 | The Rotary Club of |
High Gear
Volume 76 | Issue 43 / April 20, 2022
Beautiful, though windy, day in East Hartford saw us once again in person on the third floor at Goodwin University’s main building. But it was not until President Sue rang the bell at noon, and we all searched in vain for a US flag to recite the pledge, that we raised the window blinds and enjoyed the great views. View to the north included an actual flag flying high over a nearby building; so, the meeting commenced with Sue leading the pledge. If only all problems could be solved so easily.
Remembering Doug Willett
Bill Saunders smoothed over this bumpy start with a wonderful invocation, remembering Doug Willett. Bill said:
True Rotarians have a magnet in their heart that attract true friends. That magnet is unselfishness and thinking of others first. Rotarians know when they live for others – others will live for them. We remember our good friend, Doug Willett, this day. We are grateful that our lives have crossed. We are all much better because of Doug. Amen.
Everyone proceeded to enjoy another Roma’s lunch, pizza and pastas. Thanks again to Guy LaBella for organizing this.
An interesting aspect of our meeting in Room 311 is that the large u-shaped table arrangement allows for a general back and forth. Today, that included some informal discussion about the Council on Legislation (COL), which was the main topic for today’s meeting. Once it was apparent, everyone’s appetite was sated, President Sue rang the bell again, to re-start the meeting.
Council on Legislation
Sue’s report on the COL focused on decisions that were made which affect clubs such as ours. Aside from the practical, RI semi-annual dues increasing during the next four Rotary years, Sue described attempts by a relatively small number of delegates, 65 or 66, to reinstate strict attendance reporting, versus the overwhelming majority, 420 or 425, to maintain or increase flexibility in attendance requirements which began with the 2016 Council and was continued by the 2019 Council.
There were a few linguistic changes to the Rotary International Constitution and Bylaws which affect clubs. When we meet in person again the first Wednesday in May, we will vote to incorporate any necessary changes into our club documents. In addition to adding the word “positive” to the word “peace” in our Avenues of Service, the 2022 COL amended the RI Bylaws to include “equity and inclusion” after the word “diversity” in Article 4 Membership in Clubs. Part of the explanation for this was—
To Diversity, we would like to add the values of Equity and Inclusion: in diversity lies zest, beauty, and power; in equity lies the harnessing of talent, and competence; and in inclusion lies unity and satisfaction with the Rotary experience.
The meeting ended about 1 PM with reminders about today’s Wake for Doug Willett at D’Esopo’s and Saturday’s unveiling of our town’s second mega MLK Jr mural on the Founders’ Bridge underpass
Submitted belatedly by Sue Klock, April’s notetaker.