Zoom Attendees
Rob Brewster, Emily Bernstein and Lew Hassel
President Kristine David presided over the meeting.
Pledge
Past President Peter Loescher led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Inspiration
Cap Willey gave the Inspiration for the first two weeks in July.
We missed the first week in July due to the 4th landing last Tuesday. Cap hoped that you all had a wonderful Holiday.
As he look at the first two weeks of July as dates of importance, he have found the following:
Obviously, the first of July is the start of the new Rotary year, and the start of Kris David’s term as President which should highlight any review of historical significance. I am sure that we will have a great Rotary Year. Some dates of importance are July 1 as Canada Day. Our Red Sox celebrated it by beating Toronto in Canada.
July 1st is also Chartered Accountants Day in India, and National US Postage Day. July 2nd was World UFO Day, July 3rd was National Fried Clam Day, July 4th was Independence Day, July 7th was World Chocolate Day as well as Global Forgiveness Day, July 10th was Global Energy Independence Day, and today is World Population Day.
Tomorrow is National Simplicity Day in honor of Henry David Thoreau who espoused the simple life, as well as National Paper Bag Day. Thursday is National French Fry Day and Friday is, of course, Bastille Day. Look at all the things we can celebrate.
Guests
We had a visiting Rotarian, JoJo John, from India. There was an exchange of Rotary banners. JoJo talked about his Rotary with 65 members meeting every Friday from 7 pm to 9pm. His club allowed a catering company to use their club building to provide breakfast for 400 people in the community, helped build 8 houses, provide hearing treatments, and members donate a portion of their companies profits to Rotary.
Anthony Hollingshead announced his guest, Anxhela Alezaj who came to our last meeting. She is a prospective new member. And Richard Westcott, Provost of Johnson and Wales and guest of our speaker, President of Providence Campus, Marie Bernardo Sousa.
Awards
Immediate Past President, Steve Hug gave Mary Brewster Four Awards for Avenues of Community Service, Club Service, International, and Vocational Service.
Also recognized were Luis Lourenco, Bob Murphy and Barry Fain for contributions to the Foundation for Polio.
Past President Anthony Hollingshead was given a very special award as Rotarian of the Year. Congratulations to Anthony.
Installations
President Kris installed Pete Brock as President-Elect and Mary Brewster as Director.
Announcements
President Kris reminded us to contribute to the Gold Bowls for the Providence Rotary Charities Foundation.
Get Well Wishes go to Walter Adamovich who is recovering from a fall. Also Get Well Wishes go to Reverend Barlow.
Next week is a Club Assembly to Kick-Off our upcoming Legends for Literacy Gala on Monday, October 16, 2023 at The Marriott Downtown. Committees and Rotary Calendar will be presented.
Happy Bucks
- Pete Brock gave a Happy buck in memory of his mother who was almost 95 and prayed to die at home in her own bed. Her wish was granted. She raised 8 children with Pete as the oldest.
- Kris David gave a Happy Buck to thank everyone for attending her installation and Angela Ponte sent a letter to Kris saying this was the best installation in the district with the best location, food and presentation. Also, Kris congratulated her son Alex for his outstanding performance at the Newport Playhouse.
- Sam New gave a Happy buck for his father-in-law who is having a heart procedure.
- Anthony Landi gave a Happy Buck for attending Alex’s Opening Night performance which was fabulous and hilarious.
- Rob Black gave a Happy Buck for his son’s 40th Birthday and that he was recently elected to serve on a prestigious Hospital Board.
- Immediate Past President, Steve Hug gave a Happy Buck for Rob Black for his support throughout his term as club administrator.
- Mary Brewster gave a Happy Buck for her recent artist show in Fall River.
- Anthony Hollingshead gave a Happy Buck to thank Steve for his great year and wished Kris David the best of luck for her well-deserved Presidency.
- Emily Bernstein gave a Happy Buck for her recent intensive program for her business.
Speaker
President-Elect Pete Brock introduced our speaker, Marie Bernardo Sousa, President of the Providence Campus of Johnson and Wales. She spoke about the two women, Gertrude Johnson and Mary Wales who founded Johnson and Wales in 1914, before women even had the right to vote. She also mentioned meeting and admiring the accomplishments of a former President and later, Chancellor and long-time Rotarian, Morris Gaebe. President Sousa has been a part of Johnson and Wales over 30 years. She is particularly proud of their diverse population of students many of whom have stayed in RI and in the Providence area to pursue their careers.
The university has the Downtown Providence and Harborside Campus, a Charlotte, North Carolina Campus, as well as a College of on-line Education. JWU has 4500 undergraduates from 47 countries and 55 states and territories and 1140 students in Charlotte. The school offers 80 plus majors. They recently launched a physician Assistant Program. Students are very much involved in community outreach and are proud to give 3500 hours of community service with special collaboration with Ronald MacDonald House and Make a Wish.
New nursing Labs will be introduced in the Fall.
The Provost, Richard Westcott also spoke about the college’s commitment to academic excellence and career opportunities offering consulting to local businesses in marketing, research, graphic design etc.
