January 15th Newsletter

Meeting Date:  January 10, 2023

Reporter:  Sharon Garland

Pledge of Allegiance

George Babcock led the group in the Pledge and offered a primer on the history of the colors.  The wording of the Pledge varies only slightly from the original, which was drawn up in 1892 in the office of the Youth’s Companion magazine in Boston.  It was first used in the public schools in celebration of Columbus Day, October 12, 1892.  The pledge received official recognition by Congress on June 22, 1912. The phrase, “under God,” was added in June 1951 by President Eisenhower.

Inspiration - Cap Willey

A New Year’s resolution is a tradition, most common in the western world but also found in the eastern world.  The Romans began each year by making promises to the God Janus for whom the month of January is named.  A 2007 study by Richard Wiseman showed that 88% percent of those who set New Year’s resolutions fail, despite the fact that 52% of the studies participants were confident of success at the beginning and in a 2014 report, 35% of the participants who failed in their New Year’s resolutions admitted that they had unrealistic goals, 33% of participants did not keep track of the progress and 23% forgot about their resolutions; the remaining respondents claim that they made too many resolutions.  
 
Some unique New Year’s resolutions:
 
Try something new each month, try a new food item each month, support local restaurants, learn a decent party trick, drink more water, write a journal, use snail mail, make a new friend each month, join a book club (maybe Rotary’s), and buy stupid things that make you happy.  To which, Cap’s lovely wife asked him to buy something stupid that makes her happy every month and it could start with something chocolate!

Announcements

President Steve on Zoom (Covid) welcomed Ray Hull, Mary and Rob Brewster, Sam New, and Art Norwalk - who were also on Zoom.
 
Steve announced that the Providence Rotary Charities Foundation has purchased fundraising software  to help manage the annual Gala records. Anthony Landi, Foundation chair and Suzanne Cannon have been working with him to ensure better behind the scenes Gala operations.
 
Our thoughts are with Margaret Kane, Jim Gilcreast, Sam New, and Nondas Voll - who reports she is making progress.
 
Steve reminded members that while community service projects are a major Club emphasis, attending meetings in person or on Zoom is also very important. He encouraged members to view attendance as the opportunity to get to know other members. Whether it’s called fellowship or being with “a community of friends” it’s a major benefit of Rotary.
 
On January 17, District Governor David Sampson, a former school administrator and 50-year Rotarian, will be the speaker at the Providence meeting.  He will meet with Board members and program chairs prior to the meeting.
 
Please let Steve know if you will attend the District 7950 Midyear Meeting at the
Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School, 220 Sandwich Road, Bourne, MA on Saturday, January 21, 2023, a light breakfast is at 7:30, the meeting begins at 8 and ends no later than 12:00 noon.
 
Important: The Marriott is set to begin charging for parking, but this does not apply to Rotary meetings, more info will follow.
 
Kris David reported that the East Providence Rotary will have a comedy show fundraiser on Saturday, January 28 at 6pm at the Cape Verdean Social Club in East Providence. Admission is $20, let Kris know if you’re interested in attending, she’s putting together a group.

Happy Bucks

  • Kris David for her mother celebrating her 96th birthday
  • Anthony Hollingshead $10 for seeing George Babcock at today’s meeting and for the terrific  new members: Lew Hassell, Sam New, Ray Hull, Jonathan Kaufman -  they’ve been great to work with!
  • President Steve recognized Anthony for his excellent leadership as membership chair. When Ana is swore in, it will make 5 new members since July! 
  • Jonathan Kaufman for riding five roller coasters in one day during his recent trip to Florida
  • Mary Brewster because her son was able to change hotels and save his vacation in Santa Barbara.
  • Barry Fain $5 for his partner and speaker, John Howell, showing up. Otherwise, Barry would have to share his winter vacation stories.
  • John Howell $2 for today’s light traffic, if it was any worst, we’d have to listen to Barry’s vacation stories!

Speaker

Rhode Island Academic Decathlon- John Howell
 
John Howell, editor and publisher of the Warwick Beacon, introduced the Rhode Island Academic Decathlon, a student competition open to all high schools (public, private and parochial) in RI.  It is part of the United States Academic Decathlon.  John’s involvement began in 1983 when he was introduced to the program by Bishop Hendricken staff and students when he visited the school to write an article for the Beacon.  He was impressed by the program’s goals and inclusive format and the enthusiasm of several students who had competed in the National competition.  At the time RI did not have a competition, and John agreed to reach out to the community to establish a RI Decathlon.
 
John recognized he would have to involve the right people to get buy-in for the RI Decathlon.  This included teachers, unions, and legislators. Financial resources for student team support, coaches, the annual state and national competition would be necessary.  By calling on some extremely successful fundraisers, like PPAC chair, Joe Walsh, and reaching out to numerous corporate and community leaders, a secure fundraising base was established. 
 
A unique feature of the competition is that it is open to students at all academic levels – those with A, B and C grades who work together at their own level.  Each year there are ten local competitions in schools across the state.  Twenty to 25 teams with 200 to 250 students compete in math, essays, speech and the arts.  The program uses a team learning approach and coaches to support student success.  At each academic level, winning team members are recognized with gold, silver, or bronze metals.  The winning team will go on to compete at the Nationals.
 
The RI Decathlon competition will be at Bryant University on March 5,2023.  There are volunteer opportunities for coaches and speech and interview judges during the year.  Staffing the event on March 5 requires 150 volunteers.  Contact John if you would like to volunteer.
Club Information
Tuesdays at 11:45 AM
Providence Marriott
1 Orms Street
Providence, RI 02904
United States of America
Lunch is served at 11:45 AM; meeting begins at noon.
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Speakers
Jan 17, 2023 12:00 PM
Update on District 7950
Jan 24, 2023
134 Collaborative
Jan 31, 2023
Spring 2023 Rotary Day of Service
Feb 07, 2023
New Member Talk
Feb 14, 2023
Highway Safety
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