President Carol started the meeting stating that there are only 8 weeks left in her term and only 6 weeks until Pancake and Family Fun Day! Time sure does fly. Carol passed around the committee sign up sheet. Pancake and Family Fun Day is our biggest event of the year, so we need all hands on deck. Check out the committees, see what you'd like to do, and sign up!
Johnny B had an announcement. He is in charge of music and wrangling volunteers. A big "thank you" goes out to FB Insure, the Interact Club, JROTC, and all the groups that help us out. If you know of a group interested or even if you have family members to join you, please let Johnny B know so that he can keep the lists and planning as accurate as possible.
Dave C had a sponsorship update. At the start of the meeting, corporate sponsors were at about break even for covering the cost of the attractions. Dave has 8 slots left at $350, so if you have a contact, please share it with Dave so we can sell those final sponsors. Johnny B then offered to buy one if someone would match him. Christine did, and then offered again. Katie did. So there are now 5 sponsors left and Dave raised $1,050 at the meeting.
Kerrie had an announcement that the Chamber's annual legislative breakfast is next week. The following week is the teacher recognition breakfast for anyone who is interested in attending.
Ed F. had two announcements. The first is that the work of the Nominating Committee is well underway. Thanks to everyone who has stepped up to serve next year. His second announcement was a reminder that we have two young women arriving July 1 to visit with us. Both ladies are granddaughters of Taunton, England Rotary club past presidents. Ed is hard at work arranging the details and we thank him for all the work he puts in!
Also, don't forget that our raffle fundraiser is underway. We are selling $10.00 raffle tickets for a chance to win one hundred $10.00 scratch tickets. All Rotarians are encouraged to pick up at least 10 tickets from the Sergeant-at-Arms desk and begin selling them. Our raffle fundraiser will run through Pancake and Family Fun Day on June 17, 2017 and profits will go to support our youth programs.
Did you know that your happy and sad bucks help the club make a donation to the Rotary Foundation?
Carol S. is happy to be back for the summer. She was also happy that she had a "Senior Active Excused" notification from Rotary and the Sergeant-At-Arms desk didn't believe her.
Johnny B. had a few bucks. He was sad for missing some meetings due to work. He sent apologies to the speaker for having to leave a bit early today. He had a buck for his daughter who recently moved back home to save some money as she looks for a full-time job. He had a final happy buck that his daughter found a job in NYC and will be moving out of his house in a few months.
Joe M. was happy to have been able to attend a night of the District Conference last weekend to represent the Taunton club. He was able to hear Rotary President John Germ speak and enjoyed the chance to attend.
Dave C. had 5 happy bucks. The first was for his oldest son turning 7. He had 3 for the 3 for corporate sponsorships sold at the meeting. And one more as a good luck buck for the Celtics.
Christine K. was happy to be at the meeting.
Will M. was sad for being away recently. He also had a sad buck for having to miss Pancake and Family Fun Day as he is about to spend the next 14 weekends on the road with his daughter's travel softball team.
In the past, Phil has shared with us information about the fiscal responsibility of the Rotary Foundation. This past year, the foundation scored a 100/100 from Charity Navigator for its strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency. This month's magazine has a cover story "Your Gift From Start to Finish" about this, which you can access by clicking here.
At our most recent meeting, Thursday, May 4, 2017, the club was visited by Polio Ambassador Charlie Murphy. Charlie visited from the District and the Fairhaven Rotary Club. He is a Triple Paul Harris recipient who has worked on polio awareness and shared stories of working with people struggling with polio around the world--particularly in Honduras. He shared that there are only two countries left in the world with active polio cases, and the Foundation was hoping to have eradicated the disease by the 100th anniversary meeting this summer. The "this close" campaign is active right now trying to get those final few cases eradicated within the year. We appreciate Charlie presenting to the club and thank him for the work he does making a positive difference in the lives of many individuals in his community and internationally.
Our next meeting will be Thursday, May 11, 2017. Jody Fiore is the Program Chair and he will be presiding over Rev. Morrill Martin Honors Day.
