Prayer offered by a Doc Cascadden: "Thank you, God, for letting us serve people, and thank you for this food and good to eat. Amen."
Guests
Len (sponsor: Frank Bernieri)
Announcements
Membership Renewal Reminder
Annual dues renewal season is underway
Members should prioritize payment by end of the current month
Membership numbers must be reported to Rotary District and Rotary International to determine dues for the coming year
Two payment options:
Bring a check made out to Meredith Rotary Club to a meeting and give it to the Sergeant at Arms
Mail a check to P.O. Box 1210
Final Meeting at Harts
This is the last meeting at Harts until November
The next two meetings (including the changing of the guard on the 24th) will be held at Lemongrass Restaurant, 64 Whittier Highway, Moultonborough
Changing of the Guard — June 24th
Members are asked to dress up; a group photo will be taken for the club website
Location: Lemongrass Restaurant, Moultonborough
Appreciation for Harts Staff
Lisa and Tina were recognized for their outstanding service over the winter season
Presented with a thank-you card and a stipend on behalf of the club
Received a standing ovation from members
Other Notes
American Legion Meat Bingo: the Legion's upcoming bingo event on the 20th of the month, starting at 3:00 PM with a potluck around 2:00 PM; $28 to play 15 games; prizes include meat packages, gas cards, and gift cards; proceeds benefit the Legion
Presentations
Beth Dever — Executive Director, Circle Program
Introduction
Beth Dever was introduced by Jim, who noted she is the daughter of Joe Dever, the longtime caretaker of his property and a beloved community member
Jim shared a tribute to Joe, who recently passed, and noted Beth's work would make her father very proud
Organization Overview
Circle Program is a nonprofit founded in 1993, based out of Camp Anaway on Newfound Lake
Modeled after the Mayhew Program (boys) and designed to provide an equivalent experience for girls
Serves girls ages 9 to 18 in the greater Concord area and Lakes Region
Geographic reach: east to Ossipee and Tamworth, north to Waterville Valley, west to Danbury and Enfield
Over 88 girls are currently enrolled
All programs are tuition-free; girls are referred by elementary school guidance counselors
100% of enrolled girls qualify for free and reduced school lunch
Solar powered; no cell phones permitted (fully unplugged experience)
Septic system constraints limit camp capacity
Waterfront was recently rebuilt after a $100,000 donor gift
Age Group Programming
Ages 9 to 11: two-week residential summer camp; a second session was added post-COVID to meet increased counselor demand
Ages 12 to 14: teen program; enrollment dropped from ~30 to 12 post-COVID and has recovered to 30
Ages 15 to 18: Teen Adventure Program (TAP), launched 2014; enrollment dropped from ~20 to 5 post-COVID and has recovered to 21
TAP campers plan their own week-long drivable trip each summer, starting planning in August for the following June
Past destinations: Lake George, Mystic CT, York ME; this year: Newport RI
Girls choose destination, plan routes, menus, and budgets, and present their proposals as a group
All camp programming for ages 12 to 18 was moved to June and early July post-COVID so that working teens do not have to choose between camp and their jobs
An estimated 99% of older girls hold jobs that contribute to household income
Counselor and Leadership Pipeline
Counselors recruited through Camp America (international), colleges nationwide, and Plymouth State University
Circle girls can enter the pipeline:
Counselor in Training at age 15
Junior Counselor at age 17
Full Counselor at age 18
Approximately 3 to 4 Circle girls become Circle counselors each year
Three Circle alumni became mentors this year
Year-Round Mentoring Program
Launched in 1994 after the first year of camp
Over 75 volunteer female mentors from the Lakes Region and Concord area
One-year commitment (reduced from two years post-COVID); most mentors stay with their girl throughout her time in the program
Mentors must be at least 21 years old; ages range from 21 to 83
Each mentor meets with her girl twice per month: one organized activity and one self-planned outing
87% of mentors and mentees report the relationship makes them feel empowered and builds confidence
Approximately 20 new mentors are recruited each year to match new girl referrals
Referrals and Demographics
Girls referred through guidance counselors in 28 school districts across the target region
Referrals also accepted from local police departments and Lakes Region Mental Health
55% of families have a known substance abuse issue
31 to 32% of girls are being raised by single fathers
Many girls serve as caretakers at home, cooking and managing household needs starting as young as age 9
Girls tend to live in Section 8 housing, face food insecurity, and frequently relocate due to housing instability
Food needs tripled this year; Circle made donations to four area food pantries
Meredith currently has 11 girls enrolled, the highest number in a long time
American Camping Association Grant
Awarded a $50,000 planning grant to develop a character education curriculum spanning ages 9 to 18
Three focus areas selected:
Gratitude (intentionally building awareness of positive aspects of life)
Leadership (progressing from age 9 through 18 with increasing ownership of decision-making)
Self-regulation (voice and choice, helping girls find their voice and make meaningful decisions)
Financials
Annual operating budget: $830,000
Revenue breakdown (approximate):
Individual contributions: $400,000
Foundation grants: $200,000
Events, fundraising, and miscellaneous: ~$180,000
Four long-standing foundation funders redirected grants to food and housing needs last year; Circle expects to reapply this year
Donations are down overall; the nonprofit funding environment is described as very challenging
Upcoming Fundraisers
Governor's Island (Meredith) Party for a Purpose: Governor's Island selected Circle Program and Mayhew together as joint beneficiaries this year after wanting to support both genders; silent auction in planning
Jeff Reilly noted he had already agreed to donate a shuttle service item for the silent auction after a conversation with a Governor's Island resident earlier that day
Harley Davidson Motorcycle Ride for Purpose: August 15th
Ride loops through the Newfound Lake area, up to Lincoln, and returns to the Harley shop
Ends at Harley Davidson that afternoon
Organized to avoid tavern stops given the substance-related backgrounds of many Circle families; prior year ended at Twin Barns Brewing
Club Donation
Meredith Rotary Club presented Beth Dever with a $4,000 donation to fund two summer camp scholarships
Happy Dollars
Frank Bernieri: For a successful cataract surgery and for bringing a guest.
Gary Dehnel: Dollar for Interact end-of-year ceremony; highlighted two Paul Harris Fellowships awarded to outgoing president Claire (two-year term) and member Hayden, who organized a 10,000-meal packaging event for the district after attending a leadership academy.
Dick Gerken: for a great presentation by Beth Dever and for granddaughter Addison Grace Priestly, who graduated with honors from Zion-Benton Community High School in Indiana and is headed to Penn State for mechanical engineering and women's rugby.
Ellen Dearborn: for a new niece born recently; for exchange student Keza graduating on Saturday; and for the Interact dinner, calling it inspiring and recommending others attend if invited.
James McFarlin: Dollar in honor of Beth Dever's presentation, noting that her father Joe would be very proud of the work she is doing.
Winner: Frank Bernieri donated winnings to the food pantry.
Adjournment
Four-way test recited
Meeting adjourned
Corrections
Correction from last week's newsletter: Dean Gulezian would like to clarify that his district role is District Compliance Officer. Dean also shared that during a recent trip to New York, he and his wife had the opportunity to rewatch their daughter's concert with their 13-year-old granddaughter. As for the six-month-old family member watching from his lap, it was actually their granddog, who became a memorable part of the experience by unexpectedly getting sick all over him!
