Pledge and 4-Way Test: Pam Ancheta

Prayer: Harv Whitley

Song:  Marion Humphrey

 

About the meeting program:  The bell will be rung at 12:15PM to help the staff with food service timing and a final attendance count.  Also, a subtle "two minute warning" reminder before the end of the meeting will be signaled to help the program end promptly at 1:30PM. 

Bob Cruz did the honors of introducing guests:  Joe Biafore, student-of-the-month from South Kingstown High School (SKHS); Kirstin Stahl,  SKHS Student  Advisory Counselor; John Biafore, Joe's father.

Not on Today's Agenda.

 

Note on Rotary Minute:  This agenda item is typically about highlighting a Rotarian-related protocol or commemoration.  But club members are encouraged to share  an interesting, humorous, or unusual Rotary-anecdote about themselves, or fellow Rotarians.  This is more than a "happy buck" mention--you get to be on the agenda and you don't have to prep a 20-minute speaker's presentation.   Just let Pam know you want a Rotary Minute story to share.

For the latest concerning club related meetings and events click items on the Upcoming Events section in the right column.  Or for a more complete list, click on the CLUB CALENDAR button.  Check out - Balloon Festival Meeting & Second Wednesday Social - Bowling at Old Mountain Lanes!  No meeting on May 10th.  Next Meeting:  Thursday, May 3rd!

 

Today, Tom Tarzwell demonstrated his ability to be a fearless-leader.  When it was clear that the meeting's scheduled speaker wasn't going to show up in time to present, Tom stepped-up to do a classification talk about himself--very brave.  He started out by noting the importance of classification talks to allow members to learn about each other.  He realized that many current members don't know about him and when he joined Wakefield Rotary in July of 1980.  Fellow retired attorney Harry Cesario was his club sponsor.  Originally from Ohio, Tom talked about meeting his wife Gail in law school and starting a practice in South Kingstown.  He talked about drag racing; how law practice has changed. His daughter and son-in-law now work with his wife to continue practice at his "old" law office.  The news editor forgot to take notes during Tom's impromptu presentation so be sure to ask him to tell you the story about how he handled someone collapsing in his office.  A take-away from Tom talk:  he is definitely all business...even his discussion about drag racing got pretty technical--but very informative.  Thanks so much, Tom.

 

Honesty is an undeniably crucial trait in an accountant. And Betsy Wisehart has that trait in spades!  She discovered that the missing deposits for Oct. 23, 2017, were misfiled within her paperwork for the wrong year.  Now that "where the checks went" is resolved, Betsy found out from the club's bank that the dates on the checks are too old/late to be honored for deposit.  So, she has distributed the old checks back to members who paid for the Oct 23rd meeting and reminds them that they need to make out a new check in that same amount for deposit.  So please remember to hand in a "new October check" to the Sergeant-At-Arms desk at your next attended meeting--as soon as possible.  Many thanks.

 

Also, Betsy updated financials for both the club & the balloon fest committee and they are posted on the documents section of the website for member-access-only.

 

NO HARM IN REMINDING....2018 District Conference in Plymouth, MA
Rotarians were reminded about signing up for this year's Multi-District Conference (Dist. 7950 & 7890 / Friday, May 18th - Sunday, May 20th) in Plymouth, Massachusetts.  Please click HERE for all the details and to register.  Please register by May 10th!

Co-Chair Deb Casey presented Chris with a Paul Harris (plus 5) pin.  Chris then talked about the importance of supporting Rotary's work in the world--which is what the honor of Paul Harris awards recognize--like his co-chairing of the Water For Cambodia project.  Chris got a standing ovation from members after his very important speech.

 

Peggy Benz introduced Kirstin Stahl, SKHS guidance councelor, who talked about Joe Biafore's service work in school and touted his great academic record, too.  Click here to see Joe in the YouTube/BBC video about the Choose Love Movement presented at SKHS.

 

 

Patrick Connelly is nominated by Tom Tarzwell.  Patrick has been Tom's guest at a few recent meetings.  Patrick lives in West Kingston and works at Pioneer Financial Group in Warwick.

 

Scott Andrews is nominated by Beth Leconte.  Scott lives in Narragansett and works at Voya Financial Advisors in Warwick.  A URI grad, Scott has offered to serve as Rotaract Advisor.  He serves as the URI Service Corps Alternative Spring Break Alum Advisor  (2014-present) and is past-president of Habitat for Humanity-URI Chapter.

Dennis McLeavey --  lamented the loss of Toronto Maple Leafs (spelling?) to Boston Bruins; his daughter is interning with  Elon Musk (does that necessarily mean Tesla?)

 

Spencer Seitz --  had a very happy update on a terrifying incident:  Spencer had missed a "Rotary After Dark" meeting in order to support his wife Dawn, a high-school nurse, who had valiantly tried to resuscitate  a student who collapsed at school using CPR and an AED (automatic external defibrillator). The student was eventually hospitalized though he showed no apparent vital sign activity,  Months later, the student is now back to attending school.  Thanks to Dawn for her role in saving the student's life.

 

Martha Whittier --  "Happy Birthday!" to her youngest who recently turned 3-years-old

 

Sandy Cutting --  her son left the the Navy and is now in San Francisco working to build robots for a start-up company

 

Jim Buchanan -- paid a buck for leaving early & announced his need to hire an appliance delivery driver.

 

Betsy Wisehart -- will be going to a wedding in Wyoming and the bridal couple or betrothed are both women!

 

Pam Ancheta -- wanted to thank the Wakefield Foundation (& Chris Hart) for getting the needed software onto the club's computer; thanked Beth Leconte for all her work with URI/Rotaract; and Pam said she looked forward to any write-up that Beth Leconte & Mary Roda may be [emphasis on may] writing about the April 17th gathering to honor Agnes Doody at Brightview Commons.

 

Spencer Seitz (again) --  happy to announce his son is a now a licensed general contractor & his daughter is a now a licensed financial planner.  Very Proud!

 

Betsy Wisehart (again) --  announced that the latest financials for the Balloon Festival are now available (Pam will post them on the website for member-access-only)