Suffield Rotary Club Meeting- November 14, 2017
Opening and Welcome: President Richard Kisiel opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and the recitation of the Rotary Four-Way Test. Dick then gave an invocation that included our Club’s deepest sorrow and prayers for member Scott Seabury on the sudden passing of his mother today. Tom Sullivan then led the club singing of “God Bless America”.
Members Present: Dale Baker, Natalie Donais, Gail Handley, Richard Kisiel, Joseph “Clark” Mason, Karen Mason, Don Miner, Jack Muska, Ken Pascoe, Roger Pratt, Donald Rawling, Charles Roumas, Gordon Stagg, Tom Sullivan and Tami Zawistowski. (15/30….50%).
Guests: Rotary Student of the Month Rylee Harfouche and her parents, Kathie and Marc; Rylee’s nominating SHS teacher Noreen Harnett; Karen Berasi- Prospective member sponsored by Richard Kisiel.
Announcements:
-Vice President Charles Roumas reported that he and Secretary Gayle Demko completed Rotary Leadership Institute Second Level training on Saturday Nov 11. Experienced Rotarians from throughout New England traveled to the Enfield location to share their wisdom. Specifically, classes were held on how to create a strategic plan for one’s local club, how to generate new types and number of members (e.g. Corporate and family memberships), improving Club Communications vehicles and messaging, and an additional refresher in global and district grant acquisition and execution.
-Sergeant at Arms Gail Handley and Treasurer Jack Muska spoke on behalf of the Events Committee regarding the upcoming Holiday/Christmas Party on December 5, 2017 to be held at La Notte in East Windsor. Cost is $25 per person and menu choices and final details were to be released immediately by Past President Jackie Guzie. Per member feedback, the club decided to extend the socializing/ libations period to at least 645 pm. All those attending should provide their payment to Rotarian Roger Pratt as soon as possible.
- President Richard Kisiel thanked those members who transported senior Suffield voters from the parking lot to the voting polls on Election Day Nov 7. The intent of this service met our Four Way Test, but the light voter usage of our services will question our continuance of it in future elections. The Board will follow up on this.
Program: RSOM- Rotary Student of the Month- November:
Natalie Donais, our Suffield Interact liaison and RSOM coordinator, proudly introduced SHS Language Teacher Noreen Harnett, the nominator of our November Rotary Student of the Month. After many kind words on her student nomination, Noreen brought forward the recipient Kylee Harfouche. Congratulations Kylee! Natalie presented Kylee with some recognition items, and Kyle was able to say a few words.
Kylee thanked her parents, Kathie and Marc, her teacher Noreen Harnett, and the Rotary members for this honor. Incredibly industrious, she has enrichened her life and those around her with many diverse yet important life skills. Her interests in languages (French), athletics (Volleyball team captain), and Academic Leadership (Pres-National Honor Society; Writing Center Mentor; and Chick Fil A Leadership Lab) all fulfill her need to serve the community, However, her real passion, inspired by her aunt, is to combine a major in Nursing/APRN with a minor in Law so she may focus on Neonatology--doing more research specifically into causes, prevention and restitution for medical malpractice. Her school choices at this early stage are University of Virginia, Villanova, Miami University and UCONN. The membership is excited to be an early recognizer of a bright future.
Blue Ticket Winners: There was a “family sweep” for the first time. Kylee Harfouche had the winning ticket, and her parents Kathie and Marc each had a side ticket winner!
Queen of Hearts: Ken Pascoe had the winning red ticket, but did not select the Queen of Hearts. Next week’s pot is $739+.
Birthdays and Anniversaries: Rotarian Tami Zawistowski celebrated her birthday today and was brave enough to show up for our melodious birthday sing-around.
Adjournment: Richard Kisiel adjourned the meeting with Tom Sullivan leading “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” as the closing song.
Minutes recorded by Charles Roumas, VP on November, 2017.
Next week’s weekly meeting (Nov 21) will be a Business meeting to inform all members of the clubs progress. The following week (Nov 28) will be a presentation by the Suffield Players on their organization and the status of historic Mapleton Hall.