THIS WEEK’S PROGRAM
Bruce Atwood will fill in for
David Allen and introduce mystery writer Sarah Stewart Taylor, whose newsletter can be found by clicking
here. As the newsletter reports, her latest novel,
The Drowning Sea, just went to her agent and editor.
THE ZOOM LINK FOR THE MEETING
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88229582283?pwd=aS9Hd3o1cS9ZK0hQL0ZhUHZXSEdxQT09
Meeting ID: 882 2958 2283
Password: 254494
The Zoom Room opens at NOON… after a flurry of announcements there will be a 15-20 period where we will mute the sound before we introduce the speaker at roughly 12:35.
ROTARIAN OF THE WEEK:
Bruce Atwood introduced Kevin Wenger who was not only filling in for David Allen but was also the featured Rotarian of the Week. Kevin was born in Kansas City where his dad was a social worker and his mom served as a nurse. Early in his life he moved to Titusville New Jersey where he participated in High School track and cross country and discovered he had a passion for science, technology, engineering, and math. He graduated from Lehigh with a degree in Chemistry and earned a masters degree in that area at Colorado State. After relocating to North Carolina where his twin daughters were born, he moved to the Upper Valley to help oversee and new startup, Mascoma Corporation, which specialized in ethanol production. Kevin became engaged in Rotary in 2012 after being invited to be a guest speaker. He thanked Rotarian Emeritus Jay Pierson for introducing him to the club and mentoring him.
LAST WEEK’S SPEAKER:
Kevin Wenger did an admirable job facilitating the Annual Meeting of the Board which featured presentations by several club members who serve as committee chairs. Kevin reviewed upcoming events for the year, which include: the July 4 bbq; our club’s assistance at the Prouty; the “Stuff a Truck” fundraiser in the fall; the November auction; the Christmas season bell ringing; the philanthropy committee’s distribution of grants; the annual speech contest; the identification of RYLA participants; the scholarship for a deserving Hanover High School student; and the Pancake breakfast. He then introduced a succession of committee chairpersons:
- Philanthropic Committee chair Heidi Postupack encouraged Rotarians to help on the auction, which provides the lion’s share of funding for her committee’s awards to Upper Valley non-profits, which receive the funds based a review of RFPs they submit.
- International Committee chair Rubi Simon briefly review the work of ACTS Honduras, offering thanks for the Rotary Club’s support through the Pancake Breakfast.
- On behalf of Youth Committee chair Kevin Wenger pled for new committee members to help support the work done by that group.
- Dick Podolec, the clubs’ liaison to Rotaract at Dartmouth, reported that the club at the college is doing well with 40 active members.
- Auction Chair Bruce Atwood reported that the Special Needs Center, the club’s auction partner, will be briefing the club at a future date and their board members and supporters will be offering assistance in running the auction.
- Deb Blanc, the club treasurer, reported that the club experienced slightly lower revenue over the past year but also had substantially less spending which should result in us breaking even in coming year’s budget.
- Dick Booma, Charities treasurer, is forecasting $146,000 for auction; $186,000 overall for income and indicated every dollar raised will be spent.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Denise Dahlberg distributed sign-up sheets for the July 4 bar-b-que, which returns after a hiatus due to COVID.
Diane Travis offered an overview of the June 22 event at the Irving Building at Dartmouth, noting that the $20 will help underwrite the wine and cheese soiree that will be part of the student-led tours. She noted that parking will be available in the lot for a fee.
Kathy Geraghty won the raffle.
GREETER SIGNUP LINK:
This new and exciting permanent feature of the Monday newsletter will give you a chance to sign up to be a greeter at our meetings, welcoming members, collecting their money for burgers, and issuing them a raffle ticket. To experience this opportunity, use this Greeter Signup Link below:
COMING ATTRACTIONS:
June 15 – Wayne Gersen introduces Tom List and Kim Chambers from Hanover Adventure who will tell us about the bike and kayak rentals they offer as well as tours they host.
June 22 – Diane Travis will facilitate an evening visit to the West End campus… details to follow!
June 29 – TBA... HELP a speaker needed to reschedule!
July 6 – Jeff Backus, manager of the Hartford Dismas House, will describe that organization’s mission and offer some ways the Rotary might volunteer.
July 13 – Laura Litchfield-Kimber, newly appointed Executive Director of the Montshire Museum who will offer her ideas for the future at that site.
July 20 – Clay Adams, CEO of Mascoma Bank, who will describe the partnership his bank has forged with area businesses to provide housing for employees.
July 27 – Susan Apel, freelance arts reporter and Vermont Law School emeritus professor to share her insights on some of the hidden and/or overlooked arts venues in our region.
I’m looking for speakers to fill out the summer schedule, with openings at this juncture the first three weeks in August (the 3rd, 10th, and 17th) and August 31. Please share any ideas you have.
