WELCOME

President George Weir welcomed all to the March 15^th meeting of the Brattleboro Rotary Club held at the Brattleboro Country Club. Cindy Jerome offered the following invocation:

A Blessing for one who holds power

May the gift of leadership awaken in you as a vocation

Keep you mindful of the providence that calls you to serve.

As high over the mountains the eagle spreads its wings,

May your perspective be larger than the view from the foothills.

When the way is flat and dull in times of grey endurance,

May your imagination continue to evoke horizons.

When thirst burns in times of drought,

May you be blessed to find the wells.

May you have the wisdom to read time clearly

And know when the seed of change will flourish.

In your heart may there be a sanctuary

For the stillness where clarity is born.

May your work be infused with passion and creativity

And have the wisdom to balance compassion and challenge.

May your soul find the graciousness

To rise above the fester of small mediocrities.

May your power never become a shell

Wherein your heart would silently atrophy.

May you welcome your own vulnerability

As the ground where healing and truth join.

May integrity of soul be your first ideal,

The source that will guide and bless your work.

John O’Donohue

This was followed by the pledge of allegiance. Birthday greetings were extended to Milt Eaton, Chris Hart and Mike Mandracchia.

As a luncheon of linguine, chicken & vegetable stir fry, vegetable fried rice, spinach salad and chocolate chip cookies for dessert was being digested, the meeting continued.

Guests: Lise Sparrow and members of Brattleboro Area Interfaith Youth Group (speakers).

TRIVIA QUESTION

What type of food did Linda McCartney launch?

(answer below)

SONG OF THE WEEK

For our Rotary song, Mara Williams led us in singing “When Irish Eyes are Smiling.”

ROTARY MINUTE

For our Rotary minute, Steve Gordon, Milt Eaton, and Regina Stefanelli told us about the various Rotary Clubs in which they were members.

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At our March 22nd meeting, Chris Wocell will tell a joke or sing a song while Jenifer Ambler will offer a Rotary Minute.

NOTE: Weekly assignments are posted on club website.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

03/22 – Bill Monahan: “Food Is Medicine”
03/29 – Jim Haine: Community Collaborative for Guilford
04/05 – Adam Grinold: Brattleboro Development Credit Corp.
04/12 – Meg Donahue: Plant-based Diets
04/19 – Club Assembly
04/26 – Wendy Harrison: Southeast Vermont Transit

NOTE: 2017-18 Weekly assignments (program, joke, and Rotary minute) are posted on club’s website.

FINES

Fine proposed for everyone who talked during Regina’s “walk of shame” announcement. FAILED
Fine proposed on George Weir not adequately informing membership of Regina’s “walk of shame” announcement. Defense was that information was found in weekly bulletin. PASSED.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lisa Mendelsund was inducted as the club’s website. Reminder: Don’t forget to introduce yourself to Lisa over the next three weeks to avoid the “walk the shame.”
Regina Stefanelli read off her list and made 15 members take the “walk the shame.”
Members will be asked to vote on the following change to bylaws at the March 29^th club meeting:
1. Background – issue of needing to pay RI and District for dues without a handle on who will not be paying from the membership has led to overpayments to RI and the club absorbing the expense. The proposal below will require members pay 30 days before the RI and District due days to allow time for secretary, treasurer, membership committee to contact non-paying member and react appropriately. This approach coupled with a carefully worded letter to non-paying member stating “that membership will end but with payment,reinstatement is possible” should be very mechanical and efficient leading to less wasted money and time.
2. How By-law is changed: ARTICLE 16 Amendments: These bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting, a quorum being present, by a two-thirds vote of all members present, provided that notice of such proposed amendment shall have been distributed to each member at least ten (10) days before such meeting. No amendment or addition to these bylaws can be made which is not in harmony with the standard Rotary club constitution and with the constitution and bylaws of RI.
3. CURRENT By-law: ARTICLE 6 Fees and Dues- Section 2 – The membership dues shall be determined by the board and shall not be less than $140.00 per annum, payable at least semiannually on the first day of July and of January, with the understanding that a portion of each semiannual payment shall be applied to each member’s subscription to the RI official magazine.
4. PROPOSED change to by-law (proposed changes underlined): ARTICLE 6 Fees and Dues - Section 2 – The membership dues shall be determined by the board and shall not be less than $140.00 per annum, payable at least semiannually on the first day of June and of December, with the understanding that a portion of each semiannual payment shall be applied to each member’s subscription to the RI official magazine. Bills for membership dues will be issued 30 days before their due date.
On March 1, we passed around the hat and raised $700 to help defray the costs of sending Brattleboro’s Isaac Freitas Egan on his quest to win more Nordic skiing championships. Isaac was able to go and win more championships.
The next Seasonal Overflow Shelter meal will be on March 21.

BRAGS

George Weir – for Isaac Freitas Egan’s Nordic skiing accomplishments.
Ron Stahley – for Lise Sparrow’s leadership in training youth.

PROGRAM:

Rob Szpila presented members of Brattleboro Area Interfaith Youth Group who described their trips to Cheyenne River Indian Reservation. For more info, click here.

REMINDERS

Bottles and cans can be brought to Putney Road redemption center to benefit Pure Water for the World. To date, we have collected $300 towards our goal of $500. Please see Mara Williams.

“Like” the club’s Facebook page.

If you like this newsletter, brag at next Club meeting. So far only FIVE members have acknowledged this rag.

Rotary Cares, Episode 5 features Past District Governor Dennis McMann talking about Polio Plus and Brattleboro Rotary Club long-standing members Dart Everett and Phil Steckler discussing Pure Water for the World. To view the show, click here.

This bulletin was respectfully submitted by Past President Martin Cohn who attempts to give a gist of the meeting. However, it is always better to attend. If you have any complaints about the contents of this bulletin....

ANSWER TO TRIVIA QUESTION

Vegetarian Food.