Club Meeting- February 28, 2017

 

Opening and Welcome:  Secretary Charles Roumas opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and the recitation of the Rotary Four-Way Test. Luis Lee gave the invocation and led the singing of “God Bless America”.

 

Members Present: Gayle Demko, Jed Dery, Frank DiGennaro, Greg Heineman, Jon Kozloski,  Luis Lee, Don Miner, Cat Morrow, Ken Pascoe, Ray Perleoni, Jay Presser, Charles Roumas, Gordon Stagg, Tom Sullivan, Nancy Viggiano and Ed Walsh.  (16/37….43.2%).

 

Guests:  None

 

 

 -Greg Heineman reminded all again regarding the mid-April drawing for the Zero Turn Mower Raffle. To date, $3180 in tickets have been sold! There are an additional $600 of tickets outstanding in the hands of members awaiting sale or return, and a few hundred tickets left for distribution.  Importantly, the mower will be on display at the Business Showcase in Suffield on March 25 from 9a-1p, and tentatively at the Enfield Home Show on March 26 at similar hours.  To further promote this, Charles Roumas will calculate statistics of winning for publication along with short write-up for Facebook posting by Jay Presser.

 

-Ray Perleoni informed the club of a special evening fund-raiser to be held by the Rotary Club of Northampton, Mass on Thursday evening March 30^th, 2017. It is a Gala Art Exhibition and Auction at the Hotel Northampton on 36 King St. There is an art preview (all media and price ranges) at 600 pm and auction at 700 pm. Admission is $15 pp or $25 per couple. Hors D’oeuvres and Beverages served. For tickets or information, please call Daniel at 413-200-8789. 

 

-Members inquired about the club’s formal recognition of member Karen Mason’s father’s passing. While recognized at the time in prayers led by Scott Seabury, its impact on Karen and Clark left members concerned. Ken Pascoe wished to reach out to them personally on behalf of all members to see what they might need. 

 

Program:  In lieu of a formal speaker, Charles Roumas followed up on two interrelated timely items, one requiring a member vote. At the Feb 21^st meeting, Dick Kisiel informed the members that our Board had recommended supporting the Somers Club-led efforts of the Dominican Republic Clean Water Project. The board wished our club to purchase 35 water filters @$90 each, for a total of $3150. The discussion and vote on this was tabled by members until tonight. After much discussion, Gayle Demko made a motion to purchase six filters annually ($540) for a three year commitment ($1620) total. The motion was seconded by Ken Pascoe and passed unanimously. Charles was to ask Jackie Guzie and/or Dick Kisiel to inform the Somers Club ASAP as their deadline was March 2.

 

The second important follow up-item was regarding setting strategic plans and goals for the next fiscal year. President- Elect Dick Kisiel had referenced at the prior meeting that they will be discussed in the near future with everyone to get the next fiscal year off to a fast start. Gordon Stagg made the suggestion that this strategy session be a formal agenda scheduled in advance publicly to all our members. Those that wish to convey input should have the proper opportunity to be present. The consensus of the members was to have Dick and Jackie schedule this.

 

Much of the discussion during the Water Project vote referenced above revolved around defining our formal strategies and club goals.  Examples were:

-How much do we really have to spend each year on uncommitted vs committed or designated items?

 

-What portion of funds raised should be spent on local community projects vs those in other parts of the USA or abroad?

 

-What projects does Suffield Rotary wish to initiate vs join/collaborate with other local clubs, District 7890 or Rotary International?

 

Charles thanked the members for their initial engagement of diverse opinions, and looked forward to our Leadership’s formal planning process with them in the very near future.

 

Blue Ticket Winners: Luis Lee had the winning blue ticket, with sides won by Gordon Stagg and Tom Sullivan.

 

Queen of Hearts: Ed Walsh had the winning red ticket, but did not select the Queen of Hearts. Next week’s pot (only week 3 of new one) is $49+.

 

Birthdays and Anniversaries: Ken Pascoe’s birthday was the next day March 1^st. Due to error by Secretary, this was not discovered nor announced and Ken did not get his official Birthday song rendition. The Secretary apologizes and the club will ensure to rectify this. Karen Mason, not present, was also missed with a March 3 birthday, so both will be celebrated.  The club did recognize Jed Dery’s third anniversary of joining our Rotary Club.

 

Adjournment: Charles Roumas adjourned the meeting with the club singing a reprise of “God Bless America”.

 

Minutes recorded by Charles Roumas, Secretary on February 28, 2017.