I hope you are all enjoying the summer and finding an opportunity for some R&R.
I want to thank those of you who were able to attend the Changing of the Guard on June 28. It is truly an honor to be installed as club president. With an able and experienced board, I am looking forward to a very successful year.
This is a new year for all of Rotary, one marked by our new tag line, “Rotary Connects the World”. I will be distributing the new pins with the tag line this Friday and Fridays to come. Rotary International has undertaken a new Strategic Plan which is reflected in the tag line. There are several action goals within the plan geared toward putting those words into action. The goals include: Increasing our impact, expanding our reach, enhancing participant engagement and increasing our ability to adapt.
Our own board will be looking for ways to make these goals happen on the local level. More to come as we move forward.
John Perez, as first Vice President and operations chair, has taken over the responsibility for scheduling speakers. Please contact him with possibilities going forward. Sue Mastroianni has taken over as membership chair from Seth Tenenbaum, who has moved to the Boston area. Please refer any member suggestions to Sue. Any other suggestions or ideas can be shared with any board member or directly with me. We want to hear from the membership on the direction of the club and any way to make the club experience better for all members and potential members.
Again, I am looking forward to the year ahead and serving you and Rotary.
Our speaker will be Nathan Skrocki, Regional Director at Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB). MCB provides the highest quality rehabilitation and social services to Massachusetts residents who are blind, leading to their independence and full community participation.
We had a great meeting Friday, June 28 as we welcomed in President Bert Carter for his 2019 - 2020 term. We are so excited and look forward to all the great things Bert has in store for us!
We also swore in and welcomed the board for 2019-2020.
Thank you to Immediate Past President Sue Mastroianni for all her hard work and tenacity throughout her 2018-2019 term. She is truly an exceptional leader!
Pictured from L to R: Vicki and Michael Tarby, Sue Mastroianni, Claudia and Bob Pelzek
Our Paul Harris/Service Grants Awards Dinner, heldJune 18th at LaQuinta Inn was a wonderful success! There was plenty of good food and drinks and the room was still buzzing with conversation as we ended the program. The sign of a good party when no one wants to leave. Our club awarded a Paul Harris Award to Rotarian Mike Tarby and his partner Bob Pelzek at PIP Printing for their contribution to our club throughout the years. In addition, we awarded $10,000 in service grants (thanks to all your efforts) to Springfield Boys and Girls Club, The Gray House, Inc., Gardening the Community, Friends of the Homeless, Springfield Neighborhood Housing Services, Boys and Girls Club Family Center, Holy Cross Church/ Sandwiches for the homeless and Make-It-Springfield. The photographer took many photo’s we hope to share with you soon. Here are a few from that evening.
Thank you to Jack Toner, Rick Lee, Alicia Garcia, and Marie Angelides for the beautiful program and all their hard work. We also want to thank Alisa Garanzha, our 50/50 winner who graciously donated her winnings back to the club. Thank you Alisa!
Get Well Wishes for Jim Russell. Please keep fellow Rotarian and good friend, Jim Russell in your prayers. Jim was stricken ill last week and has been in intensive care for a week. He is starting to show signs of improving and his son Bob says they hope to move him to a regular room soon. Please sign a Get Well card for Jim at Rotary this Friday. He will be happy to know his Rotary friends are thinking of him.
Please join Rotary District 7890 for the annual Golf Outing! Enjoy a fun day of fellowship and friendly play.
Monday, July 29, 2019
Twin Hills Country Club
700 Wolf Swamp Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Golfers are $140 per person. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Please see the attached flyer for more information. Click here to register online!
Dene Kimball could use a little help with displaying our Rotary flags at meetings (as Richard Fulkerson is doing in the attached photo). Dene is planning some extended vacation time soon and would like a few Rotarians to volunteer and put up the flags while he’s away (or give him a break now and then). The flags are stored at Max’s and only take a few minutes to put up or take down. Please talk to Dene about helping out. And thank you for your participation in helping to display our flags!
Do you have some news or information that might be of interest to fellow Rotarians? Please send it to Gillian Palmer at gpalmer@baypath.edu by Monday of each week for inclusion. Our weekly Bulletin goes out to more than 70 local leaders every week and is a wonderful way to spread your message. Subject to approval.
Did you know you can easily reach the Rotarian Magazine, Rotary International, the District website and our own club website right from this bulletin? Well, you can! Just check out the links under "ROTARY ONLINE" on your left.
Club Information
Rotary Club of Springfield - Meeting Fridays-12:15 PM
Service Above Self
We meet Fridays at 12:15 PM
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
1150 West Columbus Ave.,
MassMutual Room
Springfield,
MA 01105 United States