George Babcock asked a trivia question. How many castaways were on Gilligans Island? 7 guessed by Anthony Landi including all the character names. George then led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Inspiration
Cap Willey gave the inspiration:
March is a turning point in the calendar. They say that March either comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb, or comes in meekly and roars out. As we approach the end of this March, I am not sure what direction we are headed. We turned to Daylight Savings Time on March 9th. Personally, I would vote for Daylight savings all year long. Of course, we were all on alert for the Ides of March on the 15th. Hopefully you have recovered from St. Patrick’s Day and had your fill of Corned Beef and Green Beer, and St. Joseph’s Day and were able to find some Zeppole. Last Thursday marked the first day of Spring. Hopefully it will not snow, except for NH. March is the best month of the year for basketball with March Madness, but the worst month of productivity. It is estimated that businesses lose $4 Billion in productivity due to March Madness. Go Bryant – RI’s only entry in the Big Dance. March 25th is National Medal of Honor Day. It is also National Lobster Newburg Day and International Waffle Day. This week is Act Happy Week to make sure you contribute to Happy Bucks. It is also American Chocolate Week and Clutter Awareness Week – don’t look in my office. And, we can all celebrate Goof Off Week.
On Zoom
Barry Fain, Barbara Harris, Ray Hull
Visiting Rotarians
Louisa Strom from East Providence-Seekonk Club,
Brian Quinn from Foxboro Rotary.
Guests
Bill Monahan, the new replacement for Anthony Hollingshead at Swan Point Cemetery.
Chris Revill from Hey Rhody.
Peter Leon, guest of Don Saracen.
Announcements
Pete has formed a committee to brainstorm ideas of how to honor Margaret Kane who has contributed so much to our Rotary Charities Foundation.
March 27 Rotary after Dark event at Barker Playhouse was a success with great attendance.
Bill Applegate announced the upcoming District Assembly on April 5th at New England Tech in East Greenwich from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. All Rotarians are invited to attend, just register on the District site.
Happy Bucks
- Bill Applegate gave 10 Happy Bucks to Avram and Maxine Cohen because he was thinking about them.
- Rob Black gave 5 Happy Bucks for his fabulous time in New York City. He went to two great shows on Broadway, Glengarry Glen Ross and Sunset Boulevard.
- Alex David is Happy that his nephew is gaining weight and doing better.
- Don Saracen gave 10 Happy Bucks for a life changing experience for reconnecting with Baby Anne Flanders, who Cherie met 56 years ago while she was a pediatric nurse and worked with infants in an intensive care. Cherie called the doctor to report that something was wrong with this baby’s heart. This miracle baby was the smallest baby in the world to have open heart surgery at Mass General. This story was featured in Ladies Home Journal. Don and Cherie were asked to be her God Parents. They reconnected after 56 years this past Friday with Anne in Boston while they were walking into a restaurant. Anne, said that I think you are looking for me! The morale of the story is that there may be someone in your life that you should reconnect with.
- Art Norwalk gave 5 Happy Bucks for the 5 Rotarians who went to the Harry Kizirian School to read to the students for Reading Week. Sam New, Michaela Herman, Jane Berkowicz, Paul Pimental and Art Norwalk.
- Jane Berkowicz gave a Happy Buck for our speaker, Cortney Nicolato and the preview of 401 Gives.
- Louisa Strom gave Happy Buck for our hospitality and for our speaker today.
- Allison Mascolo gave 10 Happy Bucks for her 2 nephews, age 8 and 10, for launching their own, private YouTube cooking channel featuring chef outfits and family recipes that she has taught them how to make.
- Pete Brock gave 10 Happy Bucks. He has discovered that discarded sourdough makes wonderful pancakes. He also is a fully enrolled student at University of Colorado in the continuing education program to graduate in the spring of 2026 with his 50th year class for the degree that he didn’t finish.
Election for Officers and Trustees
Our board for the 2025–2026 year are the following:
Bill Applegate-President, Liz Messier-President Elect, Alex David-1st VP, Emily Bernstein-2nd VP, Anxhela Elezaj-Secretary, Luis Lourenco-Treasurer, Peter Loescher-Asst. Treasurer, and Board Members (2025-2027) - Rob Brewster, Lew Hassell, Michaela Hermann, Bob Morse, and Karen Mueller.
The following members will remain on the board (2024-2026) – George Babcock, Jane Berkowitz, Anthony Hollingshead, Sam New, Troylynda Williams.
Immediate Past President – Pete Brock.
Speaker
Jane Berkowitz introduced our guest speaker, Cortney M. Nicolato, President and CEO of United Way of Rhode Island. Cortney has over two decades of experience in non-profit management and entrepreneurship on a global scale as President and CEO of The Senior Source, a prominent agency for older adults in North Texas. She also served as a Senior Advisor and Director of New Business Initiatives at the National Center of the American Association/American Stroke Association.
Also beyond the United Way of Rhode Island, she serves as a trustee for The University of Rhode Island, Member of United Way Worldwide’s Network Advisory Council, Finance Committee for Alpha Phi International, Adjunct Professor in Northeastern University’s Nonprofit Management program, Periodic talk show host for 630 AM/00.7 FM WPRO, and valued member of Forbes Magazine Nonprofit Council. She also swims on the South County Y’s Master Swim team, the South County Waves who celebrated their recent victory at the New England Masters Swimming Championships.
Cortney is United Way’s first female CEO in its 98 year history. She is a passionate advocate for community change. She thrives on challenging the status quo, particularly when it fails to address the needs of marginalized communities. Under her leadership United Way of Rhode Island has intensified its focus on addressing the root causes of inequities exacerbated by the pandemic. Through United Way’s various programs and initiatives, the organization is committed to investing $100 million over 5 years to create opportunities and promote racial equity in the state. Her leadership of the United Way is more critical as the organization navigates these current times for non-profits.
Cortney gave us some history of The United Way and was very excited about it celebrating 100 Years. The organization covered the cost of funerals for all the 100 Station Fire victims. A 211 and Point Call Center was initiated with 214,000 calls in 2024. They focus on trust-based philanthropy. In Rhode Island, the non-profit employees represent 17% of the private work force.
United Way initiated the 401Gives program with 645 non-profits participating this year. The project is a way to raise money for charities on April 1 (4/01 – also our area code). Last year $3.85 million was raised throughout the state on that day. Their goal this year is to raise 4.01 Million Dollars.
