Morrisville Rotary Club

Present: Tim Sargent, Marcia Marble, Patti Coultas, Ted Lambert, Gary Nolan, Mary Metcalf, Phil Chiaravalle, Mel Patashnick, Jim Mahoney, Sharon Menard, Jason McArthur, Davis Koier, and Rich Furlong.

Guest: Dave Rubel, SBDC, from the Montpelier Rotary Club.

Happy dollars from: Tim ($2), Mel ($2), Dr. Phil, Jim, Patti, Gary ($5), Marcia, Davis and Jason.

Tim explained that Susan had an unexpected meeting she had to attend and our guest speaker called to cancel because of illness.

Jason gave a Polar Plunge financial report. Jason made a motion to increase the amount to Habitat for Humanity to $6000. Jim seconded the motion. It was passed unanimously.

Tim shared a fundraising idea he got from the Rotarian. We would hold a Dancing with Lamoille Valley All Stars. We would find 5-6 “stars” and charge a plate fee as an entrance. There could be wagering on the star that would win too. Tim suggested this could be in October, perhaps a harvest theme. There was a fun discussion about who would dance, and it was suggested Mel should. Mel gave another happy dollar for this club depending on his dancing ability!

Marcia asked for a motion for $25 to send as a memorial for Lester Anderson, former Morrisville Rotary President. The motion was expanded to include $1250 approved by committee for the Girl Scouts, Hospital, Morristown Recreation Committee, and the Spanish Horse Preservation. Marcia made the motion and Jim seconded it. The motion passed unanimously.

There was discussion about the RYLA program (Rotary Youth Leadership Award). We did not award one last year. It was decided to invite all schools in the region to participate and make a decision based on applications.

Ted reminded members that we had talked about the Grieg fund. In the past when the fund was making money, we were able to give interest to a local library. Now that interest rates are low, Ted suggests that we close the account and distribute the money to a library or more in the area. Dr. Phil said that he had heard that it was started as a fund for Peoples Academy. Ted asked Dr. Phil to see what he could find out. Jim said that he has never seen anything formal about this fund, that it was informally set up, and that the state also has made it easier for organizations to dispose of small funds that are not growing.

Ted also asked the members to consider using the funds that would have been used for our incoming exchange student for Andrew Calderwood, who is the student who went out on an exchange. He had to change districts and lost his support from the local club. Mary made the motion and Mel seconded it. The motion passed unanimously.

Marcia let the members know that Chris McDonnell’s Eagle Scout Ceremony will be held on March 14 at 4 pm at the VFW. We are all invited.

Gary chose a new card to be the card we will be looking for in the lottery. It will be a 4 of hearts. The ticket was then drawn, and Gary had the ticket. Tim shuffled the deck and Gary then drew the 4 of hearts! He won $12.

Minutes submitted by Patti Coultas.