ATTENDANCE – There were 19 Farmington Rotarians in attendance.
ANNOUNCEMENTS – It’s the time of year again – World Polio Day. While there has been major headway at fighting this horrible disease, polio has not been eradicated worldwide yet. So you can make a donation -- $100 per member is the goal – either via the Rotary International website or by writing a check for “Polio Plus” and submitting it next time you attend a Farmington Rotary luncheon.
Dave Barrett noted that our quarterly social will be next Tuesday, Oct. 30, at Cugino’s Restaurant on Route 4. It will be 5-7 p.m. Because of this evening event there will be no regular luncheon that day.
President Jenn Diederich announced that we have our first corporate member – Middlewoods of Farmington, a senior living community. She explained that corporate membership dues will be $155 for the primary member, plus $75 for each successive member who works at the corporation.
Bob Festa reported that Joe Voves, our oldest member at age 96, has been in a rehab facility because of problems with his legs. But, Bob said, he is doing much better and was expected to return home this week.
RAFFLE – Immediate Past-President Ron Llewelyn had the winning ticket, but pulled the three 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 the Red Sox, the Rotary’s fight against polio, and for the opening in January of the second Ron’s Automotive location in Unionville.
SPEAKER – Foundation Chair Brendan Goodrich gave a detailed presentation about the Rotary International Foundation, the Farmington Rotary Foundation, explaining how to donate and where the money is used.
Pointing out both foundations are 501c3 organizations, he noted that all donations are tax deductible.
The Rotary International Foundation collected $414.7 last year, he said, and has a goal of collecting an even $1 billion by 2025, Brendan said.
Rotary has a seat at the United Nations (UN) and as a result many of the targets of donations from the Rotary International Foundation are U.N. “hot spots” like Afghanistan, Syria, etc. One major use of the money is the effort to eradicate polio.
The mission of the foundation is “goodwill, peace, alleviating poverty, fighting disease, growing economies, and providing clean water,” among other things.