Club Meeting September 8, 2015

The meeting was opened by Jay Pressor who lead the membership in the reciting of the Rotary Four-Way Test and singing "God Bless America."  Scott Seabury gave the invocation.

 

Jay made the following announcements:

Guest and Guest Speaker: Jay introduced Karen Berasi.  Karen is a native Ohian.  She received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the Ohio University.  Karen relocated to Connecticut in 1989 to join the faculty at the University of Connecticut's Communication Department. Karen has many years of experience in public education.  Prior to her last appointment as the Assistant Superintendent of Special Services for the Ridgefield Public Schools, Karen was the Director of Pupil Personnel Services in Suffield.

 

In her remarks, Karen commented that growing up in Ohio she was dominated by steel, football, and the Mob. Not intrigued by any of the three, she decided to move on.  Karen has moved into Suffield.  She believes that the district is better than most people realize, but she wants to work the talented staff to move the district forward.

 

Karen does not believe in limitations.  She grew iup in a home where mom didn't speak English and a Dad who joined the service but did not graduate high school.  However, they had successful lives raising two other siblings.  One brother is a doctor and the other is a successful businessman.   She believes in many roads to success and wants to prepare students for life and instill in them the importance of kindness and morality.  She wants students to have the emotional and social skills to be "life ready"  both academically and socially.

 

Birthdays this week included Tom Sullivan, Jay Pressor, and Gail Handley

 

Blue Ticket Raffle Winners: Linda Seabury, Sides were Karen Berasi (donated back to club),. side #2 not claimed.

 

Queen of Hearts: Scott Seabury did not draw the lucky card.

 

Jay adjourned the meeting with the singing of "America."