January 07, 2026 Newsletter

7:00–7:15 AM – Arrival
7:20 AM – Welcome, This week’s speaker is our own Diane McCormick!
  • President Deb call The meeting to order at 07:20 a.m. and the first order of business was the Pledge of Allegiance.
She thanked this week’ server: Roger; Diane will be server on 1/14.
Thank you to Evelyn as this week’s scribe and thank you to this week’s greeter Josh Traeger.
Announcements:
  • Dinner Raffle Nick was not here but some dinner certificates were turned in.
  • Trivia – Sandy announced that the next Trivia will benefit the Brattleboro downtown Alliance.  (BDA)  it should be well attended.  The last winning team wants to be sure their trophy is displayed at their table.
  • Blood Drive: Several people volunteered to donate blood or time on 1/27 at the Holiday Inn. Sign up at this link with sponsor code: BBRotary
  • Pine Ridge Event  Tristam announced the passing of Tiny.  She established the BEAR project.  (Be an Eager Reader) The organization focuses on adolescent suicide reduction.  The BEAR project is now being led by her daughter.
  •   There is an item on the agenda of the board meeting for a $350 contribution to the plumbing plumbing hookups at the Millie Horn Cloud Community Building.
  • Sandy announced that the board meeting will be at his office at 147 Western Avenue.
Rotarians for Rotarians: Checking in on everyone
Diane announced we should install Club runner app on our phones during our breakfast break. Everyone that did not already have it installed the app.
7:25 AM – Social / Breakfast Break – Talk with your fellow and sister Rotarians!
7:40 AM – Reconvened
  • Birthdays: 1/3 - KJ
  • Anniversaries: Jon Secrest (1/1) – 22 years, Dan Deitz (1/4) - 20 years!  There was talk of getting special recognition for so many years of membership.
  • Service:  30 for 30, Celebrating 30 years of Service with 30 Acts of Kindness
    • Melissa and Deb were ambassadors for the Brattleboro Miniatures displays downtown.
    • MJ did not have another rotarian with her but she did supply 50 backpacksto Groundworks. They were filled with necessary items for the homeless.
  • Brags or “Service Above Self” stories
    • Evelyn bragged that the Bingo Bash fundraiser for Newbrook Fire & Rescue raised over $2000.
    • Jon bragged about his great trip to Prague and then Dublin.  He got to visit Adam’s family.  He visited his daughter.  They were in Prague for 9 days and then the rest of the 3 weeks was in Lithuania and Dublin.  He also mentioned the live screen link between Vilness and Dublin.
    • Jon also bragged that he is transitioning to a 4 day workweek. He plans to spend more time on his personal wellbeing.
    • Deb bragged about her excellent snow tires and how she made it back from Bradley airport in the middle of a snowstorm.  Brand name of tires is a secret.
    • Josh bragged that though he has been on the Rotary disc golf tournament for 10 years, it is time for someone to step in and assume the control.   Otherwise it will likely revert to the Noontime Rotary.  The tournament has raised over $100,000 since its inception.
    • Roger bragged that he was server and did not have to ask anyone their name.
8:00 AM –Roger, our president elect introduced Diane s asst district governor and district webmaster.  Diane McCormick gave an excellent presentation on ClubRunner App and all it’s intricacies.  Melissa is able to reset member passwords as needed.  Diane and Melissa have been working together to upload relevant club materials.  Diane went through each “icon” and explained the content.  She encouraged all of us to update our profile and to communicate with each other through the app.   The presentation was very well received.
Bowl of Life. Ben worked as a puppet master for one year after getting out of college.
 
8:24 AM – Cards  there was no winner.
8:25 AM –  Rotary Four-Way Test
Of the things we think, say or do:
  • Is it the truth?
  • Is it fair to all concerned?
  • Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
  • Is it beneficial to all concerned?
8:31AM – Meeting adjourned.
7:00–7:15 AM – Arrival
7:20 AM – Welcome, This week’s speaker is our own Diane McCormick!
  • President Deb call The meeting to order at 07:20 a.m. and the first order of business was the Pledge of Allegiance.
She thanked this week’ server: Roger; Diane will be server on 1/14.
Thank you to Evelyn as this week’s scribe and thank you to this week’s greeter Josh Traeger.
Announcements:
  • Dinner Raffle Nick was not here but some dinner certificates were turned in.
  • Trivia – Sandy announced that the next Trivia will benefit the Brattleboro downtown Alliance.  (BDA)  it should be well attended.  The last winning team wants to be sure their trophy is displayed at their table.
  • Blood Drive: Several people volunteered to donate blood or time on 1/27 at the Holiday Inn. Sign up at this link with sponsor code: BBRotary
  • Pine Ridge Event  Tristam announced the passing of Tiny.  She established the BEAR project.  (Be an Eager Reader) The organization focuses on adolescent suicide reduction.  The BEAR project is now being led by her daughter.
  •   There is an item on the agenda of the board meeting for a $350 contribution to the plumbing plumbing hookups at the Millie Horn Cloud Community Building.
  • Sandy announced that the board meeting will be at his office at 147 Western Avenue.
Rotarians for Rotarians: Checking in on everyone
Diane announced we should install Club runner app on our phones during our breakfast break. Everyone that did not already have it installed the app.
7:25 AM – Social / Breakfast Break – Talk with your fellow and sister Rotarians!
7:40 AM – Reconvened
  • Birthdays: 1/3 - KJ
  • Anniversaries: Jon Secrest (1/1) – 22 years, Dan Deitz (1/4) - 20 years!  There was talk of getting special recognition for so many years of membership.
  • Service:  30 for 30, Celebrating 30 years of Service with 30 Acts of Kindness
    • Melissa and Deb were ambassadors for the Brattleboro Miniatures displays downtown.
    • MJ did not have another rotarian with her but she did supply 50 backpacksto Groundworks. They were filled with necessary items for the homeless.
  • Brags or “Service Above Self” stories
    • Evelyn bragged that the Bingo Bash fundraiser for Newbrook Fire & Rescue raised over $2000.
    • Jon bragged about his great trip to Prague and then Dublin.  He got to visit Adam’s family.  He visited his daughter.  They were in Prague for 9 days and then the rest of the 3 weeks was in Lithuania and Dublin.  He also mentioned the live screen link between Vilness and Dublin.
    • Jon also bragged that he is transitioning to a 4 day workweek. He plans to spend more time on his personal wellbeing.
    • Deb bragged about her excellent snow tires and how she made it back from Bradley airport in the middle of a snowstorm.  Brand name of tires is a secret.
    • Josh bragged that though he has been on the Rotary disc golf tournament for 10 years, it is time for someone to step in and assume the control.   Otherwise it will likely revert to the Noontime Rotary.  The tournament has raised over $100,000 since its inception.
    • Roger bragged that he was server and did not have to ask anyone their name.
8:00 AM –Roger, our president elect introduced Diane s asst district governor and district webmaster.  Diane McCormick gave an excellent presentation on ClubRunner App and all it’s intricacies.  Melissa is able to reset member passwords as needed.  Diane and Melissa have been working together to upload relevant club materials.  Diane went through each “icon” and explained the content.  She encouraged all of us to update our profile and to communicate with each other through the app.   The presentation was very well received.
Bowl of Life. Ben worked as a puppet master for one year after getting out of college.
 
8:24 AM – Cards  there was no winner.
8:25 AM –  Rotary Four-Way Test
Of the things we think, say or do:
  • Is it the truth?
  • Is it fair to all concerned?
  • Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
  • Is it beneficial to all concerned?
8:31AM – Meeting adjourned.