President Alex Reczkowski congratulates the newest Club member, Nick Kirchner. Nick has been working with his Rotary sponsor Gail Molari for 2 ½ years. Previously, he was employed at Elder Services for a 30-year run; Elder Services was also working in partnership with Molari Inc. Nick has served on various local boards and committees over the years, including the town of Dalton Finance Committee. A lifelong resident of the area, Nick lives in Pittsfield with his partner, Jennifer, and two dogs. His daughter also resides in Pittsfield. Nick graduated from BCC and North Adams State College, now MCLA. Our newest Rotarian is the COO and CFO at Molari Employment and Health Care Services. Welcome Nick!
District Governor Randy Chapell, pictured nearby, joined us for lunch last week. In the Governors wide ranging speech, he touched on a variety of subjects including: Current Rotary membership is about 1.2 MM, about the same as ten years ago. He advised clubs conduct "entrance" interviews with new members in an effort to decern what brought the person to the club and what activities or missions will keep new members active and engaged in Rotary. DG Chapell reminded us of the history or women in Rotary, a story that began in the late 1980's and concluded with a Supreme Court Case. The Governor spoke of the importance of scholarships for local high school seniors and stressed the importance of not necessarily choosing the very top students as awardees but to take a look at the whole picture especially community involvement when accessing a students scholarship application and or essay if required. Mr. Chapell concluded his remarks with a discussion on the importance of child care centers and explained Rotary can help with cash, technology, playground improvements and volunteering time; He reviewed upcoming webinars, one on February 23rd concerning the pollination project, another is scheduled for March 21st concerning available grants and how to obtain them. See the District website for additional details.
Post cards and complimentary admission tickets are readily available, please see Robert Harrison for as many as you would like to send or give out. As a reminder, the big event is slated for Saturday April 1, 2023. Advertising forms have been out for some time, please see Don Kuczarski with completed forms and payment. As previously, auction items go to the Molari building. March 9th is the next item rally day, please bring your donated items to the luncheon next week.
This month's 3rd Thursday soiree will take place at Hot Plate Brewing, Pittsfield's new brewery and tap room. We will gather at 5:00 PM for good cheer and lively discussions. Jeff Whitehouse please take note, the establishment does not carry brown liquors at this point, beer, wine and seltzers are available for the thirsty. Hot Plate is located at 1 School Street, corer of North and School streets. Please let Joan know if you will be in attendance.
At last weeks luncheon, we welcomed District Governor Randy Chapell and District Treasurer April Beston and student Rotarian Josh Stevens. We bid farewell to Josh, a senior at Taconic High, because of our 3rd Thursday evening social this week and school vacation next week, Josh's season was but two luncheons.
Guests of Honor: Last week we were joined by Bill Mahon guest of Jeff Whitehouse, Grace Ungewitter (see story nearby) Interact member and guest of her parents Erik + Erin Ungewitter, Joan DiMartino dined with her grandson Joey.
As part of project pollination, May 20th will be a day of service at the Conte School gardens. Please contact Adrienne DeBlieux Speed for details or to volunteer.
While we have no anniversaries to report this week (things improve significantly next month) the mini annuity fund receives it's final payment this week as we wish happy birthday to Vin Marinaro.
With no winner at last weeks meeting, the cash is really starting to build, in fact the winner may even be able to afford three dozen eggs and a full tank of gas! The pot is now $749, with 24 cards left in the deck, though we reported 27 cards last week; we shall engage with a forensic accountant to be sure we have the correct card count for the next award winning issue of Sparks, unless YOU win and the tote board is reset. Good luck!
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President Alex Reczkowski congratulates the newest Club member, Nick Kirchner. Nick has been working with his Rotary sponsor Gail Molari for 2 ½ years. Previously, he was employed at Elder Services for a 30-year run; Elder Services was also working in partnership with Molari Inc. Nick has served on various local boards and committees over the years, including the town of Dalton Finance Committee. A lifelong resident of the area, Nick lives in Pittsfield with his partner, Jennifer, and two dogs. His daughter also resides in Pittsfield. Nick graduated from BCC and North Adams State College, now MCLA. Our newest Rotarian is the COO and CFO at Molari Employment and Health Care Services. Welcome Nick!
District Governor Randy Chapell, pictured nearby, joined us for lunch last week. In the Governors wide ranging speech, he touched on a variety of subjects including: Current Rotary membership is about 1.2 MM, about the same as ten years ago. He advised clubs conduct "entrance" interviews with new members in an effort to decern what brought the person to the club and what activities or missions will keep new members active and engaged in Rotary. DG Chapell reminded us of the history or women in Rotary, a story that began in the late 1980's and concluded with a Supreme Court Case. The Governor spoke of the importance of scholarships for local high school seniors and stressed the importance of not necessarily choosing the very top students as awardees but to take a look at the whole picture especially community involvement when accessing a students scholarship application and or essay if required. Mr. Chapell concluded his remarks with a discussion on the importance of child care centers and explained Rotary can help with cash, technology, playground improvements and volunteering time; He reviewed upcoming webinars, one on February 23rd concerning the pollination project, another is scheduled for March 21st concerning available grants and how to obtain them. See the District website for additional details.
This month's 3rd Thursday soiree will take place at Hot Plate Brewing, Pittsfield's new brewery and tap room. We will gather at 5:00 PM for good cheer and lively discussions. Jeff Whitehouse please take note, the establishment does not carry brown liquors at this point, beer, wine and seltzers are available for the thirsty. Hot Plate is located at 1 School Street, corer of North and School streets. Please let Joan know if you will be in attendance.