INSPIRATION
Paul Segal shared several quotes from Paul Harris:
- “Rotarians are very much favorably disposed towards action, rather than words….”
- “Rotary changes us and those we serve…”
- “I believe we can change the world, one life at a time.”
ANNOUNCEMENTS, Etc.
Paul Segal – gave us an update on the Rotary Charities Foundation Annual Appeal. To date Rotarians have donated $16,000 – 30 people gave towards the appeal. One person gave $11,000!
The Foundation and our Childhood Literacy Initiative gave over $30,000 to the Providence Public Schools to purchase and online library for middle school students – so please give if you haven’t already! Also, a reminder to please consider the Providence Rotary Foundation in your estate planning.
George Babcock – Exciting times for our Rotary Literacy Program which will impact more than 5000 students in Providence. The purchasing process has been completed and implementation has been started. Teachers are getting trained on the new system and students are signing up. Art and Don have initiated a contact with the Providence school system, exchanging ideas on how to get public recognition thru print, social and broadcast media for the work being done.
Peter Brock is spearheading fundraising for the Literacy Project. Committee meetings are underway.
Holly Applegate let us know that the Diaper Drive has been extended to next Tuesday. 17 Rotarians have contributed. Pickup is schedule for next Wed Feb. 10 at 12 at the Marriott for any last minute donations which will then be delivered to Family Services of RI.
Wendy Marcus wished a Happy Birthday to our only February birthday – Walter Cotter.
Holly Applegate announced that Jim Hummel from the Hummel Report will be our guest speaker next week.
Kris David updated us on the Million Mask challenge – organizations are picking them up from Kris – she will be delivering some to Family Services.
Bryan gave a plug to Don’s monthly newsletter – this month there is video about squirrels and birdfeeders – shoot Don an email and request to be added to his email distribution list.
HAPPY BUCKS
Margaret Kane – for the 17” of snow that landed in Central Park and not in her backyard!
Pete Brock - for shoveling lots of snow in NH
Kris David –to wish Wendy a belated Happy Birthday
Don Saracen for Peter Loescher for coming to the meeting today and the heavenly glow from the light above his head
Anthony Hollingshead – happy to see Karen Mueller and Bintou Chatterton at our meeting today
Walter Adamovicz –he and wife got vaccinated!
Bryan – for school being cancelled twice in Cincinnati for a total of only 2 inches of snow!!!
AMY LUCKIEWICZ: WHY SHARKS DON’T DESERVE THEIR BAD RAP
Amy Luckiewicz, past president of the Wakefield, Mass., Rotary Club, shared with us her amazement and love for sharks, big and small and her favorite scuba diving adventures up close and personal among the sharks. She provided us with lots of tips on how to avoid an unpleasant encounter with sharks.
Amy also shared her concerns as to the negative reputation sharks have unfairly earned. Interestingly, in any given year, there are only about six shark encounters resulting in injury or death to humans, whereas 100,000 sharks each year are injured or killed by humans -- greatly affecting our ecosystem.
In addition to travelling around the world scuba diving, Amy saw opportunities to educate people about sharks and more, importantly, participate in conservation.