No luncheon meeting this week. July is a fifth Thursday month, so an evening social gathering at 5:00 p.m. on the back deck of Berkshire Hills Country Club. Please walk up the steps to the deck (rather than through the clubhouse), and proceed to the back left deck. Our event is 5 - 7, with a cash bar.
The Auction Committee met on July 20 to begin preliminary planning of our 2022 auction. Because the Holiday Inn is being used by the Courts, that space will not be available to us, so the Committee’s first task is to secure an alternate location – perhaps Berkshire Hills CC? RI’s theme this year is “Serve to Change Lives,” so the Committee is considering that as our auction theme as well, perhaps by adding “Bidding to Change Lives.” We are committed to the Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center and the Boys and Girls Club of the Berkshires. It is unclear at this point how each of these agencies will be engaged with the auction.
At our last meeting, Alex Reczkowski updated the membership on the status of the "Hearts of Europe" project partnering Rotary International with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and targeting kinder instruction in Serbia. Alex noted that project funds were received, classroom equipment has been purchased, and a 2-day summit of in-service instruction for teachers has been scheduled. Serbian project leaders are anxious for District 7890 Rotarians to visit, to help celebrate the five grants received for this project. Alex will be traveling to Serbia around the beginning of October and has invited – challenged – Club members to join him. Interested members should contact Alex.
At our last meeting, Alex Reczkowski reported that as Rotarians we have the opportunity to get to know this Summer's Roots Rising crew and to talk to them about their financial futures. This past Monday (7/26) volunteers and the Root’s Rising crew were at the new Westside Riverway Park on Dewey Avenue in Pittsfield for a two-hour workshop (10am to noon). Greylock Federal Credit Union supplied the curriculum and a brief introduction of concepts, then participants broke into groups (the teens split up among the Rotarians) for a game/activity that centers the introduced concepts. There was also time to just chat and build relationships. A follow-up workshop is scheduled for 10am to noon Monday, August 2. Contact Alex (413-441-8036) if you’d like to volunteer for this activity.
Last week we heard from M. Gerard Fromm, PhD, a faculty member in the Erikson Institute for Education and Research of the Austen Riggs Center, and the current president of the International Dialogue Initiative (IDI). Originally a project of the Erikson Institute, the IDI is a group of psychoanalysts, diplomats, academics, lawyers, and other professionals who bring psychologically informed concepts and dialogue to areas of conflict throughout the world. IDI members typically carry out projects independently, sometimes in consultation with other members or organizations. Dr. Fromm provided anecdotes about IDI’s successes in conflict resolution around the world, and noted how IDI’s goals dovetailed nicely with Rotary International’s efforts at peace and conflict resolution.
The previously announced visit by the District Governor on 09/30/2021 has been rescheduled to 10/14/21. The first date was a 5th Thursday, and president John realized there would be mutiny if our evening social gathering was canceled. Fear not! Small disaster averted.
From DG Joanne Alfieri, this week's Rotary Foundation Moment. With the goal of better educating Club presidents and our membership on the value of the Rotary Foundation, she notes the written objective of the Rotary Foundation since 1945:
The promotion of the Rotary Foundation fellowships for advanced study;
The fostering of any tangible and effective projects which have as their purpose the furthering of better understanding and friendly relations between the peoples of different nations;
The providing of emergency relief for Rotarians and their families wherever war of other disaster has brought general destruction and suffering.
The Rotary Foundation continues to do "good work" today. How does Rotary Club of Pittsfield do good work in our own community and in the world?
This past year has been extremely challenging, with social distancing and Zoom meetings, however the Rotary Club of Pittsfield Foundation continued helping out in the community. We're making our annual appeal for member support. Please make checks payable to Rotary Club of Pittsfield Foundation, and either bring it to a weekly meeting or mail it to PO Box 78, Pittsfield, MA 01202. If there is a specific designation you would like it to go towards please put it in the notes on your checks. Choices are:
Jeff Hassett has sent all dues bills via email. If you want a paper copy just let him know. Also, if you would like an invoice that includes pre-paying for 44 lunches, please let Jeff know and he will send you a revised invoice.
There are no birthdays to celebrate this week, but three Club anniversaries: Fred Dery (29 a/o 7/23/92), Ron Latham (29 a/o 7/23/92) and Jeff Hassett (15 a/o 7/27/06).
