Posted by Gayle Demko on Mar 12, 2018
 
Opening and Welcome:  President Dick Kisiel opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance, the recitation of the Rotary Four-Way Test and provide the invocation.  The group sang “God Bless America”.
 
Members Present: Dale Baker, Joe Blake, Gayle Demko, Jed Dery, Frank DiGennaro, Natalie Donais, Greg Heineman,  Heidi Huhn Partain, Richard Kisiel,Jonathan Kozloski, Roger Pratt, Jay Presser, Don Rawling, Charles Roumas, Gordon Stagg, and Nancy Viggiano.  (17/32….53%).
 
Guests: None.
 
Announcements: President Kisiel made several announcements:
- Dick Kisiel delivered the sad news that Gail Handley’s brother passed away unexpectedly; services for Richard B. Tautic Sr. of Stafford Springs will be held Saturday, April 7.
 
- Dick attended the Enfield Rotary’s 90th anniversary celebration and thoroughly enjoyed the event.  He reminded the club that the Suffield Rotary’s 70th anniversary is fast approaching.
 
PROGRAM: This week’s program featured a report from each of the Rotary committees. 
 
Financial – Jon Kozloski reports we are solvent.  A copy of the month end financials was distributed and both Rotary Operations and Foundation accounts were reviewed.
 
2017/2018 Club Service Project Goals – Dick summarized that three of the four service projects have been completed.  Clark Mason relayed an idea regarding student shadowing or interning with a Rotary member.  Each member would list their professional attributes and then the high school guidance department could match a student to a profession for further mentoring assistance.   
 
Membership – Dick, Luis Lee, Don Miner and Gayle met to brainstorm methods to increase our membership.  The following concepts are under development:
  • Paul Harris Recipients – Automatic complementary one year membership
  • Parents of Rotary Student of the Month – Complementary membership in another category, perhaps as an honorary member, with guidelines developed to attract their interest to join as a full member.
  • Guest Speakers – Same honorary member category as above
  • Organizations – Investigate inviting a member from the following town groups to enhance the Rotary’s recognition of town stewardship needs: Emergency Aid, Boy Scout, Suffield Observer and Town Hall. 
 
Rotary Foundation – 80% of the club donates to the Rotary Foundation early fundraiser with this a May/June activity. 
 
Fellowship - Roger Pratt will organize the Yard Goat social for an upcoming Tuesday - with focus on May 29 or June 12 dates; the end of April is the deadline for sign up.  Tickets are $13 each, Interact Club may be invited to join us (this to be determined) and transportation will be arranged.
 
Paul Harris Award -  The club donates $1000 per recipient for this event which is scheduled for June 26 with ticket pricing of $25 to be held at Suffield by the River. 
 
Blue Ticket Winners: Congratulations to the Blue ticket winner Natalie Donais; with sides won by Don Miner and Nancy Viggiano.
 
Queen of Hearts:  Heidi Huhn Partain had the winning red ticket but did not select the Queen of Hearts. Total winning pot now stands at $199+.
 
Birthdays and Anniversaries: None
 
Adjournment: Richard Kisiel closed the meeting; the group opted out of a closing song.
 
Next  week’s meeting - Suffield Rotary Student of the Month. 
 
***Due to the forecast of a Nor’easter for March 13, both the Weekly meeting and the Board meeting will be postponed to March 20.