Rotary 12/1/2021
 
Rotary Minute:   
 
The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:
FIRST. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
SECOND. High ethical standards in business and professions, the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society;
THIRD. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life;
FOURTH. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service. 
Quote:   "Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." – Marcel Proust
Greeter – KJ; Next 12/8 Jimmy V
Scribe – Diane; Next 12/8 Jon
Speaker – Tristan; Next 12/8 Will
Sargent at Arms – Will; Next 12/8 Dan
Birthday - Jon
Student Rotarian – Sylvie (BUHS) NHS induction tomorrow; inducting some good friends. Nordic season has begun; first race in 2 weeks; no snow so “dry” training for now. Feed the Thousands assembly yesterday; collecting food in bins around the school.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Holiday Party – Bonfire at Turner’s Saturday, January 8th. More to come!
Tristam – A VT student is requesting scholarship funds for international studies. 
Board meeting tomorrow 12/2 at 7:15.
Jimmy V - Sunrise Rotary organizing a Trivia Team for Whetstone/Marketplace for upcoming Wednesday nights’ trivia.
Dinner raffle tickets delayed; should be in on 12/8.  Raffle will be in January.
BRAGS:
Jon – Alina was able to come home for Thanksgiving. Secrest and Darrow going into business in 2022; focusing on estate planning.
Josh – Thanksgiving community dinner was a success! Also, starting a leadership coaching business for entrepreneurs/educators. www.discoverygroup.net
Turner – Had a dozen people up for Thanksgiving. Lots of pies! Good times!!
Mona – Fabulous Thanksgiving with family and friends. Also, adopted a puppy; 10 weeks old; LOTS of work!
Nick – Noel elves arrive today!! Elf on a Shelf is back!
CARDS: 3 of spades – no winner this week.
SPEAKER:
Tristan: Legislative role re. workforce in VT. Hard to find people to hire. Current labor force 318,000 – the lowest in years. Unemployment (people actively looking for work) in VT at 2.5%. Older demographic in VT and more people retiring. 
Federal pandemic stimulus money supported small business but more workers are needed. Nationally, “the great resignation”; kids at home due to covid; but also people are unhappy at work (feel dehumanized). The businesses that are not struggling are ones who treat their workers well. Employees finally have some leverage. Relatively easy to switch jobs now. Sign on bonuses available. 
What to do with incoming infrastructure funds? Employee Centric Pipeline/Pathway (talent pipeline; career pathways). Training resources both employer-led and outsourced. Social-economic support systems. Need to connect employers with employees looking for opportunities (Navigators). Workers need assistance with housing, transportation and childcare. There is federal support for about 6,000 eligible workers – but there about 30,000 job changes in VT every year. Need to assist the other 80%.  
Solutions: Bring retirees back into workforce? Draw more workers into VT? Encourage private investing in new housing? Childcare subsidies and revisit daycare regulations?