Brattleboro Sunrise Rotary Club Meeting
January 21, 2026
Minutes submitted by Kristin Sullivan, who took them until 8:00. Thanks to Josh Traeger for providing AI notes/transcript for the remainder!
The meeting was called to order at 7:15 and the group said the Pledge of Allegiance.
WELCOME & THANKS
Debra welcomed guests:
- Rotary Governor Elect, Ruth Clough, whose term will begin July 1
- Student Rotarian, Gilbert
Debra thanked and noted the following:
- Dan for serving. Next week’s server will be Jon.
- Kristin for taking notes. Next week’s scribe will be Tristan T.
- Josh for greeting. Josh noted that Melissa was the first to arrive.
- Melissa for substituting in as Treasurer.
- Justin for serving as Seargent at Arms.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Dinner Raffle Fundraiser
- Nick shared that all gift cards are in hand. Tickets are at the printer and we’re waiting on the final proof. The full timeline is TBD, but the target drawing date is March 16. That should give about four weeks of sell time.
- Nick thanked Toni for her work organizing ticking printing
- Diane requested that folks who secured gift cards send her about five sentences about why they love the gift card venue. She’ll use this as part of sponsor acknowledgements on social media.
Bingo Concession Stand
- Mona shared the selected dates for concession stand duty and raffles:
- February 28
- May 16
- July 18
- November 7
If there is interest from our group, we may select additional days; there are a few open.
- Each date’s raffle may have a theme associated: St. Patrick’s Day, Spring or TBD, the Dog Days of Summer, and Thanksgiving/Holidays
- We need at least four volunteers per event, plus food and beverage donations
- In the past we averaged about $400-500/night to support Rotary initiatives
- Mona and Evelyn were thanked for being leads on this effort
- Evelyn noted that name recognition is important; this is helpful for spreading the word about Rotary, our scholarships, recruiting new members, etc.
- Evelyn also noted that Sunrise Rotary is the only concession stand group that does a raffle, and the bingo crowds love it; it is fun.
- Mona will share a Sign-Up Genius over the weekend to solicit volunteers.
Blood Drive
- There are only six spots left for the blood drive at the Tuesday blood drive at the Holiday Inn.
- Debra requested that members share info via their social media.
Student Rotarian Report
- Gilbert reported that it’s finals week.
- He is also rehearsing for Les Misérables. Gilbert is in the pit band and plays trombone.
- He also reports students are doing winter sports this month at school.
- Toni reminded the group that student Rotarians have a sign-off sheet. Members are encouraged to say hello to and get to know student Rotarians, and to sign their sheets. This is a member responsibility, not student Rotarian responsibility.
Triva Night Report
- Sandy reported that there were 84 players—the second largest crowd ever. Proceeds benefitted the Downtown Brattleboro Alliance.
- The winning group was Interrobang.
- Londa, Jon, and Tristan were thanked for writing particularly challenging trivia.
- Next month’s event will benefit the Humane Society.
Social Outings
- Debra thanked Sandy for hosting a social event at his house this past Friday. Sandy thanked those who came.
- In June Will Shakespear will host a social event at his house.
BREAK
CELBRATIONS & 30 FOR 30
Birthdays & Anniversaries
- Next week we will celebrate Tristam, Jim, and Will.
30 for 30
- The blood drive will be added to the list
- Nick shared that he may be bringing a suitcase of supplies to Jamaica on an upcoming trip, contingent on the local club’s response. He may request last-minute additions to the supplies. If others contribute or do the same, we may include this.
- Diane had winter hats to give to those in need, made by a friend. MJ volunteered to get them to appropriate local organizations for distribution.
- Some discussion occurred around other topics that were not ultimately included in the list:
- Diane suggested including every Trivia Night as a 30 for 30 event, since they involve multiple Rotarians, and benefit a different nonprofit each month. It was noted that the goal of 30 for 30 is to make Rotarians stretch beyond usual activity. With that in mind, it was decided to “keep it in our back pocket” if needed, but to push for volunteerism outside our usual activity.
- Josh wondered if we should include his and Jim Maxwell’s signing about freedom as part of a protest. There was some discussion about whether it counted with two (vs. three or more) people, and if it bordered on too political. Ultimately it was decided that 30 for 30 activities are two or more people, but the singing would not be included.
- Diane asked if we should include Sandy’s recent social event; this was denied as a social event rather than volunteer event.
BRAGS
- Josh thanked Londa for her time volunteering to make Trivia Nights a success, and called out the high turnout on Martin Luther Kind Jr. Day, with around $1,000 raised for the Downtown Brattleboro Alliance
- Jon shared a flyer for the upcoming fundraising event for care packages for Ukraine. It will take place February 5 at Saxton’s Distillery. He mentioned that his wife, Kerry, arranged for the Lithuanian ambassador to Washington to fly up for the event. Jon is also looking for help for the event. Over the past four years they have raised over $100,000 for non-lethal support to Ukraine troops, care packages, clothing, etc.
- MJ celebrated turning 50, and shared her husband planned and pulled off a surprise birthday party. Additionally, her coworkers filled her office with decorations as a surprise.
- Ben shared that he got engaged! He proposed to his fiancé, Shannon, at the Drexel Academy of Natural History in Philadelphia.
- Debra thanked Sandy’s wife, Diane, for making marvelous ziti. She thanked Sandy and Diane for creating a fun and cozy environment for everyone.
- Sandy was also thanked for accommodating different dietary restrictions.
SPEAKER
Today’s speaker was Rotarian Toni, who presented an overview of fundraising and finance-related activity. Discussion included the following:
- Fundraisers include trivia nights, disc golf, the dinner raffle, tabling at the Guilford welcome center, running bingo concessions, and history tours.
- The money raised from disc golf goes right back out to scholarships. It makes no money for the club, but is a great thing for the community.
- The money raised from Trivia night pays for the venue, and the remainder goes out to that month’s nonprofit
- The dinner raffle, bingo, and Welcome Center proceeds are undesignated, and support everything we do.
- Undesignated funds support a variety of programs and efforts, such as the Windham County Heat Fund, international programs, Project Feed the Thousands, Food Banks, Shelter Box, first grade books, and other nonprofit requests as received and reviewed/approved.
- Note that when we have a grant request from an outside organization, the request goes to the board for review.
- International student Rotarians, such as Adam last year, are supported by these funds as well.
- We have a fundraising foundation, which is a 501c3 where all the money goes that will go back out to others as a donation.
- Sandy noted that we have two budgets: an operation budget, and a foundation budget (for supporting external organizations/individuals). He asked how we’re doing, operationally. Toni said we’re pretty good, and we have made that budget. Brags and fines from club members have been very helpful with this.
- Debra suggested it would be great to beef up the scholarships if we can. Toni noted that we can use undesignated money as we want; it’s about our goals as a club.
- Someone asked how many scholarships we typically give out in a year. Debra said it’s around six or eight, with about $5-6,000 spread out between them. There was some discussion about whether it would be better to give fewer scholarships of a larger amount each.
- Some discussion took place about whether to limit geographic distribution of scholarships. Debra said this is a question for the scholarship committee, which is to start again soon. Toni encouraged members to join that committee.
- There was some discussion about how students apply (an essay, incorporating the four-way test), and criteria for selection (use of a rubric). It was suggested that a conversation with student applicants may be helpful, asking them to reflect on the four-way test.
- Debra thanked Toni for the information and leading discussion.
CARDS & FOUR-WAY TEST
Last minute cards were offered, and one drawn. No winners.
End