Morrisville Rotary Club

Present: Susan Bartlett, Becky Gonyea, Marcia Marble, Patti Coultas, Jason McArthur, Davis Koier, Ted Lambert, Sharon Menard, Gary Nolan, Tim Sargent, Mary Metcalf, Phil Chiaravalle, Marci Henderson, Linda Martin, Deanna Wood and Rich Furlong..

Guest: Doug Wells, owner of The Solar Specialists of Morrisville

Happy dollars from: Marcia M., Deanna ($3), Becky ($2), Patti, Sharon, Jason, Gary, Marcia H., and Tim

Gary needs a head count for the holiday dinner party for the caterer. Please let him know.

Lunch next week will be at Hoagie’s. Tim and Deanna thought it would be a good idea to try it out before a decision is made to change our location from the Stone Grill. Tim said he would confirm with Hoagie’s and Susan said she would let the Stone Grill know we aren’t coming.

Guest: Doug Wells, owner of The Solar Specialists in Morrisville. www.thesolarspecialists.com

Doug talked about different types of solar systems, why people put them in, and the state and federal incentives to putting in renewable systems. He said he can give you a rough idea of what your site would require/cost if you contact him using the “forms and downloads” tab on the website.

Minutes submitted by Patti Coultas.

Minutes

Present: Ted Lambert, Linda Martin, Bruce Shields, Marcia Marble, Jason McArthur, Davis Koier, Sharon Menard, Gary Nolan, Mary Metcalf, Mel Patashnick, and Tim Sargent.

Guest: Peter Ingvoldstad from the Lamoille County Mentoring Partnership.

Happy dollars: included several for the fine weather that we have been having.

President Elect: Tim Sargent called the meeting to order and asked for items for discussion:
Ted reported that the Youth Exchange Interviews are next Monday at 4:30PM. His committee welcomes others to join as they meet with at least 3 area youths.

Holiday Party: Gary reviewed that we have two caterer bids: Bruce Burnor at $20/person and Hoagies at $24.99/person.
Motion by Mary to accept Bruce Burnor’s bid, 2nd by Marcia. Vote: all in favor. December 11th at 6:00pm meet at the Morrisville VFW. Cost is $30/person. All past Club Presidents and Paul Harris Fellows are welcomed with family and friends! Drop off your two silent auction items at Ken Harvey’s County Oil soon.

Gary: Handicapped Ramp Project: Motion by Linda to provide $200.00 towards the materials. 2nd by Ted. Vote: approved. Money to come from Community Service.
Turkey Drive: Marcia made the motion to take the $100.00 not used at the Hardwick Hall’s Market and divide it between the four area Food Shelves: Johnson, Bradley, Food Share, and Hardwick for produce, etc. 2nd by Ted. Vote: approved.
Possible change in meeting site: Deanna had received a proposal from Hoagies which was shared with the club and is a buffet at $10.00 per person. Discussion to consider meeting at Hoagies on December 7th to view the meeting space and food. Tim to look into this.

Speaker: Peter shared that the Mentoring Partnership started in 2001 by past Lamoille North Superintendent Terry Bailey in response to the high level of incarcerated parents and the lack of a positive role model for too many Lamoille Valley youth. The hope was and still is to lessen the VT prison population who cost the tax payers $48,000/year for a male and $80,000 per year for a female to be behind prison bars.

Children of all ages need mentors with the focus on those with parents who have no high school diploma and those youth who display out of control behaviors. There are 200-600 area youth who would benefit from having a Mentor.

Peter came into this Director position just 8 weeks ago when Sharon Fortune left but he has mentored a teen for 2 years. While he and his youth are community based, most mentoring situations are within the area schools either during school hours or in after school programs.
Peter also shared some of the reasons why too many of us are Mentors Dodgers!
80% of Vt. prisons are filled with men and most Mentors at this time are women. He also offered that one can support Mentoring financially if they cannot spare an hour or two each week.

Mentors are Friends
–help with academics
–engage the youth in shared interests/hobbies/learning to cook.

Peter shared with the club a sign up sheet for new mentors or to be added to the emailed Mentoring Newsletter.

Contact Peter by email at LVMP@pshift.com or by cell phone at 802-793-7210

Submitted by Marcia Marble

Minutes

Present: Susan Bartlett, Becky Gonyea, Marcia Marble, Patti Coultas, Jason McArthur, Davis Koier, Ted Lambert, Sharon Menard, Gary Nolan, Tim Sargent, Mary Metcalf, Melvyn Patashnick, Phil Chiaravalle, and Jim Mahoney.

Guest: Michael Wickenden, Grant Administrator for Efficiency Vermont

Happy dollars from: Mel (optimistic $1 about next week’s joke), Gary, Jim< Susan, Dr. Phil, Davis, Marcia, Ted, Sharon, Jason, Tim (sad for Patriot’s loss), and Mel again since he didn’t have to wait until next week to hear a better joke.

