There will be no meeting on November 11 due to Veteran's Day. The Board of Directors meeting previously scheduled for November 11 has been postponed until November 18.

Last week we kicked off our annual food drive. Co-chairs Shaun Heimann and Jay Bailly provided basic information about this years drive: 

Mary Wheat, no stranger to the Club (2020 Kagan Award recipient), spoke about Turkey Angels, the program she coordinates that provides the fixings for a Thanksgiving dinner to needy families in Berkshire County.  The Club collected $2,032 in fines last week, which will be targeted to the food drive. The Club Board has committed to matching the fines collected.

 

President John has introduced the "Membership Minute," where from time-to-time he calls the Club's attention to some aspect of Rotary. Last week he highlighted Rotary "Benefits":

President John also called attention to sections of the Constitution of the Rotary Club of Pittsfield:

 

Article IX: Avoidance of Politics

       Section 1 - This Club shall not endorse or recommend any candidate for public office and shall not discuss at any Club meeting the merits or demerits of any such candidate.

       Section 2 - The merits of any public question involving the social, economic, moral and physical welfare of the people may be fairly and intelligently studied and discussed before a Club meeting for the enlightenment of its members, but this Club shall not take any action endorsing or condemning any measure which is to be submitted to the vote of the people. 

Hurry, hurry, hurry! The Club's special raffle, the proceeds of which will support our international "Service Above Self" mission, specifically our "Years of Ascent" (kindergarten S.T.E.M.) program in Serbia, will be drawn this week, on November 4. Tickets are $20 each, and only 200 tickets will be sold, for a chance at one of three gift cards from Mazzeo's Ristorante: a first prize of $250, a second prize of $150, and a third prize of $100.

Lists of auction items that each member has solicited in the past two years have been distributed. Members are asked to review the list and let Alex Reczkowski know if you find errors or what items you will not be collecting this year. Donation sheets will be distributed in November.  You'll get one donation sheet for each item you've committed to collecting, and you'll get blank sheets for additional items. Then, when you drop off items, you will have a sheet for each item to facilitate tracking. If you would like to see the entire list, including your items, click  Google Sheet of Rotary Auction 2022 items, which is arranged by member's name.

Jim Bronson 11/04

Gwen Davis 11/18

Adrienne DeBlieux-Speed 12/2

Fred Dery 12/9

Joan DiMartino 12/16

Brad Felix 12/23

While we have no birthdays to celebrate this week, we do have one Club anniversary: J. Randy Johnson (32 years a/o 11/2/89). Randy's a snow bird and left for Florida this week. We should have "celebrated" his milestone before he left.

No winner at our meeting last week, which bumped the pot to $597, with 25 cards remaining in the deck.

 

Each November, people across the United States recognize and celebrate NATIONAL INSPIRATIONAL ROLE MODELS MONTH, a month to appreciate the people in our lives who set positive examples we aspire to emulate. Role models perform a vital function. Through their character, accomplishments, and behavior, they show us what’s possible in life. If you're seeking an outstanding role model, this editor is here for you.