Pledge
Mike Kelly led the pledge.
Inspiration
President Liz Messier’s Inspiration message to the Assembly.
Liz is recovering from pneumonia and a hospital stay. Bill Applegate conducting the meeting in her absence.
This meeting focus is to consider your skills and interests and how you can apply them to Rotary service projects of choice and/or fellowship opportunities to make our club stronger and more cohesive than ever.
Try something new. Evolve, engage and enjoy!
On Zoom
Craig Creller, Barry Fain, Cap Willey, Yani Hernandez,
Visitors
Salvja Singh, Tammy Debarros, Ralph Holyst, Paula Jagemann(on Zoom)
Happy Bucks
- Bill Applegate conducting since Pete Brock is away, and happy Liz is in recovery
- Don Saracen celebrating his son Michael’s new association: Global Head of Clinical Evidence & Partnerships at Varian, a division of Siemens, industry leader in radiation oncology solutions
- Tammy Debarros is always happy to attend a Providence Rotary meeting
- Charles Donnelly is celebrating recent vacation with family at Martha’s Vineyard
- Salvia Singh is looking forward to being a new member of the Providence Rotary
- Bill E. is glad his Swan Point colleagues will be helping with Gala preparations
- Sharon Garland happy to see Bill Applegate help Liz while she recovers.
Announcements
Don’t forget the Gold Bowls for the Providence Rotary Charities Foundation
Rotary After Dark: July 28: Fiesta Night at Liz Messier’s home. Bring your significant other, please RSVP
Rotary meeting July 21: Mayoral candidates’ debate: Brett Smiley, David Morales; sign up through an email to Art Norwalk, artnorwalk@gmail.com Guests welcome; please register if you’re attending via zoom/webinar. Members of the Lifelong Learning Collaborative attending.
Rob Black: Credit card provider Square’s server seems to be hacked. Check your CC charges with your bank to report a possible fraudulent charge.
Club Assembly Meeting
Committee Reports
Art Norwalk, Literacy Committee
We are expanding to include many new members who are actively involved in committee projects. Focus on PreK-3 learning to read in preparation for reading to learn in grades 4 and up. Invitation for other Rotary members to join the committee and become active in one of many projects/programs: the October 29th Gala (fundraiser), Back-to-School event at our partner schools, read-alouds at partner schools, tutoring and new projects: Classroom Sets, Vending Machine Books, teacher requested mini grants, After-School/Out-of-School literacy enrichment to name a few.
Holly Applegate, co-chair of this year’s Gala committee and event.
It’s our 7th Gala. Showed preview of Don Saracen’s son’s video introduction of Rotary literacy projects in action
New - Two children’s book authors/illustrators will create onsite illustrations that will be framed and offered as auction items.
New, a panel of Local author, Karyn Parsons, Our Educator of the Year, and one additional athlete legend who will answer moderator’s questions about their experiences and challenges.
Bill E. in charge of the auction that includes a Wine Pull. And he is organgizing 8 to 10 items to be put up for live auction. Help if you can.
Mary Brewster, School Supplies Service Project
Inviting Rotary members to serve as volunteers on September 1 to assemble cartons and school supplies that will be delivered to Kizirian our partner school. Rotarians offering donations invited to sign up. We raised $1900 at the meeting! We have spent about $2750, so donation requests are still open and can be sent to the Rotary Club Charities Foundation.
Bodega Food Pantry service project. Sharon Garland and Liz Messier as leads.
Christmas toy drive
Simone Fargeorgio - Ronald McDonald House
2:00 – 4:30 p.m. July 24
Sign up to volunteer to shop groceries and cook for families and children at the Ronald McDonald House
Bill E. Sail Beyond Cancer/Newport
Sign up to volunteer to accompany cancer patients and boat pilots for a day “out on the water.” Other volunteer tasks include cleaning boats’ inside and outside
Membership: Anthony Hollingshead
Members: Karen Mueller, Michaela Hermann, Kris David, Jane Berkowitz, PJ Fox and new member Anthony Landi
Website: Bulk of inquiries with follow up response from Rotary
18 new members joined the club this year
Types of membership: Corporate, Family, Friends
New member announcement on the Club’s Facebook page
Information booth at Lippitt Park Farmers Market in June and August
New member group orientation
Application process streamlined
26-27 goal: Increase membership by 10 new members; increase diversity (broad range of ages), outreach to former members; increase publicity; ongoing communication with exiting members to encourage meeting attendance.
Emily Bernstein: International Project
Spearheading a new committee that involves a Rotary International Service Project to be started in 2027. Volunteers encourage to join to create a plan. Work with the girls’ school in Nepal (we connected with them last year) on a project that involves literacy. Down the line we will need volunteers for fundraising and grant writing.
Pete Brock: Ocean State Odd Job Lot: Annual coat drive
Rotary After Dark
Rotary meeting on the 4th Tuesday of each month enabling club members to socialize and deepen fellowship.
July 28: Fiesta Night at Liz Messier’s home
August: Cocktails and Appetizers at the Aqua Bar at The Marriott.
A meeting at Swan Point on another date
Annual Christmas party at the Kellys
TBD: Paul Borrelli will be working on other events. Contact him to help.
