Weekly Meeting News - 15 Oct 2012

Guests were the very special Jean Rayner, Paul Rube (Grandson of  Rotarian Joe Potter) and Beth and Jeff Grenette (friends and Columbus Day Parade helpers of Joe Potter).   There were 17 members and 1 honorary member present but 6 members were absent.

              ANNOUNCEMENTS

Rotary Night at the Dunk  -  2 November.  Providence Bruins vs. Worcester Sharks.   Ticket cost is $13.00 with $5.00 going to PolioPlus  -  if you cannot attend, purchase a ticket anyway and give it to someone who can and you will be giving twice!!!   Great deal!!!!  A signup sheet was passed around Monday evening; but please call Cal at 860.917.8320 or Ron at 401.218.8752 to add your name to the list.

Elks/Lions/Rotary Pasta Dinner to benefit Jonnycake Center will take place on 7 November at the Elks Club.  Bruce Morrow handed out five tickets to each member at the Monday meeting.  Those who did not attend the meeting should contact Bruce at 860.908.7592 to arrange pickup of tickets - or for anyone who needs additional tickets.  800 flyers were delivered to the Westerly-Pawcatuck Chamber of Commerce for inclusion in the next newsletter.  Also 200 copies were left at the Monday meeting for members to take and share.

President Cal with Dan and Florence Alvino will represent our Club at the Retirement Dinner for Jean Barry on 10 November.

The District 7950 Paul Harris Foundation Dinner will be held on 15 November at the Venus deMilo Restaurant in Swansea, MA.  Cost is $45 per person.  Social hour begins at 5:30pm and dinner at 7:00pm.  If you wish to attend, please contact Pres. Cal at 860.917.8320, Ron at 401.218.8752 or Rose at 401.315.5868 prior to 9 Nov.

Steve Salerno asked everyone to participate in the Operation Christmas Child program and boxes were distributed.  If anyone has questions, please contact Steve at 413.221.6608.

Ron Roberts announced that all but one of our members have participated in the EREY program to date.

               AWARD TO RAYNERS

Beth Frenette and Joe Potter presented the Rayners with a special plaque recognizing them as the Columbus Day Parade 2012 Grand Marshalls

              CELEBRATIONS

Happy Birthday Blessings to Steve Salerno (October 13) and Ted Avedesian (October 19) AND a Happy 64th Wedding Anniversary to Thelma and Vinnie Gaccione (October 11)

                    PROGRAM  -  DAN ALVINO, Working with Rotary Clubs in La Penita Nayarit, Mexico and Sedona, Arizona

From Danny's notes of the past winter and spring:

  The primary project of the Jaltemba Bay Club of La Penita Nayarit, Mexico, was the completion of a second Kindergarten building in the area.  The $500 donation from the Westerly Rotary Club for this International Project, coupled with Dan's personal contribution of $300, was used to purchase doors and windows.  Most of the construction had been completed prior to Dan's arrival in January, but he became involved with installing several hundred feet of cyclone fencing around the perimeter of the building.  In addition to the fencing, Dan assisted with the planting of 85 trees and shrubs around the playground area.  Along with members of the Jaltemba Rotary Club, parents children and other volunteers from the community participated on each of the work days.

  While in Sedona, Dan assisted with the Sedona Red Rocks Rotary Club major fundraiser of the year - the Howard Hawk Memorial Golf Tournament.  The project nets approximately $17,000 each year.  Dan received a citation for his work in procuring auction gifts, tee box signs, and advertising.  He also assisted with the setup of the project on the day of the event.

                NOTES ON DAY OF SUCCESS SEMINAR, 8 October 2012

The seminar was attended by Ron Roberts and Rose Russo.  The session began with the singing of O Canada and God Bless America.  The Keynote Speaker was RI Director Bryn Styles of Ontario, Canada (Zone 24,32).  Rose shared some notes from her attendance at the Public Image session which dealt with topics of use of Facebook , Clubrunner, radio, newspaper, brochures, twitter, linkedin - how the use of any and all media help to spread the word of the good works of Rotary.  Did you know that Rotary is on Twitter and is the largest group using it? 

Among the suggestions and comments gained from this session  -  1) to reach a younger generation to let them know what Rotary does and get them interested, Clubs have to be willing to join the social media groups, 2) don't neglect "old" social format - newspaper - put an article in the newspaper each week to include upcoming events, fundraisers, or upcoming speakers - use it as a means to entice a potential new member to attend a meeting, 3) build a "friends of Rotary" email list and include them in the weekly Club bulletin to keep them informed about the Club's projects and events. 

If anyone travels to Boston, look for a billboard paid for by a Matching Grant from Rotary International (it is just like the banner unfurled at the Pawtucket Red Sox game in August) and the same banner also appears on buses in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.  In addition, the District announced that the large street banner can be borrowed by any Club for special events.

And tell your friends about the Rotary Radio Show on AM790 hosted by Dave Clifton - every Wednesday from 4 - 5 pm - but you can listen to a "podcast" any time if you go to www.790business.com  AND Dave said that there is the possibility to take the show "on the road" to a local Club event..