Pete Brock used a story about teammate John Hannah, a decorated All-Pro guard, and his need to get things right. John started working by himself prior to practice to get the snap count right since he was getting called for penalties. Soon, his teammates noticed this and joined him in his routine. Through this work they developed a better team approach and appreciation of each other. This is a fine example of people working together to build a better outcome.
Presentation
Kris David presented Jonathan Kaufman with the Paul Harris Fellow award. This was to honor and thank him for all of his hard work in improving our Gala registration and bringing us into the 21st century.
Guests
Paul Kaufman - Jonathan’s Dad, Somerville Rotary member
Michael Arago - Guest of Peter Loescher, Cumberland/Lincoln Rotary member
Happy Bucks
- Walt Adamowicz: Book club is going strong and looking for members to join them. Meet at Marion Avarista’s home in Cranston. This month, we are meeting on the last Monday of the month. Reading Mark Patinkin’s book about the war between Israel and Gaza, and Mark Patinkin will be attending the meeting. (Editor’s Note: Mark will be presenting to us on October 29th about his experience in developing this book.)
- Michael Durand: Very happy to be meeting here at the Squantum club. Also, for the first time in his 74 years he has a cast on! Many thanks to Pickleball.
- Liz Messier: $2; one for all the volunteers that have signed up (more than ever before!), and one hoping that everyone else will sign up to help!
- Art Norwalk: Sad buck - Barry Fain is back in the hospital
- Rob Black: $5 for the first meeting he’s been to since his first surgery in August.
- Paul Kaufman (guest Rotarian): Happy for his new grandchild, as well as his son’s Paul Harris Fellow award.
- Cap Willey: $2 - one is a sad buck because they closed the pool. The other is to thank Sam New for mentoring his granddaughter in supply chain careers.
- Bill Applegate: $10 to thank the Squantum club and Peter Loescher for bailing us out for this meeting at the last minute!
- Pete Brock: happy to see Rob Black here; and he was thrilled that his brother was here for a great visit in Maine.
New Member Induction
Diane Riccitelli, Johnson and Wales
Speaker
Catherine Taylor joined AARP Rhode Island as State Director in May 2021. She spoke to our Rotary Club shortly after joining, and was glad to be invited again since she now knows what she is supposed to be doing.
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age.
Catherine is also an active community volunteer, having just stepped down as president of the board of directors of FirstWorks, a performing arts nonprofit, and currently serves as trustee of the Church of St. Sebastian.
She described how at AARP they want to make your health wealth and happiness last as long as you do. There are 38 million members and have the largest magazine circulation in the world.
Rhode Island has over 128,000 members. The organization serves mostly people who are 50+years of age, and their families and caregivers. But, membership is open to any with the largest growing population is in the 40-45 range (there is even a TikTok influencer!)
It is also a great place for new parents using the discounts made available to them.
The main initiatives of the organization in RI are:
- Lobbying: negotiations for the price of Medicare prescription drugs, strong state-level relationships with all members of our federal delegation. Top issue right now is supporting family caregivers, taking care of elderly/special needs/disabled family members (tax credits, simplifying SS payments, peace of mind initiatives).
- Housing: making sure there is elderly appropriate housing available.
- Biggest legislative initiative: Eliminating the state tax on social security benefits!
- Have great relationships with all federal and state delegations
- Fraud: Requiring signage to alert people to potential fraud. Regulations on cryptocurrency ATMs
- Events: outreach, connecting with people and people to each other. Local discounts, sponsoring local events, shredding events
- Online healthy living classes
- Voter engagement initiatives
The organization is light on staff but has 70 active volunteers right now, most of whom are retired. These folks work on community events, virtual events, education, speakers’ bureau, advocacy volunteers (work with legislative agenda), and boards and commissions volunteers who serve and represent the voices of elderly people.
