Newsletter Date: April 26
Meeting Date: April 20
Reporter: Holly Applegate
Past President Art Norwalk presided over the meeting for President Geoff.
INSPIRATION
Rob Black gave some aviation quotes from Henry Ford:
“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with the wind.”
“Always keep the number of landings to equal the number of take-offs.”
ANNOUNCEMENTS, Etc.
We’ll meet online again this week. Here’s the login info:
Topic: Providence Rotary Club Meeting –
Visiting Rotarians and guests are welcome
Time: Apr 27, 2020 social time 11:40 AM-12 noon; meeting runs 12:00-12:45 pm
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83352268869?pwd=WXdhaDNXcDlOUWlKeGdFTUtHMlV3dz09
Meeting ID: 833 5226 8869
Password: Club22
If you're joining by phone, call:
+1 929 436 2866 US
Meeting ID: 833 5226 8869
Password: 416916
Art recognized the community work done by our members, Christy Clausen for her efforts to provide 3 meals a day for Providence Public School students and Clara Decerbo’s work as the Director of Providence Emergency Management Agency. Clara is tomorrow’s meeting speaker.
There was discussion from our members about possible community service projects during this pandemic, which included donations to RI Food Bank and Family Service of RI, donations of peanut butter to Washington Trust or to the City of Providence food programs organized by Christy Clausen, making masks for donations to The Harry Kizirian School for families, reading to kids, and being pen pals, as part of the Club’s literacy program. These ideas will be presented and discussed at Thursday’s board meeting.
Updates from the board meeting:
- A special committee was formed to evaluate ways the club can support the community with service and/or financial contributions to fight the pandemic. Ideas should be communicated to Pres-elect Bryan Cook.
- The Membership Committee will discuss ways to continue offering online participation in club meetings even after in-person gatherings are allowed. This is seen as offering access to snowbirds, shutins and members who can’t get away from work for the full length of time.
- Mary Brewster reported on a local project to collect any used CPAP machines that people may have to repurpose them for hospital Covid-19 support. There are directions for cleaning and packaging the units on their website – www.VentilatorProject.org
- The board voted unanimously to extend honorary membership to Lyman “Jim” Williams, a longtime member who organized the club’s donation of a cargo plane-load of medical supplies to a hospital in rural Argentina in the 90s.
KIZIRIAN KIDS ARE STILL LEARNING AND GETTING FREE MEALS
Danny Smith, Principal of the Harry Kizirian Elementary School, spoke about how proud he is of all the teachers who were faced with the challenging task of developing a distance learning curriculum starting on March 13.
Their first efforts were to reach out to set up internet access for families and to distribute ChromeBooks for on-line learning. They are serving 580 students with only 30 students still without Internet access. They also are checking in with students and families to access their basic needs with Grab and Go Meals. There are students who are living in motels and in other RI communities.
The teachers are initiating zoom meetings for small group learning along with innovative reading and math programs.
Natalie Hartley, the school’s literacy coach, has been using reading tools provided by our club’s literacy initiative. The school is putting together packets for the children with crayons, books, notebooks and paper which are picked up at the school by parents or dropped off at the students’ homes.
Rotarians offered ideas such as electronic books for Providence Library, on-line programs from RISD museum for Kids, Rotarian to read a story on video, Pen Pal letters. We asked Natalie and Danny to put together a wish list.
HAPPY BUCKS
Jim Gilcreast gave a buck because he is happy.
Don Saracen gave two Happy Bucks, one for his daughter, Michelle, who celebrated her 50th birthday with a surprise Zoom party for 30 people. His other buck is for his granddaughter Rachel’s recent academic award from LSU.
Kris David gave Happy Buck for her brother and sister in-law for their recent recovery from the coronavirus.
Pete Brock gave 5 Happy Bucks for his move into his new home and for Emily’s Birthday.
Wendy Marcus for their distance cocktail hour with Barry and Elaine Fain, sitting in their car.
Mary Brewster gave a Happy Buck for opening up her summer home in Little Compton.
Karen Mueller for 1000 masks donated to Newton Wellesley Hospital, where she works.
Barry Fain was happy about receiving federal financing for his company to bring back 14 furloughed workers.
Bill David is happy about losing 10 pounds and Margaret Kane for finding 10 lbs.
Liz Messier was happy that she now has another puppy called Rhett Butler.
Richard Applebaum gave 5 Happy Bucks because he detailed the interior of his car!
Steve Hug was happy because he ran his first mile after recovering from a foot injury.
