All veterans from the Providence Rotary Club gathered together at the podium to be honored by the Club for their service to the country on this meeting before Veterans.Day
ANNOUNCEMENTS/REMINDERS
Visiting Rotarian Bryan Jackson exchanging flags with President Mike Kelly
Liz Messier, “It’s a Wonderful Life” at the Barker Playhouse on December 10th see Liz for tickets
President Mike thanked the Nominating Committee for their hard work in assembling a slate of potential board members. Mike also addressed the important issue of building membership in the Club. He recognizes that Rotary continues to evolve on many issues and stressed that nothing will change radically in terms of membership. Fellowship, friendship and service to the community will remain the focus of the Club.
Providence Rotary will honor George Babcock as our “Partner in Philanthropy” at RI’s celebration of philanthropy on November 30th from 8-10 AM at Twin River Event Center.
Kathy Kelly pulled this week’s raffle winner: Patricia Genovese. There are two remaining drawings, November 16th; and November 23rd. Please keep in mind that the 23rd drawing will be for half the pot, it should be over $3,000.
Pictures from the Paul Harris Dinner:
Ed Futa, International Rotary Secretary, Bill David, DG Kris David, PDG Valerie Perry, PDG Terrie Fitch
Providence Rotary members Liz Messier, Holly Applegate and PP Jenny Miller
Dan Murphy introduced his mentor, Dr. Edward Mazze. Dr. Mazze has a 54-year career in higher education and is currently Distinguished University Professor of Business Administration and the former Dean of the URI College of Business.
Dr. Mazze has seen communities turn the business climate around. He drew on his experience in Charlotte, NC for an example of a community that grew into one of the country’s largest commercial centers. He credits the business community, tired of their children leaving Charlotte because of a lack of well-paying jobs, for developing a plan to attract business. It happened with a partnership of business and government: business pushing forward and government staying out of the way.
Dr. Mazze had a number of thoughts on Rhode Island' s (RI) economy, but he’s the first to admit there’s nothing he hasn’t said before, the challenge is getting people to listen! His observations included:
In RI there is too much emphasis on government creating jobs and not enough on emphasis on responding to those businesses interested in moving to RI
RI had the highest unemployment rate during the recession, we also had the highest real underemployment rate – 33% comprised of unemployed, underemployed and those “given up on getting a job.”
Negative polls have a direct impact on RI’s economy because they influence decision makers and location specialists across the country.
RI’s many positive attributes: 12 colleges and universities; strong health care and hospitality sectors; great strategic location between Boston and New York is offset by no population growth; expensive housing costs for young college graduates with high student loan debts; high energy costs and ethics.
In order to attract business, RI must build the following model that supports business;
Strong support of education including K-12
Focused economic development strategy that builds on the State’s strengths
Eliminate bottlenecks to business growth by coordinating all government agencies involved with business development
He suggests five areas of focus to get out of our current economic condition:
Build leadership in all levels of the community: government, business, health, education
Repair infrastructure, which is more than roads and bridges, it includes public buildings and filling needed positions to assist citizens and businesses
Consolidation of services across RI with a functioning five county government for scale of economy
Rebuild confidence of Rhode Islanders
Support existing small businesses
Happy Bucks
Margaret Kane solicited “Happy Bucks”.
Many were grateful for the wonderful holiday party at the Kellys’ home Saturday afternoon.
John Folan was happy for the good work that the staff of San Miguel and Sophia Academy do teaching these fine young people. Our companies will have some fine young men and women to employ in eight years if today is any indication
Omar Luna, Vice President of the San Miguel class of 2015 was happy that the Rotary tradition of a Christmas party with his school continued
Rotary Club of Providence, 27 Dryden Lane, Providence, RI 02904
Ed Futa, International Rotary Secretary, Bill David, DG Kris David, PDG Valerie Perry, PDG Terrie Fitch
Providence Rotary members Liz Messier, Holly Applegate and PP Jenny Miller.JPG)
