Providence Rotary - Read Our Newsletter

OFFICERS
President
Richard B. Applebaum

President-elect
Cynthia Leonard

1st Vice President
Barry W. Fain

2nd Vice President
Barbara Harris

Secretary
Susan Johnson

Treasurer
Richard A. Kaplan

Asst. Treasurer
Peter M. Loescher

Sergeant-at-arms
Kevin M. Oates

Past-President
John A. Daluz

Directors to
June 30, 2010:
James Alexander
Richard P. Leone, Sr.
Jenny Miller
Arthur Norwalk
Kathleen A. Swann

Directors to
June 30, 2011:
Holly Applegate
Paul Borrelli
Patricia Germani
Steven M. Rotondo
James C. Scanlan

PROPOSED NEW MEMBER

The following Past Rotarian has been proposed to membership in the Rotary Club of Providence. He has been reviewed by the membership committee and approved by the board of directors:

George S. Burman

President & CEO

The Franklin Studio

66 Highland Road, RI 02809

Residence: 66 Highland Road, Bristol, RI

Proposed Classification: Architect

Sponsor: Donald Saracen

Former Rotarian:
Bristol Rotary Club

Any member in good standing who objects to the admission of the above must communicate in writing his or her objection and reason therefor to the Board of Directors, Rotary Club of Providence, 23 Dryden Lane, Providence, RI 02904 within seven (7) days of the date of this publication.

Anthony Hollingshead appreciated Bob Murphy's writing to him when he was sick.

Holly Applegate is delighted to be about to be a grandmother.

Richard Kaplan was the first to congratulate Cynthia Leonard on her recognition as Leadership Rhode Island Volunteer of the Year.

Wendy Marcus attended two weddings on a trip back to South Caroluna. She brought back some friendly gifts for several members.

Barbara Harris enjoyed meeting Gary Kaufman's wife.

Art Norwalk thanked Ken Conde for fixing a chair and celebrated his success at learning to text.

Kris David's daughter has been asked to go to London to help plan the Olympics.

Jenny Miller expressed delight over the recent Rotary After Dark at Tortilla Flats and is excited about going to Madison Square Garden to watch URI basketball.

Jerry Cannon echoed congratulations to Cynthia Leonard and announced that Maureen, Tom Brady's wife, had heard from the US Navy that Tom's ashes had been scattered in the ocean as requesred, fittingly on St. Patrick's Day.

Bonnie Bennett in good sisterly fashion also congratulated Cynthia Leonard

Cy Wyche continued to express his unfailing happiness.

Stoking the Rhode Island Economy

Reported by Dave Burnham

Our speaker, Keith W. Stokes, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, was introduced by Don Saracen. Mr. Stokes is chairman of the Board of the Quonset Development Corporation as well as the Slater Technology Fund. His leadership positions and accomplishments are numerous. Rotarians were treated to an incisive, clearly articulated speech on the state of the state's economy.

Mr. Stokes considers his task is to rebuild Rhode Island's economy. He listed four major challenges: We must rectify the deficit and balance the budget, develop a tax policy competitive with those of surrounding New England states, educate a trained work force, and build a strong, public transportation infrastructure.

Those are huge challenges but Keith Stokes radiated optimism because Rhode Island also has many factors in its favor. Our leadership in life sciences gives us a competitive advantage. We are strong in financial services. With Amica, Fidelity, and Bryant College we have created a financial service district on 295. Thanks to the US Navy we have "world class centers of excellence" on Aquidneck Island. Quonset Point is also being developed into a competitive Commerce Park. Already 9000 people are employed there. Short sea shipping will have a hub there successfully reducing road traffic. Finally, thanks to the governor's foresight Rhode Island is the national leader in the field of renewable energy. We will develop wind farms that will be the envy of other areas of the country. We not only have great natural wind but we also have the University of Rhode Island's Oceanography program which includes the mapping of the ocean floor.

Keith Stokes sees in the immediate future: credit enhancements, more job training in education, and many legislative changes leading to extensive regulatory reform. All in all, his optimism was a breath of fresh air. He is convinced that true leaders will step forward to meet the challenges presented during these times of change.

