Club Meeting- March 21, 2017

 

Opening and Welcome:  President Jackie Guzie 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 singing of “God Bless America”.

 

Members Present: Dale Baker, Joe Blake, Gayle Demko, Jed Dery, Frank DiGennaro, Natalie Donais, Jackie Guzie, Gail Handley, Greg Heineman, Richard Kisiel, Luis Lee, Don Miner, Jack Muska, Paul Pace, Ken Pascoe, Ray Perleoni, Jay Presser, Charles Roumas, Scott  Seabury, Gordon Stagg, and Nancy Viggiano.(21/37...56.8%).

 

Guests:  Maureen Ross Gemme, owner of Emerge Leadership Academy- Windsor Locks CT

 

 

-Jackie Guzie also informed members that the Board candidate slate for the upcoming fiscal year will be voted on next week, March 28, 2017. To date, nominations for the board are Richard Kisiel- President, Charles Roumas-Vice President/President-elect, Gayle Demko-Secretary, Jack Muska-Treasurer, Jackie Guzie-Past President, Gail Handley-Sergeant at Arms, and At Large candidates Kenneth Pascoe, Jonathan Kozloski and Edward Walsh. Those still interested in board candidacy can contact Jackie before next week’s meeting or raise their interest on the voting floor.

 

-Jackie also importantly reminded members that next week’s agenda focuses on formally setting our Club’s goals for next fiscal year, its spending priorities, and strategic direction. It is imperative all members wishing input on these plans convey them on the 28^th. If absence in advance is known, members should provide their desired input in writing to Jackie or Dick in advance. President-elect Dick Kisiel will lead the discussion.

 

-Greg Heineman reminded all again regarding the April drawing for the Zero Turn Mower Raffle. He passed around a sign-up sheet for members to volunteer a portion of time this weekend March 25 and 26 to accompany the Mower and generate final ticket sale momentum at Jim Viggiano’s Bacher Corp booth at the Enfield NCCC Business Showcase in East Windsor (old Wal-Mart site). Greg will email folks a reminder of their volunteer time slots.

 

- Jack Muska raised the issue with members to please consider if our club wishes continuance of our voter assist transport (via golf carts) at the central polling place for this year’s elections. He will raise again with us in detail as we get closer to the date(s).

 

 

Speaker: Bio: Maureen Ross Gemme has a BA, Psychology from University of Saint Joseph and an MS, Education from Capella University. She has 27 years’ work experience with The Hartford in marketing, training and HR positions, gaining insight into corporate hiring and work dynamics, with particular emphasis on generational gaps in leadership and work habits.

 

Maureen shared with our club her personal adolescent and young adult struggle with transience and alcoholism (proudly now 32 years sober). Her purpose was to remind us of the resilience of the human will and spirit, and how young adults/”Millennials” are entering the workforce without real mentoring on leadership and work ethic confidence. Some interesting stats she shared were that a Baby Boomer now retires every 8 seconds, the ensuing Gen X population is too small to fulfill succession planning, leaving Millennials to fill those roles. By 2020, 50% of our workforce will be Millennials, and by 2025 it will be 75%.

 

According to Maureen, companies badly need leadership development of their youthful employees, not judgment from their predecessors. They need to be shown guidance and opportunities, a shift from command and control to more teaching within teams. It is important the teams have cross generational composition to allow all to understand each other’s frame of reference.

 

The members were pleased with her remarks, and felt that her proven shift in attitude and belief in service before self makes her an asset to any Rotary Club she chooses to join. She is also of course available to employers who need this guidance.

 

Blue Ticket Winners: Dale Baker had the winning blue ticket, with sides won by Natalie Donais and Luis Lee.

 

Queen of Hearts: Ken Pascoe had the winning red ticket, but did not select the Queen of Hearts. Next week’s pot is $86+.

 

Birthdays and Anniversaries: None

 

Adjournment: Jackie Guzie adjourned the meeting with Scott Seabury leading “America the Beautiful” as the closing song.

 

Minutes recorded by Charles Roumas, Secretary on March 21, 2017.