Club Meeting- Oct 11, 2016

 

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 club singing of “God Bless America”.

 

Members Present: Gayle Demko, Jed Dery, Frank DiGennaro, Guy Fortunato, Jackie Guzie, Greg Heineman, Richard Kisiel, Robert Lowell, Clark Mason, Karen Mason, Don Miner, Jack Muska, Paul Pace, Ray Perleoni, Charles Roumas, Scott Seabury, Gordon Stagg, Thomas Sullivan, and Nancy Viggiano (19/35  54%).  

 

Guests: Natalie Donais-former Windsor Rotarian & prospect sponsored by Bob Lowell; Jon Kozloski- prospect sponsored by Jackie Guzie; Ed Walsh- prospect sponsored by Jay Presser; speaker Giancarlo Isotti and his mother Tina De Palma; speaker Caelie Flanagan and her parents Scott and Gina Flanagan.

 

Announcements: Jackie Guzie made a final reminder to members that the regular meeting on October 18  is being replaced by the Steak and Lobster Dinner at the Fox Hollow Gun Club. Also importantly, all planned attendees and their orders specifically for Lobsters should already be received and paid for.

 

Program: Guy Fortunato proudly introduced the Suffield Rotary Club’s selections of Student of the Month for September – Caelie Flanagan and October- Giancarlo Isotti. Guy stated, as a teacher at SHS, that these two young adults are inspirations. “They drive what we do…get us out of the bed in the morning and energize our batteries to be better teachers”. 

 

Our September selection, Caelie Flanagan, began her remarks bypassing her impressive resume to modestly thank our membership and share a few special experiences which helped her redefine what community is all about and her place in it. Her love of musical theater (her college pursuit) originated from the Man of La Mancha, which she considered a beautiful expression allowing her to speak for those who can’t speak for themselves. Secondly, her Bertie Green Award, a ten day trip to Ecuador allowed her to make impactful connections at an orphanage showing her there is beauty even in a place of sadness. Caelie closed her remarks with a song reminding us of the power of the human spirit.

 

Our October selection, Giancarlo Isotti, reminded us of the value of youthful leadership and input that can have broad reaching impact. As the student representative to the Suffield Board of Education, and also an advisor to the CT Commissioner of Education, and our Governor, Giancarlo provides a monthly frame of reference for all officials making decisions on the quality of our education and its policies. His words, humility, and behavior of positive influence have resulted in respect from all stakeholders in the process (his fellow students, their parents, teachers, administrators, and state officials). A member of SHS Interact, our Rotary club’s youth group, he plans to pursue political science and/or business.

The Suffield Rotary Club was highly impressed and thankful that Caelie and Giancarlo represent the hopeful energy and service orientation of this next generation.

 

Birthdays and Anniversaries: Charles Roumas was treated to the unique version of the Happy Birthday song by the membership.

 

Blue Ticket Winners:  Natalie Donais had the winning blue ticket, with sides won by Karen Mason and Tom Sullivan.

 

Queen of Hearts:  As proxies for Ken Pascoe (Ken on Rotary make-up business), Paul Pace purchased Ken’s red winning ticket and Ray Perleoni pulled the Queen of Hearts from the deck for him!  Congratulations to Ken Pascoe for winning the pot of $743.

 

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

 

Minutes recorded by Charles Roumas on October 11, 2016.