Welcome to the Rotary Club of Westerly
Celebrating Sixty-Six Years  June 28, 1958-2024
 

SERVICE ABOVE SELF

We meet In Person
Mondays at 5:30 p.m.
The Frank Olean Center
93 Airport Road
Westerly, RI 02891
United States of America
Phone:
(401) 315-5868
Email:
ra.russo@cox.net
Please call ahead if visiting. Dinners are ordered by Saturday and delivered just before meeting. Contact Derin at 401.787.5575 or Alan at 401.623.1577.
District Site
Venue Map
Home Page Stories
Peace & Justice Committee
Posted by Frank Thacker
  Our Vision:  We seek to create, locally and globally, a culture of peace in which the inherent worth and dignity of every living being is honored and respected and conflicts are resolved nonviolently.
                                                                                                                             
Our Mission:  To create activities, programs and projects focused on creating a culture of peace as well as working with other community groups and organizations engaged in similar endeavors.
Link to Frank Thacker's Daily Peacemaker:  Facebook https://youtu.be/laPRY8aRfBs
 
Peace Pole dedication 22Oct2018
 
21 September 2024 is the International Day of Peace, observed around the world.  "Established in 1981 by unanimous United Nations resolution, Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace."  "This year is the 25th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly's adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace.  In that declaration, the United Nations' most inclusive body recognized that peace 'not only is the absence of conflict, but also requires a positive, dynamic participatory process where dialogue is encouraged and conflicts are solved in a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation.'"
 
Rotary's Four Roles in Promoting Peace (from www.rotary.org/ourcauses....
Practitioners:  Our work fighting disease, providing clean water and sanitation, improving the health of mothers and children, supporting education, and growing local economies directly builds the optimal conditions for peaceful societies.
Educators:  Our Rotary Peace Centers (seven of them) have trained more than 1,700 peace fellows to become effective catalysts for peace through careers in government, education, and international organizations.
Mediators:  Our members have negotiated humanitarian ceasefires in areas of conflict to allow polio vaccinators to reach children who are at risk.
Advocates:  Our members have an integral role as respected, impartial participants during peace processes and in post-conflict reconstruction.  We focus on creating communities and convening groups that are connected, inclusive and resilient.
Other Notes
Remember the following in your prayers and perhaps with a card or two:   Andy Clapham
 
Meetings will be in person but spaced appropriately
9 Sep:      Board meeting 4:30
12 Sep:    The Olean Center "Cheers for Charity" Fundraiser at Grey Sail Brewery, 5-8pm
16 Sep:    Chris Butler, Exe Dir of InSight Vision Rehabilitation 
23 Sep:    Gina Fuller, Christine Cooke -Main St Resilient Renewal Project
30 Sep:    Tenth Annual RCoWF Golf Tournament @Stonington Country Club
7 Oct:      Columbus Day Parade Committee Pasta Dinner @Calabrese Club, 5-7pm - OUR DINNER MEETING WILL
                 MEET HERE AT 5:30;  BOARD will meet at Grey Sail Brewery at 4:30
13 Oct:    Columbus Day Parade
14 Oct:    Columbus Day holiday - NO meeting
21 Oct:    Ryan Saunders, Exe Dir Chorus of Westerly
28 Oct:    RI Secretary of State Gregg M Amor
Steve, John and Bob leading us in The Rotary Welcome Song written by Rotarian Ed Smalley
 
Food Collection Program
Remember those in need and bring canned goods either to meeting or to Avie's Ski/Sport by month's end.   These items will be distributed to The Jonnycake Center of Westerly and the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center.
 
Club Home -   We are meeting at The Frank Olean Center next to Rotary Park, Monday, 5:30pm.  Gina & Angie will send the sandwich/salad menu on or about Wednesday for the next Monday meeting; respond to them at gbrancato@navigantcu.org and aswain@navigantcu.org by Sunday Noon.  If you don't receive a reply from within 24 hours, please contact them again.  Please respond whether ordering or not as it will help us to know how many will be attending meeting.
 
