Over the last 4 weeks, the warehouses have been filled and emptied 5 times!
Space here does not permit adequate coverage of this incredible story. Readers can learn all the
details by reading Governor Bonnie's November Newsletter at http://www.crsadmin.com/gen/Accounts/50049/Eml/8295f5ab-02b0-4a60-a155-290ad1a05702.pdf
Especially close to home has been the plight of the residents of Moonachie and Little Ferry. Moonachie's Club President has reported that 160 families have been displaced from their homes. In the coming weeks, Rotarian Jay Fowler from the Ridgewood AM Club will be coordinating rebuilding efforts there as well as in Jersey City and Hoboken.
In closing, Governor Bonnie encouraged members to continue to grow as a club by reaching out to former members and young people while also expanding our own personal horizons by becoming involved in Rotary fellowships and with more District activities including the upcoming District Conference in Mystic, CN. The Park Ridge Rotary Club has long held a highly respected position in the District, one with which the governor has been pleased to have been closely associated.