President Roger Allbee welcomed all to the September 15, 2022 meeting of the Brattleboro Rotary Club www.brattlebororotaryclub.org held at the Ramunto's Restaurant. <ED NOTE: 23 members + 2 guests + 0 Student Rotarians = 25 attended.>.
Introduction of Guests:
Teddy Kramer introduced Michelle Simpson, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club who will be our speaker
Rob Szpila introduced Peter “Fish” Case, here for a fundraising announcement
Greg Worden introduced Jenny Crowell of the Brattleboro Retreat, helping with Brattleboro On Wheels event and a potential member, and Harold Smith, a stalwart supporter of BOW, who plans to bring 3 motorcycles on Saturday
Innovation
Silent.
This was followed by the pledge of allegiance. Birthday greetings - None today. Noted that no one was getting older this week.
ED NOTE: Weekly assignments for the invocation or motivational thought can be found on the club website.>
TRIVIA QUESTION
How many Boys and Girls Clubs are in America ?
(Answer below)
JOKE OF THE WEEK
For our joke of the week:
Roger Allbee read a George Carlin joke that started “If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?” and went punnily downhill from there.
ED NOTE: 2022-23 weekly assignments are posted on the club website.
ROTARY MINUTE
Rotary Minute - Rob Szpila
Was curious about other clubs helping Afghan families, discovered many clubs doing the same things as our club in the same ways throughout the US. Makes him more proud to be a Rotarian.
Anniversaries: Rotary anniversaries - none today.
New Member: None today
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
Faithful Jim announced
Jim’s daughter will speak next week 9/22
Milt Eaton 9/29
Club assembly 10/6
Open from then on, contact Jim
NOTE: 2021-22 weekly assignments, are posted on the club website.
Presentations were made from the following Student Rotarians: None today.
REMINDERS
Please bring your bottles and cans to the Putney Road redemption center to benefit Pure Water for the World. Please remember to inform the staff that the bottles and cans should be credited to the club.
Greg Worden mentioned the Sept 17th Brattleboro on Wheels event at the Retreat Farm.He indicated that help would be needed between 9 am and 2 pm.
Upcoming events
Betsy Gentile has an almost full complement of student Rotarians, will start 1st Thursday in October
Mike Mandracchia reminded us that Brattleboro On Wheels is this Saturday
Fish announced a Barbecue competition Saturday October 8 on the Common: food trucks, beer, grills, trophies. Fundraiser for Black Mountain Assisted Living on Upper Dummerston Road which provides permanent housing for adults with developmental delays
Stan announced our first Groundworks Shelter meal is Wednesday 9/21, need another dessert. October date TBA, trying to sign up for one a month. Soon will be a community service opportunity for Empty Bowls, more info TBA
Bill McKim says Tom French is hoping to leave Thompson House soon and resume Rotary meetings
Stan - Groundworks meals starting in September.
Mike - seeking sponsors for Brattleboro on Wheels - great opportunity!
SAVE THE DATE: SEPTEMBER 17th – Brattleboro on Wheels
BRAGS / HAPPY DOLLARS / Fines
<ED NOTE: Yes, we are keeping track of these happy dollars and brags.
Unless noted, happy dollars and brags are $1>
Maggie’s daughter turning 21
Roger Allbee bragged for Jay Karpin, 98 year old resident of Bradley House who passed away this week.Member of the Greatest Generation, in 8th Air Force in WWII, served in England, flew 39 missions over Germany, was in 1st wave of bombers on D-Day.
PROGRAM
Speaker:
Ted Kramer introduced Michelle Simpson. Michelle spoke about the Boys & Girls Club
They originally hired her as a consultant for planning reopening post COVID shutdown. They held in person programs from July 2020 on. Board then asked her to stay on as Executive Director.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America has 4700 clubs serving 4.5 million children and youth. They help kids meet their potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. They encourage healthy habits, safe choices, social skills, healthy relationships. Safety is a priority.
B&GC in Brattleboro has 15 community partners; their professionals come to the Club so kids get services without cost of camps and other programs. For example, NEYT does theatre workshops. No one is turned away for lack of funds.
30 meals a day through Everyone Eats, 1:9 staff:student ratio
15 grant-funded programs, indoor skate park, music room, computer lab
Teen Center on Flat Street for age 12+, about 500 members
Realized it wasn’t an ideal environment for younger kids, so started…
Kids Club at the Retreat Farm for grades K-5
Licensed after-school care, pick kids up at schools
Licensed for 30 kids, average 20 currently, 90% subsidized
Encourage healthy outdoor actives, no screen time allowed
Both locations provide healthy snacks, homework time and help
New experiences important: Museum visits, Hatch Space teaching woodworking by building skateboards, maple sugaring
Because an antidote to depression is purpose and meaning in life, they get kids involved in community service, being helpful. Distract teens from phones by offering other activities, emphasis on hands-on and creativity.
Focus on kindness and safety; although safety concerns outside of the club on Flat Street are an ongoing issue.
New roof and HVAC being installed next spring.
Fundraiser Going The Distance bike ride will be this Saturday 9/17
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