Sunrise Rotary Meeting Agenda
3/25/26
7:00–7:15 AM – Arrival, This week’s speaker is Stephen Dotson, Brattleboro Sustainability Coordinator
- Call Meeting to Order
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Welcome GUESTS
- Stephen Dotson - Sustainability Coordinator
- Aleksa Secrest – visiting student
- Andrew Cunningham – So. VT Solar
- Gilbert Student Rotary
- Thank this week’s servers: Roger; Server on 4/1? Desiree
- Thank you to this week’s scribe: Nick; Next scribe (4/1): Londa
- Thank you to this week’s greeters: JOSH and
- Thank you to Chef Justin our super duper Sargent at Arms!
- Thank you to John Blake our treasured Treasurer.
- Thank you to Melissa, our splendiferous Secretary.
Announcements:
- Dinner Raffle Overall huge success $8600 raised and one of our largest ever.
- Trivia Night – Next event coming up in April
- Social – Next happy hour is April 17 at the Marina (5:30pm), May 9th – BBQ at Debra’s house
- Blood drive – May 19th – jim, will, evelyn, dan, debra, sign up to be distributed
- District Conference –5/30 – Great opportunity to determine what is going on with rotary on a broader scale.
- Pine Ridge Student Backpacks: link for purchasing supplies
- https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/35JI90519MXBI?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_ggr-subnav-share_GG7WPS6TAC7PKP9XG90K
- Event is being held in Keene, they are still looking for supplies and link updated as supplies are being purchased. All supplies will be delivered directly to Marty Cohen and brought to the club.
- Social after the event is being held at Frogg Brewery just outside Keene, NH.
- Diane / Roger – update on PELS -
- Josh - Not Just Tourists and Foundation Update – Medical supplies and Josh friend is brining down suitcase to Costa Rica.
- Finance Committee meeting to finalize foundation details.
- Garden Cleanup targeting April 11th
- Justin – If ordering food, please get order in before lunch Tuesday the week of the meeting. If struggling to get order in please text Justin.
- Justin – fine without a pin you owe $1 – Will, Jim, Josh.
7:25 AM – Social / Breakfast Break – Talk with your fellow and sister Rotarians!
7:40 AM – Reconvene
- Birthdays: none
- Anniversaries: Londa Holsinger, First year anniversary March 26th!
- Service: 30 for 30, Celebrating 30 years of Service with 30 Acts of Kindness – we are currently at 29!
- Student Rotarian – Gilbert spring sports are starting up and the schedule is changing next year as school will start earlier.
- Brags or “Service Above Self” stories
- Justin – Rotary connections saw Micah last week to deliver glorious winnings, he was able to help deal with Justin current health issues via stretching . Already having some improvements.
- Aleksa Secrest – upcoming 23rd bday, driven, smart wonderful young lady and very proud father Jon.
- Traveled to Prague in the fall and back at school.
- Josh – Andrew for his support to build a ramp last year. Josh is traveling to Holland for biking with wife Kate as daughter who has been doing a three month study project in S. Africa traveling there for 2 weeks.
- Dan – Happy hour and $10 selfie fine
- MJ – bragging about the club being unique and special last week at PETS.
- Evelyn – Bingo brag as Newbrook 5th grade came in and raised $440 to support upcoming field trip
- Nick – Caroline 1st place at state platinum Gymnastics.
- Deb – Roger president elect stepping up and running the meeting.
- Bowl of Life (be prepared to fill out a post-it with one story about you)
8:00 AM – Speaker Stephen Dotson, Town Portable Solar Project, hosted by Melissa Lee
Portable Solar – Very soon in the US you will be able to go to Home Depot buy a Solar Panel, Battery, and inverter then plug directly into the wall to start providing your own solar. No net metering requirement. Offsets 10-20% electricity needs. Currently being utilized in Europe over the past 10 years. VT legislation passing carveout to avoid heavy permitting and expense. Energy independence and Bright Saver.
- Brattleboro has been picked as showcase town for target location. VT is the most energy burden state in the country and Brattleboro is the most energy burden town in the state.
- Call to action Brattleboro.gov/portablesolar – please visit and fill out survey.
- Energy analysis – Andrew and So VT
- BS&L – energy efficiency loan
- April 29th 5:30-8PM at the Library doing a demonstration please attend.
- Typical cost of the American units are high due to volume –
- 1 panel $1500, a 4 panel with battery and inverter $4k
- During Ukraine Conflict/War – supply chain issues prices climbed then dropped, now raising again with Iran conflict. Current economy of scale is low but will improve over time. Huge savings on labor, design, and installation.
Question –
- How to put energy on the grid through and Outlet? Think of it as an inlet and you are drawing from the small stream of power before pulling from the grid/river.
- Can you add to existing system? Yes works to perfectly add on to current system.
- Sun – need to have independent breaker but can put the panels anywhere on the property.
- Efficiency – Lidor data to determine best application and most energy efficiency.
- Solar Panel Shingles – good production, but very expensive so ideal in southern climate.
- Roof v. Side wall – better for solar thermal v. photovoltaic
8:24 AM – Cards
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?