Morrisville Rotary Club

Present: Susan Bartlett, Becky Gonyea, Marcia Marble, Patti Coultas, Jason McArthur, Davis Koier, Ted Lambert, Sharon Menard, Gary Nolan, Phil Grant, Tim Sargent, Mary Metcalf, and Melvyn Patashnick

Happy dollars from: Susan Bartlett, Sharon Menard, Melvyn Patashnick, Ted Lambert, Phil Grant, Davis Koier, Becky Gonyea

Susan introduced a new Committee Structure more in line with the rest of Rotary:

1. Foundation: PR, Membership, Administration
2. Service: Vocational, Education and Community Service
3. International: Rotary Grants and Youth Exchange

Susan had divided us into committees to sit together.

Susan went over our revenue: With approximately $3500 from the duck race and $9000 from the polar plunge, gives us $14,000 to work with. About $3300 is already allocated, which leaves about $10,000 to divide evenly between the Service and International committees.

The question is how to spend the money.

• Scholarships: 1 big or 3 small?
• Coat Drive: $400
• Literacy Dictionary: $735
• Exchange Student: $1700
• Small Local Grants
• Large Project – Habitat was discussed briefly.
• Paul Harris Foundation $1000
• Polio Plus $500
• Water Project $500
• Dues (Pay $110, cost is $140)
• Past President’s Choice $500
• Ramps for those in need. Gary said that they are working on one now and we’ll pay for half the material, and the VFW will pay the other half. There was discussion around getting assistance from GMTCC’s Pre-Tech or Construction programs.
• Guards members home for the holidays was discussed. They are raising money to help folks who cannot afford the ticket home by leasing a plane. $300,000 for about 700 is about $500 each. Mel made the motion to contribute $500. Marcia seconded it. The motion passed unanimously. There was discussion on raising more through individual contributions. Susan suggested folks tell everyone to make checks out to the Morrisville Rotary and then we’d write one check to them. She will send more information via email.

Editor’s Note. The next part is more information sent by Susan Monday night.

Today at Rotary we talked about Operation Holiday Homecoming that is being done to get our guard folks home for the holidays.  The cost is $315,000 and the plan is to charter a plane  that makes it more affordable   we figure the cost is about $500 per guard member.   We voted to donate $500 from the club, one person and then to raise money from ourselves or others to see if we can match that $500.    Folks who would like to contribute can make the checks to the Morrisville Rotary and we will send one large check to the charity that is for the guards.  The website is www.supportvermontguard.org     If you write a check, put Operation Holiday Homecoming on it    it doesn’t matter the size of the check, it will all add up to getting them all home.  Just bring the checks to the next meeting  Thanks Susan

Polar Plunge update: Tim said the tentative date is the last weekend in January. He suggested we meet Friday night to have a preregistration party to collect money ahead of time and reduce the amount of work on the day of the plunge. He suggested ½ the money this year go to Habitat if it is up and running. Marcia suggested that targeting a program helps garner community support.

Holiday Party. Gary is working on caterers.

Marcia’s Past-President fund: She talked with Ruty and the Eagle Scout, Chris McDonald, is almost to his goal and she is going to use $230 of her money to help him meet his goal.

Submitted by Patti Coultas