October 22, 2025 Newsletter

Sunrise Rotary Breakfast Meeting 10.22.25
7:00–7:15 AM – Arrival
7:15 AM – Welcome SPEAKER (Member’s Guest).
  • Pledge of Allegiance
  • Welcome Diane Shamus (Speaker, Guardian Ad Litem), Rob Spzila (Noontime), Stephen Sterns (NEYT) and Student Rotarians Riley and Taylor!
  • BIG THANK YOU to Diane & Roger for providing our breakfast of bagels & cream cheese so that we can donate our breakfast fee ($13) to support RI’s Int’l Polio Awareness Month.
  • Next week’s server: MJ and Londa
  • Thank you to this week’s scribe: Tristam Johnson (10/22) – Nick & Melissa Covered,
  • Next week’s scribe: KJ (10/29); Melissa (11/5)
  • Next week speaker: 10/29 Alyssa Sanders, Adam Solar’s host mother (Evelyn)
    • 11/5 Shela Linton, co-founder of The Root Social Justice Center (Ben)
    • 11/12 Melany Kahn, author/creative (Kristin)
  • Thank you to this week’s greeters: Josh and Will
  • Thank you to Justin our Sargent at Arms
Announcements:
  • Mona – Saturday Night BINGO  
    • Attendance: 65 players (slightly lower than previous week’s 70–77).
    • Funds raised: Nearly $600 (quarterly average: $500–$600 per event).
    • Separate smaller fundraisers: 50/50 and basket raffles.
    • Food: Chicken chili by Tony, butternut squash soup by Justin (hot dogs sold out early).
    • Participants: Evelyn, Roger, MJ among others.
    • This was the final 2025 Bingo, with four held this year.
    • Decision needed by early December if the club will continue next year and how many events to commit to – Board Discussion Item
    • Suggestion to rotate volunteer teams to prevent burnout. July 4th weekend cited as notably challenging; will avoid scheduling then.
  • Sandy – Monday Night TRIVIA; NEYT event Nov 1
    • Well-attended post-literary festival event at the Legion.
    • Raised ~$875–$1,000 for the Literary Festival, a significant portion of their annual budget.
    • Winning team recognized CCONGRATS Josh and Crew
    • Trivia questions “reinvigorated” by Londa.
    • Suggestion to recognize each trivia fundraiser as a “30 for 30” act of kindness (see below) – Board Discussion Item
       
  • Londa – Bulb Planting Party Date: Sunday October 26, 10:00 AM, starting at the Church.
    • Bulbs and bone meal pre-purchased/donated; seeking volunteers to bring shovels and help.
    • 10 perennial plants donated by Ahmed Rashed (West Bratt greenhouse).
    • Aiming to make a planting map in spring for future reference.
       
  • Toni – Nov Happy Hours:  Recent happy hour at Marigold (Old River Garden) was well-attended despite being a smaller group.
    • Next happy hour: November 15, 5:30pm at Bar 580.
    • Club Holiday Party tentatively scheduled for December 3; still finalizing venue and committee.
    • No morning meeting planned if party occurs that evening.
  • Rotarians for Rotarians Stories? – Window Dressers Volunteers: 6 from Sunrise: John B., Roger & Diane, Will, Josh, and Melissa
    • Project assisting with energy-saving window frame construction/installation, especially for low-income families.
    • Volunteer shifts available through Wednesday, October 29.
    • Some participants to assist with loading materials on October 23 at 10:15 AM.
    • Explanation provided for new members: window inserts/insulators built and distributed throughout New England, with substantial energy-saving results.
    • Club members participating noted.
 7:20 AM – Student Rotarians Update Riley and Taylor School: Hinsdale
  • Boys’ soccer team had their best season in decades; upcoming home playoff game (date TBD, likely soon).
  • Recap of homecoming events and activities for underclassmen (PSATs, carnival games).
  • Recent career day included “networking bingo,” alumni engagement, and incentives (pizza party).
  • Senior fundraiser ongoing: Krispy Kreme donut orders, to be picked up at the Christmas Bazaar (November 15, 9am, Pennsville HS gym).
  • Donut order forms to be available at the next meeting (November 11) and by email.
     
7:20 AM – Rotary Birthdays: Collier (10/21); Diane Hashagen (10/24)
and Anniversaries: KJ – 12th yr
  • Service: 30 for 30, Celebrating 30 years of Service with 30 Acts of Kindness,
    • Does anyone know of an act of kindness done by 2 or more members?
  • Brags or “Service Above Self” stories
    • Multiple members shared personal brags (for themselves, family, or fellow members):
    • Vacations, family accomplishments (e.g., athletic, educational, and volunteer – Mona achievements), resilience during emergencies (e.g., house fire), and appreciation of service and generosity among Rotarians – Londa, Kevin, Nick
    • Special recognition for Roger and Diane for their immediate and energetic engagement with club initiatives (including generous annual donations to PolioPlus) – Melissa
    • Appreciation for the Literary Festival as a longstanding community resource – Josh & Will
7:40 AM – Social / Breakfast Break – Talk with your fellow and sister Rotarians!
7:55 AM – Reconvene  
  • Guest Speaker Diane Shamus, Guardian Ad Litem Coord., Windham Cty
    • Background & Experience:
      • 40 years in the area; 25 years working in/around the court system.
      • 10 years as a volunteer Guardian ad Litem (GAL), 8 years as coordinator.
    • Program Overview:
      • Guardians ad Litem are court-appointed advocates for children (and occasionally vulnerable adults) in cases of abuse, neglect, mental health, or criminal proceedings.
      • Their role: to “amplify the voice” and act in the best interest of minors whose parents cannot do so.
      • Monthly commitment to visit and get to know the child.
      • Attend court hearings, school and DCF meetings.
      • Guardians ad Litem function as “independent parental advisors” — representing both the wishes and best interests of the child, sometimes reconciling the two.
      •  All positions are volunteer-based; volunteers receive training and mentoring, but do not require legal or professional backgrounds.
    • Volunteer Commitment:
      • Suggestion: Minimum 5 hours/month per case (variable, depending on court schedule, child’s needs, and volunteer’s caseload).
      • More time-intensive at the outset due to training (four consecutive weekly sessions, three cohorts/year in January, May, September).
      • Volunteers select how many cases and which types (children/adults, age ranges).
      • Minimum commitment: two years (flexible for those who determine early the role is not suited to them).
    • Program Scale & Impact:
      • 43 active volunteers in Windham County (one of the best-staffed counties in Vermont; ongoing needs elsewhere sometimes force volunteers to carry 20+ cases, but locally efforts are made to keep loads reasonable).
      • 120+ cases annually; some cases ongoing for years.
      • GALs provide continuity and “historical memory” for children who may otherwise experience high turnover among service providers.
      • Program includes some cases with adults unable to represent themselves in criminal or mental health court (coordinating with attorneys to represent best interests).
    • Recruitment & Support:
      • Recruitment through word of mouth, presentations, and ongoing community outreach.
      • Coordinator role includes ongoing support—coaching, providing confidential counsel, and troubleshooting.
      • Attendance at required hearings/meetings generally occurs during weekday work hours, so roles best suited to retirees or those with flexible schedules.
    • Q&A Highlights:
      • Commitment for one case: About 5 hours/month, variable.
      • Training and ongoing support are available; participants can take only as many cases as comfortable.
      • Significant, direct impact on youth and adult clients’ lives.
         
8:24 AM – Cards
8:25 AM – Rotary Four-Way Test
 
8:30 AM - Wrap-up Meeting