July 9, 2025 Newsletter

 

  

 

 

 

Rotary Club Meeting

 

Date: July 9th, 2025

 

Location: Ramundo's Brattleboro VT

 

Time: Morning meeting, meal/service at 7:45am

 

Scribe this week: Nick DuBois

 

Scribe for Next Week: Sandy Shriver

 

Guests: Returning member Diane Hashagen, Oscar Heller from Brattleboro Town Select board, reaffirming openness to community partnerships.

 

Greeters: Josh and Will

 

 

 

• Immediate speakers: Next week 7/16 is Club Assembly. We'll restart the list, alpha by last name on 7/23 (John Blake), 7/30 (Toni C), 8/6 (Dan Dietz), 8/13 (Nick DuBois)

 

• Assignment and Process: Members are reminded to check Club Runner for speaker assignment dates and to inform Melissa of updates.

 

• Open question: Whether a club assembly counts as a speaker date; to be decided in tomorrow’s board meeting. Frequency of assemblies is also undecided.

 

 

• Flooding in Texas: KJ and his readiness to help; Coast Guard rescuing 126 people in his first mission; counselors at the flooded camp commended for heroism in helping children.

 

• Dan Dietz: Watered the garden nightly during a heatwave while the president was away.

 

 

Bingo Update (Holiday Weekend)

 

• Attendance: 42 people.

 

• Revenue: $446.75 raised; over $1300 collected over last three bingos.

 

• Raffles: $155 in tickets; ~$77 from 50/50; strong interest in scratch tickets and themed prizes (teddy bear, electric fly swatter, citronella candle, pizza certificate, movie night).

 

• Food Donations: Leftovers donated for a tribute involving the fire station.

 

• Visibility: Club’s presence at events strengthens recognition and engagement.

 

• Note: Food sales proceeds to go to the fire station in memory of a long-time bingo attendee.

 

 

Garden Party: Scheduled for Sunday at 9 or 9:30am, attendance pending weather (heat wave).

 

Trivia Night:

 

• First trivia night of the new year set for September 15th at the American Legion (new venue).

 

• Team: Most returning; Sadie stepping down from question writing—two volunteers needed to divide workload.

 

• Trivia Night now on Monday nights.

 

Brattleboro Historical Society Tour Project

 

• Update: Plaques with QR codes placed around town at historic sites; enable walking tours and learning local history.

 

• Club’s Role: Led by Jim Maxwell; club played a part in the project.

 

• Club Outing Proposal: Possible group history tour; suggestions for refreshments or restaurant stop.

 

• Project Partnerships: Collaborative, non-competitive with Brattleboro Works and others.

 

Service Above Self Awards (Changeover Party)

 

• $100 each awarded to: Diane and KJ: Went to Rescue Inc. Technical Team, Staci: Windham County Humane Society, Sadie Families First

 

Updates on Club Projects and Youth Programs

 

• Host Family: Alicia (host mom) will give a report on her experience at a future meeting.

 

• SIT outreach: Volunteers organized swim lessons for children at SIT group.

 

• Milestone Achieved: First student, Masom, in the SIT group has gone off to Georgetown University.

 

 

Club Service and Communications

 

• Chair: Outgoing vocational chair Toni is taking over as club service chair; aims to organize social events and text communication chain for the club (members should update Club Runner profiles with current numbers/emails).

 

• Call for ideas: Members encouraged to suggest social activities; forming social committee volunteers.

 

Membership

 

• Chair: Kevin currently overseeing; seeking additional help due to time constraints.

 

• Goals: Develop more structured new member process; ensure continuity from recruitment through onboarding and mentoring.

 

• Progress: Katja assisting by reviewing Rotary International guidance. Prospective mentors and new members encouraged to help.

 

International Service and Local Support for Newcomer Families

 

• Wendell Yellow Bowl: Building greenhouses (South Dakota).

