Prepared by Fred Strader
President Wendy opened the meeting at 6 pm with the Pledge and “Rev.” Dan provided the prayer.
Visitors were prospective new member, Elena Morrison, frequent visitor and friend of the club, Bob Maloney, and our speakers, Ed Thompson, Jennifer Crane, and Trevor Gates from The Mayhew Program.
Announcements
- Bonnie Ireland – The Winni cleanup has been moved to the Fall
- Fred – Still looking for a volunteer to chair the Rotarian of the Year Committee.
- Fred - Mark your calendars for May 31 and June 1 st – these are the tentative dates for our next project: landscaping the Meredith Veterans Memorial space. Tim has a plan and the project will involve planting various bushes/plants to finalize this important project. Will have sign up sheets out in May once we nail down particulars.
- Jim Mc – Elena Morrison was approved by the Board for membership. He will be sending out her bio to everyone and we will vote on her next week.
Happy Dollars
- Chuck for John King’s trip to the UK with his former championship rowing team
- Dick G for his two weeks in Myrtle Beach and Virginia Beach
- Bob K for the start of golf season, biking in NY and seeing grandkids
- Michael from the Camp Mayhew for being happy
- Jim Mc for Elena being approved for membership
- and Bob Maloney for the upcoming search for smallmouth bass….
50/50 cash winner: Heidi
50/50 winner of tickets to the Squam Lakes Science Center – Gary D.
Program
The Mayhew Program
Brian Harris, who is a Big Brother in the Big Brother program, introduced his Little Brother, Michael, who attended Camp Mayhew last year and made Brian aware of this program. This caused Brian to invite the Mayhew Program Interim Director, Ed Thompson, Development Director, Jennifer Crane, and Community Outreach staff member, Trevor Gates, to speak to the club.
The Mayhew Program mentors NH boys, ages 10 – 18. Central to this development is attending Camp Mayhew on Mayhew Island on Newfound Lake. The program has been around since 1969 and focuses on boys from lower income homes and especially those from single parent, foster care, and other non-traditional family situations.
The camp holds two 3-week sessions each summer, hosting 42 boys at each session. Participants in the program are recommended by school counselors and there is an extensive application process and potential attendees are required to sign a contract.
Camp sessions involve the typical NH summer activities we all know, with a focus on Respect, Responsibility, Community and Challenge. Older camp members have leadership and paid work opportunities (kitchen and camp counselors).
Camp attendees are not allowed electronic devices while at the camp.
Beyond the camp experience, program staff stay in touch with members of the program throughout the year and continue to mentor them. The year-round mentoring follows the Big Brother/Big Sister model. Retention in the program is high the first two years, with some fall off after that as the boys mature and get into sports, get jobs (and discover girls).
Ways to get involved with the Mayhew Program include volunteering to help open or close the camp and donations to the program. Tuition is free for camp members and the Program relies on donations from organizations businesses and individuals.
The meeting adjourned after the 4-way test at 7:09.
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