Walter Cotter read the following quote (identified by Paul Segal) from Congressman John Lewis:

  

“You are a light, are the light. Never anyone - any person, for any force- dampen, dim, or diminish your light...

 

“Release the need to hate, to harbor division, and the enticement of revenge.

 

“Release all bitterness, hold only love, only peace in your heart, knowing that the battle of good to overcome evil is already won.

 

“I believe in freedom of speech, but I also believe that we have an obligation to condemn speech that is racist, bigoted, anti-Semitic, or hateful.”

 

Lots of fist bumps and hugs as about two dozen members got together in person, plus others on the screen for a hybrid live-zoom meeting. Welcome to the future!

 

Providence Rotarians will celebrate Cinco de Mayo, May 5, with a Zoom trivia night; contact Mary Brewster for more info or to register. The $15 fee will go to Rotary International’s PolioPlus campaign.

 

In celebration of Earth Day, Rotarians will meet on Saturday, April 24 at 9 am at the Whole Foods parking lot in University Heights Plaza to pick up trash along Benefit Street. If you can’t make it, consider doing a similar activity in your neighborhood and don’t forget to take a selfie and send it to Wendy Marcus @ wendymarcus131@gmail.com

 

Have you registered yet for the virtual District Conference coming up April 29 – May 1? Click here to check out the opportunities that will be open to you for information, inspiration, fellowship and fun.

 

Margaret Kane started collecting with her own Happy Buck for her BIG new shoes and to welcome Sue Black.

 

George Babcock gave 5 Happy Bucks for Peter Loescher’s birthday.

 

 

Art Norwalk gave 2 Happy Bucks to welcome Jackie Gourd and Rev. Ralph Barlow to the meeting.

 

 

 

 

Kris David gave a Happy Buck to welcome RYLA guests, Jackie Gourd and Rev Barlow.

 

Wendy Marcus gave 5 Happy Bucks to welcome Rev Barlow and his daughter, Ann and to add Jan Feyler’s April 18 birthday to the April birthday list.

 

Jackie Gourd gave 10 Happy Bucks because she’s happy to be at the meeting.

 

Geoff Gaunt gave 20 Happy Bucks for his daughter, Olivia, who has been awarded free tuition and a generous stipend to study Astrophysics at Tufts University!

 

Holly Applegate gave 20 Happy Bucks because she’s happy to see everyone in person.

 

Don Saracen gave $28 Happy Bucks for his 28 years as a Providence Rotarian and his 52^nd wedding anniversary.

 

Pete Brock gave $5 Happy Bucks, he’s happy to be with everyone.

 

Jim Gilcreast gave a Cy Wyche Happy Buck and $5 for Julian Edelman’s retirement.

 

Rev Barlow gave a Happy Buck in honor of his daughter, Ann.

 

Christy Clausen introduced Beth Richards, Middletown Rotary president, pharmacist and Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) alumna, who gave an overview of RYLA and this year’s virtual three-day seminar in July. Beth stressed that this youth program wouldn’t be possible without the support of individual Rotary Clubs since Rotary covers the entire cost for each participant.

 

Participants are high school students who may not be at the top of their class but could benefit from leadership skill development. Candidates are identified through Interact Clubs or school guidance counselors. Training focuses on personal development, community development and team building skills. A community service project is developed by the students that will be implemented following the seminar. RYLA alumni invest many months of intensive planning to developing engaging presentations and activities for participants.

 

Joining Beth were RYLA alums Yarisa Diaz (pictured, left), a Brandeis University grad who is a suicide prevention trainer for the Samaritans in Boston, and Oluwafunmibi Yusuf, a graduate student in clinical psychology at Rhode Island College. The three women credited RYLA for giving them the life changing skills they use in their current work.