New President-Liz Messier presided over the meeting.
Pledge
Mike Kelly led us in The Pledge of Allegiance.
Guests
Ralph Hollist, Paula Jagermann (on Zoom)
Inspiration
Inspiration by Emily Bernstein: She is truly inspired by our World Cup with all the support given to all our international visitors especially over The 4th of July as we celebrate our 250th Anniversary!
Induction
Liz was excited to install her first new Member, Nishat Siddiqi.
Nishat was thrilled to become a member of our Club. She knows that this organization does good work around the world. When she was in India, her uncle was a Rotarian. She always enjoyed reading the Rotarian Magazine. She became pen pals with many Rotarians around the world.
On Zoom
Richard Applebaum, Lew Hassell, P.J. Fox, Cap Willey
Announcements
Liz reminded everyone: “Don’t forget the Gold Bowls for funds contributing to Rotary Charities Foundation.”
Liz is looking for a team of Rotarians to help set up computer, the Owl, the zoom connection and help with audio and visual presentations for our speakers. She needs help in case Rob or Bill Applegate are unable to be there to set up. She is planning a training session at The Players at 400 Benefit in Providence during the evening. She asks that you reach out to her if you would be interested in helping.
She announced the lunch change because the current salad bar is no longer financially feasible, so we are trying both options and then take a vote as to stay with every other or to strictly do the plated salad or the plated dish for $28.
Liz is proposing a meeting change. To grow and retain membership, she would like to explore ways to engage all our members who cannot leave their workplace during the day to come to a lunch meeting. The first three lunch meetings will be at The Marriott, and the fourth Tuesday’s meeting will be a Rotary After Dark event which will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 allowing members to come and enjoy a night of fellowship, networking and fun! The first Rotary after Dark called Fiesta Night will be on Tuesday, July 29 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at Liz’s home at 50 Breakneck Hill Road, Lincoln, RI. Please RSVP to lizmessier53@gmail.com.
This coming meeting on July 14 will our first club Assembly of the Year. All Rotarians are encouraged to attend. This is your opportunity to hear about various committees and new service opportunities that are available for you to participate in. Liz hopes that every Rotarian will engage in a way that both provides an excellent club environment for yourselves and serves the club and our communities as well. She is looking for ideas for Rotary after Dark or service projects that you would like to organize. Come and be heard!! See you on Tuesday!
Anthony Landi gave us an update about Sponsorship for our Legends for Literacy Gala on Thursday, October 29!
- Squantum Charitable Trust $10,000
- Barry and Elaine Fain $10,000
- Applegate Fund $5000
- Deluca Foundation (New) $5000
- Loescher Charitable Trust $2500
- Northeast Investment Group $2500
- Demartinis Family (New) $2500
- Van Liew Trust Co. (increased) $2500
- Don and Cherie Saracen (increased) $2500
- Jan Feyler $500
Current total is $43,000. We are two thirds there! The Goal is $80,000! Last year’s total was $66,000.
Happy Bucks
Bill Efthimiades was asked to do Happy Bucks! He gave 5 Bucks for being happy about doing Rotary After Dark once a month and happy for how welcoming US has been to all the international visitors. Happy that Liz is having her first meeting.
Matt Schmitz gave a Happy buck for his upcoming Birthday!
Kris David is happy to be contacted by her team leaders from Rotary Group Exchange Scotland and Brazil to see how she was enjoying the visitors for The World Cup.
Simone Fargiorgio gave 10 Happy Bucks for his recent 8 day trip to Portugal and his 45th Wedding Anniversary!
Nishat Siddiqi gave a Happy Buck for being inducted as a New Rotarian. Happy to be watching World Cup
Liz Messier is Happy to be here at the club.
Speaker
Liz introduced Katie Messier from Pawtucket YMCA. Katie is the Vice President of Development and Marketing for the YMCA of Pawtucket, where she leads fundraising, marketing, community engagement, and strategic growth initiatives that expand access to vital youth, family, and wellness programs. She brings more than 25 years of experience in non-profit leadership, youth development, operations, and community service. Throughout her career, Katie has held executive leadership positions with the YMCA, Boys and Girls Club of Metro South, and the Attleboro Norton YMCA. She is passionate about strengthening communities through philanthropy, youth development, and volunteer service, and remains actively involved in community initiatives throughout the region. Kate also serves as on the Board of Managers for Pawtucket Rotary Club.
Kate shared the mission of the Y which provides services for all people. One in 10 residents of RI have been a member of in a YMCA facility.
They still offer swim, gym, and after-school childcare across the state. The needs have increased in all our communities so they launched the Hope Development with three primary needs include unhoused individuals and families. They launched Shower to EmPower through a collaboration with the city of Pawtucket to purchase a truck to help with this initiative. The Shower on the Move truck provides shower stalls with accessibility. It has washing, hygiene supplies, clothing, and a food pantry with specific single serve meals that don’t require heating or cooking. The truck just needs access to water.
In addition, the Y has partnered with other organizations such as Hope Cuts, who provides haircuts, beard trims for their visitors.
As the Shower on the Move truck makes stops in Providence, they are seeking volunteers to help make it happen. There is only one staff member, Corey Prachniak, running the effort. What does it look like if you were to help volunteers. They need help welcoming people. The volunteers will select clothing, hand out care packets, and give out food. Be welcoming!
They have a new collaboration to welcome, one stop shop. The have a Bodega in the office in the YMCA which is a food pantry. They are looking for help for stocking shelves. They also have a Hope Market with low priced foods. Up and coming, they are doing resume writing and mock interviews.
Liz will send out the volunteer opportunities and schedules.
