Weekly Bulletin – October 30, 2014 Meeting

Posted by Barbara Myles 
on Nov 05, 2014
 

Dr. Satya Mitra, Immediate Past President of the Worcester Rotary Club and Chair of District 7910’s Membership Committee, spoke about membership.

 

 

During Satya’s term as President of the Worcester Rotary Club, membership increased by 82 people!  At the start of his term, his club had 48 members and the average members were between 78 and 94 years old.  At one time this 103 year old club had 400 members.  Satya decided that the best thing he could do for his club was to increase membership.  He wanted to be the best president ever and leave a legacy.  The club needed energy and increasing membership was a way to get it.  Satya made a list of people to ask to join the club.  However, instead of simply asking them to join Rotary, he told them that he wanted to talk to them about community over a cup of coffee.  During their meeting, he told them about the good things that Rotary is doing in the world and in Worcester before he told them how much he wanted them in his Rotary Club. Satya challenged his members to do the same thing.  He wanted his Rotary Club to be the talk of the town.  He reminded us that our job as Rotarians is not just to attend meetings, have a good meal, and listen to a good speaker.  Rotary is about service above self.  We need more members so we can do more projects and make the world better.  Satya also shared his dream that a Rotary International President wins the Nobel Peace Prize.

 

Next meeting on November 6 7:15 a.m.–8:30 a.m. at Colonial Candies, Stow Police Officers Ela and Lawson and Chief Bosworth speak about RAD (Rape Aggression Defense).

 

Guests:

  • Alex Abbott
  • Brian Burke
  • Gino Fratallone, Acton-Boxborough Rotary Club
  • Dr. Satya Mitra, Worcester Rotary Club
  • Kathy Myles

 

Club Announcements:

Local projects:

  • Purple Pinkie Day began on October 22 in Lancaster schools and continues in Stow schools on October 23 and in Bolton schools on October 24 in Bolton. Each student is asked to donate $1 on Purple Pinkie Day to help eradicate polio.  One dollar inoculates two children.  Last year our club raised $2,000 and $2,500 is this year’s goal.  The Gates Foundation is matching Rotary donations on two-to-one basis, up to $35 million each year through 2018! Carol Contact Chris for more information.
  • The RFK Children’s Action Corps grant to build a ropes challenge course is proceeding. This is a local district grant.  Contact Mary Ann for more information.
  • Veteran’s Day Breakfast with Stow’s Council on Aging at St. Isadore’s Church at 8 a.m.  Laura will be the master of ceremonies for this event and she has lined up Representative Kate Hogan and Mrs. Janice Reidy, a 103 year old veteran who served in the Women’s Army Air Corps during WWII, to speak.  We still need volunteers for this event. Contact Jim for more information.
  • Health Insurance Enrollment Fair – November 18 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Bolton Public Library (563 Main Street, Bolton).  People who attend this fair will receive one-on-one assistance and education about health plans offered by the Massachusetts Health Connector and MassHealth so they can choose the best insurance coverage for their situation.  Plus, attendees may enroll into health plans during the event!  Representatives Kate Hogan and Jennifer Benson will attend this event.  Contact Jim for more information.
  • Honoring Agents of Change event will be held at the Fenn School in Concord on January 22, 2015.

International projects:

  • We Are One project: The We Are One project is wrapping up.  Richard has 50 boxes of supplies plus dental chairs and other items. He plans to put everything into one container with a very detailed, itemized list to reduce shipping costs.
  • The Worcester Polytechnic Institute Rotaract water project is moving forward.  Contact Richard for more information.


​Paul Harris Fellow:

Chris Spear was recognized as a Paul Harris +2 Fellow and Laura Spear was recognized as a Paul Harris +1 Fellow.  Congratulations, Chris and Laura!

 

Rotary announcements:

 

Other Rotary Clubs’ announcements:

  • Moulin Rouge Masquerade Ball – November 1 starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Boxborough.  The Rotary Clubs of Acton-Boxborough and Littleton are sponsoring this event.  Money raised at this event goes to local food banks.  Tickets are $55 per person.  Contact Betsy Purcell, President of the Rotary Club of Acton Boxborough, for more information.

 

Happy/Sad Fines:

  • Carol is happy that she went to a Rotary meeting and Gino was not there!
  • Chris was happy that it was his birthday.  He is also happy to be going to China and U.N. Day.
  • Ron is happy about the good turn out for the meeting and talking about membership.
  • Laura was happy that is was Chris’ birthday.  She is also happy about their 26th wedding anniversary.  She is happy that she attended a recent Selectmen’s meeting and they thanked Rotary for a donation for RAD training.  She is also happy about the WAC who will be at the Veteran’s Day event.
  • Gino was happy to be at the meeting.
  • Mary Ann is happy to be volunteering at the Veteran’s Day event.
  • Brian is happy that he bought his house before interest rates went up.
  • Rich is happy about all of the donations made for Purple Pinkie Day.
  • Bob is happy!
  • Catherine is happy that her son completed a college application.
  • Alex is happy to have the application to join Rotary.
  • Jim is happy to be going to the U.N.  The last time he went to the U.N. was 53 years ago.​
  • Satya is happy about our club’s energy.  He is also happy that his younger son, who is a comedian, will be on TV!