Rotary Club of Norwich
September 16th, 2020
Location-Courtyard by Marriott
THE RONE
Presiding: President Mary Richardson
Invocation: Gary Young
Fellowship: Susy Hurlbert
Birthdays: Susy Hurlbert! The club sang a somewhat flat, but heartfelt rendition of Happy Birthday!
Anniversaries: None
Visiting Rotarians: 7980 District Governor Ron Webb (via Zoom) & Asst. DG Kevin Reich
Guests: None
Susy’s fellowship started with the definition of “Fellowship” which is “a friendly association, especially with people who share one’s interests.” She followed up with a few interesting facts about events that have happened in the month of September. In 1815 Mexico won their war for independence, in 1987 the Montreal Protocol was drafted to protect the ozone layer, B.B. King was born on this day, Henry Louis Gates was born in 1950, in 1848 the French abolished slavery, and on September 20th, 1973 Billie Jean King defeated a rather outspoken, loudmouthed Bobby Riggs in a highly publicized “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match! Billie cleaned his clock and put him in his place!
Announcements:
*Mary Richardson said the club received a thank you letter from the United Way Food Bank for the $2,000.00 donation for the Norwich Rotary Club.
*The club has applied to the Lord Foundation for assistance for this year’s Winter Coat Drive.
*The school supply drive will continue to January. Please bring Crayola Crayons, Crayola Markers and Ticonderoga Pencils to the weekly meetings for collection.
*If you know of anyone who would be a good speaker at one of our Rotary Meetings contact Bob Farwell or Kevin Wickless. Speakers can be done virtual as well if needed.
*Gary Young thanked all who helped make the golf tournament a success. He will give a report next week on how much the tournament netted.
*Mike Matera reported that the first shipment of coats will arrive on September 22nd.
*The Liberty Bank Thanksgiving Matching $20.00 drive will happen again this year.
*The September 30th meeting will have actual “Goats” visiting in honor of President Mary’s “Goat Drive” to benefit the Haitian Health Foundation.
*The Rotary Park on the harbor flag needs replacing as well as some brush cleanup around that area. Stay tuned for information on addressing this issue.
Happy Dollars: Andy Grant:
Andy started things off with $20.00 for Mary’s goats! Also, Andy had a ski story and said you can get a free soda if you buy your paper supplies from him!
Erin Gizio had a happy dollar for parents that are home schooling their kids! Not easy. She also had a sad dollar as it is the 1st anniversary of her friend and former People’s Bank partner Karen Fatone’s death.
Barry Shead was thrilled to get a call from a State Trooper in Putnam who said he found his I-phone on the side of the road! Still had a charge and worked fine!
Mike Matera reminded everyone that the coats are coming on the 22nd.
Mike Cooney is happy the kids are back in school.
Kathleen Tracy said the BNI is holding a yard sale on Saturday morning September 19th. She is also happy to announce she has started a new job with Eastern Connecticut Savings Bank. She is also selling Mum’s for the Griswold High School’s Graduation Party. $10.00 for the Mum’s!
Gary Young gave 5 happy dollars because he is happy to finally getting a new refrigerator that has been on order for a long time. He also said he and Romer have be working on their 200 year old house and he’s looking for glazing compound for the 200 year old windows that has be made by Elmer’s. Same as the glue people!
Mary Richardson welcomed Assistant District Governor Kevin Reich and for District Governor Ron Webb. She also gave Rodney Green accolades for the fine lunches he is providing the club. She was also happy to see everyone!
Auction: No Auction
Lottery: Rich Pascal
Mary Richardson, & Kevin Wickless (twice) drew cards to no avail! The Ace of Spades is still safe for another week!
Program:
Assistant District Governor of Area 11 Kevin Reich introduced District 7980 District Governor Ron Webb via Zoom. Before Ron started Kevin gave the club credit for meeting in person and being a leader in the District in doing do. He also gave a $100.00 donation for the Golf Tournament. District Governor Ron started by giving thanks to President Mary and the club for being leaders in the district in many areas. DG Ron said that this year has been challenging one to say the least since the pandemic has changed the way Rotary has to conduct business. The District Conference in Mystic was cancelled and all travel has been stopped at least 2021. Most training has to be conducted virtually and the way Rotary conducts business in the future may change as a result. This year’s theme is “Rotary Opens Opportunities.” Rotary still needs to grow the amount of clubs and also needs to grow the amount on “Community Based” Rotoract and Interact clubs. The Foundation Dinner which takes place in November “Rotary Foundation Month” will be held virtually on November 4th at 4pm. Stay tuned for more details. DG Ron also encouraged all Rotarians to register on the RI website and set up the “My Rotary Account” using your RI Membership number that can be found on the mailing label of you Rotarian Magazine. Right now the district has 2000 members with 57 Clubs. The goal is to have 1 million “Rotoractors” by 2022. Wants more Rotoract clubs to start. He would also like every club to commit $1,500.00 to the RI Foundation so the Gates Foundation will match to eradicate POLIO. We’re 99.9 percent there! The 2121 PETS will most likely be virtual in March. In closing he said that Rotary will be changed forever as a result of the pandemic and we will all be doing our work in a different way going forward.
Susy Hurlbert led the club with the 4-Way Test.
President Mary adjourned the meeting at 1:19pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Bob Reed – RONE Reporter