Club Meeting Aug 9, 2016

 

Opening and Welcome:  President-Elect Richard Kisiel opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and the recitation of the Rotary Four-Way Test. Scott Seabury gave the invocation and led the club singing of “God Bless America”.

 

Members Present: Dale Baker, Joe Blake, Blair Childs, Jerry Crane, Gayle Demko, Jed Dery, Frank DiGennaro, Guy Fortunato, Gail Handley, Greg Heineman, Richard Kisiel, Luis Lee, Jack Muska, Paul Pace, Ken Pascoe, Jay Presser, Charles Roumas, Scott Seabury, Gordon Stagg, Thomas Sullivan and Nancy Viggiano.   21/37   56.8%

 

Guests: District 7890 Governor Frank Wargo, Assistant Governor Pam Lupoli and husband Tony Lupoli.

 

Induction ceremony: Membership Chairman Luis Lee had the honor of inducting a new member to Suffield Rotary, Gayle Demko. He presented her with her badge, ribbon and Rotarian Certificate. District Governor Frank Wargo provided her Rotary pinning support.

 

Announcements: Ken Pascoe praised our club’s commitment to the Aug 2 National Night Out with our Police Dept, held at The Spaulding School. Our Rotary stand crew had cooked and served approximately 500 burgers and 350 hot dogs to attending families. Importantly, two additional good will gestures came out of this support. All leftover food and water supplies were donated to Loaves & Fishes charity in Enfield, and a collection box at the front of the stand raised $503 given equally to Suffield Police and Ambulance Explorers’ groups. Great effort by all!

 

Paul Pace was very pleased to announce all preparations are complete for this Friday’s Glenn T. Packard Golf Tourney. There will be 165 participants, a complete sell-out. He credited great prep work by the Tournament Committee members, whose substantial efforts made the process “look easy”. Paul also mentioned those attending the tournament’s dinner must notify him and bring $30 per person if folks have not already paid.

 

Program:  Frank Wargo, Rotary District 7890 Governor, began his remarks by heartily thanking the Suffield Rotary Club for its significant increase in donations this year to $3200 ($2200 to Foundation and $1000 to Polio treatment/eradication). These dollars translate on a micro level to many individuals treated ($20 buys eye surgery; $50 provides crutches or braces) all around the globe.

 

Frank discussed his many travel experiences on behalf of Rotary, especially his first personal observation of the human impact of polio treatment surgery on a young woman. He was also quite impressed by the presence of the Rotary wheel symbol evident throughout these Third World humanitarian activities.

 

Accompanying Frank’s remarks were leave behind packets for all members, including district directories, 100 year Rotary anniversary pins, pocket cards with the Rotary Four-Way Test, and a copy each of his book, “The Frank Wargo Story, A Rotarian’s Ventures & Adventures”. Monies raised from his book’s publication provided eye grants for over 2000 people.

His closing comments to the club reinforced the importance of member recruitment, retention and spreading Rotary’s Service Above Self message. Only 7% of Rotarians have actually recruited other members, and there has also been a 50% attrition rate after first two years of membership, so retention is also an area for diligence. Rotary is still a very strong vibrant organization doing important work where it is most needed.

 

Birthdays and Anniversaries:  Richard Kisiel enjoyed the club’s birthday song wishes to him. Jay Presser announced the birth of his new grandchild. Gordon Stagg and his wife Anne celebrated their 55^th wedding anniversary!

 

Blue Ticket Winners:  Gayle Demko had the winning blue ticket, with sides won by Paul Pace and the club (winning ticket was first on roll).

 

Queen of Hearts:  Greg Heineman had the winning ticket, but did not select the queen. Next week’s drawing $501+.

 

Adjournment: Richard Kisiel adjourned the meeting and Scott Seabury led “America the Beautiful” as the closing song.

 

 

 

Minutes recorded by Charles Roumas, Secretary on August 9, 2016.