Holly introduced Richie Price, an accomplished musician and educator, who played the Star Spangled Banner on his trumpet. Mr. Price has been regularly performing at Roger Williams National Park throughout the pandemic delighting his audience, including Holly.

 

Jim Gilcreast offered an inspirational quote from President John F. Kennedy: 

“Philanthropy, charity, giving voluntarily and freely... call it what you like, but it is truly a jewel of an American tradition."  

 

Our next meeting will be a Zoom meeting on MONDAY, November 2. Paul Segal, Providence Rotary Charities Foundations chair, will introduce representatives from three agencies that received 2019-2020 grants.

 

CHANGE OF MEETING PLANS: In response to Gov. Raimondo’s warnings of increased Covid risk, the meetings planned at the Marriott on TUESDAYS Nov. 10 and Nov. 17 will be on Zoom only. Plans beyond those dates will be reconsidered as the pandemic situation develops.

 

Scott MacKay, political analyst at The People’s Radio, will offer his post-election analysis at the Nov. 10 meeting.

 

Kris David encouraged gifts to the Polio Plus District campaign. She purchased 100 Jonas Salk commemorative coins that she will give to the first one hundred $100 donors. She also reported that the Good Works committee has organized a project to give thank you cards to veterans in honor of their service. Cards will be personally signed by Rotarians and delivered to the state Veterans Home in Bristol.

 

Margaret Kane started Happy Bucks by sharing a Halloween costume idea: one person dresses with a camouflage top and plain bottom and the other with a camouflage bottom and plain top - the upper and lower GI!

 

Rob Black gave $5 happy bucks in anticipation of a baby girl granddaughter.

 

Jim Gilcreast gave a buck in memory of Cy Wyche, he’s happy.

 

Don Saracen gave $2 happy bucks for his grandson and actor Jack, whose project was awarded the People’s Choice Award at the high school All American Film Festival in New York.

 

Pres. Bryan gave a buck for attending a Trump rally in Ohio on Saturday.

 

Nondas Voll had a happy buck in admiration for speaker Carol Golden’s leadership in philanthropy. 

 

Kris David was happy to give Rotary face masks to a Providence kindergarten teacher for her students. Also for her daughter Gabriele’s new job as a lacrosse coach and players rep in Boston

 

Cap Willey is happy for his daughter’s new business.

 

Guest Richie Price gave $10 for the Providence Rotary, “It’s a good organization!”

 

Steve Hug thanked the club and district for the masks and grants Family Services has received for the children they serve.

 

Carol Golden, philanthropy advisor and former Rhode Island Foundation senior staff member, spoke about how creating a personal giving plan can bring purpose, joy and build a legacy for an individual or family. She stressed that contrary to popular belief a person doesn’t have to be wealthy to be considered a philanthropist. It’s not the gift amount, but when we give time or money to support programs that are meaningful to us, that is what makes a philanthropist.

 

Giving is a very personal decision. There are many reasons that keep people from giving– uncertainty about what they can afford, lack of information on effective charitable organizations, and privacy issues. A family tradition of giving, a feeling that it’s the right thing to do, or having received help in the past are all reasons people do give. Very rarely do people give for public recognition.

 

Proactively creating a giving plan can help determine priorities. It’s helpful to look at your past giving, current volunteer efforts, what issues worry you, or what causes make you happy to support. Local vs. national or global, large vs. small, immediate needs or system change, and effectiveness of an organization are all considerations that go into the plan. It’s never too late to start giving. A donation now and/or a bequest later can bring great satisfaction and purpose.