Morrisville Rotary Club

Present: Mary Metcalf, Sharon Menard, Bruce Shields, Marc Sinow, Tim Sargent, Phil Chiaravalle, Susan Bartlett, Jim Mahoney, Davis Koier, Ted Lambert, Deanna Wood, Gary Nolan, Linda Martin, Patti Coultas, and Marcia Marble

Guests: Stephanie Lockhart (Guest Speaker) and Chuck Hogan (Cambridge Rotary)

Happy dollars: Sharon $5; Gary, Davis, Susan $5, Jim,

Fines: Jason (to be paid when he returns). Chuck, for attempting to levy a fine against Jim for not wearing his name tag (it was on his jacket, which he removed to eat). The fine was voted down, Chuck paid $1.

Linda explained that Marci Henderson’s mom died Wednesday and Saturday evening Marci was taken to the hospital where she remains in intensive care. A card was passed around for her.

Susan showed the members a sampling of books brought over by Mary West to show how the Rotary grant was spent on children’s books. Each book has a note in the front saying it was purchased with a grant from Rotary.

Tim updated folks on the Polar Plunge, and Friday night registration event. Please park at the Elmore Methodist Church to be out of the way for plungers. Peter Wilder will take photos for us. Marcia suggested folks wear their Rotary Jackets over their winter coats. Deanna suggested folks raise $125 to not jump. Tim still needs judges and someone to keep folks in order. Susan and Mary Metcalf volunteered. Patti showed off the T-shirts and suggested everyone buy one to wear. Tim said he went to the Cambridge and Stowe Rotaries to invite them to participate. Chuck said it is the same day as the district meeting so cannot attend.

Tim said that when he was in Cambridge he thought that a breakfast meeting might also work better for more folks to join. He suggested we think about moving our meetings to before work. Susan said it would be on a future agenda.

Dr. Phil introduced Stephanie Lockhart from the Center for Colonial Spanish Horse Preservation. Stephanie explained how she got involved with these horses, which are the original horses that were brought to North America by the Spanish. She said that the history is rich as they changed Native American culture, and were the horses that were used by the cowboys, ranchers, and even the pony express. There are around 3000 in the world now and there are only about 120 good quality studs. She is working on becoming a non-profit so she can apply for grants. Right now the horses (she has about 25) are housed on Route 15 but she is looking into a piece of property in Johnson. She is busy with education, therapeutic sessions, and traveling to events to promote the center and the horses. It costs a lot to keep horses and has about depleted her current resources.

Submitted by Patti Coultas

Minutes

Present: Tim Sargent, Marcia Marble, Patti Coultas, Gary Nolan, Becky Gonyea, Mary Metcalf, Phil Chiaravalle, Marci Henderson, and Davis Koier.

Happy dollars from: Patti, Phil, Davis and Tim

Given the lunch provided and the number of members present, there was discussion about putting the cost of lunch in the dues, perhaps to be paid monthly. Different tiers of membership was discussed, and also members who attend, but do not have lunch (like Davis). Additionally, Tim talked to Hoagies and they did say that we could use the video room, and they would turn off the games. Tim pointed out that there were no windows in the room and did not have the atmosphere of the Stone Grill. Dr. Phil suggested the soup/salad/sandwich spread that we used to have on committee days is sufficient, not the two option hot meal buffet that was provided today. There was concern about food waste, and it was suggested that Mark ask them what the sandwich buffet would cost. No decisions were made.

Tim updated the members on the Polar Plunge. There will be a Friday gathering to encourage folks to register/pay ahead of time. He would like everyone to arrive at about 5, it starts at 5:30. Habitat is providing the food for this event.

He has secured volunteer traffic control and a shuttle between parking and the village. There will not be a tent because it was approximately $1500 without the heat. He said they will cut the ice at 10 and the jump will be at 11. He is hoping that Susan will be the MC with the bullhorn announcing the jumpers. He will need judges for best costume/best team costume.

Membership was discussed with the focus on increasing our numbers. Becky said that we seem to be still figuring out our focus, and defining our committees. Once that is done it might be easier to invite people to join. She said that Cambridge seems to be more active in events. Gary said the District used to send someone to participate occasionally in the meetings to get excited about what is happening on a district and international level. Dr. Phil suggested a tri-Rotary meeting every 3-4 months. He suggested we have a yearly calendar where we plan what is happening. It was also discussed that we go back to everyone contributing a speaker, go alphabetically down the membership and assign each person a date. Dr. Phil suggested a newspaper article letting folks know about the Rotary and what it does.

Minutes submitted by Patti Coultas.

Minutes

Jeff Manosh was the guest of Mark Cattelona

Meeting was held in the back dining area at the Stonegrill Restaurant in Morrisville.

Present: Susan Bartlett, Mark Cattelona, Rebecca Gonyea, Davis Koier, Ted Lambert, Marcia Marble, Mary Metcalf, Gary Nolan, Melvyn Patashnick, Tim Sargent, Marc Sinow, Deanna Wood. 40% attendance.

