West Hartford Rotary Club

February 25, 2019 Luncheon Meeting

1. Mr. Jeff Shaw was inducted as our new member. The Rotary Pledge for new members was read by Bennett Forrest

2. Eileen Rau reminded us of the Rotary Foundation birthday. The best way to celebrate is to donate. Polio Plus can also use a little pick-me-up. These donations make our work worldwide more fruitful.

3. Volunteer to help with the Dictionary Project. Bennett offered his garage and Liza offered a room for storage in the bank.

4. The Vines of March is just around the corner. We still need to sell more tickets. So far, we estimate 140 have been sold. Our sponsorship funds have reached $9,000. Thanks to all! Auction items are still lacking. Eileen and Bob Rau have donated three I-pads to supplement our silent auction items. This will certainly make that auction exciting. Our regular auction is lacking the usual vacation properties this year. We need volunteers to pick up food donations from participating restaurants. Please contact Patricia Kiely to get your assigned food pick-up restaurants.

5. The Fresh Start Pallet group gave us a presentation of their work. Their mission is to help people by employing them in making furniture out of discarded pallets. Their goal is to help the unemployed by training, building confidence, and enhancing skills to enable people to become productive independent citizens.

West Hartford Rotary Club

February 11, 2019 Luncheon Meeting

1. ANNOUNCEMENT: NO ROTARY MEETING FEBRUARY 18

2. Last meeting was used for club assembly in order to organize for the upcoming Vines of March event on March 9. There are still many items we need to accomplish – selling more tickets (only 70 tickets are currently sold), getting more sponsors ( Kyle stated that at present we have around $6,000 worth pledged ). We have received the needed health certificates and insurance and tax exemptions are on hand. Auction items are still slow in coming. The restaurants that have been mentioned have to be finalized for mention in our list in the booklet.

3. Prasad, chairman of the Rotary Foundation from District 7890 made a pitch for the Hartford :Youth Scholars Program. Prasad is looking for donations from our club and the surrounding area clubs to help with the purchase of computer tablets. In the past our club has been helpful in this effort. Prasad also talked about How important Rotary is in promoting education and health benefits to people who need help. This can only be accomplished with our support. This is the 114th anniversary of the Rotary Foundation.

4. On March 14 the Children’s Museum is hosting a Gala, Live Auction and sit-down dinner at the Delamar Hotel. They are asking us to be an event sponsor. They are also looking for table sponsors; tables are $1,200. We will take up this question at our next board meeting. Anyone interested in attending, please contact Oscar.

West Hartford Rotary Club

January 28, 2019 Luncheon Meeting

1. This meeting was a club assembly in order to plan for the Vines of March. Kyle wants to make sure that tickets are being sold, sponsors are in place and that planning with the University of Saint Joseph for the layout, insurance and health department has been done. At present, the first meeting was held at the University and we reviewed the layout and number of tables and chairs needed.

2. Bruce Stanger gave a report on his bike ride to raise funds for the ARAVA Institute. The goal of this organization is to promote friendship between Israelis, Palestinians and surrounding countries. It is a non-profit organization that promotes critical environmental work and peace building. It recruits students from all over the world, especially the Middle East. As they work together the students begin to appreciate the different customs and beliefs that form the mosaic of today’s world.

3. Bennett Forrest has completed the book collection that was stored at the Beth Israel Temple on Farmington Avenue. He was able to get volunteers to deliver books to the different schools in the area. Bennett should be commended for the time and effort spent to make this event successful. One school has already expressed its appreciation for these books commenting that the books are in good condition and of high interest to the students. The books will be used to restock the classroom libraries.

West Hartford Rotary Club

January 7, 2019 Luncheon Meeting

1. Attendance was great. The year ahead is looking good. Sheila Diamond and Dennis received a check for $1,500 for the Senior Job Bank. Ann Leabman reminded us of the Blood Donor Day on January 22, 2019. Don’t forget to make an appointment before you go at either on line at redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767

2. Tony Rodriguez reminded us why donating to the Rotary Foundation is important to the community. Ten countries who need help in education, health and water supply have been the beneficiaries of grants. The Foundation is a very important part of our organization that has contributed to the welfare of the disadvantaged people who live in economically poor countries.

3. Our speaker was Matt Hart, the present Town Manager. His focus was that the Town is trying to more efficiently use our resources. One way is to share services and the other is for our taxpayers to step up and suggest ways to trim expenses. According to him there are many projects that are in the works that may help to lower our property taxes. For example, the parcel of land Saint Joseph Convent occupied on the corner of Prospect Avenue and Park Road has just received approval for a large addition that will increase our property tax base.

Rotarian / Mayor of West Hartford Shari Cantor, Rotarian Mary Silverberg, and guest speaker Town Manager Matt Hart

Rotarian Kyle Egress receives a Paul Harris Award from Club President Oscar Santo Domingo