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Cogitator Feb 8, 2012
Posted by George Cooper
on Feb 08, 2012
'Let's Buy Local,' Tim Hudyncia and Lea Knepley
VISITING ROTARIANS
Dr. Timothy Hudyncia, our guest speaker, joined us from the Warwick Club. Tim is a chiropractic doctor and is also involved with 'LetsBuyLocal.org.'
GUESTS
David Rodriguez and David Butts, both from Citizens Bank, were guests today.
CLUB ANNIVERSARY
Bonnie Sauer joined East Greenwich Rotary one year ago this week, and has she ever made her presence known since. Past President Richard Waterman joined the club 17 years ago this week. Finally, Dr. Bob Miller, also a past president, was inducted a mere 42 years ago. (Some staying power in this club, eh? Guess the 'rookies' don't know yet that once they are in they can't leave.)
PAUL HARRIS AWARD
George Popella presented a three-sapphired Paul Harris Award pin to President-Elect Ken Colaluca. Three sapphires demonstrate that this is Ken's fourth Paul Harris Award ($4,000 donated to the Rotary Foundation). Congratulations and good work, Ken!
ROTARACT/NEW ENGLAND TECH
New Generations leader Bill TenEyck had some good news, mentioning that during information sessions held on January 27th nine New England Tech students signed up to be part of our newly sponsored Rotaract Club. Bill also reminded everyone (I'm sure everyone already knew) that the week of March 13th this year is Global Rotaract Week.
50TH CLUB ANNIVERSARY AND TASTE OF TOWN
Pat Lenihan is looking for volunteers to 'step up' and lend a hand with her two important committees--Taste of the Town/Wine Tasting, and, the club's 50th Anniversary gala. Please see Pat if you'd like to help out with either or both. The next meeting for the anniversary gala is Friday, March 2nd, 8am, at Coldwell Banker on Main Street.
DAFFODIL DAYS
Lou Lepry announced the kickoff to 2012's 'Daffodil Days.' Each year, Lou raises money and awareness for the American Cancer Society by helping with their annual daffodil campaign. From $10 bouquets, to $25 'Bear and a Bunch,' you can help the Cancer Society in two areas from now until the end of the month. Funds from Daffodil Days go to research, and, providing housing for cancer patients' families. There are lots of good options, so see Lou at the next meeting if you didn't get one of his handouts.
ROTARY AFTER DARK
Don't forget to mark your calendar...February's Rotary After Dark social will be held from 5:30pm to 7:30pm on Thursday, February 16th, at Caprice Restaurant. Last month's was a great night at Meritage, so you don't want to miss this event.
HAPPY BUCKS
-Stan Reuter was happy about his son and daughter-in-law's new baby. Congratulations, Grampa!
-Mike Balsamo's grandmother is making great strides after two strokes, and she is now able to say prayers with Mike and family. Also, Mike's daughter registered her first official point, an assist, while playing hockey for the Cranston Thunderbirds.
-Ron Winde's daughter recently made a happy announcement--'baby is on the way.'
-Dr. Tim Hudyncia announced that the Warwick Club is hosting a 'Gourmet Gallop' on March 2nd. Twenty restaurants will participate, and tickets for Rotarians will be sold at a discount of $35.
-Lou Lepry had no pregnancies to announce. He just wanted to pass on a Happy Leap Year wish to the club.
-Chuck Sauer gave a happy and proud buck for wife Bonnie, who has had a pretty stellar 'rookie' year in the club. (Amen to that, Chuck.)
-Bob Sloan's wife Cathy was out of town, so his daughter came down from Boston last week to take him out for a nice dinner, thus preventing him from celebrating a birthday at home alone with a Swanson's Hungry Man.
-Vin Meola offered happily 'How bout them Giants?' (His tablemates contemplated knocking some soup onto his lap.)
