Barre Rotary Minutes – 05/10/23
We Have Lift-Off!
A Peaceful Beginning
A small intimate group of Rotarians gathered last week to engage in fellowship and friendship. By the shining light of Rotarian Caroline’s cell phone American flag image, the meeting started with our patriotic song. Eddie shared gratitude for the return from college of his daughter Olivia.
And Things Begin to Pick Up ….
A flurry of happy dollars ensued. First Caroline with $2 happy dollars – one to share Eddie’s news & $1 for the Barre Art Splash, then President Nicole with $1 for the Art Splash and one for health scares and recovery for her and her brother. Ted chimed in with $1 for Green Up Day last Saturday and the successful participation of Barre Rotary in beautifying our community, and also $1 for his oldest granddaughter turning 16 & her gainful employment for the summer. Karl gave $1 for all of the contributions of labor & effort to make this Art Splash successful, including from Northfield Rotarian Louisa Tripp. Karl also gave a self-deprecating $1 for forgetting to hitch his trailer to this truck during the Art Splash roll-out and organizing Joe provided a sad $1 for a sibling who was having personal challenges, balanced by a happy $1 for Larry’s new art show. Various other happy dollars focused on Treeplenish, and a truck improvidently parked on the railroad tracks at Trow & Holden when a train came through.
And Now It Gets Interesting…
We were unexpectedly graced briefly with the unplanned and delightful presence of community member Mikala Lacombe, her little son Teddy & baby daughter Olivia. While enjoying a cookie, we learned that Teddy’s birthday was that very day and so in fine Rotarian tradition, we sang happy birthday to the young lad. He squirmed and was suitably embarrassed.
And Momentum Builds….
Barre Rotary next turned to its Five Avenues of Service, with a fascinating exercise led by President Nicole to evaluate our actions and impact as a Club over the past year. Three questions were posed and answered in turn by those present: What? So What? Now What? We evaluated our actions and projects over the past year with these questions in mind, turning a standard after-action exercise into an insightful and far reaching discussion.
We Have Lift-Off…..
The after-action exercise confirmed Barre Rotary’s continued impact on our community & our world. Rotary Year 23-24 promises to be just as exciting and action-packed, starting with the Breakfast on July 29th! Tony announced that the tickets & posters for the Library Breakfast will be ready next week for distribution & sale. We wrapped up with Karl winning the raffle & a contented, if small, group of Rotarians heading out into the day feeling energized and excited about the future.
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