George Babcock ceremoniously led.

Dave Hamel gave an inspiration from Eleanor Roosevelt, “YOU must do the things you think you cannot do.” 

 

Against the backdrop of early 20^th century norms Eleanor broke glass ceilings and civil norms throughout her life.  A key player in the women’s trade union league in the 1920’s Eleanor fought key players in America’s industrial interests to form and promote the Trade union.  As a first lady, Eleanor become the first Activist First Lady, campaigning heavily for her husband, FDR, and forming the National Youth Organization (NYO)in the early 30’s. This NYO was a work program for under-employed youth.  Her later accomplishment included the promotion of African American Civil Rights and her single-handed prosecution of the UN Declaration of Human Rights in 1946.  Eleanor Roosevelt was ranked among the top 20 influencers of the 20^th century.

 

Dave’s message to his fellow Rotarians at the meeting. “Regardless of headwinds, keep pushing on projects you know are important like the work we do here at Rotary.”

Barry Fain, Mary Cullen, Richard Applebaum, P.J. Fox

Guest of Major Steven Lopes—Ryan Arpin

Guest of Chris Salvatore—Joyce Giarraputo

President Kris David and President Elect Pete Brock honored Past-President Art Norwalk with a pinning ceremony for the Paul Harris Major Donor award.

Art is the current Chair of our Literacy Committee, and has been hands on with making sure the Jane Babcock Literacy Initiative is being implemented in the Providence School system.  The funds have come from the Legends For Literacy Galas and we have donated over $150,000 to Providence schools over the years.

 

The Paul Harris Major Donor Award is given to a Rotarian who has contributed $10,000 to the Rotary International Foundation over the years, in addition to all they do for local clubs.

Get Well Wishes for Nondas Voll in Hospice.

 

March 21.

Rob Black hosting a tent dinner at his home. Please contact Mary Brewster if you wish to attend.

Tent dinners help us support an International Global Grant in Ghana. Rotarian Walter Hughes has been working on the grant. The Rotary Foundation is in the process of reviewing the grant and he hopes that it will be approved soon.

Last night on Channel 10: Clip from 1960 when the Outlet Company President that owned the station helped to organize a public polio vaccination event in downtown Providence. 12,000 people were vaccinated with the polio vaccine.

Ending Polio is Rotary’s #1 humanitarian goal. In 2024 we have not had one case of polio in the world. Two countries where outbreaks of polio are closely monitored—Afghanistan and Pakistan.

For the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare that polio in these two countries has been eradicated it will need 3 years when no cases have been reported.

On March 24th, please join Rotarians from our district at the Annual Providence Bruin’s Game that raises money for polio. Tickets are $22. Tickets need to be purchased by going to the District 7950 website only.

Membership Committee. Orientation for our newest Rotarians at Kris David’s home. Please contact Anthony Hollingshead if you know someone who may want to become a member of our Rotary Club.

District Assembly at New England Tech in East Greenwich. Pete Brock’s team for 2024-2025 should plan to attend this meeting.  Breakout sessions for the incoming secretary, treasurer, and committee chairs.

February 28, President Elect our sister club in Providence Chris Spear passed away while attending a business conference. His wife Laura is the current President of the Metro Providence Club. Chris loved to bike and participated in many charity events including Rotary’s polio ride through Arizona.  Chris attended our meeting weeks before this tragic event to ask us to help with their club’s food packaging event on April 27^th. His wife Laura is planning to hold the event in his memory.  A moment of silence was held.

May 18. Rotary Day of Service with members from the Rotary Club of Cranston and Metro Providence Club participating.  Kris and Alex met with the Cranston Club last week to discuss possible service projects ideas. Anxhela, one of our newest members, will serve as the chair of this event. We will be ordering shirts for club members to wear that day.

Pete Brock reported on his recent incoming Presidents conference. He said it was very worthwhile and he learned a lot as our incoming President for 2024-2025. Pete is eager to meet with Board members to start planning for next year.

Jane Berkowitz, Don Saracen, Art Norwalk, Barry Fain, and Richard Appelbaum cited their causes and thanks, but mostly for Art Norwalk's award.

URI Professor Emeritus Ronald Onorato. He delivered a riveting history of 18^th, 19^th, and 20^th century of architects who build Providence. Among the many interesting facts he shared with us was the origin of the word architect. It has a Greek origin which means “master carpenter.”

Professor Onorato profiled architect John Holden Greene and cited historic homes, many that are still in existence in Providence:  The Benoni Cooke House (1828), J.H Greene House on Thayer Street (1806), and the First Unitarian Church (1816), John Brown House (1786), Nightingale House (1791). But the majority of his talk was on the Sullivan-Dorr House (1809).