August 17, 2010 Meeting Minutes
Present: Tim Sargent, Jason McArthur, Jim Mahoney, Mark Cattelona, Roy Marble, Marcia Marble, Rich Furlong, Mel Patashnick, Davis Koier, Linda Martin, Deanna Wood, Rudy Loyola, Gary Nolan, Mary Metcalf, Geoffrey Blume, Ted Lambert and Patti Coultas
Guests: District Governor Thompson and wife Fran, Assistant District Governor Roy Somaini, Chuck and Tricia Hogan, Cambridge Rotary
Happy Dollars: Bill, Marcia, Roy, Davis, Deanna ($2), Mary, Patti, Rudy, Gary, Tricia, Chuck, Jim, Tim (sad dollar) and Jason (sad dollar)
Tim. Welcomed everyone and made introductions of guests.
Introduced Roy Somaini, Assistant District Governor and Barre club member first to talk to the club. Roy said he was first in line if he can help the club in any way. Project help included. He came to talk about vocational service. Paul Harris founded Rotary primarily on vocational service. He encouraged members to practice high principles at business. The 4-way test should be used today in business and with fellow employees. It would greatly enhance and improve business. He asked if anyone could state the 4-way test. Jim encouraged Rich to do so, and he did. Rich was rewarded by Roy with maple syrup.
Jim thanked Roy for coming and talking about vocational service. He went on to say that it seems obvious, but it was good to hear. He went on to say that he recognized the huge commitment and work it takes to be Governor and Assistant Governor of the District and that he wanted to thank them for coming.
Tim introduced Bill saying he is visible, accessible and can be counted on.
Bill presented Tim with a Banner for the year.
Bill said he had to retire before he would consider being District Governor. He doesn’t know how they other Governor’s have been able to work too.
Bill explained he wanted to focus on the Rotary Foundation. They goal is EREY…$100 from Every Rotarian Every Year. Now they understand that is not always easy, and are very happy with any contribution, even $10.
He explained that the networking and friendship, fun meetings, is what is important in a club. Service is important, first as a community where projects and accomplishments can be seen to promote support, but then moving into international service is important. The goal this year is “building communities, bridging continents” and that service is seen as local for fellowship, and world for service.
Bill stressed that membership worldwide is down, this is especially true in the US and Canada. He said that our district membership has decreased 10% in the past 5 years. We cannot sustain the work of Rotary with this type of increase, and “business as usual” is not acceptable. We need to stop and recover what we’ve lost then start a steady growth model.
He is holding 3 district conferences to work on it: in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Quebec.
At the club level, he asked each club to appoint a membership chair, but that it is the responsibility of everyone. He challenged each member to bring in one new member this year.
Bill talked about Foundation giving and kicking it up a notch. Rotary is more than a social club. Wear the pin everyday and perhaps that will allow the conversation to open with some folks.
Bill reminded folks that the meeting requirement was lowered to 50% attendance. He said that the internet has good online lessons for make-up , http://www.rotaryeclubone.org/ (note the e after rotary) but that the fellowship of in person meetings is important.
Patti brought up the email we had gotten from the Lamoille Valley Chamber of Commerce, who is collecting items for the local National Guard Members serving in Afghanistan. She said the deadline is Friday and suggested we donate to them. Sponsorships can be purchased for $25. Jason made the motion to give $100. Mary seconded it. The motion was unanimously passed. Jason will take care of getting a check to the Chamber.
Cards: We are looking for an Ace of Hearts. Rudy had the winning ticket. He drew a 3 of Hearts.
The meeting was adjourned.
Minutes submitted by Patti Coultas
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