Busy day today. Attendance on the low side with about 15 Rotarians in attendance. But that did not inhibit a lively meeting full of good discussion during the Club Assembly portion of the meeting.
President Sue rang the bell and led the pledge of allegiance. Ceil Collins was our Invocation speaker with an interesting homily. Sue followed with a brief emphasis on the Four Way Test. With that we moved into the meeting proper.
Foremost on everyone’s mind was the recent passing of Bob Wood. Bob joined the East Hartford Rotary Club in 1985, sponsored by the late Jack Davis. Over the years, Bob was active in many Rotary activities, serving as Club President, awarded a Paul Harris Fellow, writing High Gear, working on the Scholarship Committee, serving on the Board, you name it, and Bob was right there to offer service above self.At Sue’s urging, various Club Members shared memories of Bob during the meeting. Bob’s funeral service will be on Saturday (July 31st) at 10 am at South Congregational Church of East Hartford. Bob's family will receive relatives and friends on Friday (July 30th) from 4-6 pm at the D'Esopo East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford. Full details and his obituary can be found on our club website. Cards can be sent to Debbie at 900 Hemlock Avenue, Apt 335, South Windsor, CT 06074
In other Caring Moments segment, In our thoughts go out to Peggy and George Schoen as they deal with the sudden death of Peggy’s younger brother.
President Sue’s plan for our new members to introduce themselves went awry because Lori was tied up at work, Deirdre is on vacation and Jason choose box seats behind home plate at Fenway over attending our meeting. (I could understand Yankee Stadium, but Fenway?) Maybe next week.
Moving on to the Club Assembly. Sue asked us to contribute ideas the most effective ways to get the word out about our club and its service to the East Hartford community She will be seeking five or six highly dedicated members to get involved and get the word out weekly.
There followed a plethora of ideas from club members including the following:
- We all need to become Brand ambassadors for East Hartford Rotary
- We need to be more active on social media.
- We need someone to maintain our existing Facebook page
- Need to publicize upcoming Service projects and all that we do in the community.
- We should wear Rotary gear during public project work
- We should display Rotary Bumper stickers and decals
- Is there an opportunity to advertise Rotary at the Back-to-School event?
- How about a table at the Farmers Market at the library?
- Can we access the data on new businesses in town from the Chamber of Commerce?
- Are there any Rotary International programs that could be helpful in addressing this issue?
Sue concluded this discussion by urging us to keep sharing these ideas. She plans to follow up at the next board meeting. More to follow.
There were a couple of brief announcements. First Sue reminded us that some portion of the lunch money saved by Zoom meetings could be redirected to our Scholarship Fund using the Venmo app featured on our website. Treasurer Wes’ advice when paying dues, paying for a club event, or contributing to the charitable fund--you have options. You can send a Check :
The Treasurer
PO Box 380035
East Hartford, CT 06138-0035
CashApp : $EastHartfordRotary
PayPal : treasurer@easthartfordrotary.
Venmo : @EastHartfordRotary
The Treasurer
PO Box 380035
East Hartford, CT 06138-0035
CashApp : $EastHartfordRotary
PayPal : treasurer@easthartfordrotary.
Venmo : @EastHartfordRotary
There will be a board meeting August 3 at 6 PM (no more than one hour) via zoom
Meeting Link
Meeting ID: 812 0155 9659
Passcode: 783751
Here is our Rotary Foundation Moment for this week
THE WRITTEN OBJECTIVE FOR THE ROTARY FOUNDATION IN 1945
1. The promotion of The Rotary Foundation fellowships for advanced study
2. The fostering of any tangible and effective projects which have as their purpose the furthering of better understanding and friendly relations between the peoples of different nations
3. The providing of emergency relief for Rotarians and their families wherever war or other disaster has brought general destruction and suffering
The Rotary Foundation continues to do “good work” today. How does our club do good work in our own community and in the world?
That’s it for this week and this month. Passing the High Gear baton on to the Klocks for August.
Doug Willett