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The Rotary Club of Trumbull President-elect Mike Redgate called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Reverend Jim Baum said the invocation. Steve Hodson led us in singing “Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory”. Attendance: Was taken, but is not available for this edition of the Newsletter. Guests: Jim Bardon, a guest of Tom Heaney, at his third meeting. Roger Hines, a guest of Joe Ruospo, who expressed an interest in joining our club, and provided us with some biographical information regarding himself. Announcements: Ron Lesko announced that he only had a few tickets left for the Peoples Bank box seat for the Bridgeport Bluefish game on Saturday night, July 21, 2001. Happy/sad Dollars: Tom Galla gave a happy dollar because the Trumbull American Little League Team won the District Championship. Dick Stein gave a happy four dollars because he had a great local fishing trip with his four grandchildren. Steve Jakab gave a happy dollar for the farewell party at Bridgeport Hospital for “Little Rita”, a child from Kosovo who successfully recovered from serious surgery, thanks to the generosity of Rotarians and other caring people and organizations. Bill Zeidenberg gave a happy five dollars. One of his dollars was because his car air conditioner is back in service, and the other four were dollars he found that an unidentified person mistakenly left behind at a cash register counter. Presentation: Past President Joe Ruospo presented Bernie Helfrich his Past President’s hat and thanked Bernie for his efforts in inspiring the club members to keep going at a time when membership had dropped to nine persons. Joe’s words prompted Ian McMillan to donate a happy dollar because Ian was the ninth member of that fine group who engineered a recovery for our club, which has now grown to over 60 members. Birthdays and Anniversaries: None to announce. Program: Bill Finch, our local State Senator, who was scheduled to speak, was unable to attend. Consequently, President Ted Merritt utilized the time as a “Business Meeting” format to discuss issues of importance to our club, and to have committee leaders report on the progress of various projects. Len Germano, our Assistant District Governor, said that 32 members have paid their dues so far this year. Of those members, 24 have made a contribution to the Rotary Foundation, averaging $127.00 per donation, not including the matching club donation for first time contributors, which counts towards members achieving their “Paul Harris Fellow” recognition. Len explained that Paul Harris was the originator of Rotary. Once a member contributes a total of $1,000.00 to the Rotary Foundation, the member is recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. After that, each additional $1,000.00 contribution earns a pin with a sapphire stone. In addition, a family member or friend can be recognized as a Paul Harris fellow for that additional $1,000.00 contribution, once a member has been designated a Paul Harris Fellow. Len added that Foundation contributions are critical this year because of the decreasing interest earned on the funds invested by the Foundation during the previous year. Tom Galla, Community Service Chair, reported that he has been working with Frank Metrusky to schedule a debate between First Selectman candidates Ray Baldwin and Ken Halaby. The event will be on a Friday morning sometime in October. Tom also reported that our Golf Tournament is scheduled for September 17th at Tashua Knolls. Three Rotarian Captains have been selected to help plan the event, and three more volunteers are needed—with new members especially wanted. Enrollment forms are being provided. Mike Redgate has been heading a committee to discuss community fund raising. He announced that $400.00 had been donated to Tawnie Butterfield, a teacher at Christian Heritage School, who has spoken at our meetings previously about the very successful volunteer program she directs to assist orphans in Romania. Her group had a shortfall of $400.00 after a massive fund raising campaign on their own, so we made up the difference. Lynn Fontana and Dave Wilson have started the process of assembling Program Speakers for our weekly meetings. If you can present a topic of interest to our club, or wish to suggest a speaker or topic, please contact Lynn or Dave. Marge Anctil will be presenting a proposal at our next Board Meeting on August 1st for our club to sponsor a reading skill development program for Kindergarten students. The program entails each student taking home a reading book and scheduled activity program for the student to complete with their parents. The cost of the program is seven to eight thousand dollars per year. Ted Merritt will discuss an Honorary Membership program, renewable annually by the club. The program is designed for elected or appointed officials in town who would like to become members, but are unable to fulfill all the requirements. The program could apply to either Ken Halaby or Ray Baldwin. Ted encouraged attendance at the Board Meeting to discuss this program and others. Barry Diamond, President of Trumbull’s Own Chamber of Commerce, discussed efforts to strengthen Rotary’s relationship with Trumbull’s Own Chamber of Commerce. Len Germano, speaking about International activity, thanked Mike Rappa for providing storage space at his company in Bridgeport for all of the books that have been donated for shipment to Haiti. Some of the surrounding Rotary clubs will soon be dropping off books they have collected. We expect to fill a tractor-trailer with books and will be scheduling a packing day some time in the future. Len also stated that we have established a relationship with India through the Rotaract program at the University of Bridgeport. Bill Zeidenberg is tracking our club’s eligibility for Rotary District Awards. Bill needs help in preparing our Pettingill award application. Bill and Jackie Carlino are planning a Bike-a -Thon project for Trumbull. If you would like to help, please give them a call. John Rosati has been talking with school leaders about programs oriented towards parents, as well as students, that our club would sponsor. Topics could include both good and bad themes of current interest. Last years presentation on Rave parties was attended by more than 100 people. Sy Davidson and Bernie Helfrich are directing our new Sunshine Committee. In addition to performing “Sun Dances” the day before any of our scheduled outdoor events, such as the golf tournament, Sy and Bernie will develop guidelines for recognition of our membership, especially those in need. Contact them with your suggestions. George Voynick reported that the Discovery Museum submitted an overly ambitious wish list to the six area Rotary clubs working on this joint project. Some of the clubs are now evaluating specific costs in the Museum’s proposal to see if some services can be obtained for less cost. Construction should begin in September. Joe Ruospo is developing a realistic budget for the club, and commented that a lot of money is generated by our volunteer work. More is needed, and proper planning for the use of those funds is crucial to our success. Ted Merritt stated that increased membership is a primary goal of our Rotary International President Richard D. King. Don’t miss President King’s important column on page five of the August 2001 edition of Rotarian. Ted emphasized that our District is looking to our club to set the standard for membership growth this year. Beverly Cambras reported that she has successfully installed Quick Books on her computer, to assist in serving our club’s financial tracking. Raffle: Joan Farley and Mike Redgate drew for $390.00, with no winner selected. UCOMING PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
July 27 Medical Doctor from Haiti August 1 Board Meeting at The Marriott 7PM August 3 Meeting will be held at the Trumbull High School Vo-Ag Center, with a tour of the sparkling new facility to follow. August 4 Club Picnic and Night at the Movies at Indian Ledge Park August 10 Tentative- Jeff Dorfmann will speak about Computers and related technology August 17 Our own Doctor Marjorie Anctil will speak about Education in Trumbull Respectfully Submitted, Dale J. Seymour |
