The meeting was called to order about 12:30 pm by President Jeff Kruck, who led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
President Jeff then led us in prayer, being thankful for all of the freedoms we have and reminding us how blessed we are to live in a country with all these freedoms and privileges.
Bob Murphy served as our greeter, and meal and attendance taker.
Visiting Rotarians and Guests:
There were 13 members in attendance today.
There was one visiting Rotarian today, PDG Carl Wold from the Lynnfield Club
Make Ups:
There were no make-up cards received today
If you missed today's meeting, you have until February 17, 2010 to complete a makeup.
If your days are full, consider a make up at eClub One. Log on to www.rotaryeclubone.org/ and follow the instructions for a make up. You should spend 30 minutes on the site.
Click for
where our members have made up recently.
Announcements:
The TBM club will be hosting a Comedy Night at Angelica's on March 4th, 2010 to raise money for Haiti.
Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door.
Please see Joe Long to get tickets and posters to hang in local businesses. John Plate is currently in the lead selling the most tickets so far.
President Jeff mentioned the World Peace & Understanding dinner, talk to BillShannon if you plan on attending.
Gregg Silvano is the proud father of twin boys born February 2nd, 2010. Congratulations to Gregg and Michelle.
Click the happy faces for a surprise.
Harry Martin and Joanne Travers met with the potential Interact group and moderator Rebeckah Iseman (Outgoing GSE 2009) at Masco last week. Harry felt this emerging club had good potential. Harry recommends other members joining Joanne to visit the developing Interact Club. They really appreciate our support and seeing us there.
Gretchen Marks will email the club members about what you can bring in for Box Top.
We are making money every month "So please bring stuff in."
Raffle:
Peter McAllister's number was pulled 1st....sorry Peter
Jen Kocur was next...come on "baby needs a new pair of shoes".
No winner, looks like Jen's baby won't have any shoes now....
Click the happy face for a surprise.
Bob Alert
Only 2 Bob's again this week. Looks like it' s been a struggle to get all the Bob's together at once. We'll try again next week!
Fines and Happy Dollars:
SAA Peter McAllister almost fined Gretchen $5 today, but due to all of the efforts she puts into Boxtop, Peter had mercy on her.
Peter put in a happy dollar, his son is thinking about being a Physicians Assistant.
What a great career choice! You can imagine Peter's surprise when he found out what was really motivating his son to go in this direction, you can set your own hours.
There were also a lot of quiet donations today.
Getting To Know You:
Same Old today. Does anyone have anything new to add?
Program:
Our speaker today was motivational speaker Ha Tran. She came here from Vietnam 30 years ago. She did not speak any English when she came to the US.
Ha told us the very moving story about her life and her journey to make it to the US.
Anyone who missed today's meeting really missed out. This was a great story, and a very inspiring and motivational speaker.
Ha lived a very privileged life in Vietnam, until the Vietnam war. The war happened when she was only 20 years old. After the war her family lost everything, their house, their privileges, their life. They lived in constant fear.
Her father arranged for her to leave Vietnam so she would be safe. He did not want her to make this journey alone so he arranged a marriage for her so there would be someone to watch over her and keep her safe.
In 1978 she and her husband became "Boat people".They were lucky enough to make it. They had quite a journey and overcame many obstacles on their journey to the US. They spent 3 years in a refugee camp when they were finally put on a plane to Chicago. Ha spent the next 10 years putting herself through collegewhile first learnig English. She drove 3 hours each way everyday to school.
Eventually they moved to the Boston area so her 4 children could have opportunities that she didn't. As she put it in Boston there is a college on every corner so they had many options. They have had a long journey and have come a long way. She is so grateful for her life her and so proud to be a US citizen.
The Tri-Town RotaNews - January 27, 2010
The meeting was called to order about 12:30 pm by President Jeff Kruck, who led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer.
Bob Murphy served as our greeter, and meal and attendance taker.
Visiting Rotarians and Guests:
There were 17 members in attendance today.
We had one visiting Rotarian, PDG Dave Drislane from the Lynnfield club. According to Harry Martin (who's announcements don't always pass the 4 Way Test), Dave is the oldest living Past District governor! Actually, Dave was District Governor in 1964. What were you doing in 1964?
