Weekly Meeting News - 3 December 2012

         Member present  15       Members absent  8

Monday evening the Club held a "prospective member night", made especially festive due to the Christmas decorations by the Venice staff, who also provided sandwiches, cheese and crackers.  The Membership Committee sent invitations to several businesses; and while some folks told President Cal that they couldn't visit the Club now, they might consider doing so in the future.  We were pleased and honored that the following guests attended this event:

     Alan Brinton of Grey Sail Brewers     Chief Edward St. Clair of Westerly Police Department      Chief John Mackey of Westerly Fire Department                                   

           Sergio Cherenzia of Cherenzia Construction     Jon Weeden of Buckler Johnston Funeral Home     Denise Pellegrino of Ashley Brides

                          Russ Partridge of WARM Shelter     Brian Gerbutavich of Electric Boat     Patrick of Venice Restaurant

                                                          John Hall, former Rotarian and Past President of Rotary Club of Westerly

John Huhtala introduced President Cal, who spoke of his first experience in Rotary at the Norwich Club and how he became a Rotarian.  He was followed by Dan Alvino, Chris DiPaola, Bob Elmer, Ron Roberts, Steve Salerno and John Hall.  Each member and former member shared their feelings of what it means to be a Rotarian - service to the local and international community, camaraderie, family, international effort to eradicate Polio throughout the world.

Board News

Thank you notes were received from the Westerly YMCA, WARM Shelter and the Jonnycake Center for the recent donations by our Club.  President Cal spoke of the prospective member event and the goals of membership. 

December 8 event is coming together with about 150 attendees expected, DJ Caswell Cooke, RICAN Executive Director Deborah Nigrelli, and several raffle items.  Bring a friend or two, lots of food, gift cards and a contribution for RICAN - open your heart!!   Special guest for the evening will be SANTA!!!!!  

The Club's Annual Meeting will take place on 10 December  - key items to be voted upon will be the 2013 to 2014 Slate of Officers and a couple of changes to the Scholarship By-Law.  In addition, the Westerly Innovations Network Team (WIN) will be visiting to speak about their projects.  This amazing group of young people have recently been interviewed on TV, have been featured in the Westerly Sun and Catholic weekly newspaper.

December 17, our holiday party, will also include our two June 2012 Scholarship Award winners, Jena Piccolo and Kevin Conway, and November Student of the Month Hannah Schilke and December Student of the Month Austin Menta (he was our 2011 RYLA student).  Should be a wonderful evening - BE THERE!!!!  Important Note  -  our annual collection for our weekly server will take place at this dinner -  so, if you cann't attend, be sure to give your contribution to Treasurer Ron at the December 3rd or December 10th meetings.

The Board voted to approve Jeff Frenette for membership and will plan a "fireside chat" before his induction.

Several organizations have written to request funds but the Board decided to postpone any decision until January.  The Board did approve contribution to the Annual Rotary Rose Parade float.

The Granite Theatre sent a letter offering group tickets sales of $15 per person for Friday, December 21.  Contact President Cal if you are interesting in attending along with a group from the Central Baptist Church.