Judy rang the bell at 8:30
Ric gave the invocation
 
Judy welcomed Jessica Brumstead to the meeting. Jessica is applying to be a member. Sponsored by George and Linda Schiavone.
 
Upcoming Schedule:
            Feb. 22:           Eileen Whalen, Pres and COO, UVM Medical Center
            Mar. 1:                        United Way RSVP and Foster Grandparents Programs
            Mar. 8:                        Kelly Devine, Exec Dir Burlington Business Association
            Mar. 15:          Club Meeting
            Mar. 22:          Bill Shouldice, CEO Vermont Teddy Bear
            Mar. 29:          Rob Roper, President, Ethan Allen Institute
 
                                    Rotary Board meeting Tuesday (not sure of exact date)
 
Announcements:
            Lara – Shelburne representatives Kate Webb and Jessica Brumstead will be at the library 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 6:00 pm
            Lara – March book sale. Wall of books for sale in library will be half price.
            Lara – March Pierson Library calendar coming out soon. Every evening something is happening at the library in March
            Judy – Williston Rotary Club holding the 22nd Annual Rotary Ski and Ride at Bolton on March 10, beginning at 3:00 pm. Registration, Race, Dinner and Awards. Cost is $47, or dinner only is $30. Benefits the Vermont Heating Program.
            Jim Donovan – Presented the Public Places Award for the Shelburne Veterans Memorial to Judy.
            Ric – Jessica Brumstead is on a fast track to become a club member. If anyone wants to discuss her potential membership, talk to Ric.
            Ric – Presented the Paul Harris Fellow award to Linda Schiavone
 
Sergeant at Arms: Chris Davis
Happy Fines:
  • Chris Davis – CVU update, almost 200 Penguin Plunge participants raised almost $200,000; MMU Girls Hockey
  • Eric Hanley – CVU boys basketball is 15-1, seeded #1; happy for skiiing; daughter Megan arrived safely in New Zealand
  • Ric – skiiing
  • Barbara Comeau – Travelling with kids to Vietnam for two weeks
  • Linda Barker – Snow
  • Michael Clapp – contributed $1 because bad weather prevented him being at the Anarchist’s table the week they won the pot of money
  • Lara – thankful snowblower worked
  • Bill Deming – Just thankful
  • Denny – skiid 8 of last 10 days; plans on participating in Alzheimer’s Association’s Camel Hump Challenge; granddaughter in Penguin Plunge; called for support to fight Alzheimers which affects 1 in 6 people.
  • Howard Seaver – Working with Refugee Resettlement Project, helping a 45-yr-old Bhutanese man learn how to drive.
  • Joan Lenes – Husband started the Camel Hump Challenge years ago; husband nominated for Vermont Sports Hall of Fame
  • George Schiavone – Snow
  • Roz – Sleigh rides at Shelburne Farms; son in Penguin Plunge
  • Alan Bates – Snowstorm and skiing
  • Jim Donovan – snow and presenting Public Places Award
  • Richard Fox – Rotary Youth Exchange
  • Erik Kolomaznik – Snow day (first ever for his kid); first use of snowblower; friendly neighbors
  • Phil Denu – misses mud
  • Jonathan Lowell – snow finally
  • Keith Walsh – Hands to Honduras
  • Steve Dates – snow stopped
  • Judy – Club’s fun and frivolity
  • John Beal – Good skiiing on fresh snow on Monday
 
Pot: George Schiavone drew the 9 of spades
 
Judy had two agenda items
 
  1. Potential Partnership between Rotary and Shelburne Community School. Barbara Comeau has reached out to Principal Alan Miller regarding how Rotary and SCS can partner going forward. Similar outreach will be done for Charlotte and Hinesburg schools in the future. Barbara’s discussion with Alan Miller yielded three possible areas of partnering:
    1. Working with Shader Croft School (a summer program, not a year-round school). This school serves low socio-economic students. Work might involve grant type sponsorships and possibly providing Kindles to the students.
    2. Shelburne Food Bank. SCS Students and Rotary could provide lunch to low-income students in the summer months. This would include running a pantry that would need sponsors and volunteers.
    3. Work with Vermont FEED, a farm to school project currently run by Shelburne Farms and Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont. This might include building a greenhouse for the SCS cafeteria and a foodbank. This idea is in the early stages and implementation is probably some time off.
Barbara sought feedback from club members on the three ideas, specifically the club’s willingness to partner with SCS on these ideas.
  • Joan Lenes: 2nd and 3rd ideas align well with Rotary goals. Asked would Rotary help in building a greenhouse. Thought these two ideas were a great way to work closely with students. Wasn’t sure what Shader Croft school was.
  • Richard Fox gave a brief overview of Shader Croft School.
  • Jim Donovan also endorsed 2nd and 3rd partnership ideas. These offer great visibility for Rotary and SCS. Thought we start with 2nd idea, #3 could be a long-term project.
  • Barbara said working directly with the SCS students was important, but that SCS is probably also looking for financial support.
  • Roz said #3 is a statewide trailblazing program. This has potential for good visibility for Rotary. At Shelburne Farms they have a market garden, which is a good connection for this program.
  • Judy asked if SCS greenhouse would be for greens year round. Barbara wasn’t sure.
  • Barbara asked if the club would commit to #2 as a summer program. Judy suggested circulating a questionnaire of club members guaging their availability during the summer months. Members could also sign up. Barbara agreed no commitment at this time, but will see how members respond to survey.
  • General member agreement that #2 a good idea to move forward on in the near term, and #3 something to look at later.
 
  1. Slide presentation on the current Hands to Honduras trip. Photos of NECU, school classroom projects, scouting out areas for new clinics, registration at Tela hospital for expectant mothers reached 2,500. More information on Facebook.