Opening Words by Dan Smith: “The bosom of America is open to receive not only the opulent & respectable Stranger but the oppressed & persecuted of all Nations” George Washington 1783
Announcement:
Yves Gakunde: All committees are invited to submit budget requests for the next fiscal year. For any questions or more information please feel free to reach out to Yves Gakunde or Phil Hueber.
Phil Hueber mentioned that he has received budget requests from most of the committees and he added that soon he will make budget projection from The Clarence DeMar fundraising which will take into consideration both incomes from the regular DeMar and, and Team DeMar. So far, he is projecting $60,000 to $65,000 net coming from the fundraising.
Alan Stroshinementioned that The Clarence DeMar committee is working hard to get ahead of the planning of the race schedule in September. He added that on May 13, 2021, He would be attending the City of Keene Finance, Organization and Personnel Committee (FOP) to request some funding from the City. He also mentioned that he and Denise Thomas met with the KSC Event Coordinator to make some plans for DeMar. He informed the club that the Clarence DeMar DeMar race committee would be meeting sometime in the second week of June.
Dee Belanger mentioned that Scott Ansevin-Allen and her are coordinating the roadside cleanup event. So far the plan will be to meet at the intersection of Route 9 and 10 on either Saturday, June 5, 2021, at 8 am. or Monday, June 7, 2021, at 5 pm. More updates to come soon.
Mary Delislementioned that volunteers will be meeting on Saturday, May 15, 2021, for the Pocket Park clean-up event. There is a need for more volunteers and especially someone to pick up Mulch and bring it to the Pocket Park.
Susan Newcomer reached out to schools for sneakers project with two schools that have not responded to her request. She will be working on details about how many volunteers will be needed at each location. A link to the Follow-Me video will be sent out soon so people can become familiar with the song and the dance. More information and invites to come soon.
Denise Thomas will be sending out ClubRunner invites for the sneakers project. If any club members are interested in learning how to use ClubRunner to set up events, please reach out to Denise Thomas.
Yves Gakunde reminded the club about the upcoming board meeting and added that all are welcome to attend the meeting.
Foundations
Mary Delislementioned that in collaboration with Monadnock Family Services, the Men Who Cook committee is working hard to put together a virtual event and Yves Gakunde has been assisting with organizing the event. Thank you to Ann Heffernon for bringing Yves Gakunde onboard. A big shout-out to many chefs in the room who have contributed a recipe and who are doing some extra work to benefit the event. A big shout-out to Mike Chelstowski and Ted McGreer.
Ann Heffernon thanked Mike Chelstowski and Yves Gakunde for all the assistance they provided for organizing the Men Who Cook event.
Alan Stroshinethinks Yves Gakunde does not fit the appropriate profile for the women behind the Men Who cook!
Craig Stockwell is pleased to see Yves Gakunde moving from being one of the club’s Unsung Heroes scholarship recipients to chairing the rotary club’s meetings. He also mentioned that he enjoys the roadside cleanup and calls for new members to join the roadside cleanup event. He added that he has also started volunteering at the vaccination site at Krif Road and he is having a positive experience and is pleased to see all the good work being done in our community.
Ann Looney: A shout-out to her friend Dave Lacoste who was recently featured in the Monadnock Profile and who will be starting an eight-week cross-country bike trip in early June.
Cheryl Belair thanked all Rotarians who already stepped up to help with The Clarence DeMar fundraising. She added that all the projects our club does (e.g. Sneakers project) are made possible by this fundraising. All of us must look at the list that was recently sent out and see if we can help with approaching sponsors.
Marion Lefrancois thanked everyone who supported Interact by purchasing geraniums. She noted that about 950 plants were sold.
Mike Chelstowski also thanked Rotarians who supported Interact during this fundraising effort. He sent special thanks to David Stinson who assisted with the sale and provided helpful advice on the color selection.
Marty Barnard shared the information about a Project for El Salvador that is spearheaded by Ann Henderson. She noted that a small group of Rotarians presented about this project to the Rotary Club of Keene and that same presentation will be scheduled soon for our club. A very collaboration opportunity for both Rotary clubs and Rotaract club.
Alan Stroshine suspected that our president Kathy Collinsworth missed the meeting because she is celebrating her birthday. So best wishes and Happy Birthday to Kathy today. Alan added that Kathy remains older than him!
Phil Hueber mentioned that he will be recommending to the Board to switch from PayPal to the ClubRunner merchant service. He mentioned that fees are about the same and there will be an opportunity to add the “Donate Now” button to our website.
Patty Farmer mentioned that the CEO of Cedarcrest Center for Children with Disabilitie will be retiring in June and the center is very busy now. She also mentioned that her family enjoyed watching her son Shawn playing soccer over the weekend where he scored a goal and his team won the game! Proud mother!
Ted McGreer mentioned he got approval from the City for the “Four on the Fourth road race” for pathways for Keene. He will need volunteers to help with the race. More information to come soon.
Yves Gakunde thanked Ted McGreer, Dan Mitchell, and Luca Paris for putting together an excellent video for the Men Who Cook event.
John Round missed Sally Bulger when he was receiving his 50th birthday present from Cheshire Medical Center! I think I missed something here!!
Sally Bulger wishes she were at the Cheshire Medical Center for John Round. She missed the event as she was welcoming her sister Annie back from Sonoma, California. She added it is good to have her sister back in the area.
Speakers
Dan Smith introduced our speakers both members of the YMCA board. Our own Dave Terrien currently a financial advisor at Edward Jones chairs the YMCA and Cheryl Blair, one of the founders of The Insurance Source, Inc. and a Board member of YMCA aka “Board “designated crier.”
Our speakers shared that the YMCA is a mission-driven 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization. In 2020, the YMCA board of directors was tasked with updating the strategic plan, a task that was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Later on, the plan was updated and this plan will constantly evolve, which is one of the reasons comments and suggestions from the club members are welcomed.
A shout-out to many Rotarians who participated in this strategic plan (Kathy Collinsworth, Bob England Ken Jue, John Round, Beth Wood, Ted McGreer, Phil Wyzik, Susan Newcomer, and Liz Coppola.
The Five following priorities were identified for the Strategic Plan for the YMCA:
Collaborate with other organizations in programs, services, and initiatives to make the greatest, healthiest impact on everyone in the communities we serve.
Develop, convene and establish meaningful connections with other mission-driven leaders to strategically address the critical community needs of all through healthy living, youth development, and social responsibility.
Conduct an assessment of YMCA assets and resources and allocate to efficiently meet the critical needs of the community and the long-term sustainability of the YMCA.
Expand our programs and services throughout our community and natural environment for accessibility and equity for all.
Increase the visibility and awareness of our Y’s mission and impact throughout the community via intentional communication and marketing strategies.
