Morrisville Rotary Club

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

Happy dollars from: Mary ($2), Patti, Davis, Jason, and Tim

Gary needs folks to drop off their silent auction items to Harvey’s (County Oil) to either Debbie or Jaye right away. The latest information on numbers is 40. Last year it was about 65. He needs some help setting up tables at 2:30. Tim said he’d come up and help. Gary said that Karen will man the door.

Gary updated the membership on the handicapped ramp. He said that Tom O’Brien helped him the other day. It needs a bit more work and will be ready to set up.

Polar Plunge. Tim said he heard that Habitat isn’t yet ready for funds so thought we should support transitional housing (United Way). There was discussion about Habitat and whether or not they might need to money to help them organize, versus run their programs. It was discussed that start up money would be a good use of Rotary Funds. Tim is going to do some more checking on their status by talking to their board members. He will get back to us.

Marcia said that Cambridge netted $1500 in citrus sales.

Dr. Phil said that Stephanie Lockhart, who has the Spanish Horse Protection Program on Rte 15, wrote a letter asking for donations. He will pass it on to Susan.

Ted explained to the members that we needed a new updated Corporate Resolution of Authority and to approve Ted as a co-signer with Jason since James is no longer active. He then gave an update on the accounts:

1. General Fund: This is where dues, fund raising, etc. goes. It is used for funding projects. Currently, minus obligations, there is approximately $1900 in it.
2. James Gregg Memorial Fund. This is an old account that Rotary was given to use the proceeds for supporting libraries in the region. The market has not be good in recent years so there have been negligible proceeds to disburse. It only has about $1200 in it. The account is more trouble maintaining than it is worth. Ted would like to make a motion to close this account and divide the money equally between the local libraries. Marcia seconded the motion. Gary asked if there was a paper trail on James Gregg’s wishes. Ted said they cannot find any and that they were probably destroyed in the Charlemont Fire that took most of Rotary’s records years ago. Dr. Phil noted that Mr. Gregg was an English Teacher at Peoples Academy. He said that this seems in keeping with his wishes to support the libraries. The vote was unanimous.
3. Cash Management Account. This account has $1200-1300. It was created when the club had some additional funds coming in through the sale of an antique car. He suggested that we close this account and move it to the General Fund.
4. Club Account. This account has almost $7000 in it and is where the 50/50 money, extra $1 on meals, etc. is deposited. The purpose of this account is specifically for club use on itself. Paul Harris matching funds come from this, and Ted suggested we pay for past for guests for the Christmas Party from it. Gary made the motion to pay for invited guests with any party profits to be deposited into the General Fund. Sharon seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

Youth Exchange. Ted explained the situation with Antoine. Antoine tried out GMTCC’s Culinary Program on Friday and will go back Tuesday and try the Multimedia Program. Ted is also looking for a more urban host family, perhaps in Morrisville so Antoine can have more freedom. It might not work out and Antoine would go home.

Next year’s selection has been completed, Emma Masi was selected. The other candidate, Oliver Ames, is still very interested and offered to fund raise the additional club expense that would be required to have 2 students study abroad. In the mean time, Chuck in Cambridge said that they did not have a student and would interview Oliver and see if they can support him.

Meeting adjourned at 1:00

Minutes submitted by Patti Coultas.