Club Meeting - March 28, 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, Natalie Donais, Jackie Guzie, Gail Handley, Greg Heineman, Richard Kisiel, Jon Kozloski, Robert Lowell, Clark Mason, Karen Mason, Don Miner, Cat Morrow, Jack Muska, Paul Pace, Ken Pascoe, Ray Perleoni, Jay Presser, Charles Roumas, Scott  Seabury, Gordon Stagg, Tom Sullivan, and Nancy Viggiano.  (25/37…67.6%).

 

Guests: Madison D’Ostuni- Rotary Student of the Month; her parents Lori and Peter; and Donald Rawling- prospective member sponsored by Jackie Guzie. 

 

 

-Jackie Guzie summarized for the members items discussed or decided upon at the Board Meeting that occurred just prior to tonight’s member meeting.  Gayle Demko and Jed Dery have agreed to be co-chairs for the 2017 Packard Golf Tourney, our biggest annual fund-raiser. Thank you Jed and Gayle! Additionally, the Board has decided to award $500 to SHS Academic Quiz Team for transportation to its annual competition. Finally, Jackie reiterated our financial support for the Women’s Shelter, as requested from the Bloomfield Rotary Club.

 

-Nancy Viggiano announced the formation of this year’s Rotary Scholarship Selection Committee and asked for volunteers. This year’s committee consists of Nancy, Cat Morrow, Natalie Donais, Joe Blake and Jack Muska. Thanks to all committee volunteers. Nancy also conveyed to the membership the large traffic generated at the past weekend’s North Central CT Chamber of Commerce Expo in East Windsor. This led to at least $250 in additional raffle ticket sales for the Mower drawing on April 18.

 

-Jack Muska wrote and placed a press release on page 5 of the April edition of The Suffield Observer on the Mower fund-raising effort. This will also assist last minute purchases.

 

         2.Rotary Student Of the Month:  Newly appointed SHS  Rotary coordinator Natalie Donais expressed brief but highly complimentary remarks to introduce March Rotary Student of the Month Madison D’Ostuni. Amongst those remarks were the acknowledgement of Madison as President of Rotary’s youth service club- Interact with 40 members strong, and her role model as a female wrestler on the SHS Wrestling Team.

 

           Speaker: Madison D’Ostuni: Madison began her remarks by quoting a 103 year old lady by the name of Ruby exemplifying the merits within the Rotary Four Way Test. “We have two Firsts, the day we were born and the day we realize why we were born”. Madison used this as an inspiration to weave us through her journey. She worked within the Student Senate to ensure it was no longer gender-centric. She has worked with At Risk Children to improve their quality of life, utilizing a second hand thrift shop as a fund-raiser and servicing unit. She surprised folks by becoming a skilled varsity wrestler and a certified rescue diver who can also harvest and nourish sea scallop populations.

 

Career-wise, Madison will be attending High Point University to specifically work with legendary tech guru Steve Wozniak (co-founder of Apple, Inc.) on the development of a self-driving golf cart. This project will be important towards her degree as a software engineer in Computer Science. There were many questions from our members, and compliments for her service to Rotary and Suffield overall. Congratulations Madison!

 

Blue Ticket Winners: Guests Lori D’Ostuni had the winning blue ticket, with sides won by Peter D’Ostuni and Madison D’Ostuni. A lucky sweep by our guests!

 

Queen of Hearts: Natalie Donais had the winning red ticket, but did not select the Queen of Hearts. Next week’s pot is $111+.

 

Birthdays and Anniversaries: None

 

Adjournment: Jackie Guzie adjourned the meeting with Scott Seabury leading “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” as the closing song.

 

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