Granite Chips
President Bill opened the meeting with 12 members and one guest present.
Roy immediately got the ball rolling with a fine of 1+4 on Karl and Ron for breaking into their bag of chips before the bell rang. The fine passed, prompting Karl to note that he should have gotten his money's worth by starting early on his soup and sandwich too. Not much money earned by the club today as this was the only fine.
Carol Dawes reported on the Joint Service Club recognition dinner, scheduled for Oct. 9th at the Canadian Club. Cost is $20 per person and Carol will have tickets starting next week. Our own Chet Briggs is one of this year's honorees, so let's see a big turnout of Rotarians to support Chet and the Joint Service Clubs. Carol also noted that the club traditionally helps support the cost of the dinner with a $150 donation. She moved that we appropriate that amount again this year. Jack Barnes seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
President Bill announced that the Lions Club will hold its 75th anniversary dinner on Oct. 4th and the club had extended an invitation to all Rotarians to join them in marking this milestone. The dinner will be held at the Canadian Club and is $25 per person. President Bill has the contact information for anyone wishing to attend.
The annual administrative budget was presented to club members for approval, and on a motion by Carol, seconded by Joe Preddy, it passed unanimously, with Bob P. noting that Elizabeth's projected cost for postage stamps might need to be adjusted to reflect the current price of stamps.
The annual charities budget was discussed, with Elizabeth noting that we have $5,123 available for charitable giving this year. Following our discussion two weeks ago, it was decided we would not allocate the money to individual groups/organizations at this time, but would make case-by-case decisions on requests for assistance as they come in. Joe then asked the club to consider funding the dictionary/atlas project for the local schools, at a cost of approximately $1,260. Joe explained that the project is no longer being funded by the District, and it touches roughly 400 students per year. It was decided to wait until Carol finds the actual cost for the books and reports back to the club for final action.
Roy introduced our guest speaker Sherrill Gilbert who spoke on workplace bullying. Sherrill spoke in favor of passage of a Healthy Workplace bill that is being considered in 25 states, including Vermont. She indicated there is currently no law prohibiting workplace bullying. She said most bullies tend to work in schools and colleges, the health care field, and law enforcement agencies. She said that 54 million people are bullied each year and 45% of those end up suffering from health issues.
Bullying takes several forms: verbal abuse, threats and intimidation, humiliation, work interference, sabotage, exploitation of a known vulnerability, or a combination of any of those factors. Targets tend to be dedicated employees, efficient and always friendly employees, and those who offer to help others in the workplace. Some of the effects of bullying are heart attack, high blood pressure, ulcers, depression, insomnia, migraines, panic attacks, and even homicidal or suicidal tendencies.
According to studies Gilbert noted, 26% of workers have been bullied, 15% have witnessed bullying, 9% are currently being bullied, and 50% have no experience with bullying. She said bullying often goes unreported due to shame, the individual's need to work, or fear of retaliation. She said 80% of bullying is female to female, while 20% is male to female. Overall, 38% of bullies are female and 62% are male. She also said that bosses represent 70% of all bullies.
Bullying has a $300 billion per year impact on business through increased absenteeism, errors or accidents, decreased productivity, legal expenses, and workers comp and disability claims. She also said that in 54% of bullying cases there is no consequence to the actions involved and there is only a 4% chance the perpetrator will be punished.
Sherrill said it's important to pass legislation prohibiting bullying, and a lively question and answer session followed, with numerous opinions expressed about current laws against hostile work environments, harassment and other work-related issues versus the need for any new legislation to be passed.
The winning ticket was pulled and Jim Catone was the winner and he graciously donated his winnings back to the club.
Following the meeting the board of directors approved the application for membership of Charlie Dindo, so he will be welcomed to the club as our newest member.
Next week's program, part of our effort to better acquaint the club with downtown Barre businesses, will be Leonard Cotnoir, manager of the local Electrolux store.