Rotary Meeting Minutes
9/16/26
President Elect MJ skillfully opening the meeting.
Pledge of Allegiance
Welcome back Sandy Shriver!
Announcements:
- Tristam - Rolling Thunder Veterans Support – Rolling Thunder supports veterans with fuel, food, housing, medical needs, transportation, escorted services for major veteran events, and Honor Flight guidance.
- Rolling Thunder’s 4th Annual Golf Tournament will be October 10 at Travel Country Club.
- Debra - Garden parties will pause for a couple of weeks while Debra is away in Italy. A larger fall garden work party is being planned for mulch spreading and bulb planting before the first freeze.
- Nick - Disc Golf is in full swing. Melissa is helping send out the SignUpGenius. Roles have been streamlined and the time commitment reduced.The Disc Golf team is working on clearer roles and better post-event donor follow-up. A joint club thank-you letter to donors was suggested.
- Sandy - Trivia Night is this coming Monday. Justin and Tristan have stepped up as chefs!
- Toni - Club Social – Friday the 25th at her house in Keene, 6:00 PM, An email with details will be sent.
- Dan - Blood Drive – Yesterday’s drive ran into major logistical problems after a Holiday Inn double booking and then technical problems at the Eagles. The club was not responsible for the problems. Two more blood drives are scheduled, with the next club drive in January.
- MJ - Groundworks – The new shelter opens next Wednesday. An invitation-only sponsor event is planned, and she will bring muffins.
Brags:
- Nick - donated a Veo AI sports camera for the Brattleboro soccer team. The camera follows games and creates video and statistics that can be used for coaching.
- Ben - volunteering as an advisor for the Vermont Theatre Company’s fall one-act festival, helping new directors prepare for auditions and productions.
- Josh - spotted Melissa volunteering on Sunday to raise funds for Friends of Island Park.
- Debra - Playing the Women’s Freedom Center Pickleball Tournament this Saturday and Melissa will be volunteering there too!
- Mona - shared a moving story from a celebration of life attended by more than 200 people, honoring someone remembered for generosity and community service.
- Sandy - shared about traveling to Germany for Olivia Howe’s wedding, describing it as a wonderful 'Brattleboro wedding' in rural Germany.
- Kevin - celebrated winning the first week of fantasy football and shared that his wife is spending 10 days in San Diego with their grandchildren while he stays home to help his father-in-law.
- Josh - thanked MJ for stepping into leadership and taking on board-meeting responsibilities.
Committee Breakouts:
- International Committee – Will continue developing a humanitarian relief policy for the new budget line item, exploring fundraising ideas, and deepening long-term commitments to major international projects.
- Membership – Discussed creating a fund to help reduce dues-related barriers for new and younger members. A starting amount of approximately $1,500, or a possible $500 budget shift, was discussed. The proposal will need board discussion.
- Trivia – Sandy reported that Monday’s event is on track and that the committee has two new members.
- Scholarships – Scholarships will remain a separate group, with Debra offering to lead this area. The group will be emailing this year’s winners and invite them to attend a meeting when they are back from college.
- Grants – Grants is now a committee rather than a one-person function. The committee is developing a simple application and rubric based on club priorities such as youth, education, and helping neighbors with winter heating needs.
Cards:
The prize pot reached approximately $50. After some lively discussion about the rules, the winning card was the Jack of Diamonds. If the pot had not been won, the money would have gone to donations.
Correct website information for the card/donation promotion: members1cu.com
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?