George Babcock led the Pledge of Allegiance

Emily Bernstein shared a poem by Gayle Brandeis

 

The plum you're going to eat next summer

 

doesn't exist yet; its potential lives inside a tree you'll never see in an orchard you'll never see, will be touched by a certain number of water droplets before it reaches you, by certain angles of light, by a finite amount of bugs and dust motes and hands you'll never know. The plum you are going to eat next summer will gather sugar, gather mass, will harden at its center so it can soften toward your mouth. The plum you're going to eat next summer doesn't know you exist. The plum you are going to eat next summer is growing just for you.

President Steve acknowledged the work of the by-law committee, and he looks forward to seeing the new slate.

 

Get well wishes to Rev. Barlow and Margaret Kane.

Steve Hug, Barbara Harris, Sam New, Lew Hassel, PJ Fox, Barry Fain

Bring a Guest on Tuesday, April 11, 5:30-7:00 pm to the India Restaurant in Providence. The cost is $15 for each member and each guest. Please sign-up at Tuesday’s April 4 meeting so we can provide a head count. 

 

Jonathan Kaufman said that RI Pride has reached out to the Club for help with replenishing their greatly diminished food pantry. The pantry serves children under the age of 18 years old. Jonathan asked members to participate by donating any kind of dry pasta, canned beans, and Canned soups. He will collect donations every Tuesday (including at the India Restaurant) during April.

 

President-Elect Kris David reminded members that it's time to update personal contact information found on the Providence Rotary website (providencerotary.org) This information can only be accessed by Club members. Updates can be made online or at next Tuesday’s meeting.

 

Emily Bernstein reminded members that 401Gives is happening through April 3.

Art Norwalk showed a video he shot at the Kizirian School showing teachers and students using video-based literacy program materials.  This engaging, interactive program is also available to every kindergarten and 1^st grade class in the Providence school system.

 

Art reminded the Club that this is made possible thanks to funds raised by Providence Rotary members and partners through the annual Legends for Literacy gala. He shared that teachers and kids give the program excellent reviews! 

 

President Steve acknowledged George Babcock’s literacy program leadership and remembered his mother, Jane for her career as a Providence librarian.

By-Laws Committee members Jim Gilcreast, chair, Richard Applebaum and Kris David reviewed proposed amendments to the Providence Rotary Club by-laws.

 

The amendments do not change the intent of the current by-laws, they will be used if the current criteria cannot be met. They give the board and nominating committee more flexibility to fill officer and board positions and allow newer members to serve on the board.

 

These amendments were initiated by the nominating committee because this year there were not enough longstanding members willing to be nominated for the Board of Directors.

 

Art Norwalk submitted some suggestions for changes to the proposed amendments. After discussions and clarifications, Art agreed the amendments as proposed addressed his concerns.