High Gear, September 8, 2021

There were 18 participants in the meeting today, including our guest speaker.  Before the meeting began, there was some good-natured conversation and talk about the silent auction.  Sue began the meeting at 12 noon by ringing the bell and then leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance.  George Schoen gave the invocation, saying we should strive to help others and make this a better world.
          CARING MOMENTS
Neal Cunningham wasn’t able to make the meeting today because one of his best friends, Bob Schneider, passed away last Thursday. Bob and Neal grew up together in Windsor, played baseball and golf together, worked together on race cars and other projects and enjoyed a lifelong friendship. Our condolences to Neal on this significant loss.
GUEST SPEAKER
Anwar Hossain introduced our guest speaker for the day, Jim Barrett, a police officer in Hartford since 2003.  Officer Barrett served as an Army Combat Veteran for 21 years and did 3 tours of duty, in Iraq and in Bosnia.
Officer Barrett is assigned as a Homeless Outreach Officer, dedicated to taking care of Hartford’s veterans and homeless population.  He is instrumental in providing the homeless and veterans with clothing and footwear as well as linking them to mental health and additional services, shelter, job possibilities, and other resources.
He often takes money out of his own pocket to help those in need and has given many people bus passes and food cards.  He has also helped get 100 bicycles so those in need can get to jobs and travel around the city.   Officer Barrett lives the army motto, “We don’t leave people behind.”
You can read more about the fascinating man named Jim Barret on our club’s website, https://www.easthartfordrotary.org  Officer Barrett will send Anwar a link on how we can donate money and other items to help veterans and the homeless in Hartford.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
  1.  Alex Wicz and Guy LaBella talked about what was discussed at last night’s board meeting – the location for our in-person meetings.  We will have in-person meetings starting in October (Covid permitting) twice a month at Goodwin University.  The president of Goodwin University is grateful to have Rotary meet on his campus.  We will know the exact location of Rotary’s meetings at Goodwin University one month in advance. 
We also discussed who will be catering our meals at Goodwin. We are in negotiations with Roma’s.Al Fresco is also a possibility.
 
  1. Rotary In Motion has been cancelled due to extensive damage to areas where this occurs.
  2. The lunch for East Hartford veterans and their families is on Wednesday, November 10.  That week, we will be doing a service project (the luncheon), not a regular meeting.  Volunteers are needed.  Bob is in charge.
 
  1. We will be updating sponsors’ proposals for new members.  Please don’t use the old form.
 
  1. Marc mentioned that we still need raffle prizes for the golf tournament.  You can bring prizes directly to Marc’s office.
 
  1. The club will donate $3000 to ShelterBox USA.  “The need exists; the need persists.”
 
This week’s message from District Governor Joanne Alfieri
Re:  The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International
WHAT IS ROTARY DIRECT?
Support Rotary’s foundation year-round by making an automatic recurring gift with Rotary Direct.  You choose how much and how often to give.  It’s a simple and secure way to make a big impact!  Online credit contributions can be made monthly, quarterly or annually, with a US$10 transaction minimum.  Donors can also enroll using the Rotary Direct enrollment form, The Rotary Foundation Contribution Form, by calling the Support Center at +1-866-9ROTARY or by going online at             my.rotary.org/rotary-direct.  Donors can change or cancel their recurring giving online at anytime through My Rotary.  After you sign in, go to Account Settings by following the link in the upper right.  Then choose the Donor Self Service tab.  Rotary Direct is safe, secure and easy…Sign up today!
 
That is all for this week.  Let’s hope we have more great guest speakers like Jim Barrett.  Saturday is the 20th anniversary of 9/11.  Let’s remember those who lost their lives on that tragic day.
 
Jason Primus
 
Rotary’s Motto:  “Service Above Self”