Happy Dollars from: Marcia, Deanna, Mark Sinow-Nancy is free of cancer!, Becky, Davis, Gary, Mel, Jeff, Susan, Ted, Marci (via Ted) and Tim. Mark C. had a sad dollar. Fine by Tim on Mark C was upheld.

Polar Plunge: Tim: teams are being set up with the expectation of 150 jumpers. All posters have been distributed. Tim is trying for a tent to supplement the Town Hall and School. Discussion that if a tent can be obtained for free that is fine but not to spend a lot of money for one. NO alcohol will need to be stressed.
Shuttle for parking at the State Park and Church Parking lot by Richard Cote.

Mark C. and Patti to talk with Green Mt. Tech regarding food/snacks for Friday night. Music at River Arts for Friday night and Saturday in the Town Hall is set. Saturday-food- coffee and hot chocolate in Town Hall- containers are arranged for. Need extension cords-Gary. NEED basket(?) for collecting donations from spectators on Saturday and person in charge of same. Carpet for hole in ice from Marci? Rope and traffic cones for road and paths, parking signs. TIM to put out volunteer list for Friday, January 29 and Saturday, January 30.

DUES for January 1 until June 30, 2010 can be paid now. $55.00 for the half year.
Check with Ted as to if $55.00 for July 1 to December 31, 2009 were paid.

OFFICER Elections: Ted requested motion to fill/confirm the following officers for the balance of the year:
Motion by Mark C. with second by Mel. Vote: all in favor.
President: Susan Bartlett
1st VP: Tim Sargent
2nd VP: Davis Koier
Secretary: Marcia Marble
Treasurer: Ted Lambert

District and RI membership lists should be accurate at this time.

MEMBERSHIP: Mark C. asked each Rotarian to get the name and address of a prospective member to Mary Metcalf.
She has a welcome letter and Rotary information ready to go! Mark C. also shared that he has called our inactive members and will make more calls to interested folks.

LUNCH: Stonegrill offered a buffet with soup, drink and desert today at a fixed price. Club discussion that if this type of meal continues to include meal cost in dues. This would guarantee the restaurant a minimum number of 15 with a member incentive to come for the fellowship and meeting.

CHRISTMAS DINNER: 65 were planned to attend with 38 present. The difference in cost was paid by the club General account.
WEEKLY RAFFLE: Mel did not draw the winning ticket.
Motion to adjourn by Gary.

SPEAKER FOR JANUARY 18TH AT NOON: CARLA ALEXANDER FROM SPORTS FOR LIFE. BRING A FRIEND WITH YOU NEXT WEEK!!

Minutes submitted by Marcia Marble

Minutes

Present: Susan Bartlett, Tim Sargent, Bruce Shields, Marcia Marble, Mark Cattelona, Patti Coultas, Ted Lambert, Deanna Wood, Gary Nolan, Becky Gonyea, Mary Metcalf, Phil Chiaravalle, Mel Patashnick, Jim Mahoney, and Linda Martin

Happy dollars from: Jason (via Ted), Sharon, Susan, Gary, Bruce, Dr. Phil, Mary, Becky, Mark ($5), Patti, Deanna, Mel, Tim. Fine: Jason via Ted. Tim announced that $18 for happy dollars/fine is a new record: $18

Bradley Food Shelf: $44

Tim updated the members on the Polar Plunge. In 2009 there were 3 teams and 51 jumpers. The next few weeks are crunch time, please get out the word and encourage folks to register. He is working on a tent, coffee and tea. Parking may be an issue. The beach will be open. They jump in by the town hall. The school will be open for changing. Tim had posters for folks to take and distribute.

Deanna said March is literacy month. There are 10 activities that we can participate in to allow Susan to receive the same recognition that Marcia received during her presidency. These must be completed by April 15th.

Ted gave an abbreviated treasurers report. Dues are now due. With only $2000 in the general fund, recruiting for the polar plunge is that much more important. The club account has about $6000 in it.

He said that the lunch cost calculation will change because we are not paying enough each week. From now on the price will be rounded up, then $4 will be added to that price ($3 to cover drink and tip, and $1 for the club account).

The location of the meetings was discussed. Hoagies had good food but the location did not really work. Tim will contact them and see if they will allow us to use the larger room (game room). Mark will contact the Stone Grill and see if we can go back to a buffet (having lunch ordered and delivered late doesn’t work). Bruce suggested the cost of lunches be included in the membership fee (i.e. if a standard buffet is selected so the cost is known).

Gary updated the members on the handicapped ramp for Eugene Boivin. The front ramp is installed. The back ramp will be installed once the weather improves. He is very thankful.

Mark made the motion to adjourn, Patti seconded it. The vote was unanimous.

Minutes submitted by Patti Coultas.

Minutes