Anthony Hollinghead led Club members in the Pledge of Allegiance
Inspiration
Walter Cotter opened the meeting with the following Inspiration message:
Walter began by quoting author Flannery O’Connor theme in her stories—accepting oneself. While self-acceptance is not a final goal, she urged her readers to live life humbly, open to bettering oneself.
Announcements
We welcomed our guest Assistant Governor Marcel Auteuil.
Get Well Wishes to Anthony Landi who is recovering from a recent surgery.
Nondas Voll would love to get company at Wingate.
Happy Birthday to Marine veterans celebrating on November 10th.
Nominating Committee is seeking candidates who wish to become Board members. Connect with Sharon Garland if you are interested.
Thank you to everyone who attended the memorial for Reverend Ralph Barlow on Saturday.
Please let us know if you are attending the Theater Night on November 30th. Cost: $10.00 per person. We will not have a meeting at the Marriott on November 28th.
Happy Bucks
- Pete Brock led us off in memory of Margaret Kane and the end of Alumni Mobile.
- Mike Kelly in honor of the Marine Corp’s Birthday on the 10th.
- Don Saracen gave in honor of his friend’s induction in the Sailing Hall of Fame.
- Steve Hug giving a shoutout to Mike Kelly’s car wash. Excellent oil change service and car wash.
Holly and Bill Applegate gave $15 honoring a wonderful short vacation in Charleston, SC after a grand niece’s wedding, and visiting with Wendy Marcus and Alan Goer.- Wendy Marcus sent $5 to say “hi y’all” to her friends at Providence Rotary.
- Cap Willey about the lowly Patriots but hoping for a better season for the PC Friars.
- Kris David in recognition of her son Alex’s presentation at the recent District Foundation lunch.
- Angela Ponte $5 in recognition of Alex David’s presentation at the recent District Foundation lunch, and $5 for visiting with our Rotary Club.
- Anthony Hollingshead in honor of his sister who is celebrating 40 years with the FBI in Washington, D.C. As a bonus for attending the ceremony Anthony got to meet Director Christopher Wray!
Literacy Committee Report
Art Norwalk reported that the committee is funding several literacy/reading programs for its partner schools (George J. West and Harry Kizirian) and other sites in the Providence Public School District with the $65,000 collected from the Legends for Literacy fundraiser in 2022.
Guest Speaker
Angela Ponte, District Governor 2023-2024.
She is a member of the Quincy Rotary Club where she has served on the Board of Directors and is a Past President. She has served district 7950 as an Assistant Governor and District Secretary for 7 years. She and her husband Barry have had numerous adventures with Providence Rotary Club members at District Conferences in New England, Bermuda, and most recently at Rotary International conventions in Houston.
Rotary International’s theme for this year, “Create hope in the world.”
President Gordon McInally is concerned about mental health and the related cause of “social isolation” from the recent pandemic the world has experienced.
Currently, we are all slowly emerging from the recent pandemic to reconnect as community members. She encouraged all of us in the Club to reach out to each other and especially to members who have drifted away in recent years.
Angela met with the Providence Board members prior to today’s meeting. She was proud to report to today’s luncheon meeting members that the Providence Club is a model for other clubs for its level of member involvement and commitment to community needs.
Angela’s message to the Providence club members today.
District Level
The Facebook page is up and running on the District website.
The District website has been updated. One new feature—Clubs can now post their events on the calendar for more club-members-based interactions and attendance at Rotary events. She is encouraging clubs to collaborate.
Reconnecting after the pandemic
Youth programs have suffered from active participation during the pandemic and its aftermath.
The District is trying to re-establish the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA).
Upcoming events to note.
November 18, 2023 in Fairhaven, MA. Membership Seminar. Orientation to Rotary membership and soliciting new ideas for existing and new membership.
February 3, 2024: Midyear event—check out details on the Rotary District calendar.
March 7-9m 2024: Training for incoming Rotary Presidents; Stephanie Urcheck, Rotary International President keynote speaker
Tri-state (CT/RI/MA) District conference May 3-5, 2024 in Sturbridge, MA ($129/hotel room rate); networking across Clubs, sharing projects, socializing and engagement in fun activities as well as educational forums
April 2024: District Assembly. Details on District calendar.
In keeping with the new connections, Angela is sending emails to Rotary members and her cell phone to “Keep in touch and connect.”
And in closing, Angela gave a tribute to the late Margaret Kane, one of the funniest people ever.
It is beyond words and tears that I must share with the club the passing of Past District Governor Joe Clancy from the Rotary Club of Weymouth. Joe passed away on November 8th after a long illness. Joe served as my trainer while I was preparing to be the District Governor, and mentored me during my year as Governor. He was an inspiration and a true friend. Please keep him, his wife Geraldine, and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
