Morrisville Rotary Club

Present: Susan Bartlett, Mark Cattelona, Phil Chiaravalle, Patti Coultas, Rich Furlong, Becky Gonyea, Davis Koier, Ted Lambert, Jim Mahoney, Howard Manosh, Marcia Marble, Sharon Menard, Mary Metcalf, Gary Nolan, Mel Patashnick, Tim Sargent, Bruce Shields, and Deanna Wood

Guests: Don George (CEO, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Vermont); Bob Parson (Manosh Corp.), Todd Wright (Hoagie’s Restaurant), and Nicole Colcogni (Edward Jones)

Happy dollars: Mark, Dr. Phil, Davis, Susan, Ted, Mel, Gary ($2), Bruce, Marcia, Patti, Deanna ($2) and Tim.

Johnson Food Shelf basket: $43

Tim gave a Polar Plunge Report. He said $12,500 had been turned in to date. There may be more still coming in so he will give an updated report next week. There were 77 people who went into the water. This Rotary Club had 5and Stowe had 4-5. Sharon suggested that we have bigger parking signs next year as the side of the bridge was used and the ambulance had a hard time getting through when it had to leave for a call. Habitat did a nice write up about it, and Seven Days has a good video on their web site /YouTube. Tim asked about donations to the Fire Departments. Last year it was $200. Susan thanked Tim for his hard work and he received a round of applause. Marcia gave Patti information that said that last year the donation to United Way was $5,392.17.

Susan introduced Don George, CEO of Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Vermont. He said that BC/BS is a partner that will help the state move health care reform forward.

Don said he became CEO in March 2009. BC/BS is a non-profit with a single state focus. He said in 1993 there were 77 non-profit health insurance companies in the nation and now there are only 39. BC/BS of Vermont is just one of 3 in New England. He said that although there are different (some would say more rigorous) regulations on them compared to for-profit companies, he sees this as an opportunity. They are committed to saying non-profit. He said that current for every $1.00 they receive in premiums, they pay out $0.92; whereas the average is $0.85/$1.00 in premiums collected. They are member/customer focused. They live here, work here, and know many people in the community, or in a story he told, they know a family member. He likes to remind his employees of this. He said that their mission now includes being a partner/instrument in health care reform. Part of their new vision for transformation includes being a partner with the government to find a solution.

Submitted by Patti Coultas