-Judy Pratt wished a safe and enjoyable journey to those traveling on this year's mission trip to LaRomana, Dominican Republic. Judy also reminded us that Saturday, April 21st will be the date for the Scott Carlson Memorial ALS 5K race, to be held again at Goddard Park...and she is now hoping someone will challenge the 11-year reigning champion of the ALS 5K since 2001, he-who-mentioned-the-Giants, Vin Meola.
SPEAKER/PROGRAM
'Let's Buy Local' with Dr. Tim Hudyncia and Lea Knepley
LetsBuyLocal.org is a non-profit organization and part of the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA). Their goal--to give a louder voice and more recognition to smaller local businesses. By pooling resources, passion, and voices, LetsBuyLocal seeks to help even the playing field as smaller businesses compete with larger American and multi-national companies.
There are now 143 independent business alliance non-profits throughout the country. In Rhode Island, LetsBuyLocal.org has experienced a recent membership surge with 23 new members as of January, 2012.
Community building is enhanced when local businesses are successful. Every $1 spent locally creates 3.5 times the economic effect than does a trip to a big name retail store. Big stores' sales have grown markedly since the 1980's, while independents' sales have statistically been flat since then. The trend continues...the big stores are winning the battle.
Statistics show a significant improvement in sales for smaller businesses when an alliance such as LetsBuyLocal.org is formed locally. LetsBuyLocal.org is getting the word out in TV and radio media, talking about benefits to local communities of successful smaller businesses. http://www.newrules.org/retail/news/study-finds-local-businesses-key-income-growth
'We've been redefined as consumers, rather than individuals,' said Dr. Hudyncia. 'We have therefore, in a way, ceded citizenship to large companies interested in redirecting profits out of our communities.' The only way to fight back is to band together and fight this battle as concerned citizens and business owners.
Finally, Tim and Lea's efforts have included seeking help from Smith Hill. They met with Representative Theresa Tanzi recently, making the pitch that the state has a vested interest in helping smaller businesses compete with big box stores and the like. So far, the General Assembly has shelved Rep. Tanzi's bill.
http://letsbuylocal.org/forconsumers.html
(Top: Dr. Tim Hudyncia. Below: Lea Knapley on right, with Kathy Brown.)
Dr. Timothy Hudyncia, our guest speaker, joined us from the Warwick Club. Tim is a chiropractic doctor and is also involved with 'LetsBuyLocal.org.'
GUESTS
David Rodriguez and David Butts, both from Citizens Bank, were guests today.
CLUB ANNIVERSARY
Bonnie Sauer joined East Greenwich Rotary one year ago this week, and has she ever made her presence known since. Past President Richard Waterman joined the club 17 years ago this week. Finally, Dr. Bob Miller, also a past president, was inducted a mere 42 years ago. (Some staying power in this club, eh? Guess the 'rookies' don't know yet that once they are in they can't leave.)
PAUL HARRIS AWARD
George Popella presented a three-sapphired Paul Harris Award pin to President-Elect Ken Colaluca. Three sapphires demonstrate that this is Ken's fourth Paul Harris Award ($4,000 donated to the Rotary Foundation). Congratulations and good work, Ken!
ROTARACT/NEW ENGLAND TECH
New Generations leader Bill TenEyck had some good news, mentioning that during information sessions held on January 27th nine New England Tech students signed up to be part of our newly sponsored Rotaract Club. Bill also reminded everyone (I'm sure everyone already knew) that the week of March 13th this year is Global Rotaract Week.
50TH CLUB ANNIVERSARY AND TASTE OF TOWN
Pat Lenihan is looking for volunteers to 'step up' and lend a hand with her two important committees--Taste of the Town/Wine Tasting, and, the club's 50th Anniversary gala. Please see Pat if you'd like to help out with either or both. The next meeting for the anniversary gala is Friday, March 2nd, 8am, at Coldwell Banker on Main Street.
