Norwich Rotary Club
June 29th, 2022
Location-Bella Fiore
THE RONE – CHANGE OF COMMAND CEREMONY!
Presiding: Mike Cooney-Master of Ceremonies
Invocation: Rodney Green
Welcome & Introductions of guests:
Mike Cooney opened the meeting welcoming the following guests. 7980 Assistant District Governor-Kevin Reich, Barbara Crouch, Roz Etra, Paula Turley-President & State Director of the Eastern Connecticut Association of Realtors and Aviana Lozano.
Mike Cooney asked all Past Presidents and Paul Harris Fellows to stand and be recognized. Mike presented Andy Nollman with a Paul Harris Fellow that designated him a Paul Harris Fellow +3. Mike also gave some history of the club throughout its 100 plus years that included the fact that Rotary International founder Paul Harris visited the Norwich Rotary Club in 1922!
Happy Dollars: – Jen Granger
*Jen gave in honor of outgoing President Andy Nollman & incoming President Susy Hurlbert. She also gave for UCFS celebrating Pride Month and she was wearing the rainbow colored mask from UCFS.
*Andy Nollman gave $20.00 for becoming “Immediate Past President!”
*Kathryn Tracey was sorry that the Yankees lost over the past weekend but she still had a great time at Yankee Stadium! She also had a good time at the “Music That Matter” event that benefited Madonna Place.
*Susy Hurlbert also attended the “Music That Matters” event and had a wonderful time. She gave $20.00 for the Downton Abbey event that the Woman’s City Club hosted and the “Meet the Author” event that the Otis Library hosted. She said if it was not for her involvement in Rotary she would not have been exposed to great events like the ones mentioned.
*Roz Etra reminded the club that the Safe Futures Golf Tournament will be July 28th. She also had hand wipes that the Haitian Health Foundation could not use and they are free to anyone who could use them. She also said that she and Joel visited their family in Philly and enjoyed seeing them.
*Stan Lucas gave $20.00 to congratulate Andy on a great year and to wish Susy a good year coming up. He also was grateful to a fellow Rotarian who helped sell his office building. His 14 year old grandson Sasha was helping him clean this out and it was his first job where he’s earning some money!
*Molly Bruno was away on vacation and had a wonderful week away. She also thanked Andy for his year as President and wished Susy well for her year to come and thanked Susy for all the support she has given her.
*Andy Grant wished Andy well as outgoing President and thanked his for his hard work. He wishes Susy well for her year coming up. He also said he is enjoying playing Pickleball.
*Rodney Green gave $5.00 to thank Andy for a great year and wish Susy well. He also thanked Mary Richardson for all she does for the club. The last two bucks were for what the price of a dozen eggs are going for at the present time!
*Kevin Reich had happy dollars to announce that he has been Assistant District Governor for the past 4 years and someone has stepped up and relieved him of that position at long last! Kevin related how much he enjoyed working with the Norwich Rotary Club over the past few years and he’ll still be around to help anytime! He especially enjoyed working with the leaders of our club throughout his tenure as ADG. He’ll still play in our golf tournament!
*Mike Matera gave to thank Andy, Susy and Mary for all they have done for the club.
*Barry Shead thanked Andy, Susy and Mary for all they have done. He also had a nice time in Maine visiting family.
*Jeff Bruning welcomed Kevin Reich to the meeting. His son also is earning money mowing lawns and his softball season has ended which means he can finally launch his sailboat and start sailing for the summer!
*Gary Young gave money for Andy, Susy, Joel and Molly Bruno for the excellent cupcakes. Gary then auctioned off a 1988 letter signed by former Red Sox great Dwight Evans. Andy Grant was the winner at $15.00.
*Renee Pernell thanked Andy for his year and wished Susy a great year to come.
*Barbara Crouch had $20.00 in honor of her 20th Wedding Anniversary.
*Terry Congdon gave kudos to Andy and Susy and reminded all that this weekend is the Art Show in Niantic and she will be displaying her works there and looked forward to seeing everyone there.
*Mike Cooney gave to thank Andy, Susy and ADG Kevin for all their hard work. He was also glad to see Joel. His son Matt is at Baseball camp!
Installation Ceremonies:
Mike Cooney called up Andrew Nollman and Susy Hurlbert to begin the Change of Command. Susy thanked Andrew for his year and said she first met him when he was Chairman of the Board of the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce. She presented Andy with a facsimile of a etched whisky decanter he’ll be receiving to honor his year as president of the club. Andy addressed the club and first off thanked ADG Kevin for his years of service to Rotary. Thunderous applause followed. Andy then thanked all in attendance and said it was a good year in spite of an uneasy start. He was happy to clean up and update the club reports. There was a net gain of 4 new members at resulted in a 10% gain overall which is pretty good and will continue to grow with everyone efforts. He was proud of all the club projects that were accomplished over the past year featuring the Winter Coat project and he thanked Rodney for his very hard work. The Dictionary Project benefited 2 grades this year due to Covid cancelling the prior year. He thanked Jen Granger for her leading that project. There was an International Project the club partnered with along with the Stonington Club that supplied computers in Zambia. The No Show Gala was a success thanks to Mike Cooney and his pet project Whisky and Cigar Night was a huge success! Andy thanked everyone for support throughout his year as President, but singled out Mary Richardson for her help. He reminded that there is still much to do moving forward and members need to “Step Up” and take on leadership roles. He wished Susy well and is certain she will do a great job! He was proud of the fact that the club is in much better shape a year later.
Barry Shead presented the new slate of Officers and Board Members for the 2022-2023 year.
Officers:
President: Susy Hurlbert
President Elect: Mary Richardson
Treasurer: Kathryn Tracey
Secretary: Jennifer Granger
Immediate Past President: Andrew Nollman
Board Members:
2020-2023
Bob Farwell
Bill Champagne
2021-2023
Suki Lagrito
Erin Gizio
2022-2025
Nancy Gentes
Bonnie Johnson
Terry Congdon
Mary Richardson
Barry administered the oath of office to both Officers and Board Members and congratulated all and wished them well for the new Rotary year.
President Susy Hurlbert was presented a bouquet of flowers from Paula Turley! She then addressed the club first thanking everyone for attending and saying that Rotary has really become her church since she has been a member. She recognized former Norwich Rotarian John Bulduc for introducing her to Rotary. She said she is excited to serve in the role as President and thanked Andy for his good year and all his support making sure she started off on the right foot. Susy then presented Andy with a book from her and her dog Sasha that has antidotes of life from a dog’s perspective. She is excited to serve as President in the same year as the first female Rotary International President Jennifer Jones. Susy said she plans on continuing growing the club membership and working alongside the Rotary Community Corps and the Norwich Sunrise Club with projects. She would like to see a Rotary Clock installed in the Norwich Community in the upcoming year as well as a Kindness Garden, working with Habitat for Humanity with housing projects and hopefully seeing the Rotary Carnival return once again.
Mike Cooney led the club with the 4-Way Test and the meeting was adjourned at 1:25pm
Respectfully submitted,
Bob Reed – RONE Reporter