Gary informed us that he had received another quote for catering for the Holiday Party. This one from Hoagie’s Restaurant. $24.99/pp before tax & gratuity. Uncle Bill’s was for $20/pp before tax and gratuity. It was decided that the members would vote on this next week.

Tim said the Polar Plunge is Jan 30th and Friday the 29th we have River Arts from 5:30- 7:30 for people to register and come have a good time before the plunge. Our team is Tim, Jason, Davis and need to have one more. There was some discussion about auctioning an opt out pass. Tim said he needs some help now with marketing (Jim volunteered) and also registrations and money (Patti volunteered).

Marcia said she heard on WLVB that they are doing the turkey drive again this year. Last year we donated $100 to each Price Chopper, Hannafords, and Hall’s Market in Hardwick. Jim made the motion to donate the same amount this year, from the Club Account, and Marcia seconded it. The motion passed unanimously. Marcia said she would take the Price Chopper and Hannaford’s checks, Patti said she would take Hall’s.

Ted said there are 4 students interested in the exchange program. He is looking for volunteers to help interview them. Patti, Phil Grant, Sharon and Davis all volunteered to help Ted with this.

Susan said she received information about the speech contest in January. Mary commented that this is very short notice for students and doesn’t think we’d have any interest. It was decided that we would not participate this year.

Michael Wickenden told us about how the efficiency program is run and contracted in Vermont by creating in essence a non-profit non-utility. Vermont is leading the nation in per capita investment in efficiency. He explained how this benefits Vermonters.
• See the handout he distributed for more information.

Minutes submitted by Patti Coultas.

Minutes

Present: Susan Bartlett, Becky Gonyea, Marcia Marble, Patti Coultas, Jason McArthur, Davis Koier, Ted Lambert, Sharon Menard, Gary Nolan, Tim Sargent, Mary Metcalf, Melvyn Patashnick, Karen Lynch, Phil Chiaravalle, and Bruce Shields.

Guests: David Hallquist, CEO of Vermont Electric Coop and Antoine Godeaux

Happy dollars from: Patti Coultas, Gary Nolan, Sharon Menard, Phil Chiaravalle, Davis Koier, Bruce Shields, Becky Gonyea, Karen Lynch (1 happy, 1 sad), Susan Bartlett, Melvyn Patashnick, Tim Sargent (sad).

Sharon had a $20 donation from someone at the coat drive. It was decided to give it to the Troop Operation Holiday Homecoming that we are supporting.

Gary let everyone know that Trim Conklin passed away this past weekend.

Marcia gave an update on the coat drive. The coats and racks have been removed from the Crosby Center. Saturday there were again 20-25 people at the door when it opened. There are approximately 100 coats remaining. Karen is taking them to Salvation Army. We gave away approximately 860 coats. The socks were all distributed, all but 3 scarves were. There were 3 ads in the News and Citizen and Transcript. Brad Limoge donated the ads worth $164. Only expense was paying for copying the posters, $92. Dr. Phil suggested that we donate $100 to thank the Church for their roof fund. Marcia made the motion, Dr. Phil seconded it, the motion was unanimously approved.

Holiday Dinner update. Gary said that he only got one proposal for catering, from Eden Mini Mart. It is a typical menu, but $5 less expensive than usual ($20 per person). We should charge $30 per person to help offset those guests we are paying for: perspective members, past presidents (they can choose to pay), Paul Harris awardees. Marcia reminded us that we needed to invite Mary West, daughter and granddaughter. Susan will call them. Karen asked about making center pieces. Linda Martin said she would help. Marcia said she would call about the greenery. Gary said some people are needed to show up at 2:30-3 to set up.

Dr. Phil announced that Out and About is having their pie sale again. He is happy to take orders and we can pay when we pick them up (Nov. 24/25 at Out and About).
Apple, Pumpkin and Pecan are $14
Chocolate Pecan and sugar-free pumpkin are $16
Talk to Dr. Phil for more information or to order.

Marcia said she stopped by Rudy’s and he has 2 ladders out for adjusting the banners. He needs help if someone can stop by and give him assistance.

Tim welcomed and introduced Dave Hallquist, CEO of Vermont Electric Coop.

Dave talked about the energy as being the most important economic issue today. He said was are entering the age of efficiency. He explained efficiency of the generation and movement of electricity and the capacity limitation situation, by 2013 our capacity will be incapable of supplying the energy demand.

Dave suggested that biomass cogeneration is a efficient option. He is talking with Copley Hospital about this option (getting electricity from the heat that typically goes up the stack and is wasted).

He said there is no magic solution to efficiency and developing alternative sources than oil. He said there has to be a combination of sources, from consumer efficiencies to updated powerlines, to nuclear and new products, such as electric vehicles.

Dave said that Vermont Electric Coop is a leader nationally on smart grids. They are only 1 of 2 companies in the country utilizing a smart grid system. The point is to use electricity when it is cheaper (not during peak times). The smart system can control this, as well as using appliances that can communicate with the department.

