President Steve welcomed everyone through Zoom this week. Rev. Ralph Barlow was also on Zoom.  

 

Get well to Pete Brock, Ken Conde, Jim Gilcreast and Margaret Kane.

 

Rob Black led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Bob Murphy offered this from John Lubbock, 19^th century British author and scientist:

“Rest is not idleness. To lie in the grass under the trees on a summer day listening to the murmur of the water or watching the clouds float across the sky is by no means a waste of time.”

 

Anthony Hollingshead reported that the membership committee is planning a presentation on August 16^th on the strategies that we can use to engage potential members and expand club membership.

 

The Providence Mayoral debate, moderated by Dan McGowan, is on August 23. It is open to the public free via Zoom. Steve encouraged members to bring a family member or friend. This an opportunity to highlight the club’s community involvement.

 

August birthdays include the astronomical sign of Leo (July 23-August 22) and Virgo (August 23-September 22). Personality traits for Leos include leadership, creativity and achievement orientation. Virgos are kind, hardworking and organized. Happy Birthday to Liz, August 16, George Babcock, August 27 and Jim Gilcreast August 30.

 

Don Saracen reported new 2022 Gala sponsors this week:

Arthur Robbins – Super Bowl Champion

Geoff Gaunt, Providence Picture Frame – Conference Champion

Liz Messier, Residential Properities- Division Champion

Anthony Hollingshead- Game Sponsor

 

Kris David for celebrating her daughter’s birthday at a new Providence Restaurant, Bayberry Garden

 

Cap Willey for his wife’s birthday on August 14

 

Mary Brewster for her former Japanese exchange student having her second child

 

Siobhan Greene is a Rotary Global Grant Scholar who completed her Master of International Development at RMIT in Melbourne, Australia in 2020. The $30,000 scholarship she received is funded in equal parts by Rotary International and District 7950. Her master’s thesis focused on how to improve maternal health domestically by examining best practices developed in countries, like Jordan, that were able to lower their previously high maternal mortality rate. She graduated with honors.

 

Siobhan said her attendance at a District 7950 RILA weekend leadership conference was a life changing experience that had a huge impact on her life her life by raising her expectations and igniting her passion for service through Rotary.  She went on to serve as a student leader, student director, family leader and as a District representative at Rotary International Day at the United Nations.

 

She is extremely grateful to Rotary not only for the scholarship and international travel opportunity, but for the tremendous support she received from District 7950 Rotarians, Rotary International Global Scholar division and the Melbourne Rotary.

 

This support is always important for a foreign student, but it was critical as Siobhan was in Australia during Covid. District and Rotary International made sure the resources were in place to deal with the unexpected Covid challenges. Melbourne Rotary’s support included help with housing, finding a job and networking with Rotary Clubs throughout Australia.

 

Siobhan remains in Melbourne and works as a communications specialist at the Australian Volunteers Program.