Opening Rituals
President Caroline opened the meeting with a welcome, the Pledge of Allegiance, the Four Way Test and an introduction of our guest, Hank Clarke from the Lebanon Rotary Club.
Since Last We Met
Birthday: Joe Preddy September 30
Anniversaries: Emily & Jeremy Stephens October 5
Sandy & Eddie Rousse October 7
Club Anniversary: Sandy Rousse October 3, 2012 12 years
Hear Ye! Hear Ye!
Tony announced that today’s meal was catered by Campo di Vino and asked for feedback. They are the new caterer for the noon meal.
Jan made a request on behalf of Linda Kiniry asking if anyone knew someone who could help install a new floor in her shed. Please email her if you know of someone.
Karl announced that there are now 44 sponsors for the Art Splash.
Karl talked to us about two possible field trips to: the Vermont History Center; and the new luxury accommodations in the Main Street building once housing Goodfellows; (Karl, a man of action, has already made arrangements for a field trip on November 6th to One Zero Five Stay AirB&B.)
A Rotary Moment
Nicole announced that, for the 15th consecutive year, The Rotary Foundation has received the highest rating — four stars — from Charity Navigator, an independent evaluator of charities registered in the U.S.
Nicole also told us of a video showing Rotarians helping flood victims in North Carolina demonstrating Rotary’s “Service Above Self” motto. They are distributing much needed supplies as well as soliciting monetary donations.
Karl added that there is a place on our website to click to make a donation to our local flood relief fund.
Earle’s Pearls
President Caroline reminded of important dates in October:
October 23--Crave for Kay service project
October 24--World Polio event
October 30--Willhem Lange
Reminder--put a bean in the bottle for each hour you have given to service-community or club.
Pope Shakes Off Covid (Dollars--Mostly Happy)
Not that one in the Vatican , the other one, Bob Pope in Barre. He gave a Happy Dollar for recovering from covid, but he felt guilty that he may have infected others. However, he did note that he had slept with his wife, Nancy, and she did not get it.
Karl gave a Sad Dollar because the Barre Area Development Corporation, of which he is Interim Director, is not getting any qualified applicants for the director position.
Tony coughed up two Happy Dollars: one for Emily’s Facebook postings of family photos and another for the feedback responses received concerning lunch.
Jan added to the basket with a Happy Dollar because she has never had covid.
President Caroline had two Happy Dollars: one for Emily and the good social media work she does for our Club; and another for a successful Yoga experience resulting in her new found ability, touching her toes.
Tanzania Revisited
President Caroline introduced Nicole “who needs no introduction.”
Nicole presented a retrospective of the Upendo Mmoja (One Love) Project in Tanzania. She began with a slide of her and Maria, who she sponsored when the project began in 2012. (Today, Maria is the executive director of the Center.) The major goal of the project was to build a Residential and Vocational Training Center that would house orphaned youth. Members of Upendo wanted to educate the youth at the Center by teaching them vocational skills such as carpentry, cooking, animal husbandry, and sewing. The Center now includes a teaching kitchen, carpentry and craft workshop, barn, boys dormitory and a sunflower oil facility.
Since 2014 Norwich University volunteers have been traveling to Tanzania to help in the construction of buildings, teach English and help in the community. Architecture students have helped design buildings and nursing students have interned there.
Nicole informed us that to sponsor a child the cost is $600 per year which will cover travel, food, tuition and a school uniform. Many Rotarians have become sponsors; please consider a sponsorship. Donations to the project itself are also appreciated.
Next summer a trip of ten to twelve days is planned. If you are interested in going, let Nicole know.
Nicole billed her presentation as “Part One” and so we can expect “Part Two” in the near future.
Nice job, Nicole!
Until next time....that's all Rotarians.