ATTENDANCE – There were 16 Farmington Rotarians in attendance plus two guests – Jeff Rivard, an elder-law attorney with Czepiga Daly Pope & Perri, a guest of Immediate Past-President Ron Llewellyn; and Marco Urosevic, a professional dance instructor with Fred Astaire Studios, a guest of Treasurer Elizabeth Sheridan.
ANNOUNCEMENTS – President Jenn Diederich reminded everyone that Polio Plus donations are due by the end of November.
Rose Ponte, chair of the senior holiday luncheon, said that instead of everyone bringing a three gifts each this year we will all be billed $20 for a “swag bag” of goodies that will be presented to the senior citizens. The luncheon will be Tuesday, Dec. 11, at the Country Club of Farmington.
Bette Case said extra “swag bags” – canvass grocery bags with the Farmington Rotary logo – will occasionally be used during the remainder of the year to collect food items for the Farmington Food Pantry.
ANNIVERSARIES – Jody and Stephen Viola are celebrating their wedding anniversary today, Nov. 27.
BIRHDAYS – Nick Severino’s birthday is tomorrow, Nov. 28.
RAFFLE – Bill Neagus had the winning ticket, but pulled the six of diamonds from the deck of playing cards instead of the ace of spades and therefore lost the pot.
HAPPY BUCKS – Donations were made in honor of our speaker and our guests; for Joe Voves, who has been in poor health lately; for Elizabeth Sheridan’s new job as the business relationship manager for Ion Bank (formerly Naugatuck Savings Bank); for Gabby Giblin being about to operate her Shop.com business at the nearby Farmington Inn; and for Rose Ponte, whose ninth grandchild is on her way.
SPEAKER – Brandy Sales, a video producer, talked to us about the value of video marketing either by hiring a professional or by using a mobile smart phone.
He said videos are the top way of reaching an audience; it’s the fastest way; the most consistent way, but is not the only way.
He explained that when he began he was using written blogs, e-mails, and Twitter, but no video to get his message out in support of mostly nonprofits around the country. He collected $300, mostly from family and friends. However, since he incorporated videos into the mix he has raised as much as $75 million over two years for nonprofit organizations.