Presidents Musings

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Oysters

My weekend with Franzi

Beautiful sunset, great company.

Welcome Franzi!

Franzi's first oyster, Salt Pond oysters from Matunick, local Rhode Island oysters.

Instructions: slurp the brine, close your eyes and suck the oyster down.

That's me in the background. Paul took the photo.

At Trattoria Simpatico in Jamestown, Rhode Island.

September 2010

Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar

Arrives in Providence

Franziska Brenner

from Baveria, Germany

MBA candidate at Johnson & Wales University

Welcome Franzi !

August 2010

Installation 2010

A New Providence Rotary President Takes Office

Creative, innovative, inspiring, fun, unusual, unlike any other installation!

Susan Johnson, 

Installation Chair

with Cynthia

The President's Pin. From Richard Applebaum

to Cynthia Leonard

T

Beautiful and creative

table settings!

Thank you for a wonderful day.

Let's have some fun in 2010-2011!

June 2010

You may only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.

Mae West

 Bon Jour Providence !

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 Richard, Hillary, Betty and me!

Au Revoir Montreal !

The Rotary international convention in Montreal

was incredible - in every way.

Paul, me and new friends

June 23, 2010

Montreal

Dress Code

The attire for a Rotary convention is "business casual as appropriate for your country". This is confusing for someone who wears a business suit with flats to dress it down one day and jeans, t-shirt and heels to dress it up the next day. What's appropriate?  eRIRotary.ClubWizard.com/IMUpload/P1000103(1)1.JPG" alt="ShelterBox" width="200" height="150" />

We have seen some beautifully dressed Rotarians: colorful silk saris, elaborate head-dresses, impeccable business suits on men and beautiful dresses on women, complete with hose and heels. Well, this was not what was in my suitcase.

For the opening session I wore jeans and a t-shirt - and I was one of the better dressed Americans!

Cynthia Leonard

June 20, 2010

Montreal

The Four Way Test

While enjoying a glass of red zin and enjoying the company of Rotarians gathered around the bar in Montreal, trading stories, ideas, plans and hopes for Rotary International and our own Rotary clubs, I asked the bar keep if she would translate the Four Way Test into French. It took the bar keep and two waitresses about ten minutes to present us with the French Four Way Test.

1. Est-ce que c'est la verite?

Bon Jour, Montreal!

Well, not quite yet. I haven't said auf wiedersehn to Rhode Island yet. My bags aren't packed. Gotta find my Rotary pins, passport ... for my first Rotary International convention!

Cynthia Leonard

June 19, 2010

No Osprey Chicks!

I am so disappointed my ospreys have no eggs. It could be that one of them is too immature and won't mate until next year.

A friend of mine, a biologist, climbed up to look in the nest and confirmed there are no eggs.

Well, there is next year.

Cynthia Leonard

June 18, 2010

Off to Montreal

The Rotary International Convention is in Montreal this year.  I have made plans to meet up with Rotarian Facebook and LinkedIn friends. I am practicing my French.

Bon jour Montreal!

Cynthia Leonard

June 17, 2010

On Becoming the

Rotary Club of Providence's 99^th President

I am in awe of the many presidents (all 98 of them) who came before me and moved the club forward in small ways every year. Without them and their stewardship we would not be celebrating our centennial in a few months. We owe them a world of thanks and gratitude that we are able today to be members of the Rotary Club of Providence.

Today there are 15 living past presidents of our club. The past presidents are quiet, acknowledging it is the time for others to shine and put their own mark on the club. Of course, they are there for advice but generally they want their successors to make their own way.

Quiet advisors. I hope they speak up this year!

Cynthia Leonard

June 16, 2010

A New Rotary Year

Richard Applebaum, president 2009-2010,  thanked Providence Rotarians for their contributions to the Rotary year while he was president of the Rotary club of Providence. 

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Every member contributes so much to our club, in big ways some years and small ways in other years. But each in a way that combines their talents and time, while still maintaining other friendships, family, work and other responsibilities. It is remarkable to see what a small group of people can do to change our community and the world.

medium;">I am so looking forward to the coming year as the president of the Rotary Club of Providence!

Together we can do great things.

Cynthia  Leonard

June 14, 2010

In the Nest: Update

I am not sure there are any eggs or hatchlings in the osprey nest. The parents are not sitting on the eggs but rather sit off to the side of the huge nest. And I cannot see any little birdies peeking over the edge of the nest, like in past years. Maybe no eggs and offspring this year? I'll keep you posted.

Cynthia Leonard

June 13, 2010

Be Bold! Or Bebold?

These are Ray Klinginsmith's words. He is the incoming president of Rotary International and these words resonated with me as I thought about the changes I wanted to implement in our Rotary club in the coming year.

I've been bantering these two little words for months, encouraging others to think boldly and to think big about our Rotary club.