Make Ups:
There were no make-up cards received today
If you missed today's meeting, you have until February 10, 2010 to complete a makeup.
If your days are full, consider a make up at eClub One. Log on to www.rotaryeclubone.org/ and follow the instructions for a make up. You should spend 30 minutes on the site.
Click for
where our members have made up recently.
Announcements:
The TBM club will be hosting a Comedy Night at Angelica's on March 4th, 2010 to raise money for Haiti.
Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door.
Please see Joe Long to get tickets and posters to hang in local businesses.
Gretchen Marks thanked Bernie Creeden for his contribution to Box Top. Winter is winding down but she is still collecting winter items. Please pay attention to what you may have and bring what you can to Gretchen. We have received over $2000 from Box Top.
The Lynnfield club is sponsoring a "Buy a Bed" initiative to purchase beds for the children at the Baganashyl Oblast Orphanage. Beds are $250 a piece and the goal is to buy 50 beds.
The club took up a separate collection today to raise money to buy supplies at the Middleton Walgreen's for Haiti. We were able to raise $1145 today. Any one wishing to contribute please send a check to Bill Shannon.
Raffle:
Joanne Travers' number was 1st today, we are looking for the Ace of Diamonds. Sorry Joanne
Bernie Creeden was up next, still no winner.
Bob Alert
2 Bob's in the house today...2 outta 3 ain't bad.
Fines and Happy Dollars:
The first and only fine of the day was to Gregg Silvano. SAA Peter was not happy when Gregg flew past him at a red light and left him in the dust to be late for the meeting.
..maybe Gregg just has a faster car.....
Joanne had a happy dollar thanking Gretchen for calling her to let her know about a news update on PID.
Bob Luscinski had a happy dollar that a good Samaritan found his blackberry and called him and he actually got it back.
Getting To Know You:
Things moved along pretty quickly today so we didn't have too much bonding time.
Gretchen was able to get some good advice from our local Realtor, Pres. Jeff, about how to handle some water and cracks in her basement. I guess Frank just wants to go crazy with the paint down there. Gretchen and Jeff decided that wasn't the best way to go.
Program:
Our speaker today was Jenine Belanger. She is a friend of Lisa's from the Jail. She is the "Keeper of the Records" at the jail and she is also a volunteer at T.I.P" (Trauma Interventions Program).
T.I.P is a national non-profit, established in 1985 in California. The chapter Jenine works with is the Merrimac Valley Chapter, which is the first and only New England chapter.
T.I.P provided support and emotions first aid to people with in the first few hours after a trauma.
Volunteers go through an intense 60 hour training program before going on site.
A volunteer must commit for at least one year and you must commit to 3, 12 hour shifts per month.
The local Fire Departments, Police, Paramedics and Er's are aware of the T.I.P program and they would be the ones to initiate a call to T.I.P to come in for emotional first aid.
Currently the program is trying to raise funds to build a "Healing Garden" in Methuen. A nice place for people to go and reflect.
The Tri-Town RotaNews - January 13, 2010
Paul Harris Fellow Recognition:
Lisa Foley and Wayne Hunt are recognized as our newest Paul Harris Fellows.
The Tri-Town RotaNews - December 16, 2009
Masconomet Chorale:
Bernie Creeden Introduces His Guests.
A Holiday Toast.
The Whole Group.
The Right Third.
The Middle.
The Left Third.
A Lively Bunch.
Barber Shop Quartet.
It's The Girls Turn.
Membership Moment:
A strong membership is so important to the overall success of any organization. Growth and retention have to be in the spotlight constantly. As membership chair I have been charged with heading the largest committee in the Club...each and everyone of us. Collectively we can make TBM stronger, more involved in the communities we serve and fun.
When was the last time you asked a friend, a neighbor or business associate to come to a TBM meeting? I admit, it's been a while since I put out an invitation and I have a goal to find one person to join our ranks during this Rotary year.
I ask everyone to please share your thoughts and ideas as to how we can grow the ranks of TBM.