Mary Brewster offered an inspiration about inspiration – the “spark that brings us to action!” She shared her belief that hard work and dedication are important in life, but that “dedication is born only when we are inspired to make a change.”

 

Nondas Voll reminded members to complete the Fundraising Survey. The four-minute survey will close on Monday, October 1 and can be filled out online here.

 

District Governor-Elect Steve Albright and his wife, Jill, paid our club a visit from the Yarmouth Rotary Club. Steve will be visiting 65 district clubs this year, and briefly spoke about his passion for the Youth Exchange program and how he hopes to grow this program. He encouraged members to visit Yarmouth Rotary during one of their Friday morning meetings and to also consider attending the district training on Saturday, November 10^th from 8am-2:30pm at White’s of Westport.

 

Liz Messier reported that we have raised almost $8,000 in gifts and pledges for the Street Painting Festival. Thank you to all of our sponsors and donors thus far! Our goal is $20,000, so if you haven’t made a donation yet, you can do so by visiting www.ProvidenceRotary.org. All proceeds will benefit the Providence Rotary Charities Foundation. Also, we are not charging artists to have a square this year, so please do spread the word to the high school and college art students and artists in your life!

 

Pres. Art reported that Don Saracen recently had surgery and is now home recuperating. Don welcomes emails and phone calls from fellow Rotarians.

 

Pete Brock for all visiting Rotary today, for the UMass win against UNC, and for the University of Colorado not playing this weekend, and, therefore, not winning or losing.  

 

John McGinn for the professional artist planning to "paint" a picture of Tom Brady at the Street Painting Festival.

 

Kevin Kernan for his niece who recently got married.

 

Ron Hoak for his great-granddaughter’s birthday.

 

Anthony Hollingshead for Christy Clausen and the wonderful job that she did organizing the September 20 After Hours event at Salem Roger Recreational Center.

 

Holly Applegate for her husband, Bill, attending today’s meeting as a guest.

 

Mary Brewster for the great time she had at the After Hours event.

 

Christy Clausen for everyone who came out to the After Hours event and for Mary Brewster, whose group of teenagers at the After Hours event had a such a great time they will be doing a square at the Street Painting Festival!

 

Cap Willey: for picking cranberries on Saturday.

 

Kris David: for a Rotary zone meeting she attended. And for Delia, a former Street Painting Festival artist and Youth Exchange student, and for her daughter who is home and a Rhode Islander again.

 

Art Norwalk for Barry Fain who donated space in PVD monthly and East Side Monthly for the Street Painting Festival.

 

Sharon Garland for all the BAG lunch guests and to welcome Rob Black back to the check-in desk.

 

Steve Albright for visiting Providence Rotary and for Rotary itself, the “number one organization in the world to join.”

 

Sharon Garland, a proud Rhode Island College graduate, introduced RIC President Dr. Frank Sanchez as our speaker. Dr. Sanchez spoke about the need to re-introduce RIC to Rhode Islanders and to re-tell RIC’s story.

 

He called the institution the “best kept secret” in the northeast, and explained that RIC has transformed into a first-choice school for students both in-state and out-of-state. In fact, 70% of RIC graduates stay in Rhode Island after graduation, and choose to build careers and have families here.

 

Dr. Sanchez stressed the quality of the college’s programs, its value and affordability, and its commitment to innovation. For example, RIC’s College of Nursing is now one of the most highly regarded nursing colleges in the country, with 100% of its graduates passing their national exams this year. RIC’s School of Social Work, Arts & Sciences, School of Education, and new School of Business are also gaining national recognition.

Dr. Sanchez explained that RIC’s affordability has become a national model for a college education that has a very high return on investment and yet, does not sacrifice the quality of its programs. He also talked about the exciting facilities renovations the campus is undergoing.