Inspiration
Kris David gave us the following message.
The month of February is dedicated to Rotary’s focus on Peace and Conflict, Prevention and Resolution. Holocaust survivor, Nobel Peace Laureate and author, Elie Wiesel shares the following: “Mankind must remember that Peace is not God’s gift to his creatures; peace is our gift to each other.” Kris David suggests: “Would it not be a better world if everyone would seek and pursue peace? Following our Four Way Test would be a good start on this path.”
Announcements
Sad news to share, Rochelle Carnevale, wife of Rotarian Peter Carnavale, passed away on February 6.
Mary Brewster shared that Pen Pal program progress is happening as we have been assigned to Ms. Haggerty's third grade class. Specific student assignments will be done shortly.
President Holly shared that there will be a Past President Meeting in the near future - more details to come. She also shared that next week is the Rotary’s 117th Birthday. Our meeting next week will celebrate this birthday with special events. Hope to see you there!
Kris David updated us on the Good Works committee Food Drive Project. We are continuing to collect items on the previously distributed list. (See Sidebar). Snow birds are welcome to donate money, and should contact Kris.
The District’s Providence Bruins Game was a success. Over 200 tickets were sold, and $5 per ticket goes towards End Polio Now.
Bob Murphy gave us an update on the PC Friars Game on Feb 23rd. Thank you to Rotarians for their generosity. Your donations totally funded tickets and snacks for the children of the San Miguel School.
President Holly asked us to watch for a Rotary Survey coming soon via email - please respond when you see it! (Note: The Survey hit your inbox yesterday. If you didn’t receive it, check your spam folder.)
Pete Brock - Happy Bucks
- Pete Brock - Gave $5 - not sure why - just because he’s happy!
- Anthony Hollingshead ($10) is happy as he has just returned from a 10 day cruise to Costa Rica on Norwegian Cruise Line. He thought of us during the recent snowstorm as he was sipping tropical drinks on the deck!
- Mary Brewster gave for her and Rob’s 36th wedding anniversary
- Kris David - in honor of Peter and Rochelle
- Jim Gilcreast - he’s happy; and to remember Peter and Rochelle Carnevale
- Rob Black is happy, granddaughter #2 took her first step yesterday
- Wendy Marcus - gave a happy buck for her 18 hour trip in a moving van with her son to South Carolina
- Holly Applegate- gave $50 for 50 red roses she received yesterday from her husband, Bill - they met over 50 years ago and she claims it was love at first sight!
Speaker
Tuesday’s speaker was Kelsey Mullins. She is the Director of Education from the Providence Preservation Society. Kelsey joined PPS in June 2019. She is a public historian, humanities administrator, and architecture super fan with a decade of experience in cultural organizations throughout the northeast.
Since 1956, the Providence Preservation Society has played an important role in the preservation and revitalization of the city. Kelsey told us that PPS was deeply moved by current events, the global pandemic, and the summer of racial reckoning, and, as an organization, they were inspired to take a hard look at their guidelines and mission. They realized that the work of the PPS has not engaged a city-wide audience, nor adequately protected and stewarded Providence’s complete architectural legacy. Kelsey shared with us their new strategic vision that will realize their goal of a vibrant and sustainable City of Providence, where everyone can thrive.
She shared their new guiding principles:
- to serve the whole population of Providence
- to support those who work to preserve our historic buildings
- to put people first
- to be equitable and inclusive
- to pursue a restorative agenda
They will institute the guidelines by:
- advocating for community needs and not just the needs of the East Side of Providence
- by developing a community toolkit for guiding grassroots conversations and action around historic preservation in neighborhoods typically excluded from that work
- by regularly attending community and neighborhood association meetings in Providence’s neighborhoods to listen and learn about issues relevant to the residents
- including racially diverse individuals from Providence’s neighborhoods on board and advisory committees
- by training the next generation of preservation tradespeople - providing job readiness training and on the job experience with employment support for individuals in historically excluded areas
