High Gear, January 5, 2022 (Jan 05, 2022)

Rotary Club

Of East Hartford

High Gear

Volume 76 | Issue 28, January 5, 2022

Happy New Year, Rotary Club members! I hope 2022 has gotten off to a great start for all of you. We had our first meeting of the year at Goodwin University. There were thirteen people present at the meeting. Our President Sue Klock got the meeting started at 12pm by leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Ray then gave an inspiring invocation on how we should look forward to 2022 and that the new year is a blank slate.

Zoom meetings until further notice

There was a board meeting last night (Tuesday, January 4). At the meeting, the Board decided to suspend in-person meetings for the foreseeable future. Until further notice, all meetings will be conducted on Zoom. Today is the last meeting at Goodwin University.

Sue suggested that we donate and thank Goodwin University for graciously allowing us to meet here. Sue also thanked Guy for setting up the meetings.

The board made a $1000 donation for a global grant for Xetonox, a Mayan village in Guatemala. This is in support of Rick and Elin Lawrence’s efforts for large water and sanitation projects in Guatemala, which we have been supporting since 2006. Individuals can also support this year’s project. Anyone wishing to do so can make out a check to The Rotary Foundation. Put “Global Grant #2122094 – Xenotox” in the memo line and send the check to Rick Lawrence, 315 Ram Island Rd., Charlestown, RI 02813.

The topic of Service Projects came up. Some possibilities include recycling and planting trees as part of the Earth Project.

We are currently looking for a new secretary for the club. Laura will be finished on June 30. Anyone interested in the position should talk to Laura Floyd.

District Conference April 29-May 2

The Rotary District Conference will be held from April 29 to May 2 at the Southbridge Hotel and Convention Center in Southbridge, Massachusetts. This will be just for our district and we will be celebrating our District’s 100^th Anniversary.

You can register by going to district’s website https://www.rotarydistrict7890.org. On the right side of the homepage, look for upcoming events and click on District Conference. The registration fee is $175 per person until February 1. On February 2, the price will increase to $200 per person. Registration closes entirely on March 29. Hotel rooms must also be purchased by March 29 to obtain the special rate of $119/night. Hotel rooms at Southbridge Hotel must be purchased separately. Call 508-765-8000 and ask for Rotary District 7890 Room Block.

RMD provides charitable opportunity

A MESSAGE FROM BILL SAUNDERS AND JIM WATTS

Dear Fellow Rotarians,

Please consider contributing to the Rotary Scholarship Trust as a part of your annual RMD. Not only will you be giving to a great and enduring cause, but you will save money in taxes at the same time.

IRA owners can use a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) paid directly from an IRA to an eligible charity to meet part or all their RMD obligation. Available only to IRA owners aged 70 1/2 or older, the maximum annual exclusion for QCD's is $100,000. ( www.irs.gov).

Be sure to contact your tax professional to confirm your specific situation.

I can give you the necessary details, i.e., bank account info, to whom it is sent etc. We have two funds in the trust so you will need to designate which or both funds (Leone or Brewer) you wish to make your contribution.

Hope this finds you all doing well and enjoying a good start to this New year.!

Thanks for considering our Trust in your financial plans.

All the best,

Bill Saunders and Jim Watts, co-Trustees

[President Sue adds-- I truly appreciate all Bill and Jim do to watch over the scholarship trust funds. In case anyone is unfamiliar with RMD, the required minimum distribution, here is a brief explanation:

Your required minimum distribution is the minimum amount you must withdraw from your account each year. You must start taking withdrawals from your IRA, SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, or retirement plan account when you reach age 72 (70 ½ if you reach seventy ½ before January 1, 2020). Please consult with your own tax advisor.]

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Donations to the club’s Scholarship Trust Funds can be made the same way we make other payments. Just specify which fund, Brewer or Leone, and that it is for the scholarship trust.

Our meeting concluded around 12:30pm. We then had a delicious lunch and delightful conversation.

That is all for this week. Be careful when driving in the snow!

Jason Primus

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