INSPIRATION:
Rob Black quoted from an essay, by Shawn Bird of Shuswap Rotary,District 5060, that reflects the spirit of our club: "at this difficult season when opinions impale reason may we not divide but warmly abide within a strong fellowships of respectful courtesy as we serve our community. May we rise as votary to the service of Rotary."
ANNOUNCEMENTS, Etc.
President Anthony Hollingshead called for a moment of silence in memory of past club President Alfred Toegemann.
He advised of several upcoming events:
- The Annual Trade Show at our March 27th meeting (see John McGinn for registration)
- District Assembly on Saturday, April 1 at White's Restaurant, Wesport, Mass.
- Multi-District Conference at the Providence Convention Center, April 28 - 30 at which Rotary International President John Germ will be the featured speaker.
President Anthony presents our
club flag to visitor Karen Mota from Brazil.
Don Saracen advised that Rotarians are invited to attend an event at Sophia Academy on March 8 in honor of International Women’s Day. It will be from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM and will feature an opening address by the author Mai Donohue.
HAPPY BUCKS:
Pete Brock for his Lenten resolutions - no caffeine or alcohol and do a daily positive act.
Jim Gilcreast in honor of Alfred Toegemann and for a pilgrimage he will make to the Holy Land.
Kevin Kernan for winter being over.
Bill DiBiasio for meeting Mike and Kathy Kelly at the Miami Boat Show and having lunch with them at Daytona.
Rob Black for seeing the excellent Ed Clark photo exhibit at Dryden Gallery.
Cy Wyche happy as always to be at Rotary.
CREATING LOCAL JOBS IN
THE INNOVATION ECONOMY
Senior Managing Director Richard G. Horan described how the Slater Technology Fund has been instrumental in creating about 5000 new jobs in Rhode Island. The Fund is a non-profit corporation founded as a venture capital fund to provide seed money for loans to Rhode Island based startup enterprises in the innovation economy.
Many of the ventures are based on ideas and research developed in academic and governmental institutions. Some are also recipients of private funding, but many would not begin with just private investment due to the time frame for return on investment.
The Fund was begun in the administration of Gov. Lincoln Almond and has received $35 million in state funding up to 2013. Since then it has received $13 million in federal funding. Slater funds 3 to 5 new ventures a year, many at the level of $250,000. It has funded 120 ventures, about half of which have become full companies. The companies have raised about 600 million dollars in "follow on" capital.
Visiting Rotarian
Marco Marinelli - Italy
Guests
John Gazzero
Pearl Farquanson
Guests of Pres. Anthony
Karen Mota
Guest of Lisa Hill
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