Covid Aid Goes On....
18 Mar 2024 marked four years that our Club "had been making food and health item deliveries to area residents who are elderly, infirm, or without transportation.  Although the pace has slowed a bit, the need is still great."  Rona reports that 334 deliveries, as of 29 August, have been made since the program began in 2020. 
 
Creative Opportunity
Take responsibility for website and newsletter.  Excellent tutorials in Clubrunner. Contact Rose at ra.russo@cox.net or 401.315.5868
10th Annual Golf Tournament
 
Platinum Sponsor:  Professional Planning Group
Gold Sponsor:  Bouvier Insurance
                         Westerly Community Credit Union
Bronze Sponsor:  PMC Media Group
Tee Sponsors:
      Avie's Ski/Sport
      Baxter
      Beachcrest Dental
      Boughner, Bob & Marty
      Central Baptist Church
      Chariho Furniture
      Daily Peacemaker.com
      D'Angelo Sandwich Shop
      Dunns Corners Chiropractic Center
      Dunns Corners Market
      Ginger's Service Station
      Gray Goose Cookery
      Hilltop Cafe
      Hoyt, Filippetti & Malaghan LLC
      Laudone Financial
      Mansfield Insurance Agency
      Margin Street Inn
      Navigant Credit Union
      Potter, Joseph & Carol
      Rayner, Douglas & Eugenia
      R Paul Kuhn, Esq LLC
      Seaside Pharmacy
      South County Auto LLC
      The Cooked Goose
      Toscano's Mens Shop
      Urso, Liguori & Micklich PC
      Westerly/Pawcatuck Int'l City of Peace
     
 
MDM for Polio Plus
District Governor Sharon and President Alan.   We had planned a major event with the Westerly Police Department to celebrate DG Sharon's visit, raise some funds for the Polio Plus Program, and welcome the community to Rotary Park.  But, the weather had other plans and the WPD postponed their event to Tuesday and we moved our event indoors Monday evening.  A fabulous secret donor donated a wonderful buffet dinner provided by Vetrano's.  DG Sharon shared the story of her introduction to Rotary.   And, she honored us by inducting our two newest Rotarians - Angelina Swain and Mary Lennon.
       
and to top off the evening, President Alan presented Dr. Rayner with his newest Paul Harris pin - 3 sapphires.
Bill Dougherty, Cinema Champion
President Alan with Bill Dougherty, co-owner of Mystic Cinemas, South County Cinemas, Madison Cinemas and Westbrook Cinemas.  Bill has been involved in the Cinema industry since the 1970s and had many stories to tell us.  His visit was a treat and we thank him for the tickets and Summer Pops' popcorn.
 
District Awards 2023/2024
Awarded for Peace and Conflict Resolution event held at the Westerly Library in partnership with Westerly Area Peace and Justice, the Anti-Racism Coalition and the Westerly Library.  An Evening with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr took place on 16 January 2024.  The goal for the evening was to bring the community together to openly discuss how Dr. King's words from over 50 years ago can unite people to promote peace in a turbulent world.  It was promoted in the Westerly Sun.  In addition, we participated in monthly meetings of the Peace Pole Committee which has led to the planting of peace poles in Westerly.  An International Day of Peace event was held 23 September 2023 at Westerly Library. A program on International Cities of Peace at the District Peace-building and Conflict Resolution Forum on Zoom took place 27 February 2024.
 
Members have attended DE&I web training. We have removed fines from weekly meetings, meeting meals have become optional, creating a tiered dues structure.  Meeting place is convenient to all.  Website includes Diversity pledge: Rotary strives to create and maintain an experience for members and participants that reflects our fundamental values, empowers people to contribute at their fullest potential, and celebrates people as they are.  Our core values - service, fellowship, diversity, integrity and leadership - align with our commitment to foster a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for all.
25 achievements were listed on the award application.  We had to complete at least 16 between 1 July 2023 and 25 April 2024.  We accomplished 20.  Some examples are service project completed, Million Dollar Meal, attendance at District event, participate or contribute to international project, peace building.
To receive this award, a club must have completed at least 4 of 9 items.  We completed six: highlighted projects or events in the Westerly Sun, maintained an attractive up-to-date website, maintained an active up-to-date facebook page, produced regular newsletters to membership and others, hosted an event to inform others about Rotary's efforts to eradicate Polio in the world (our Million Dollar Meal in Rotary Park), Updated Club banners with Day of Service banner.
 
