November 5, 2025 Newsletter

Brattleboro Sunrise Rotary Club Meeting Summary
Date: November 5, 2025
 
7:00–7:15 AM – Arrival
7:15 AM – Welcome, Shela Linton, co-founder The Root Social Justice  who will be our speaker today.
  • Call Meeting to Order
  • Pledge of Allegiance
  • Welcome GUESTS and Student Rotarians!
    • Sheila Linton, Co-founder and Executive Director of the Root Social Justice Center in Brattleboro
    • Student Rotarians Rylee Rockwood (junior) and Taylor Honeycutt (senior) from Hinsdale introduced.
  • Thank you to this week’s servers: Jim Maxwell; Next week’s server: Melissa
  • Thank you to this week’s scribe: Melissa; Next week’s scribe: Jim Maxwell
  • Next week’s speaker: Kristin Sullivan hosts Melany Kahn, Month of Miniature
  • Thank you to this week’s greeters: Will and Josh as this week's greeters; Next week’s greeters?
  • Thank you to Justin our Sargent at Arms
Announcements:
  • Musical chairs – Debra & Members
    • Brief consideration of members making effort to change up their seating to sit with different people every week;
  • Window Dresser Inserts for Ramunto’s - Diane, Roger, John B., Josh, Will, and Melissa presented to Vito. Vito thanked everyone; said he was happy to be able to provide Sunrise Rotary the space to meet and breakfast.
  • NEYT event follow up – Ben
    • Ten Sunrise members attended the dinner and show; Performances were great, especially a certain pianist (Tristan Toleno); the fundraising event’s success might compel NEYT to repeat next year. 
  • Get Together, this Friday November 14th  5:30 at Bar 580
  • Rotary Holiday Party – Sandy
    • Location: American Legion; Date: Thurs, Dec 4; dinner starts at 6:00 PM; members can arrive earlier for drinks/cocktails; $20/person; family members invited; cash bar; PLEASE RSVP to Sandy so he can submit a headcount.
    • No breakfast meeting on Wednesday, December 3, 2025.
  • Putting the garden to bed party - Debra
    • Sunday, 11/9, details TBD pending via group text. 
  • Groundworks Thanksgiving Support – Mona
    • Seeking volunteers for food donations on Thanksgiving Day (Nov 27th), 9:00am–Noon; Early food drop-off option Wed, Nov 26th (9:00am–3:00pm) at Foodworks 141 Canal St; if you want to volunteer but can’t during those hours, call Groundworks (802-257-5415). Mona will forward the email. Volunteer Signup 2025 Thanksgiving - Google Sheets
  • Refugee Youth Update – Josh
    • Updates from refugee students now in college (e.g., Misha at Macalester College, MN and Mary). Former summer workers hired locally were praised for work ethic and positive cultural contributions.
  • Hurricane Relief for Jamaican H2A Workers – Tristam
    • Noted recent hurricane's devastation in Jamaica. Fundraising underway, with donation sites at local farms (e.g., Scott Farm, Dutton Farm).
    • Support Jamaican Harvest Crew Relief — Scott Farm Orchard
    • Our Board will discuss options for club contributions at the board meeting tomorrow; three options under review.
  • Rotarians for Rotarians – Debra
    • Kristin is doing fantastic, was going to come today, but had a conflict. She will be back here next week.
    • Debra received a get-well card signed by the Noon club.
7:25 AM – Social / Breakfast Break – Talk with your fellow and sister Rotarians!
7:40 AM – Reconvene
  • Birthdays: Londa’s Birthday is Today!
  • Anniversaries: Toni (25 years of Rotary Service on Nov 1st)
  • Service: 30 for 30, Celebrating 30 years of Service with 30 Acts of Kindness,
  • Brags 
    • Nick – bragged for his son who is on the Olympic Development Program and his daughter for her incredible progress over the past year in dance and gymnastics.
    • Diane – bragged for President Debra’s return and her input on new member documentation.
    • MISSING BRAGS HERE. If you bragged, and you know who you are, please send them to me and I’ll incorporate them into these notes.
  • Student Rotarians Rylee Rockwood (Hinsdale HS Class of ‘27) and Taylor Honeycutt (Hinsdale HS Class of ‘26) – Hinsdale HS Boys Soccer Team placed 4th in the state; the deadline for Taylor's Krispy Kreme fundraiser is 11/10/25. Pickup at Hinsdale HS this Saturday, 11/15/25 9AM-2PM.
8:00 AM – Ben introduced Shela Linton, co-founder The Root Social Justice; Shela talked about her background, life experience and why she was driven to found the Root; Seeing gaps in understanding and our local culture that makes it hard for members of the BIPOC community to feel welcome. The Root works to create safe spaces, foster belonging by organizing events for BIPOC members to come together, and to amplify BIPOC voices. Shela talked about their 12 for 12 initiatives in celebration of their 12th year anniversary. 12 ways Root supporters can connect their efforts to make a greater impact. She also informed us about the Asylum Seeker, Refugee & Immigrant Community (ARC) program, led by and for asylum seekers, refugees and immigrants and dedicated to fostering belonging and promoting community cohesion. Through the Root’s Mutual Aid Support Network (MASN), $35,000 has been provided in direct support to more than 50 BIPOC individuals and families!
 
8:24 AM – Cards – 3 of Clubs was drawn. No winner.
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?
8:30 AM - Wrap-up Meeting