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We meet every Monday at 12:15 PM
Plymouth Church Parish Hall
87 Edgell Rd.
Framingham, MA 01701
United States
COVID-19: Come ZOOM with us!
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Rhonda Yeomans spoke briefly about local efforts at suicide prevention (1 every 11 minutes in US) and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – research & education & advocacy. T
Our speaker today was Joe Townsend, Director of Development for Habitat for Humanity – MetroWest & Greater Worcester. The mission for “Habitat” is to Build Homes, Communities and Hope.
Habitat affiliates exist in 70 countries and all 50 states. Each affiliate raises its own money determines its spending priorities….there are 16 affiliates in Massachusetts and “our” MetroWest Greater Worcester covers 42 cities and towns.
Joe noted that, if housing costs are greater than 30% of household income, that is NOT affordable housing and are termed “burdened? 35% of Massachusetts households fall in that category. The result is that there is less household money to be spent on food and health needs. People in unburdened housing are generally healthier.
Our speaker today was Dwarka Chadha: author: “Suitcase”. He told the story of his life from birth in what is now Pakistan through his arrival in the US with just a suitcase and $600. Through his hard work he became successful and an active participant in our political system.
His bottom line: The American Dream is still alive!!!!
Our immediate PDG Victor Tom presented our immediate Past President, Jack Colamaria with the Rotary Citation…..we are one of only five clubs in the District to receive this award!
District Governor Elliott Rittonberg spoke to our Club regarding the five areas of focus he would like the 7910 District to focus on for the coming Rotary year. The areas of focus include; Training, Education on what Rotary is about, Diversity Equity & Inclusion, Environmental Efforts, and Mental Health. He would also like to see Rotarians gathering again in friendship at social events. Let’s have fun again! He said. Let’s do all the hands-on work we can but let’s gather and have fun together while we’re doing it.
Rotary Club members man the Rotry booth at Concert on the Green in July
Our speaker today was Erin Lynch, Executive Director of the MetroWest Visitors Bureau.; which includes 19 core communities with a goal of stimulating the economy and promoting the area. Object is the connect with newcomers and visitors and have them stay in the area and enjoy the many attractions and facilities available. There is a special website with various itineraries highlighting the variety of interests and activities (both indoor and outdoor).
Our speaker today was Anastasia Gumatay, Pragram Manager of the Maize Program which is a part of Big Brother-Big Sister of MetroWest. The Mazie Mentoring Program matches high school students with volunteer mentors with the objective of helping students achieve their goals and succeed. The Mazie Mentoring Program is currently operating in Framingham, Waltham, and Marlborough High Schools.
On Monday 23 June, the new Club President and Board of Directors was installed for the Rotary year 2023-2024. The installation and award event luncheon was held at the Warren Conference Center.
Patti McCarthy, Club President of the Rotary Club of Framingham.
The new Board of Directors for Rotary Year 2023-2024. Patience Noah (2024), Sushil Bhatia (2024), Susan Raynor (2025), Tania Blanco (2025), Vance Williams (2026), Phil Reimann (2026)
The Organization of the Year is Team Framingham. Team Framingham was founded nine years ago when Mick Bower convinced the City of Framingham to form an organization chartered with awarding the marathon runner numbers given to each town on the marathon route. Each year runners are drawn from a lottery. Each runner pledges to obtain a minimum of $5,000 in donations to be given to one of 5 selected not-for-profit organizations. To date over $900,000 has been given. Accepting the award is Mike Bower, Stuart Hurowitz, and Lisa Burgess.
Our Citizen of the Year is Bill Sell. Bill has demonstrated the ability to get events up and moving, and Framingham benefits. He was instrumental in getting the MetroFest/TruckFest going. When the Mayor of Framingham needed someone put new life into the Farmer's Market, Bill took the challenge. He increased the time the Market was open so customers could shop after work. He increased the number of vendors from a hand full to over 72. When the Farmer's Market opened on June 22, over 1,300 customers showed up. He initiated an online active map of when and where vendors will be participating. And soon, SNAP cards will be accepted at the Market. The Framingham Farmer's Market is blossoming under Bill Sell.
David Whittemore, a long-time member of the Rotary Club of Framingham, was awarded Rotarian of the Year. Dave has been Club President, Clerk of the Education Fund, started the annual Fireside Dinners where Rotarians and partners dine in small groups enjoying each other's fellowship, and significantly contributed to the Club's recent 100 Year Celebration. Past Club President Jack Colamaria gave the award.
We welcomed our newest member Marcia Sharpe at this weeks Club Assembly. Marcia is being inducted by sponsor Nelson Zide, Securary Teri Banerjee and Club President Jack Calamaria. Welcome Marcia!
Congratulations to the Rotary Club of Framingham for being selected for the 2023 Metrowest YMCA Community Partner Award. Award was accepted by Nelson Zide and Patti McCarthy, who is our Club President-Elect.
Student recipients of our 2023 Education Fund Scholarships. $5,500 scholarship given to each selected high school senior based on their submitted application. Great job students!
New Rotarain Steve Schneider being inducted by member sponsor Tania Blanco, Secerary Teri Banerjee and Club President Jack Colamaria. Welcome Steve!
