I read “Where Everybody Knows Your Name”, in the August Rotary Magazine, and it inspired this inspiration. It discusses the concept of third places. I encourage you to read the full article.
Thirty years ago, the author Ray Oldenburg described
- one’s home as your first place,
- work as your second place, and
- the third place as where you go to socialize and make friends.
Human beings have a great need for connection, and traditionally we met each other in “third places” like churches, cafes, libraries, etc. Currently, television and social media have weakened the role this third place. It has strained our personal social networks and increased loneliness.
Historically, people learned to flourish by being in the company of others. This allowed us to learn patience, generosity, and other virtues. It is where we learned to be human. Now we need to reinvent places to foster similar ties to each other.
In a “third place”, you are neither guest nor host. You can mingle with people different from yourself, free from social hierarchy or status. You are free to come and go. They are easy get to. And they feature regular attendees that give each place a unique character.
We know that Rotary, is one of these places. It can counteract isolation through its emphasis on service and friendship. Our shared meals and activities allow time for relationships to mature. The commitment to show up pays unexpected dividends if we can follow through. We can choose to sit together and become new friends, friends that we never would have met otherwise.
Do take a minute to reflect on the gift that Rotary can be.
Announcements
Anthony and Stacy Landi have invited members to attend a celebration of the Italian feast day of Ferragosto at their Narragansett Residence at 3PM on August 15th.
More sponsors have been obtained for the October 17th Gala –
- $10K MVP from Squantum Charity Trust
- $2,500 Conference Champion from Loescher Charity Trust
- $1,500 Conference Champion from Venning, Dittmar, McNeil & Varrone CPAs
- $500 Game Sponsor from Rob & Mary Brewster
On Sept. 7th from 8 AM to noon there will be a District Workshop training session titled “Empowering Rotary” held at New England Institute Of Technology in East Greenwich.
At Providence Rotary meeting on December 3rd District Governor Sharon Johnson will attend.
The Rotary International Convention will be held from June 21 to 25 in Calgary, Canada.
Providence Rotary is planning to improve the conditions of Zoom meetings by investing in OWL technology which will enable Zoom attendees to see and hear all people in the room instead of just those at the podium.
Happy Bucks
- Pete Brock for waking up today and deciding to be happy
- Don Saracen for his grandson Enzo being on a team coming in third in a major Tech conference in Las Vegas
- Cap Wiley for his granddaughter in the US Armed Services who has just been transferred to Saudi Arabia and given a promotion
- Emily Bernstein for a great trip to Portugal, Spain & France which included attendance at Olympic events
- Maury Ryan for a recent 2 week trip to Sicily
- Anthony Landi looking forward to his Ferragosto party on August 15th.
Speaker
Clara Decerbo is a Providence Rotary Club member and is currently The Director of The Providence Emergency Management Agency. The mission of the Agency is to enhance the City’s capacity regarding major emergencies and disasters to mitigate, prevent, respond to, and aid in recovery.
The Agency’s role applies to a wide range of issues referred to as “All Hazards” to include: Covid, Hazardous Materials, Infectious Disease, and Weather, which includes Hurricanes, Flash Floods and Climate Change.
To carry out this multi- faceted responsibility the Agency must collaborate with a wide range of partners, including Government and Private entities, such as The Army Corps of Engineers and URI. A major program administered by The Agency is Code Red which is a high-speed mass notification system to deliver emergency messages via phone calls to landlines or mobile devices or text and email. Messages are delivered to both individuals and businesses who have signed up online or directly by calling the Agency. Messages will be sent out for issues involving public safety including severe weather, evacuation, boil water orders, and missing persons.
Another program the Agency collaborates with is The Rhode Island Special Needs Emergency Registry which currently has over 5 thousand individuals enrolled who have chronic conditions, disabilities, or special healthcare needs. The Registry advises first responders of those needing help in an emergency. Registry enrollment may be done on line or by mail.
