Logo for: Rotary Old Saybrook

OS Rotary Meeting 12/02/20

Pledge/Prayer: President Gary McCauley

Happy Bucks:
Bill M was happy for the day, Thanksgiving holiday and the badly needed rain, John G was happy to make this meeting, the holiday weekend, Charlie N was happy for Thanksgiving and his small, healthy group who celebrated together, Charlie R was happy for Thanksgiving and looking forward to speaking to his grandson in New Zealand which is a full day ahead of us, Alan was happy for his small but good Thanksgiving celebration, Marty was happy to have spent the day in Providence with his daughter's family, Gary was happy for a quiet Thanksgiving and that his shingles didn't fly off the roof! 

Presidents messages:
The Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce is selling raffle tickets to benefit area restaurants. The Great Restaurant Raffle is already a big success and he encourages everyone to buy a ticket. First prize is 42 - $100 restaurant gift cards, second place is $42 - $50 restaurant gift cards and prizes 3-10 is 10 - $10 gift cards. Drawing is Friday, Dec. 18 at noon on Facebook live.

Last year club members rang the bell for the Salvation Army with proceeds collected benefitting Old Saybrook residents. Sue Consoli has informed Gary that out of concern over Covid-19, they will not be doing it this year.

All bills have been paid and nothing is outstanding at this time.

Pediatric Mask Givaway: still waiting for confirmation from the district so no public announement has been made. The number of masks could be as much as 2,000 for our school children.

Gary received an email from Susie Beckman concerning the town hall art gallery we helped build. They are sponsoring a Gingerbread House Decorating Contest. Would anyone like to enter on behalf of the club?

Fundraising: The donation was made to the Thanksgiving turkey fund from Happy Bucks money collected. This was matched by Liberty Bank. Concerning the grant we received from the Westbrook Foundation, there was $240 left over which the Foundation did not want back so 8 - $30 gift cards were purchased from Stop & Shop and delivered to social services for those in need.

Rotary International recently sent a plea for donations to the Foundation. Please give either online (rotary.org/donate) or mail in the form.

Gary noticed a tear in the tent's top and took it to the Westbrook Sail Repair Co. where the stitching will be replaced with heavy duty threads on all 4 corners.

Alan, a retired physician was asked about the vaccine for Covid-19. Alan says the vaccine has been vetted for safety and hopes people won't be hesitant to get vaccinated. Two vaccines have been approved and will soon be available for the public. Both are very effective and have passed FDA safety standards.

Marty announced that our annual Wine Tasting & Silent Auction scheduled for February has been cancelled and will be rescheduled possibly October or November. Marty will work with SPI GM John Lombard

Charlie Norz reports nothing new on the Foundation

Pete Zucco reports nothing new on membership

Bill McLaughlin says we need programs so please help by thinking of people who would talk about their business, organization or other topics of interest. We will be having ZOOM meetings for the foreseeable future. Our politicians are possibilities. Carl Fortuna recently attended and spoke at a meeting. Think of areas we serve, Old Lyme, Westbrook for possible speakers.

Marty talked about our website and a discussion followed about cost of upgrading. Due to the high cost the club needs to decide on goals. Right now the website is more for information but falls short on marketing. The look of our website could use modernizing. Some points made included spending the money on modernzing to make it more interactive with the ability for people to donate and buy tickets for our fundraisers such as the Wine Tasting and Golf Tournament. The investment would perhaps pay for itself. Marty, Gary and John A. comprise a committee to look into the possibility of upgrading gradually. The committee will be meeting with the owner of our host Web Solutions, Tom Barton and his associate Stephanie Courchesne next week to discuss.

We need to have officer nominations for year 2021-2022 in January. Please contact Charlie Norz if you'd like to serve as an officer or suggest someone.

Pat & Pattie DeVito are working on an online handbook for the club - no more binders!

Don't forget - speakers needed!!

md