President Betsey welcomed everyone and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Dick Gerken offered tonight’s prayer.

 

Betsey reminded everyone that only female mosquitoes will bite you!

 

Tonight’s visitors and guests included our incoming members: Linda and Richard Bastin and Bruce Reichlen. Anthony Carpone was a guest of Merron Treadwell.

 

There is an Environmental Committee meeting tonight and also a Youth Exchange Committee meeting following the program. Remember: Clean Up the Bay Day is June 1.

 

Dick Pendergast spoke about what is needed for ongoing work on the new pavilion: On Friday, May 3 at 3pm at Mike Pelczar’s shop on Foundry Avenue: painters are needed to finish about 30 boards. On Saturday, May 4, everyone is invited to the pavilion site to help with the construction. Work will commence at 8am! Send Dick an email to let him know you will join the team. (rpendergast@metrocast.net)

 

Gary Dehnel has a bucket here for collections to eradicate polio on a global level. This is a project for Interact Club-

 

Also, Craig, Gary and Dean will be attending the District Conference this weekend.

 

Fred Strader invited our three newest members to join him at the podium to be inducted into the Rotary: Lynn and Rich Bastin-introduced by Craig Wiggin; and Bruce Reichlen introduced by Gary Dehnel. Lynn will be the first “artist” badge in our club. Welcome!

 

Next week we will vote on the proposed $25,000 donation to the Meredith Public Library that has been approved the BOD. We will have Rotary name/logo at the library-probably on the Technology Lab.

 

Jim Wallace came to visit the pavilion during construction-he is looking well. Heidi announced a Scholarship Committee meeting at 9am Saturday, May 4 at her office.

 

Randy Hylek is undergoing hip replacement right now.

 

It was nice to see Teresa for a few minutes tonight!

 

Betsey gave $5 bucks for the work at the pavilion and for Mike and her going on first paddleboard trip of the year –dressed for winter. Craig is happy that the semester is over! Donna gave $5 for pavilion construction and $2 more for upcoming vacation to Europe. Carl gave $10 for pavilion construction – with five construction “dudes” onsite. He also gave $20 to the Polio bucket. Thanks Carl! Bruce Reichlen gave a happy dollar for joining the club-before his older brother Bruce. Fred Strader gave $5 for our new members and also for his recent trip to Texas. Dick Gerken gave $10 for his recent family cruise vacation. Jim McFarlin gave happy dollars for the pavilion construction crew – and also $20 for the polio bucket. Ray Moritz is happy to donate some money for his 3 week family vacation trip to Portugal, and Bev gave $5 for Vern Goddard who is under the weather right now with bronchitis. Ed Touhy gave a happy dollar for his trip to Myrtle Beach. Ginny is happy that Betsey & Mike will be building 8 window boxes for the GMP Beautification program (don’t tell Mike). Heidi is happy because she is getting a new chocolate Labrador puppy named Gracie! Chuck is still skiing (who knew?). Ben Bare donated $5 to the polio bucket. Lynn Bastin donated $5 happy dollars for joining the club, and Rich donated $20 to the polio bucket. Thank you everyone for your generosity tonight!

 

 

Tonight’s program host was Dean Gulezian, and the program will be presented by Lisa Ransom the Outreach Coordinator at ILHS, and Julie Velie, the executive director of the Greater Meredith Career Partnership program at ILHS.

 

Lisa spoke about the Call to Action program in Meredith, Center Harbor & Sandwich schools that rallies around youth and families. They work within the communities as a coalition to help youth and families in need and at risk.

 

They have incorporated a tool called the Youth Risk Behavior Survey that was developed by the CDC for students in grades 9-12 who are asked 100 questions related to health and behavior. Questions might include “do you wear a helmet when bike riding;” “do you eat vegetables every day;” “do you use tobacco;” “how physically active are you;’ do you text while driving.” Very personal questions for kids to answer! The study is performed every two years.

 

They have found that, even though they know that texting/driving is illegal and dangerous-at least 46% do it. They found that at least 17% of respondents have taken prescription drugs not prescribed specifically for them. They also determined that 68% of respondents have worked for pay, with “real” jobs, which is higher than the state statistics. They are also fairly active most days of the week.

 

A rather startling statistic is that 52% of the kids in grades 9-12 stated they are not connected to any adult in their community. Lisa’s charter is to meet with and work with small groups throughout the communities to enlist help from small businesses, religious groups and others to work together with these kids. Carl Johnson offered to sign up and work with Lisa moving forward! Thanks Carl.

 

Julie Velie then spoke about the Career Partnership program, which started in 2008 as a result of efforts by Jeanne Forrester, Rusty McClear and Chris Kelly.

 

The program provides internship, job shadows, job fairs, and job opportunities for the students. It helps to nurture their curiosity about life after high school and helps to build confidence-helping them learn real life situations and working at a variety of local businesses: from farms to financial institutions to law firms. This mentoring program helps the students to understand how to fill out job applications, how to dress for an interview, how to look and feel confident in themselves when being interviewed. They also provide many on-line tools for students to use.