Pledge of Allegiance
George Babcock led the Pledge.
Inspiration
Cap Willey’s thoughts have drifted to Spring now that tax season is over. He shared some inspirational quotes:
“In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours.” Mark Twain
“April has the spirit of youth in everything.” William Shakespeare
“When all at once I saw a crowd, a host, of golden daffodils; beside the lake, beneath the trees, fluttering and dancing in the breeze.” William Wadsworth
His favorite is from the great philosopher Robin Williams: “Spring is nature's way of saying, “Let’s Party!”
Announcements
President Steve congratulated the Club’s Environmental Committee (Anna Knes, Emily Bernstein, Sam New and Alex David) for the well-organized spring cleanup on Saturday. Shoutout to Anthony Hollingshead for his recruitment efforts at the event.
Steve reported that the Marriott has worked with us to keep our meetings at the hotel. Although they will be charging other guests for parking, Rotarians will not be charged. He thanked Peter Loescher and Arthur Robbins for their work on this issue.
Kris David reminded members that while we won’t be charged for parking, we must scan a Q code on our phones. Training and instructions are available.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley is the May 2nd speaker.
Welcome to guest and potential new member, Dick Brassard.
Joining on Zoom were Don Saracen, Lew Hassel, Rob Brewster and Ben Hadsell.
Get well wishes to Holly Applegate, Margaret Kane, Rev. Ralph Barlow and Mary Lou Ryan.
The installation of the new Club officers and board members will take place at the Squantum Club on June 27.
If you haven’t received a ballot to vote for 2023-24 Club officers and directors, please let Rob Black know.
This is World Immunization Week to raise awareness of the importance of immunizations around the world. The World Health Organization reported that 2022 saw the largest decline in vaccinations in 30 years. Rotary International has led efforts for 35 years to inoculate three billon children with the polio vaccine. You can make a contribution to end polio in the members section, my polio on the Rotary International website.
Emily Bernstein will host the new member orientation at her home on May 9.
Kris David reported that a Day of Service is scheduled for Saturday, May 20 at the Kizarian School. There are opportunities for Rotarians to help with a spring refresh by planting flowers donated from the Swan Point Cemetery greenhouses and to work on children’s activities.
Happy Buck – Liz Messier
- Liz is happy to see so many Rotarians at the meeting. Keep coming back!
- Randy Dittmar $2 happy bucks for surviving the mid-April tax rush!
- Anthony Hollingshead was happy to be part of Saturday’s clean-up event organized by the new members of the Environmental Committee - they’re doing a great job.
- Emily Bernstein $7 sad bucks for her lost kitten.
- Don Saracen for Sharon Garland replacing him as notetaker at the last minute so he could finish spreading mulch at his house!
- Alex David for his mother, Kris’ birthday.
- Barry Fain $5 happy bucks for Anthony Landi’s recent help.
- Guest speaker Anne Morton Smith $20 happy bucks because the Club invited her to speak about Bradley Hospital.
SPEAKER
Anthony Landi introduced Anne Morton Smith, Chief Development Officer of the Emma Pendleton Bradley Hospital. The hospital opened in 1931 as the first psychiatric hospital for children in the United States. Currently they serve 6000 patients a year and 700 children a day for psychiatric, behavioral or developmental disorders. Pediatric mental health research and physician training programs are an important component of their work.
Bradley offers in-patient, in-home and residential treatment and extensive outpatient programs for children as young 6 weeks through 18 years old. Wide ranging programs include treatment for anxiety, depression, ADD, Autism, eating disorders, self harm, and suicide prevention. The Kids’ Link RI Hotline for children in emotional crisis is staffed 24 hours a day by clinicians who help connect parents and caregivers with mental health services. Anne addressed the extraordinary challenges facing adolescents today because of issues like social media. Bradley offers support groups on Zoom where teens seem comfortable discussing common problems and teen mindfulness training.
