 | The Rotary Club of |
High Gear
Volume 78 | Issue 7 / August 17, 2022
Alex rang our club’s official bell and asked us to join in singing R-O-T-A-R-Y. Luckily, both Dan Larson and George Schoen were with us today; so, our choir practice went smoothly. Ray Maselek offered a very meaningful invocation reminding us that the pandemic years have underscored how important coming together, staying connected, and sharing fellowship is to our Rotary family. Thanks to Guy LaBella, and Roma’s, everyone enjoyed a hearty lunch of grinders, pizza and salad.
During lunch, Sue passed around an invocation sign-up sheet. We are all set through beginning of February.
At 12:30, Alex started us up again, ringing the bell to quiet down a rather noisy lunch crowd. He began by presenting Neal with a Russell-Hampton gift card, the reward for winning our first trivia contest. (Fortune cookies were first made in San Francisco.) The next order of business was Alex’s requesting a volunteer to get together a gift basket (up to $75) for the District Golf Tournament at Twin Hills on September 20th. Guy LaBella jumped at this opportunity and will deliver one to Marc Glass’s office about a week before the event.
Captain Rotary Helps to Recruit New Members
Membership Chair Sue Klock gave everyone two copies of The Adventures of Captain Rotary, a fun comic to share with potential new club members. After talking about our goal to bring in new members, Sue challenged the group to report back to her early in October with new member applications. Remember members no longer are required to live or work in locality of the club. Members turning in the first five signed applications will be rewarded. The link to the New Member Proposal Form can be found on the homepage of our club’s website, https://www.easthartfordrotary.org, in the drop-down list under “Club Documents.”
Jack Sayre reported that Anwar’s monthly commitment to Foodshare occurred this Monday, volunteers included Anwar and Diana Hossain, Ruthie, Jack, and Ceil. Thanks to everyone for keeping this project going.
Alex gave a final report on the East Hartford Schools’ backpack project. Two weeks ago volunteers, including Bob, Ceil, Alex, and Ruthie helped stuff backpacks with school supplies. Then, last Wednesday afternoon, Ceil, Alex and Anwar helped distribute them. They wore our new bright yellow Rotary safety vests; Ceil was featured in The Gazette as well as on local TV. We were also reminded that our club contributed $500 to this effort. Well done! Great PR!!!
Golf Tournament Finances
Lastly, Dan Larson gave us a breakdown of needs to accomplish our goal of raising $25,000 with this year’s golf tournament. With just six weeks to go and just three more committee meetings before the event on October 3rd, Dan wanted to ensure all active members know what is needed from each of us. He will be busy meeting with prospective sponsors, but each member should be promoting the tournament by recruiting at least one foursome, collecting raffle items, valued at $50 or more, and gift cards worth at least $25. Raffle items and gift cards should be given to Ceil Collins at meetings, or, by arrangement, at her home, 64 Phillips Farm Road, East Hartford.
Dan’s passion for Rotary shone throughout his talk. He quoted Goodwin University President’s favorite saying: “It’s not what you do, but what-you-do does.”
President Alex rang the bell about 1:20, bring our meeting to a close.
Reminder—next week’s meeting will be via Zoom, invocation will be delivered by Jim Watts and High Gear writer will be Anwar Hossain.
No invocation for fifth Wednesday; the club will enjoy an after-hours social, including wine and appetizers, at Goodwin University. Stay tuned for more information.
Submitted by Sue Klock, this week’s High Gear writer