 

• Case of Deanna Rodriguez (Honduras): Arrived in US after escaping hardship; children received some support (job, dental care), but lacked ongoing coordinated assistance for integration and basic life skills. No consistent mentoring/tracking for new arrivals, leading to gaps in adjustment support. Next Steps: Further investigation and potential club follow-up to enhance coordination of support for immigrant families.

 

 

 

• Background: Born in East Germany, 1976. Early exposure to community ideals as a Young Pioneer (class treasurer, president).

 

• Education: Attended gymnasium; enrolled in a top German hospitality apprenticeship at Hotel Bareiss (Black Forest), which shaped her professional standards.

 

Career Journey:

 

• Canada (2001): Short-term resort work.

 

• US/Maine: White Barn Inn, managed several properties; involved in high-profile events (Bush family wedding, presidential visits, diplomatic hospitality for Putin, Kazakhstani President, etc.), with multiple thank-you notes from prominent figures.

 

• Vermont (2008): Managed Windham Hill Inn (member of Relais & Chateaux), awarded AAA 4 Diamonds, hosted notable celebrities.

 

Cultural Transition: Shift from East to West Germany post-1989; impact on worldview and adaptability.

 

Professional Philosophy: Focus on service, excellence, and fostering connection—attributes shaped by upbringing, high-level hospitality, and immigration experiences.

 

Next Steps: Relocating to Northern Ireland; plans to stay engaged in wine/hospitality, supporting local farms, caution about full-time return to hospitality.. Has secured housing in Northern Ireland.

 

Personal Reflections: Gratefulness for Rotary community, special acknowledgment for support and farewell.

 

Presentation slides: Katja’s farewell story was accompanied by slides displayed on a mounted TV. Notable imagery included childhood photos, scenes from East Germany in the 1970s and 80s, professional awards, and mementos from her hospitality career, including event photos with famous figures and diplomatic notes.

 

 

Four Way Test – Is it the Truth, Is it fair to all concerned, Will it build good will and better friendships, Will it be beneficial to all concerned.

 

 

 

Rotary Club Meeting

 

Date: July 9th, 2025

 

Location: Ramundo's Brattleboro VT

 

Time: Morning meeting, meal/service at 7:45am

 

Scribe this week: Nick DuBois

 

Scribe for Next Week: Sandy Shriver

 

Guests: Returning member Diane Hashagen, Oscar Heller from Brattleboro Town Select board, reaffirming openness to community partnerships.

 

Greeters: Josh and Will

 

 

 

• Immediate speakers: Next week 7/16 is Club Assembly. We'll restart the list, alpha by last name on 7/23 (John Blake), 7/30 (Toni C), 8/6 (Dan Dietz), 8/13 (Nick DuBois)

 

• Assignment and Process: Members are reminded to check Club Runner for speaker assignment dates and to inform Melissa of updates.

 

• Open question: Whether a club assembly counts as a speaker date; to be decided in tomorrow’s board meeting. Frequency of assemblies is also undecided.

 

 

• Flooding in Texas: KJ and his readiness to help; Coast Guard rescuing 126 people in his first mission; counselors at the flooded camp commended for heroism in helping children.

 

• Dan Dietz: Watered the garden nightly during a heatwave while the president was away.

 

 

Bingo Update (Holiday Weekend)

 

• Attendance: 42 people.

 

• Revenue: $446.75 raised; over $1300 collected over last three bingos.

 

• Raffles: $155 in tickets; ~$77 from 50/50; strong interest in scratch tickets and themed prizes (teddy bear, electric fly swatter, citronella candle, pizza certificate, movie night).

 

• Food Donations: Leftovers donated for a tribute involving the fire station.

 

• Visibility: Club’s presence at events strengthens recognition and engagement.

 

• Note: Food sales proceeds to go to the fire station in memory of a long-time bingo attendee.

 

 

Garden Party: Scheduled for Sunday at 9 or 9:30am, attendance pending weather (heat wave).