DAFFODIL DAYS
Lou Lepry announced the kickoff to 2012's 'Daffodil Days.' Each year, Lou raises money and awareness for the American Cancer Society by helping with their annual daffodil campaign. From $10 bouquets, to $25 'Bear and a Bunch,' you can help the Cancer Society in two areas from now until the end of the month. Funds from Daffodil Days go to research, and, providing housing for cancer patients' families. There are lots of good options, so see Lou at the next meeting if you didn't get one of his handouts.
ROTARY AFTER DARK
Don't forget to mark your calendar...February's Rotary After Dark social will be held from 5:30pm to 7:30pm on Thursday, February 16th, at Caprice Restaurant. Last month's was a great night at Meritage, so you don't want to miss this event.
HAPPY BUCKS
-Stan Reuter was happy about his son and daughter-in-law's new baby. Congratulations, Grampa!
-Mike Balsamo's grandmother is making great strides after two strokes, and she is now able to say prayers with Mike and family. Also, Mike's daughter registered her first official point, an assist, while playing hockey for the Cranston Thunderbirds.
-Ron Winde's daughter recently made a happy announcement--'baby is on the way.'
-Dr. Tim Hudyncia announced that the Warwick Club is hosting a 'Gourmet Gallop' on March 2nd. Twenty restaurants will participate, and tickets for Rotarians will be sold at a discount of $35.
-Lou Lepry had no pregnancies to announce. He just wanted to pass on a Happy Leap Year wish to the club.
-Chuck Sauer gave a happy and proud buck for wife Bonnie, who has had a pretty stellar 'rookie' year in the club. (Amen to that, Chuck.)
-Bob Sloan's wife Cathy was out of town, so his daughter came down from Boston last week to take him out for a nice dinner, thus preventing him from celebrating a birthday at home alone with a Swanson's Hungry Man.
-Vin Meola offered happily 'How bout them Giants?' (His tablemates contemplated knocking some soup onto his lap.)
-Judy Pratt wished a safe and enjoyable journey to those traveling on this year's mission trip to LaRomana, Dominican Republic. Judy also reminded us that Saturday, April 21st will be the date for the Scott Carlson Memorial ALS 5K race, to be held again at Goddard Park...and she is now hoping someone will challenge the 11-year reigning champion of the ALS 5K since 2001, he-who-mentioned-the-Giants, Vin Meola.
SPEAKER/PROGRAM
'Let's Buy Local' with Dr. Tim Hudyncia and Lea Knepley
LetsBuyLocal.org is a non-profit organization and part of the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA). Their goal--to give a louder voice and more recognition to smaller local businesses. By pooling resources, passion, and voices, LetsBuyLocal seeks to help even the playing field as smaller businesses compete with larger American and multi-national companies.
There are now 143 independent business alliance non-profits throughout the country. In Rhode Island, LetsBuyLocal.org has experienced a recent membership surge with 23 new members as of January, 2012.
Community building is enhanced when local businesses are successful. Every $1 spent locally creates 3.5 times the economic effect than does a trip to a big name retail store. Big stores' sales have grown markedly since the 1980's, while independents' sales have statistically been flat since then. The trend continues...the big stores are winning the battle.
Statistics show a significant improvement in sales for smaller businesses when an alliance such as LetsBuyLocal.org is formed locally. LetsBuyLocal.org is getting the word out in TV and radio media, talking about benefits to local communities of successful smaller businesses. http://www.newrules.org/retail/news/study-finds-local-businesses-key-income-growth
'We've been redefined as consumers, rather than individuals,' said Dr. Hudyncia. 'We have therefore, in a way, ceded citizenship to large companies interested in redirecting profits out of our communities.' The only way to fight back is to band together and fight this battle as concerned citizens and business owners.
Finally, Tim and Lea's efforts have included seeking help from Smith Hill. They met with Representative Theresa Tanzi recently, making the pitch that the state has a vested interest in helping smaller businesses compete with big box stores and the like. So far, the General Assembly has shelved Rep. Tanzi's bill.
http://letsbuylocal.org/forconsumers.html
(Top: Dr. Tim Hudyncia. Below: Lea Knapley on right, with Kathy Brown.)