District Longevity Awards were given to Dr. Douglas A Rayner for his 53 years of service and Joseph Nigrelli for his 56 years of service
to Westerly Rotary.
 
Rotary Day of Service
The Rotary Club of Westerly participated in its "Day of Service" on 4 May 2024.  We meet at The Frank Olean Center, which is located next door to our Rotary Park on Airport Road.  Executive Director Ruth Tureckova asked if we would help with much needed painting and/or gardening.  So, six of us tackled painting and three worked outside pruning and weeding.  The gardeners cleaned up the garden area surrounding the front of the building.  The painters completed repainting of two rooms and finishing off some other areas.
                    
 
  
Thanks to Ruth for taking pictures of the Rotary Crew!!!
 
Rotary Foundation
Posted on Aug 12, 2024
Your generous contributions to The Rotary Foundation are essential to securing and growing Rotary programs throughout the world. Consider making your Every Rotarian, Every Year contribution of $25, $100 or more as early as possible. If you send your contribution directly to Rotary Foundation, please let Rose know.    For the 13th consecutive year, the Rotary Foundation has received the highest rating - FOUR STARS - from Charity Navigator, an independent evaluator of charities in the U.S. - ranked #4 in the top ten best charities list. 
 
The Polio Plus Society of District 7950
Pledge to help Rotary make history by continuing to contribute $100 or more each year until the World Health Organization certifies that polio has been fully eradicated because Until the world is polio-free, every child is at risk.  Society members will received a PolioPlus Society membership pin and certificate.  Your contribution qualifies for Paul Harris Recognition and Major Donor Credit.  To make your tax-deductible donation go to my.rotary.org/donate and click on "Polio Fund".  Payment should be made payable to Rotary Foundation and give to Rose for proper handling.      
 
As of 5 August, 10 members have contributed to either "EREY" and/or "Polio Plus"                                                                                                                              
Read more...
Westerly's Lockbox Program
Posted on Aug 30, 2023
   
The lockbox above was installed on John Street -  it's location must be easy to find and close to the front door for quick access by First Responders.
 
If you know of someone who is "at risk" and can benefit from having a lockbox installed at their home, please contact the Westerly Police Department or Officer Mills at the non-emergency Phone Number 401.596.2022.  Our lockboxes are provided to residents, as needed, free of charge.  Also, if other groups wish to donate lockboxes to the Westerly Police Department, please purchase them from McQuade's Ace Hardware.  We are being awarded special pricing and have delivered 63 lockboxes to Officer Mills for distribution as of this month.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Rotary strives to create and maintain an experience for members and participants that reflects our fundamental values, empowers people to contribute at their fullest potential, and celebrates people as they are.  Our core values - service, fellowship, diversity, integrity and leadership - align with our commitment to foster a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for all.
Greetings

Alan Brinton

member photo
 
 
Club Executives & Directors
President
Alan Brinton
President Elect
Suzanne Lane
Vice President
Jeffrey Wendth
Secretary
Kathryn Taylor
Treasurer
Rosemarie Russo
Immediate Past President
Derin Temel
Rotary Foundation
Bob Elmer
Membership Chair
Derin Temel
Public Image
Rona Mann
Other
Bob Lane
Site Pages
Photo Albums
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays:
  • Frank Celico
    September 11
  • Frank Livingston
    September 12
  • Joseph Lorello
    September 17
Spouse/Partner Birthdays:
  • Lori Lord
    September 9
  • Leslie Lorello
    September 16
Anniversaries:
  • Joe Potter
    Carol Potter
    September 11
  • Gina Brancato
    Peter J Brancato
    September 25
Join Date:
  • Derin Temel
    September 9, 2019
    5 years
  • Dora Vasquez-Hellner
    September 9, 2019
    5 years
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Mailing Address:  Rotary Club of Westerly, PO Box 407, Westerly RI 02891