My sincere thanks to all who participated in our first strategic plan meeting to shape our Club for the next three years. I look forward to our second planning meeting on August 19th, and I sincerely hope more Rotarians will attend in person or virtually. 

On Friday, August 5th, we will have Patricia Bernard from the Martin Luther King Community Center. The MLK Community Center in Springfield offers information and referral, multicultural services, and advocacy for children and youth with disabilities. Runs inclusive after-school program for youth ages 6-22 that are eligible through the Department of Developmental Services. They provide various services, including childcare,  housing, and family support, education scholarships, and Tours of historically Black colleges and universities. Join us on August 5th to learn more about this excellent community resource. 

Also, on August 27th, the Rotary Club of Springfield is once again volunteering with the Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity to assist in building two new homes on Jackson Street in Holyoke, MA. Volunteers arrive early at 8:30 am and are greeted by the friendly staff of Habitat. No prior construction experience is necessary, just the desire to participate and help. 

Lastly, if I were to have only ONE WISH COME TRUE THIS YEAR, I would wish to SEE MORE ROTARIANS PARTICIPATE in our meeting and/or our events. Very few attended the Changing of the Guard. Very few attended my first meeting as President. Very few attended our first Strategic Planning Club meeting -- virtually or in person. I don't take it personally, but I worry about the future of our Rotary Club; and we need your participation, and quite frankly, we miss your friendship. 

If you can't make it to the Club meetings all the time, can you at least make it once a month? Can you volunteer to participate in a special event or committee? Could you send us an email and let us know if you are still interested in helping out? That would be my ONE WISH this year in respect to ROTARY. For those of you we have not seen in a while, I hope you can help make my wish come true. 

Samalid Hogan, President 2022-2023