November 4 Meeting - Scribe notes

 During lunch, Hap began the meeting with announcements, starting with:
• Condolences to Bob Kiely on the death of his brother, Howard.
• Presentation of $1000 check to Bob Cave for the Senior Job Bank; the service committee will work with Bob and his team . In expressing his thanks, Bob conveyed special thanks to Shari Cantor, “who was in on this from the ground floor.” Hap told Bob that the Rotary Club of West Hartford is “lucky to have great organizations to give our support to,” including the West Hartford Senior Job Bank.
• Announcement of the Club’s gift of $700 to Interval House, which, since 1978, has helped more than 180,000 victims of domestic violence by providing them with access to therapy, legal advice, and counseling services.
• Reminder about November 7 Foundation Dinner; the Club is sending a “good contingent”
• Oscar Santo Domingo announced that while we are making progress with our campaign for Polio Plus, we need to reach $1200 and are presently at $800. Each member is asked to contribute a minimum $35.00 gift; Bob Kiely will accept donations. Several members attested to the importance of giving to this campaign, especially as polio is reemerging in global locations including Syria.
• November is Rotary Foundation Month. Hap encouraged us to support the Foundation’s commitment to global grants, peace scholarships and nursing scholarships through donations.
• Rotary Leadership Institute at Middlesex Community College was a success. Mary Silverberg said: “So much planning and preparation goes into this event, and those who organize it do such a great job.” She complimented Don Chandler, who served on the Institute faculty. Dave Gerrol said that the day was “like a Whitman’s Sampler of Rotary. It was not only educational, but inspiring.”
• Information about the Rotary District Scholarships was disseminated; families of Rotarians may not apply.
• The January 19 CBA game will support End Polio Now
• Springfield’s Rotary Club will hold a Holiday Showcase 5K December 7 beginning at the Basketball Hall of Fame. The event supports Friends of the Homeless: Western Massachusetts’ largest shelter for adults. Sponsors, volunteers, and runners are needed.

Sargeant-at-Arms Todd Bowers reported 30 Rotarians and 6 guests. Anniversaries included Rob Morrow, Bob & Elizabeth Kiely (62 years!) Christine Looby’s birthday is November 7. Happy dollars were collected from: Shari Cantor, Don Chandler, Elizabeth Horyn, Harry Davidson, Dave Gerrol, Dave Mangs, Dana Gordon, Oscar Santo Domingo, Mary Chase, Rick Liftig, Joe Stafford, Eileen Rau, Christine Looby, Todd Bowers, Hap Leabman, Bob Kor and Elizabeth’s guest, Sabina. Proceeds from Happy Dollars continue to benefit the Liberty Bank Thanksgiving Drive. The 50/50 had no winner today; we are still looking for the King of Clubs.

We were reminded of the November 20 wine & cheese reception and tour of the new Gallaudet –Clerc Education Center at The American School for the Deaf. The event runs from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.; R.S.V.P. to Lois Procopion at lois.procopion@asd-1817.org or 860.570.2304.

Sue Murphy, Executive Director of the Liberty Bank Foundation, was guest speaker. She shared that Liberty Bank, with the greater Hartford community’s assistance, has raised more than $750,000 since 2004 for the Thanksgiving Drive. All money must be deposited from Rotary accounts to Liberty Bank by 11/25/13. Twenty-nine clubs are participating this year. The goal for 2013 is $150,000, with $120,000 supplied by Rotary Clubs, and $30,000 in matching funds from Liberty.

Kyle Egress thanked Sue for her presentation and led us in the Four-Way Test. The meeting concluded at 1:35 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,
Christine M. Looby