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
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At this meeting, we will have TWO guest speakers from the Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity:
Aimee Giroux John O'Farrell
Aimee Giroux, has been with Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity since 2010 when she was hired as the affiliate’s first bookkeeper moving into the position of Director of Operations in 2012, Acting Executive Director in 2018, and her current position as Executive Director in 2020. She oversees financial management including budgeting and audits, grant writing, reporting and compliance, employee HR. She is certified as a Mortgage Loan Originator NMLS #1758123 and oversees the underwriting of GSHFH partner family mortgages and their servicing. She has worked with the Cities of Springfield and Holyoke on various HUD, HOME, NSP, CPA and ARPA-funded projects.
Prior to joining GSHFH, Aimee trained as a chef at New England Culinary Institute, working in many restaurants in MA, VT and ME and was the owner of her own catering company. She enjoys providing GSHFH volunteers with homemade lunch and treats while they are working on our build sites. She was also the co-owner of A & H Transportation from 2001-2010, managing the company’s finances, HR and DOT compliance requirements.
As a mother of four she is a longtime volunteer for her children’s various school activities and has served on boards for many local organizations such as Treasurer for BSA Troop 57 2014-2018, President Belchertown Stingrays Swim Team 2000-2012, Treasurer Western MA Summer Swim League, 2002-2014, President/Treasurer B’Town Twirlers 2017-2022.
John O’Farrell is certainly no stranger to the Pioneer Valley, graduating from Springfield College and starting his non-profit career with the Pioneer Valley Council, BSA in 1993. Over the past 25 years, John has worked for a number of youth and family-serving organizations in various leadership capacities throughout New England and is thrilled to be back here in Springfield.
Currently, John coordinates volunteer sign-up and recruitment efforts to keep their projects moving forward, and builds partnerships with local businesses, helping to secure financial contributions and in-kind donations. In addition, John also oversees fundraising efforts, such as direct mail and holiday appeal campaigns, and also coordinates Habitat’s annual Fall Festival event fundraiser.
The Rotary Club of Springfield, Massachusetts, will make grants available to Springfield-based non-profit organizations that benefit the Greater Springfield Community.
The 2022-2023 grant cycle will award recipients up to a $2,000 grant.
Non-profits with a 501c3 status are eligible to apply using the below application. Organizations may use the grant for any capital improvement project related to one of the causes of Rotary International. Please visit for more information:https://www.rotary.org/en/our-causes
The timeline for the grant application is as follows: Monday, August 1, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. Grant applications after August 1, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. will be disqualified.
Do you have some news or information that might be of interest to fellow Rotarians?*
If so, please email kblanchard@mdiasfoundation.org
Our biweekly bulletin goes out to more than 50 local leaders every other week and is a wonderful way to spread your message.
*All submissions are subject to approval.
Club Information
Rotary Club of Springfield - Meeting Fridays-12:00 PM
Service Above Self
Fridays at 12:00 PM
Nathan Bills Bar & Restaurant
110 Island Pond Rd
Springfield, MA 01118 United States of America
We are back to meeting in person for fully vaccinated members and guests. Zoom meeting login info is viewable to Rotarians within our District. For other access, please contact President Maurice Powe at: moepowe@gmail.com.
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