They are also partnering with Casella to develop a gasifier system to burn waste into gas that then generates electricity. This will be at the Coventry landfill.

They are working to develop a wind farm on the Lowell ridgeline.

Dave talked about jobs that are created as a result of energy generation. There are 5 jobs for every megawatt. So 650 megawatts create 3250 jobs.

Minutes submitted by Patti Coultas

Next Week’s Speaker: Mike Wickenden., who oversees the entire Efficiency Vermont contract.

Note: As a response to a question, Tim emailed out the following on 11/10/09:

Dear Rotarians:

This year’s Polar Plunge will take place on Saturday, January 30, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. We will also hold a registration/social on the Friday evening prior to the plunge date (Probably 5:30 to 7:30). The place is yet to be determined (but I’m hoping for the River Arts building). We will accept registrations/money at the social.

I will probably enlist 2 or 3 folks to help in preparation of the main event in the coming weeks. Much is already known from last year’s plunge… so it will be easier to organize than last year’s event. Whom to benefit you might ask? Well, there is “Habitat for Humanity” which is just beginning to spread it’s wings right here in the County and I figure if we donate half the proceeds to this outfit (and retain the rest for whatever else we spend money on) it would be great! The club is likely to get a lot of exposure from this.

As a side, we can probably “Auction” off a spot on the Rotary Plunge team at this year’s Christmas Dinner Party/Auction as a fun way to raise money. I’ll be more than happy to try and get money out of someone during this time… and enlist someone who wouldn’t jump otherwise.

Already committed to this year’s team…Tim Sargent, Jason McArthur, ???

We eagerly await your response!

Thank you again in advance for everyone’s support… and pack on the calories for January!

Tim

Minutes

Present: Susan Bartlett, Becky Gonyea, Marcia Marble, Patti Coultas, Jason McArthur, Davis Koier, Ted Lambert, Sharon Menard, Gary Nolan, Phil Grant, Tim Sargent, Mary Metcalf, and Melvyn Patashnick

Happy dollars from: Susan Bartlett, Sharon Menard, Melvyn Patashnick, Ted Lambert, Phil Grant, Davis Koier, Becky Gonyea

Susan introduced a new Committee Structure more in line with the rest of Rotary:

1. Foundation: PR, Membership, Administration
2. Service: Vocational, Education and Community Service
3. International: Rotary Grants and Youth Exchange

Susan had divided us into committees to sit together.

Susan went over our revenue: With approximately $3500 from the duck race and $9000 from the polar plunge, gives us $14,000 to work with. About $3300 is already allocated, which leaves about $10,000 to divide evenly between the Service and International committees.

The question is how to spend the money.

• Scholarships: 1 big or 3 small?
• Coat Drive: $400
• Literacy Dictionary: $735
• Exchange Student: $1700
• Small Local Grants
• Large Project – Habitat was discussed briefly.
• Paul Harris Foundation $1000
• Polio Plus $500
• Water Project $500
• Dues (Pay $110, cost is $140)
• Past President’s Choice $500
• Ramps for those in need. Gary said that they are working on one now and we’ll pay for half the material, and the VFW will pay the other half. There was discussion around getting assistance from GMTCC’s Pre-Tech or Construction programs.
• Guards members home for the holidays was discussed. They are raising money to help folks who cannot afford the ticket home by leasing a plane. $300,000 for about 700 is about $500 each. Mel made the motion to contribute $500. Marcia seconded it. The motion passed unanimously. There was discussion on raising more through individual contributions. Susan suggested folks tell everyone to make checks out to the Morrisville Rotary and then we’d write one check to them. She will send more information via email.

Editor’s Note. The next part is more information sent by Susan Monday night.

Today at Rotary we talked about Operation Holiday Homecoming that is being done to get our guard folks home for the holidays.  The cost is $315,000 and the plan is to charter a plane  that makes it more affordable   we figure the cost is about $500 per guard member.   We voted to donate $500 from the club, one person and then to raise money from ourselves or others to see if we can match that $500.    Folks who would like to contribute can make the checks to the Morrisville Rotary and we will send one large check to the charity that is for the guards.  The website is www.supportvermontguard.org     If you write a check, put Operation Holiday Homecoming on it    it doesn’t matter the size of the check, it will all add up to getting them all home.  Just bring the checks to the next meeting  Thanks Susan

Polar Plunge update: Tim said the tentative date is the last weekend in January. He suggested we meet Friday night to have a preregistration party to collect money ahead of time and reduce the amount of work on the day of the plunge. He suggested ½ the money this year go to Habitat if it is up and running. Marcia suggested that targeting a program helps garner community support.

Holiday Party. Gary is working on caterers.

Marcia’s Past-President fund: She talked with Ruty and the Eagle Scout, Chris McDonald, is almost to his goal and she is going to use $230 of her money to help him meet his goal.

Submitted by Patti Coultas

Minutes