Meeting of March 25, 2015

Charlotte Shelburne Rotary Club

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Trinity Episcopal Church Community Room

 

President Richard Fox led the pledge and then members joined in a Moment of Silence.

 

Richard introduced the visitors: Philip Boson of the Burlington Sunrise Rotary Club. Mike Smiles, our guest speaker from the Maritime Museum and Patrick McKee, CEO of Wake Robin.

 

Upcoming events:

April 1: Dawn Anderson, Public Educator for the State 911 System

April 8: Committee Draft Day

April 22: an open day on our calendar, looking to schedule a classification talk open 

 

Club Business: Changes to the bylaws. Motion to accept was made by Ric Flood and seconded by John Beal. The change was passed unanimously.

 

Announcements:

 

Philip Boson of the Burlington Sunrise Club, after reminding us of his last visit when he impersonated Miss Vermont, introduce an International Water Project. They are looking for financial commitments from Rotary Clubs to participate as RI has offered a Matching Grant. We can expect a more formal talk in May but they are looking for commitments now. The project will take place in Africa where almost all the drinking water is contaminated with parasites. The goal is to raise $10,000 to built solar boilers to purify water. The request for the matching grant will be submitted sometime in the next two weeks.

 

Our invite a guest membership drive will take place at Palmer’s Sugar House, April 12 at 4 PM

 

Mike Clapp  is setting up the food drive for April 18^th We will need 18 volunteers to set up tables in front of a grocery store in Hinesburg, Shelburne and Charlotte

The food Shelves are bare and they need our help! The plan is to have 2-3 members at a time at each location for 3-4 hour shifts.

 

Sergeant at Arms:

Ric Flood (Corporal at Arms) is leaving Turks and Caicos’ shortly and fined anyone who will not be in the islands this week

 

Collected $27.00 in fines 

 

Lucky draw – Mike McKee - drew the ace of clubs - roll over

 

 

Guest speaker:

 

Mike Smiles, Executive Director of the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum in Vergennes, Vermont, a career non-profit professional was our guest speaker.

 

Mike hails from the New England Science & Sailing Foundation (NESS) in Stonington, CT, where he served as Vice President and Director of Advancement for three years. Mike was also appointed a member of the NESS Advisory Council, supporting its innovative adventure STEM education model program. “Mike brings a breath of experience that will broaden the museum’s impact in reaching and serving diverse audiences through our collection of historic replica vessels, innovative education programs, hands-on rowing programs, publications, research and permanent traveling exhibits,” said Board Chair Bob Beach.

 

Mike opened complimenting the great contribution of Rotary and quoted Paul Newman “Exploitation for the Common Good”.

 

Mike and his wife lived in Eastern CT for a number of years and Mike worked for the Mystic Seaport Museum for ten years. He totally enjoys advancing the great work of non-profits.

 

He spoke of the 9 years  with the ‘hole in the wall gang camp’ an organization backed by  the Paul Newman Foundation in 1988  has served 80000 children with various problems.

 

Mike is very familiar with our region of Lake Champlain having come to The Crater Club in Essex NY for 30 years. He considers it a blessing to now come to Maritime Museum.

 

Nonprofits are fighting for space in market. Example is Mystic Seaport which used to enjoy 600,000 visits is now down to 200,000. Even including sites like Colonial Williamsburg almost all sites are down 10% a year. National Parks have seen 2 visits a year drop to 1.

 

There is a proliferation of ‘educanment’ entertainment destinations

 

Science technology and math is the movement for public education.  STEM education programs are key to growth. Mike will combine the assets of sailing and the outdoors into an education model.

 

Maritime ‘Components of Excellence’ -  web presence, publications, public resources exhibits, ships, events programs, nautical archeology, understanding Maritime history…

 

Lois Maclure is a survivor with an endowment. Spoke to the $1.2 million budget and moving into an on land on water organization.

 

 

Mike moved into discussions of plans, programs, activities, celebrations and more.

 

Visit the great website at www.lcmm.org