The funny thing is I have a sailboat named "Bebold". It is a 22' Sonar, a fast racing boat with great stability and comfort. Paul and I bought it sight unseen from Tampa, Florida. It was not an impulse purchase. We were looking for a Sonar. The boat is tricked out for racing and had a winning racing history. The previous owner named her "Bebold". We did not understand the meaning of this and planned to change her name to "Caliente".

But alas, Bebold has not left our yard. She had been sailed and put away rough in Tampa and she needed work, nearly all cosmetic. The number one change was to remove the name and awl grip the boat to restore a pristine hull. We never made it that far.

I was overwhelmed by the amount of sweat and aching joints to work on her. So we left her in our yard, for a future project.

I had forgotten that Bebold was her name. I always thought of her as Caliente. One day it dawned on me, that Ray Klinginsmith's words were the same as my racing sailboat.

Maybe now we will keep the original name of Bebold, as a reminder of bold thinking.

Maybe she will be launched this summer!    

Cynthia Leonard

June 10, 2010

Tales From The Dominican

I was quite inspired and humbled by the tales told by the Dominican Republic team from our club and the Woonsocket Rotary club after their return from the DR. The team will be making a presentation on June 7th at our regular meeting. I am looking forward to it!

Cynthia Leonard

June 6, 2010

Marlin Perkins - Wild Kingdom

If you are younger than me you will not recognize the name of the very popular Sunday evening television program, Wild Kingdom. Marlin Perkins was the host. My family watched it religiously, or at least I did. Even then I was fascinated by wildlife, as the previous Musing on osprey suggests.

Cynthia Leonard

June 1, 2010.

In the Nest

my observations

The osprey

Pandion haliaetus 

They arrived in late march, having flown about 3,500 miles from South America. The trip usually takes about three weeks, depending on layovers and weather.

The male osprey arrived first, as usual, and cleaned up the nest. It's the same gigantic nest the pair used last year. Four days later the female arrived. I imagine she inspected the housekeeping efforts of her mate and found it quite suitable for the summer season in the Creek marsh.

Osprey are birds of prey, powerful raptors with a five-foot wingspan and a 20 or so year lifespan. They weigh about three pounds. They are magnificent to watch in flight.

The birds rarely leaving their huge nest, which is situated high up on a pole once the eggs are laid. This is usually within four or five weeks of their arrival. Even the male sits on the eggs. I love that the male cleans up and prepares the nest, sits on the eggs, is monogamous and does all the fishing! Gotta love that in a male.

The eggs should hatch any day now. I can't see into the nest but I look every day and it is not until the little guys are big enough at 3 or 4 weeks to peek over the edge of the nest that I can count the babies.

At about 8 weeks old they can fly. Then, all too soon it is fall again and the fledglings and their parents make the trip south for the winter - separately. The older osprey, having made this journey before, are smart enough to know flying over land is safer. The youngest take a more daring, but direct route, over open water.

Osprey repeat this pattern, year after year.  It is so predictable one could set a calendar by their activities.

Cynthia Leonard

May 2010

Travel Alert

Welcome home to Rotarians from our club who ventured to the Dominican Republic to install water filters to ensure clean and safe water.

I can't wait to hear about your adventures and am especially curious about how you managed without the comforts of home.

Cynthia Leonard

May 23, 2010

From PAIN to PAINT

In recent times, most Polio outbreaks have been limited to four countries:

Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and Nigeria. But this year, a fifth country, Tajikistan was added to the list, with 32 cases reported in the first five months of the year. In 2009,  there were no cases. Even with the addition of another country to the list of major outbreaks (hence the words PAIN to PAINT), the outlook is not so bleak.

In the past week Nigeria, Afghanistan, Angola, Nepal and India had no new cases of polio. It's been seven weeks since India reported a single case of polio. Last year there were 741 reported cases, so far this year in India, just 19 cases. And Nigeria has made progress. Last year there were 388 cases and to date in 2010, just 2. Pakistan is down as is Sudan, Ivory Coast, Angola, Chad, Niger, Guinea  and Kenya.

Globally, there have been 115 cases of polio in 2010.

It is our dollars to the Rotary International Foundation that help fund this polio eradication campaign. We are almost there. Have you made a contribution to Rotary International this year? Think about a small contribution.

Cynthia Leonard

May 11, 2010

Mother's Day

An opportunity to honor mothers - living and deceased, biological, adoptive or surrogate, a friend, grandmother, aunt or sister who took on the job. Everyone has a mother. Call, visit or think of yours.

It wasn't until I had a child that I started to understand the tremendous effort my mother put into my well being, up bringing, shaping me, teaching me and making me who I am today. She made it look so easy - and I had five siblings, plus a dog. I understand now why mothers say words like, "Wait til you have your own children". Payback! It took years of raising my own to really appreciate all my mother did and does, the love, the bond and connection, the teaching and shaping.

