Brattleboro Sunrise Rotary Meeting Notes
January 28, 2026
7:00–7:15 AM – Arrival
Members gathered, breakfast service underway.
7:15 AM – Welcome
Speaker: Tristam Johnson (BEAR Project presentation)
Call to Order: President Debra called the meeting to order.
Pledge of Allegiance: Completed.
Guests & Student Rotarians:
- Student Rotarians from Hinsdale: Taylor Honeycutt and Riley Rockwell
- Prospective Members: Desiree (Berkeley and Veller Realtors) and Greg Hessel (Regeneration Resources consulting firm) introduced by Sandy
Thanks to:
- This week's servers: Jon Secrest
- This week's scribe: Tristan T.
- Next week's scribe: Josh Traeger
- This week's greeters: Josh
- Sergeant at Arms: Chef Justin
- Treasurer: John Blake
- Next week's server volunteer: Will Shakespeare
Announcements
Dinner Raffle (March 18)
Josh reported on behalf of Nick:
- Tickets have been approved and are at the printer; date set for March 18
- Digital marketing for Facebook nearly complete
- New Square payment system set up — less expensive than PayPal, allows credit card payments on the spot
- Funds go directly to the Foundation account, then auto-transfer to Brattleboro Foundation account
- Josh available at break to help members download Square to their phones
Blood Drive — SUCCESS!
Melissa reported on yesterday's blood drive:
- 4 Power Red donors
- 15 regular blood donors
- 23 total blood products — exceeded our goal!
- Thanks to the Red Cross staff for their efficiency
Norma Hardy Visit
- Chief Norma Hardy is retiring
- Club seeking a volunteer with a connection to invite her back to speak before she retires
- Jon Secrest volunteered to reach out
Josh's Announcements
- Stepping off the Rotary Board after 10+ years of service; will finish out Debra's year
- Stepping back from Disc Golf leadership after 10 years; Nick stepping up
- Accepting Assistant District Governor role — asked by Governor Elect Ruth Clough to take over from Diane; will provide leadership coaching to six clubs in the region; will still attend meetings when possible
Bingo Concessions (February 27)
Mona reminded members:
- Sign-up Genius is out for bingo concessions at end of February (27th)
- Still seeking volunteers and food donations
- Will include in this week's minutes
Pine Ridge Financial Update
Tristam announced:
- Club's $350 contribution is in the bank in Pine Ridge
- An additional check from the noon club was mailed January 21
Rotarians for Rotarians
No members reported ill or in need of support. All healthy!
7:40 AM – Reconvene
Birthdays
- Tristam Johnson — January 22 (belated Happy Birthday song sung!)
- Tristam shared story of surprise birthday trip to NYC with wife Wendy: visited brother Ken and sister-in-law Diane near the World Trade Center; saw Carnegie Hall and a play called "Visitors" (about Australian Aborigines encountering the first ships in Sydney Harbor)
- Jim Maxwell — January 25 (not present to acknowledge)
Anniversaries
None announced.
Service: 30 for 30 Stories
Justin's 30 for 30: Chef Tristan Toleno helped Justin at the American Legion for the Sons of the American Legion steak/chicken dinner on Friday night. Served 50-60 dinners. Proceeds benefit local organizations including Project Feed and Dodge House (a veteran's halfway house in Rutland). Several Rotarians attended (Dan, Dave, Melissa).
Other 30 for 30 Discussion: The 30 for 30 initiative celebrates our 30th anniversary (founded as a morning alternative to the noontime Brattleboro Rotary Club). Goal: two or more Rotarians doing good work together in the community. List circulating. Efforts are apolitical and go beyond our traditional service activities.
Brags
- Mona ($2): One for her mother and one for her stepson, who both share a birthday today. Her mother is "fabulously 76" and currently at work getting love from her fellow veterans at the VA hospital.
- Jon Secrest ($3):
- Shared humorous story about Norma Hardy helping with citizenship paperwork for Alina (now in Lithuania) — a saga involving letters on firm letterhead, Brattleboro Police letterhead, and eventually a trip to Montpelier for official state documentation
- Thursday the 5th at 5:00 PM: Ambassador of Lithuania speaking at Saxtons River Distillery — fundraising event to support Ukraine; Carrie is nervous about attendance numbers; members encouraged to attend
- Final $3 to give Tristam space to finish his birthday story
- Justin ($5):
- Bragged about Tristan helping him at the American Legion dinner — "carried me through that night" with his line cooking skills; brought back memories of working together on the line for nearly a decade and cooking together for 24-25 years
- Bragged about his Seahawks heading to the Super Bowl against the Patriots (his wife is a diehard Patriots fan, so the next few weeks will be "passing shots and memes")
- Diane: Bragged for MJ — recognized her quiet, essential contributions: taking bags of hats to handle, coordinating clothes donations, and volunteering to cover a blood drive shift so Diane wouldn't have to come in for a short shift. "Thank you very much for being you."