Well, what a week this has been. Since I've matured (who says) and mellowed, I have come to look upon life as an adventure, the positive and the negative. I hope all of us have survived the deluge without too much damage, pain, or interruption.

I attended a funeral Tuesday for a mutual client/friend who died much too young. The priest who conducted the funeral and provided the eulogy, who I had never seen before, had a most comforting persona and dialogue, and commented upon many interesting concepts about life and death. What I decided to comment upon here is this: he said there are two kinds of people, pity people and power people. The pity people (why me, woe is me, who's to blame, never have enough) will never find real happiness. The power people will prioritize the truly important issues, people, and things in life, will deal with life on life's terms, will adjust, will express feelings, will take responsibility and control of their own lives. They will find happiness no matter how much they have, and in giving to help others. We Rotarians are power people, and both we and the world are much better off for it. OK, enough philosophy/psychology.

Another great presentation at our meeting was provided by EDC Executive Director Keith Stokes. He is one of the very few public officials, in my opinion, who ‘gets it', is forward thinking, and is addressing root causes. He articulated a clear vision of how our economy and delivery of government services MUST change. He understands our areas of opportunity. He has ideas about how we can turn things around and achieve success. I wish him all the best in helping us all restore a prosperous, competitive, affordable, educated Rhode Island.

Officers and Directors, please attend the April 10 District Assembly at J & W in Seekonk. You will greatly enhance your Rotary knowledge, learn how other clubs do things, get and think about great ideas, and make new Rotary friendships.

And in that vein, don't forget about a little night music May 13 at Barker Playhouse (Holly has tickets) and the District Conference May 14-16, or part thereof, at the Cape Codder in Hyannis (Susan is the point person).

See you Monday

Richard

Mike Kelly gave an invocation combining Jewish and Christian blessings at this season of holy days.

The peanut butter drive closes at the end of April but we need to pick up the pace of delivery.

Rotary International has established a fund for earthquake relief in Chile.

A reminder that the Boston Pops will provide an evening of Cole Porter on June 9. See Walter Adamowicz or Paul Segal for tickets.

On May 13 the Barker House Players will present the Steven Sondheim production "A Little Night Music." Rotarians are encouraged to attend. Tickets are $35. See Holly Applegate.

The annual Fishing Derby with San Miguel School takes place on June 5. See Walter Adamowicz if you would like to participate.

This year's District Conference will be on Cape Cod. It was suggested that our Club will send one car load as a day trip on Saturday, May 15. See President Richard for details.

Tony Mendez and Kris David described the trip planned for six or seven members to fly to the Dominican Republic, Wedneday through Sunday, May 19-23, to further the water filter project of the Esperanza Rotary Club. Woonsocket Rotary is also involved. We hope to take Spanish to English dictionaries.

Rotarians in four countries are helping to eradicate Guinea worm in Ghana through a collaborative effort with the Carter Center and the Ghana Health Service.

Clubs in 13 districts in Canada, Ghana, Switzerland, and the United States have sponsored six projects funded by Rotary Foundation Matching Grants since 2005 to provide safe and clean drinking water to remote communities in northern Ghana. Learn more here.

Apr. 5 Evan Smith, Newport/Bristol Convention & Visitors Bureau

Apr. 10th District Assembly - J&W Inn, Seekonk, MA

Apr. 12th Club Assembly

Apr. 19th John Cronin, Exec. Dir., SBDC - Renewable Energy Initiative

Apr. 26th GSE Team from Uruguay

May 3 Michael Gazdacko, Urban Smart Growth - Hope Artiste Village

May 13th Evening of Live Theatre - Barker Playhouse

May 14-16 District 7950 Conference - Cape Codder Resort

June 5^th Rotary Fishing Derby for San Miguel Students

June 9th Rotary goes to the Boston Pops

June 10th Installation of DG Charlie Murphy - Century House, Acushnet

Jun. 15th Outgoing President Richard's "Farewell Address"

June 20-23rd Rotary International Convention, Montreal, Canada

June 29th Cynthia Leonard's Installation as Club President