Paul Segal wanted to lighten things up during these times of stress: He shared some humorous quotes from baseball great and WWII veteran Yogi Berra. “We made too many wrong mistakes; no one goes there nowadays, it’s to crowded; I always thought the record would stand until it was broken; I usually take a two hour nap from one to four; never answer an anonymous letter.”

 

Visiting Rotarians: DG Charlene Jarest and ADG Sharon Johnson.

 

President Bryan reminded members of the Summer Fun(d): Donations to benefit Eat, Play Learn program.

 

The board is in the process of planning an in person social distance meeting at Swan Point on August 31. Holly is working on this and it will be bring your own bag lunch. Details to follow.

 

Kris reported that the “Community Rotaract club” has been named official by International. Gabby David was elected President. Bryan remarked that this is a wonderful building block for the future of our club. There also has been some early discussion with Toastmasters International about providing classes for Rotaract members.

 

Be sure to check out the list of speakers at upcoming meetings in the right column – the committee led by PE Holly Applegate has some really interesting programs lined up.

 

Jim Gilcreast: $1 because he’s happy and $1in memory of Stanley our Rotarian of the Century, and challenges members to give to the Summer Fun(d) in Stanley’s name.

 

Kris David: $2 for the Rotaract club and Connie’s daughter to get well in the hospital.

 

Geoff Gaunt: $$ for being back and Bryan being president and memorial service for his grandfather, family reunion and honored to receive his American flag.

 

Richard Applebaum: $100 to honor the memory of Stanley and the wonderful days in Rochester NY.

 

Bryan introduced District Governor Charlene Jarest, referring to their prior conversation on how we all miss in person meetings but Zoom meetings have provided us new opportunities.  

 

She totally agrees saying that she hopes to visit all the clubs if possible in the future. We heard Rotary International president Holger Knaack commenting about the coming year. He stated this is our opportunity to strengthen our clubs and mission great or small. Rotary is an invitation for endless opportunities for the people we serve and ourselves. We want to grow a new different innovative clubs of young professionals and asking our members to support these new clubs. We want your member to grow but select your members carefully that they are a good fit for your club. Then meet their expectations.

 

DG Charlene followed this up with a personal story of her Foster Mother who had Polio and Rotary’s mission to end Polio.

 

She is very impressed and commended our club’s literacy initiative and members. She went on to say our district 7950 has 66 clubs and has the structure to support our efforts going forward. It’s about learning to build on this virtual opportunity. Think of our district made up of traditional, satellite and Rotaract clubs now in this new virtual world. Quoting Paul Harris “if Rotary is to realize its proper destiny, it must be evolutionary at all times, revolutionary on occasions.”