- Dan ($10 + ongoing pledge): Bragged for Justin and the great dinner he put on for the Sons of the American Legion — but especially noted that Justin was wearing a Rotary t-shirt. This inspired a new fundraising idea:
Dan's Pledge: He will contribute $10 as a brag every time a Rotarian is spotted "representing" out in the world (wearing Rotary gear, running into another Rotarian, etc.) — with a selfie as proof.
Dan also mentioned he has old 3-on-3 basketball tournament t-shirts available for anyone who wants to represent. (The 3-on-3 tournament was a major club fundraiser before disc golf, but faded around the pandemic.) MJ also brought in some t-shirts. Discussion followed about the club needing more merch — noted that Rotary cups are available for purchase. - MJ: Recognized Taylor and Riley (Hinsdale students) for stepping up during the holiday gift drive for kids.
- John (Family trip): Trip to Florida — visited brother Mike's family in Orlando, rode roller coasters at Fun Spot on MLK Day (high of only 55°), then helped brother Brian move from Vero Beach to Altamonte Springs — rented U-Haul and carried everything up three flights of stairs.
- Debra ($5): Bragged for her daughter Shoshana (18), currently on a plane returning from Africa after traveling with Village Harmony (local singing group) to sing in churches and schools with local choirs. An incredible independent experience — she was the only young person in the adult group (everyone else over 60). The snow apocalypse delayed her return (was supposed to land Monday), and she had to navigate finding a new hotel and rebooking flights on her own. She's making it home, though the 15-hour packed flight was rough.
8:00 AM – BEAR Project Presentation
Presenter: Tristam Johnson, with video featuring Tiny Decorri (posthumous), Donnie Decorri, and John Willis
Background
- BEAR = Be Excited About Reading
- Founded on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation ~25 years ago by Tiny Decorri and her daughter Donnie
- Tiny Decorri passed away approximately three weeks ago; Donnie committed to continuing the work
- Our club has supported Pine Ridge initiatives for 15 years, including Wendell Yellow Bull and previously Canupa Gluha Mani
- John Willis (photographer, now at Rhode Island School of Design; formerly Marlboro College) has 20+ years connection to Pine Ridge; serves as our "pulse" on appropriate initiatives
Pine Ridge Context
- 3,500 square mile reservation (roughly 1/3 the size of Vermont)
- 20,000+ residents across 54 communities
- 70% high school dropout rate
- Highest juvenile suicide rate in the nation
BEAR Program Services
The program started in 2000 after two years of surveying dropouts house-to-house. Key finding: kids were focused on survival, not childhood experiences.
Current programs include:
- Reading program / Books and Ballers (read books + do homework = play basketball)
- Tutoring services
- Food box program
- Snack bag program (books included)
- Computer programs
- Life skills training
- Parenting classes
- Grief counseling (6-week sessions for families who've lost someone to suicide, drugs, alcohol, or accidents)
- Drug testing program
- Gardening program
- Community service projects
- Job readiness program (4 hours/day, $7.35/hour — teaching resumes, interviewing, job skills)
- Music lessons, guitar lessons, karate (25 miles away)
- Help obtaining state IDs, tribal IDs, birth certificates
- Credit recovery support for at-risk seniors
Key point: All adult staff are volunteers with full-time jobs elsewhere. No paid staff.
Wendell Yellow Bull's Work
- Wendell operates independently (Donnie has family support; Wendell works alone, so progress is slower)
- Once $700 plumbing system is funded, he can start the job skill development program (electricity, carpentry, plumbing)
- Will coordinate with Donnie/BEAR going forward
Financial Update
- Club's $350 contribution is in the Pine Ridge bank
- Additional check from new club mailed January 21
Discussion: How Can We Help More?
- Question about direct book donations: John will follow up with Donnie; may discuss at board meeting
- District Conference in May: Donnie likely to attend and present
- 150 kids will receive pre-approved packets (not 700)
- Suggestion: Consider one special fundraiser per year for BEAR Project
- Need to review annual budget for ongoing BEAR support
Video Links
- BEAR Project website:
- Documentary: "Bears on Pine Ridge" by Noel Bass
8:24 AM – Cards
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?
8:30 AM – Wrap-up
Meeting adjourned.