Maury Ryan shared with us his memories of joining and experiencing Rotary throughout the years.  Some of his dearest memories included the trips to the Boston Pops, the Beer Festival, the Kelly's Christmas parties and his longtime friendships that he has built, especially with Ken Conde and the late Paul Segal.

Update on Margaret Kane - Margaret is now back at the Miriam following a relapse. Thank you to the Rotarians who have assisted her caregiver with rides.  She is in our thoughts and prayers.

 

 

President Steve encourages folks to test often for Covid, especially prior to attending Rotary.  Feel free to wear or not wear a mask - whatever makes you feel most comfortable.

 

Maury Ryan gave an update on the Rotary Book Club. The book club currently has 11 members and is planning on meeting in September, with a date to be determined. All our welcome to join.  Interested?  Call Maury and Mary Lou at 401 - 374 -2484. Next book up - still to be decided upon by members.

President Elect Kris David introduced our speaker, a fellow Providence Rotarian, Dr. Clara Decerbo.

 

Dr. Decerbo is director of PEMA, (Providence Emergency Management Agency) and has an interesting background in emergency management and as an EMT-cardiac/firefighter.  Clara has a PhD and MA from URI in marine affairs with a focus on hazards and disaster response, and a BA from Middlebury College in international studies with a focus on Middle Eastern history and Arabic.  She is a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) through the International Association of Emergency Managers.

 

She shared her path to becoming a Certified Emergency Manager, which interestingly began with her Rotary Youth Exchange program in Turkey in 2005.  She loved her time there, became fluent in Turkish and was the first of four children in her family to participate in Rotary Youth Exchange Programs.  World events piqued her interest in hazard and disaster response which led to her current career with the Providence Emergency Management Agency.  

 

Fully staffed at the PEMA with only five employees, they are extremely busy handling what she refers to as "everyone's worst day".  Whether it be a hurricane, an earthquake, a cyber-attack, or a pandemic - they are ready to assist.   Recently, she and her team coordinated a city-wide response to Covid 19, handling all mass vaccination sites.  Her organization is responsible for two very important disaster notification sites - CodeRED and the Rhode Island Special Needs Registry.  Register on CodeRED to receive emergency alerts and on the RI Special Needs Registry to alert emergency personnel that you or a loved need extra assistance during a disaster.  Go to www.readyprov.com to register.

 

During her free time, she volunteers as a firefighter and a paramedic.