President Mike Kelly opened the meeting by calling on Walter Cotter for an invocation rather than an inspiration. Mike explained to Walter that an inspiration comes from a ‘life-related event”, while an invocation is “prayerfully inclined”.
With that guidance, Walter offered the following: “Grant us prudence in proportion to our power, Wisdom in proportion to our science, Humanness in proportion to our wealth and might, And blessing our earnest will to help all races and people to travel in friendship with us along the road to justice and liberty and lasting peace
ANNOUNCEMENTS/REMINDERS
Randy Dittmar invited all members of the Club to come for a night of bowling (“you don’t have to be good”)
Walter Adamowicz announced that the Nominating Committee is accepting nominations for the Board of Governors
Barbara Harris gave us details of the “Million Dollar Meal” at New England Tech in East Greenwich October 19th
Liz Messier announced that the Club has purchased half the house for the Barker Playhouse presentation of “It’s a Wonderful Life”
World Polio Day is October 24th and Rotarians still have the challenge of Pakistan and Afghanistan. DG Kris David asked in the September 28th meeting that Rotarians go to the RI website on October 19th, the day of our Million Dollar meal, and make a gift to Polio Plus. She reminded the Club that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will match our gifts 2:1 for greater impact.
November 10th is the Rotary Foundation dinner at the Providence Marriott
The Rotary Halloween Party will be at the Squantum Club on October 30th. Michael Friedman will have more details shortly.
The winner of the October 5th 50/50 drawing was Liz Messier
Pictures of the successful 2015 Street Painting Festival under perfect autumn skies. Great art, great participation by club members, fun for all, thousands raised for the Providence Rotary Charities Foundation and strong community recognition for our club..
Jessica Berry spoke about her work as Sustainability Manager at Brown University. Her job in just a few words is “Maximizing Resource Potential” across all of Brown, and beyond Brown throughout Providence. Brown focuses on several areas: dining, transportation, energy, water, waste and diversion. For example, Brown has set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 42% over 20 years, and it is already half way to its goal.
Reducing waste is an important goal. RI’s Central Landfill has an estimated life of only another 20 years. To extend the life of the landfill, RI needs to eliminate waste where possible, and divert what waste is generated to productive use wherever possible. For example, the Green Commencement program seeks to minimize the use of plastic water bottles by substituting portable drinking stations.
Brown is heavily involved in recycling. It embraces with single stream recycling, and it has found that when recycling is simple, more people participate. Brown also tries to repurpose waste. To do this Brown views waste as a resource. For example, much paper and food waste makes terrific compost. Brown has a number of pilot projects in its food facilities for both pre- and post-consumption materials. Also, Brown has established a clearing house process for furnishings no longer needed in its present use. For 10 days the furnishings are available to other users in the Brown community, and then to non-profits in the area.
Brown’s sustainability efforts are led by the Sustainability Strategic Planning Advisory Committee (SSPAC). Each year Brown publishes a Sustainability Progress Report which is available on the University’s website prepared by the Office of Sustainable Energy and Environmental Initiatives in the Facilities Management Department.
Happy Bucks
Margaret Kane solicited “Happy Bucks”.
Many were grateful for the wonderful holiday party at the Kellys’ home Saturday afternoon.
John Folan was happy for the good work that the staff of San Miguel and Sophia Academy do teaching these fine young people. Our companies will have some fine young men and women to employ in eight years if today is any indication
Omar Luna, Vice President of the San Miguel class of 2015 was happy that the Rotary tradition of a Christmas party with his school continued
Rotary Club of Providence, 27 Dryden Lane, Providence, RI 02904
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The Setup.jpg)
The opening.jpg)
The crowd.jpg)
The beer tent
Jessica Berry spoke about her work as Sustainability Manager at Brown University. Her job in just a few words is “Maximizing Resource Potential” across all of Brown, and beyond Brown throughout Providence. Brown focuses on several areas: dining, transportation, energy, water, waste and diversion. For example, Brown has set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 42% over 20 years, and it is already half way to its goal.
