THE BULLETIN - Suffern Rotary Meeting #12 – September 17, 2015
Call to Order: President Ken Blank began the meeting on time with the pledge led by Vena and the invocation by Will Reinmuth. There were 24 Suffern Rotarians present today and 5 guests or visiting Rotarians. Today was truly an unanticipated overflow crowd where refills of the Marcello buffet were necessary. Guests included Mike Donnelly, TD Bank, guest of Kathy, Major Ron Starnes of the Salvation Army who will be replacing Ron Foreman as a corporate member, Will Reinmuth, pastor of All Souls church in Suffern and Spring Valley Rotarian (until he transfers to Suffern), Major Marcus Jugenheimer, Spring Valley Rotarian, and Marti Estevez of M&T Bank, guest of Veena.
Salvation Army Bell Ringing Award: Cindy D. introduced Major Marcus Jugenheimer who was present today to hand over the Salvation Army Kettle Bell Ringing trophy to our Club. For the past 5 years, it has been a resident of the Spring Valley Club but last December Suffern won it by collecting $1434.32 while volunteers rang the bells in front of Walmart. Changing the venue from Walgreens helped a bit and, as PP Larry stated, because we also said we were collecting for Hanukah (not likely since bell ringing is held on a Saturday). On the way over here from Spring Valley, Major Marcus apologized for allowing the trophy’s Plexiglas cover to come loose and promised to have it fixed and returned to us ASAP. Our Club plans to keep it for the next 5 years provided we can ring the bells again in front of both Walmart and Shoprite in Tallman.
Club Updates: Today’s program our monthly Club Assembly following the Board meeting on Tuesday 9/15 at Suffern Library.
President Ken announced Spring Valley’s “An Amazing Race: fund raiser to be held on Saturday 11/7/15. Teams of 4 will spend the day racing around Rockland County through numerous challenges and fun activities with the winning team receiving a $500 prize. Registration is $50 per person ($200 for a team) so the winners will net $300. If you are interested, get your crazy cohorts together and register.
President Ken also thanked Sandi for volunteering to revise the Suffern Club’s Brochure “It’s All Local”. These will be ready for Suffern Day on 9/26.
Dennis reminded the Club that the Route 202 cleanup will be from 9AM to noon on Saturday 9/19 but need more volunteers. Jim said he would be recruiting some Interact members and Grover volunteered to help. Denny will be providing the supplies for this task. [Post meeting results: A team of 5 Rotarians, 5 Interact Students and Susan Foster, Interact Co-Advisor, spent 2 hours cleaning up a long section of Route 202. Rotarians who will get a makeup for this activity included Dennis, Jim, Grover, Donalee and Evelyn. Interact students who participated were President Steve Woo, VP Sam Estrin, Jake Rivas, Jason Silverstein, and Nick Farber. No-one found a bag of money along the side of the road.
Denny asked those who are “manning” the Suffern Day Booth to be present between 11AM and 3 PM. We have also budgeted $1000 towards renovating the Point Park project which looks like it will be flying soon.
Ken reiterated plans for a Region 8/9 wide dinner meeting on Tuesday 10/27 at Bonefish Grill. This is the same week as our evening Spaghetti dinner planned for 10/29 but perhaps some of us can attend (Officers and Board members, hint, hint!).
President Ken read a request by Mario for a decision about the fees for the annual spaghetti dinner. Those present today voted to keep last year’s prices for tickets ($10), placemat ads ($30) and table sponsors ($100). Today Larry distributed 10 tickets to each member present and the Club was reminded that members are expected to either sell all 10 tickets or buy them and give them all away. See Larry for your supply of such fund raising tickets ASAP. Let’s double our efforts to sell more than 10 apiece.
There was some discussion about selling 50/50 tickets after Ken announced the Board would not be selling 50/50 tickets in advance of that evening. Sandi had already prepared packs of 14 tickets for each Rotarian and the consensus of those present suggested that this needs to be voted on again and Ken was to circulate an E-mail to the Board about this matter.
President Ken also announced that the Board voted to donate $3000 (in the budget) toward the Rotary grant of $40,000 that was earmarked for Vera Cruz educational buildings. This check will come from the Suffern Rotary Community Fund and will be cut as soon as Donalee provides the information to Grover.
At the Board meeting on Tuesday, Lana also attended it to accomplish one of the 5 requirements of new members. The other 4 are (a) to sit with John W to collect money and learn names of Rotarians, (b) wear a red ribbon on the badge, (c) visit a Region 8/9 Rotary Club for a makeup and (d) join a Club committee. The red ribbon is removed when all 5 are accomplished. To date, Lana and Daryl are recipients of a red ribbon as new members.
Nayyer indicated that he would be sending an E-mail to members about volunteers to dispense dictionaries soon as well as identifying who will touch base with the school nurse about winter coats for the needy.
President Ken announced that Region 8/9 is looking for a volunteer to focus on visiting Clubs to educate about our Rotary Foundation and to stimulate interest amongst donors. If you are interested in being this representative, contact Ken.
President Ken reminded the Club to send your Rotary-related pictures to Gina who is working on uploading them to a new Facebook page.
Ken reported that his father-in-law, Steve, is doing much better and will be coming home from Helen Hayes Rehab perhaps over the weekend. He thanked the Club for remembering Steve in their thoughts and prayers
Happy Buck Highlights: Nayyer was “voluntold” to collect happy and other bucks today. Notable happy buck moments included:
- Ira was happy to wish Happy Holidays to all.
- Brian was happy his son got a job and is moving out!
- Mario was happy for a number of happy fishing trips catching over 250 fluke and other assorted species but unhappy that most got thrown back. He warned against sleeping in your car, however, but gave no details. Use your imagination!
- Will thanked Mr. President Ken for his recruiting efforts and will soon be transferring to our Club.
- Walt was happy for our club winning the Bell Ringing trophy.
- Veena happily thanked Martha for pinch hitting for the program last week.
- Susan was happy that her daughter has been cancer free for 3 years!
- Maxine read an appeal sent to her by her daughter to help families in California who have been devastated by the recent fires and vowed to match whatever Rotarians gave. Please contact Maxine for more information.
- Rich gave $0.20 for each guest (snuff said).
- Jim Y, dressed in his Orizaba Rotary Club shirt, gave a mixed Mexican buck for being happy to wear his shirt and unhappy that Donalee was not present to enjoy it
- Martha was happy to be meeting soon with the 3 Spring Valley monitors to encourage them to continue until the School System is improved.
- Cindy was happy that the Salvation Army Training College has enrolled 80 new cadets for the new session.
- Daryl was happy to have delivered MOW with Grover and vice versa
- John W was happy for his mother’s recovery from a knee operation and that she is now has a size 4 brand new shiny lady left knee to display.
- President Ken mused about the great turnout today and the excellent spirit of Rotary as well as his FIL’s recovery from bypass surgery.
Soup Kitchen: $unknown – to be published in a future bulletin*
Happy Bucks: $unknown – to be published in a future bulletin*
50/50: $25 drawn by Major Marcus and won by Ira
*Note: In future Club Assembly meetings, it would help the Treasurer count and announce happy bucks and soup kitchen bucks if such were collected first after welcoming guests.
Is it the TRUTH?
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
Will it be BENEFICIA`L to all concerned?
Respectfully submitted by Grover Foster
