Weekly Meeting News - 22 Oct 2012

      Correction for typo in 15Oct2012 News - Joe Potter's grandson is Paul Grube.

      Guests at 22 Oct dinner meeting included October Student of the Month Ross Richins, RYLA 2012 Student Ryan Quattromani with his Mom, Cindy Morrone, and Westerly High School Principal Steven Ruscito.      Members present = 12; Honorary Member present = 1; Absent members = 11

                         ANNOUNCEMENTS

      The Host Christmas Dinner to benefit RI Assisting Those in Need has been changed from December 7 to December 8  - a Saturday evening.

       John Huhtala is responsible for gathering raffle items for the RICAN Christmas event and he passed around a sign up sheet for folks to help him with this effort.  If anyone can help John, please contact him at 401.322.4034 or highhook20@aol.com.

       Steve Salerno announced that several members and guests participated in the Operation Christmas Child project and returned their shoeboxes Monday evening.  He thanked everyone who participated; and said that, if anyone else wishes to participate, please contact him at 413.221.6608.

       There are quite a few events coming up so please be sure to check the calendar.  

       The Membership Committee is planning a Prospective Member Night  to take place in the Lower Level dining room at the Venice Restaurant.  Instead of a sit-down dinner we will enjoy appetizers, beer and wine, allowing members to mingle with guests. Date is to be determined.

       A special meeting was called to order at 5:50pm for the purpose of getting membership approval to fund the Prospective Member Night  -  proposed by John Huhtala and seconded by Bob Elmer.   In other words, the food and beverage cost for the evening will be covered by the Club.

       24 October is World Polio Day  -  District 5500 is sponsoring a "Ride to End Polio on 17 November  -  wearing the Rotary Colors 200 plus Rotarians, friends and family will participate in the 2012 University of Arizona Medical Center El Tour de Tucson to raise money to end polio.  They hope to raise $200,000.  Cyclist participants can ride 42, 60, 85 or 111 miles.

                        RYLA 2012  -  RYAN QUATTROMANI

        Ryan is a Junior and Honor Student at Westerly High School.  Much like the student of the month selection process, Ryan was chosen by Principal Ruscito and his staff for his academic and community service achievements.  He is currently President of the Future Business Leaders of America, is a member of the National Junior Honor Society, is a volunteer at the Dunns Corner Fire Department and is a Boy Scout.  Ryan is working to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout status and is running a Teen Drive to gather items for teens in need.  Scattered throughout town are collection boxes for donation of items; drive ends 21 November.  He said that he very much appreciated the opportunity to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership weekend last May and was putting to good use those skills learned there.   The three-day event provided both mental and physical challenges to improve communication and conflict management skills.  Ryan thanked the membership.                                  

      
  President Cal, Ryan and Mom, Cindy Morrone

                          OCTOBER STUDENT OF THE MONTH  -  ROSS RICHINS

        Ross is a Westerly High School Senior, is a member of the National Honor Society and enjoys physics and science.  He has contributed over 110 hours of community service - a good percentage of those hours at a day camp for children in Boston.  Currently, he volunteers at the Tower Street After School Program.  Ross hopes to attend Bates College in the field of Dentistry.

          President Cal and Ross

                              CELEBRATIONS

             Happy Birthday Blessings to Kathryn Taylor -  October 24