Our speaker today was Mohammed Siddiqui who has written a book: “Footprints in Stone” promoting the importance of finding that middle ground between assimilation and preserving heritage. He noted the importance of hanging on to things that are core to you.
Club President Jack Colamaria accepting Club Service Award from District Governor Victor Tom.
Framingham Rotary members attended the Paul Harris Luncheon at the 2023 Rotary District Conference.
Another great Thursday night of volunteering and serving meals at Pearl St Cafe.
Sister Mark of the Carmelite Sisters gave a most interesting presentation of the origins of Carmel Terrace and its founder Sister Mary Angeline Teresa McCrory. It was started in 1929. The founder was originally from Northern Ireland and Scotland and worked with the elderly in Brooklyn, Pittsburgh, and the Bronx. With the encouragement of Cardinal Hayes of New York, she took a vow of hospitality and started a special home for the elderly. This effort has now spread to about 6 states and Dublin.
The Order recognizes the need for kindness and understanding for the elderly who give up their homes, familiar environments, and friends to live in an elderly facility. The facility is organized to put meaning into the later years of residents; recognize the dignity and worth of the individual. Facilities are available for short-term, those with dementia, those needing rehab, and assisted living…..in a home environment.
Our speaker was former City Counselor and current State Representative, Margarethe Shephard. She spoke of her journey with challenges of loss of hearing, immigration, transition, language, etc. She became a City Councilor and worked with new businesses formed by members of the Brazilian community.
“I’m an immigrant, I’m a single mother, I’m deaf — if I can do it, and be successful, they can do it,” she said. “It’s just a matter of if you want to, have the desire to, (and) have the dream of doing something bigger than yourself."
Thank you State Representative Shephard.
Chaitra Sanders spoke on the Massachusetts Health Connector. Mass Health Connector is the insurance marketplace for affordable insurance options. Small businesses or nonprofits can use this service. They offer HSA plans, HMO, PPO and Dental Plans. They follow the employer choice model which allows the employer to control the costs.
Our speaker today was Sandra Montesino, Executive Director for Daniels Table. In existence since 2016, Daniels Table mission is simple: providing food security to our most vulnerable neighbors.
Sandra’s presentation was interesting and informative. Daniel’s Table has grown in significantly since our first introduction to it several years ago. Currently serving approximately 600 people per week and there are 357 households registered to either receive pre-cooked meals or shop at a grocery-like market. They also have an ongoing partnership with local schools to assist children who need nutritional input.
Tours of the facilities are available. Thursdays and Fridays are good days for volunteer opportunities.
Pictures from our annual Fellowship dinners where small groups of members with partners gather together at a member's home or a local restaurant to enjoy each other company.
Jason Daniels, the new Executive Director at Access Framingham, spoke to us regarding Access Framingham, AFTV. The Mission of Access Framingham is to present technology; assist individuals in using media technology. Currently, AFTV is working with Downtown Framingham (and others) to promote local businesses via programming; initiating broadcast s from remote locations, and training co-op students from Keefe Techand Framingham State. One exciting long-range project is to bring a film festival to Framingham…easily possible through an online platform that can gather films from throughout the world….and they have already engaged in an exchange of short films generated by individuals in foreign countries.
Our speaker today was Lisa McDonald – Director of Equity Compliance at Mass Bay Community College. Lisa is focused on Federal Chapter 9 compliance at Mass Bay– which means any type of discrimination is prohibited if the school receives any form of federal financial aid for education. This applies to sex, gender, harassment, violence, women who are pregnant, etc……any form of non-consensual discrimination……….including dissemination of photos or information. Lisa also gets involved with ADA matters if brought to her attention.
Seth Izen – Executive Director of MetroWest Mediation Services was our speaker today….he has been in mediation since 2009; has a BA from Brown and a Masters in Conflict Resolution from UMass – Lowell.
MetroWest Mediation started in 1979 and has significantly expanded its services. Mediation does NOT: favor either side and does NOT give advice. Mediators facilitate a solution created by the parties themselves.
MW Mediation is involved in housing, probate matters, small claims, juvenile Cases, and business matters. The services are risk-free and at no cost. About half of the possible cases will accept a mediation attempt and about 2/3 of these will reach an agreement.
Our speaker today was Sarkis Sarkisan, Planning and Community Development Director, City of Framingham. He has a broad community planning background having served as the city planner in Natick and Wayland. Sarkis spoke about the many projects being planned in Framingham including the Bruce Freeman Trail, the possible 188 Concord Steet 4-story regional dispatch center, Dennison Park renovation, and a possible regional mega-court system at the Dennison location.
Happy Holidays from the Rotary Club of Framingham, which is pleased to serve our community and invite all to join us!!
Special thanks to Access Framingham for this holiday message!
Thank you to this weeks speaker Rebecca Donham Senior Program Officer at MetroWest Health Foundation. Her talk about the state of our youth’s mental health was very informative .
Very busy week giving back and today’s Service Above Self was at the Pelham LifeLong Learning Center. Thanks to Towma Rastad for organizing a popup Food Pantry for families. We had a blast volunteering.
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