 

Trivia Night:

 

• First trivia night of the new year set for September 15th at the American Legion (new venue).

 

• Team: Most returning; Sadie stepping down from question writing—two volunteers needed to divide workload.

 

• Trivia Night now on Monday nights.

 

Brattleboro Historical Society Tour Project

 

• Update: Plaques with QR codes placed around town at historic sites; enable walking tours and learning local history.

 

• Club’s Role: Led by Jim Maxwell; club played a part in the project.

 

• Club Outing Proposal: Possible group history tour; suggestions for refreshments or restaurant stop.

 

• Project Partnerships: Collaborative, non-competitive with Brattleboro Works and others.

 

Service Above Self Awards (Changeover Party)

 

• $100 each awarded to: Diane and KJ: Went to Rescue Inc. Technical Team, Staci: Windham County Humane Society, Sadie Families First

 

Updates on Club Projects and Youth Programs

 

• Host Family: Alicia (host mom) will give a report on her experience at a future meeting.

 

• SIT outreach: Volunteers organized swim lessons for children at SIT group.

 

• Milestone Achieved: First student, Masom, in the SIT group has gone off to Georgetown University.

 

 

Club Service and Communications

 

• Chair: Outgoing vocational chair Toni is taking over as club service chair; aims to organize social events and text communication chain for the club (members should update Club Runner profiles with current numbers/emails).

 

• Call for ideas: Members encouraged to suggest social activities; forming social committee volunteers.

 

Membership

 

• Chair: Kevin currently overseeing; seeking additional help due to time constraints.

 

• Goals: Develop more structured new member process; ensure continuity from recruitment through onboarding and mentoring.

 

• Progress: Katja assisting by reviewing Rotary International guidance. Prospective mentors and new members encouraged to help.

 

International Service and Local Support for Newcomer Families

 

• Wendell Yellow Bowl: Building greenhouses (South Dakota).

 

• Case of Deanna Rodriguez (Honduras): Arrived in US after escaping hardship; children received some support (job, dental care), but lacked ongoing coordinated assistance for integration and basic life skills. No consistent mentoring/tracking for new arrivals, leading to gaps in adjustment support. Next Steps: Further investigation and potential club follow-up to enhance coordination of support for immigrant families.

 

 

 

• Background: Born in East Germany, 1976. Early exposure to community ideals as a Young Pioneer (class treasurer, president).

 

• Education: Attended gymnasium; enrolled in a top German hospitality apprenticeship at Hotel Bareiss (Black Forest), which shaped her professional standards.

 

Career Journey:

 

• Canada (2001): Short-term resort work.

 

• US/Maine: White Barn Inn, managed several properties; involved in high-profile events (Bush family wedding, presidential visits, diplomatic hospitality for Putin, Kazakhstani President, etc.), with multiple thank-you notes from prominent figures.

 

• Vermont (2008): Managed Windham Hill Inn (member of Relais & Chateaux), awarded AAA 4 Diamonds, hosted notable celebrities.

 

Cultural Transition: Shift from East to West Germany post-1989; impact on worldview and adaptability.

 

Professional Philosophy: Focus on service, excellence, and fostering connection—attributes shaped by upbringing, high-level hospitality, and immigration experiences.

 

Next Steps: Relocating to Northern Ireland; plans to stay engaged in wine/hospitality, supporting local farms, caution about full-time return to hospitality.. Has secured housing in Northern Ireland.

 

Personal Reflections: Gratefulness for Rotary community, special acknowledgment for support and farewell.

 

Presentation slides: Katja’s farewell story was accompanied by slides displayed on a mounted TV. Notable imagery included childhood photos, scenes from East Germany in the 1970s and 80s, professional awards, and mementos from her hospitality career, including event photos with famous figures and diplomatic notes.

 

 

Four Way Test – Is it the Truth, Is it fair to all concerned, Will it build good will and better friendships, Will it be beneficial to all concerned.