It is because of my mother that I understand and can grow African violets and orchids, how to grow tomatoes and asparagus, the sweet anticipation of blueberries in summer, how to trim rose bushes, identify trees, birds and flowers, how to sew a button and hem a skirt, how to shake hands, give back to our community, play the piano and love music, the importance of being involved in the political process, how to polish brass, how to identify poison ivy, the love of reading and the joy of sharing old episodes of The Honeymooners, I Love Lucy and All in the Family together. 

Thank you, Mom

With Love,

Cynthia Leonard

May 8, 2010

Think Big, Be bold, Think Different, Think Better. Have fun!

That's my theme for 2010 - 2011. I am rolling it out to the Rotary executive committee tonight - Cinco de Mayo.

Join me in thinking big, being bold, thinking different, thinking better and having fun!

Cynthia Leonard

May 5, 2010

The 5th Avenue of Service

New Generations

Rotary International approved the fifth Avenue of Service: New Generations.

New Generations joins Club Service, Vocational Service, Community Service, and International Service as the foundation of club activity. Before starting a project, Rotarians are asked to think broadly about how their club and its members could contribute within each avenue.

"It's a significant change - a historic day in Rotary," said Council Chair Mark Daniel Maloney. "Rotarians have always strongly supported youth activities even though they were never part of the four Avenues of Service. I think this strengthens our commitment."

The Avenue of New Generations recognizes the positive change implemented by youth and young adults involved in leadership development activities, community and international service projects, and exchange programs that enrich and foster world peace and cultural understanding.

How should we integrate the new Avenue of Service: New Generations?

Cynthia Leonard

May 1, 2010

World Laughter Day

Sunday, May 2, 2010

World Peace Through Laughter

"When you laugh

you change

When you change

the whole world changes"

Dr. Madan Kataria

Be sure to laugh outloud.

Cynthia Leonard

April 30, 2010

Fellowship

I had such a strong sense of belonging and fellowship at the recent funeral of Joan Cannon, Providence Rotarians Jerry's wife and Suzanne's mother. It was a very sad and solemn occasion; the passing of a loving wife, mother, sister and grandmother and friend to many. A lovely woman who lived a well-lived life.

Surrounded by my Rotarian friends at the funeral, where we filled three or four front rows in the church, all of us from different faiths, sitting shoulder to shoulder (and when kneeling, sitting head to shoulder.) I felt such comfort knowing and being with these caring and kind people. I felt honored to be part of this group of Rotarian friends. The Cannon family must have been comforted when they turned and saw 60 or so Rotarians across the aisle, there to support them in their time of intense sorrow.

Most impressive was the voice of Phoebe McBride Madden, wife of Providence Rotarian Tom Madden. Her voice was beautiful, clear and smooth. She was filled with emotion and expressive gestures that enhanced the beauty of the music and added to the specialness of this very sad occasion.

God bless the Cannon family.

Cynthia Leonard

April 25, 2010

My Day as President

Richard Applebaum suggested that I preside over a few meetings to get the hang of leading the meeting before I actually take office in July. So I chaired the meeting on April 19 with Richard at my left elbow, ready to help ring the bell, offer advice and to keep the meeting on time.

Richard looked at his watch continuously, like a nervous parent waiting for their teenager to come home, causing me to nervously look at the time as well. Jerry Cannon was in the back of the room, giving me hand signals. Jerry's badge caught the overhead light and as he moved, the badge reflected a pattern that resembled Morse code.

I hadn't known Morse code was part of the presidential gig. They hadn't taught that at the Rotary PETS training. But I assumed, just as American presidents have learned when moving in to the big white house on Pennsylvania Avenue, there are little secrets to discover about the real job of being president, even here at the corner of Orms and Charles streets.

Club members texted me during the meeting, offering little pieces of advice and to let me know the person at the podium had overstayed their welcome. With Jerry in the back of the room giving me hand and Morse code signals, others texting me, others checking their wrist watches and Richard whispering in my ear, it was difficult to think about much of anything related to Rotary. Just get through the meeting, I thought to myself.

Toward the end of the meeting, Richard told me I had to write the President's Blog in the newsletter and that I ought to start taking notes of the meeting so I can highlight the best parts. Who has time for that I wondered? With all the announcements, protocol and procedure, advice, text messaging as well as the meal in front of me, who has time for note taking?

I really do need a secretary to help me do this job. Any volunteers?

Cynthia Leonard

April 20, 2010

Are Rotarians born or made?

t-size: medium;">I think many Rotarians come from a heritage of giving back, serving communities, finding needs and filling those community needs, so perhaps they were "born" into those families as "natural" Rotarians.

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But there are others, who along life's journey just decide that Rotary is a great organization, worthy of their time and talents, worthy of their sweat and dollars for the local and international communities Rotary serves.

What do you think?

Cynthia

April 15, 2010

"The best way to find yourself is through service to others."

Mahatma Gandhi

It took me awhile to figure this out. When I read Mahatma Gandhi's quote, it became crystal clear to me. I have discovered a bit of myself through every volunteer effort throughout my life. Kinda wants to make me do more!

Cynthia

April 11, 2010