Last week we heard from George Haddad, president of the Haddad Automotive Group, who spoke about the emergence of electric vehicles. While the country may have a fully electric goal by 2030, for the short term there is no one solution that fits all. There are different options moving toward that goal, including hybrid, plug-in hybrid and hydrogen. George emphasized the need for consumer choice among these options. He provided a number of future predictions, noted maintenance issues, the unknowns regarding battery life expectancy, and the issue of vehicle weight as pertains to tire life and road stress.
It's time for the Club to recognize great work in our community with the annual Kagan Award. An email was recently sent to all club member that included the nomination form and the past honorees. This award is for one man and one woman who are non-Rotarians who go above and beyond with volunteer service in our community. This year's award presentation is planned for our June 6th meeting. Nomination Forms are due by this Thursday (May 9). Contact Ed Forfa or John Hudnall with questions.
The annual Rotary Day of Service is on Saturday, May 18, starting at 9:00 a.m. As a follow-up to our fund raising for Habitat for Humanity at our auction, the Club will be working with Habitat for Humanity at the new home they constructed on Gulf Road in Dalton. We've been instructed to wear painting clothes.
United Way has alerted us to two opportunities to serve the community next Saturday (May 11). Both opportunities may be found on the BUW Volunteer Center – Volunteer Opportunities – Saturday, May 11.
First, May 11 is UW's annual Shred Day, sponsored by Greylock Federal Credit Union, in the UW parking lot. They need a few people to greet and direct participants, collect donations, and give out receipts if requested. There are two shifts: 8:30 am to 10:30 am, and 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. The later shift are asked to help break down and bring everything into the UW building.
Second, is the Stamp Out Hunger food drive. Working with the letter carriers, volunteers are needed at the Pittsfield Post Office to help unload postal jeeps when they come in with donated non-perishable items, weigh them and then sort/box them to be picked up by area food pantries. There are three shifts for this volunteer intensive project: 11 am to 1 pm, 1 pm to 3 pm, and 3 pm to 5 pm.
Vin Marinaro will be the District Governor for the upcoming Rotary year (July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025), and to mark the occasion, the district is having an installation brunch for Vin on Sunday, June 23, at the Pittsfield Country Club. All of the presidents from the district will be present to be installed, too. Please register using the link from the District website:
The Club's award-winning Josh Billings team is seeking a replacement canoeist. Must be reasonably fit, a strong swimmer, and willing to suffer abuse from the more seasoned team-mate.
This week we celebrate one birthday: Phil Massery on 5/5; and two Club anniversaries: John Perreault (20 years a/o 5/6/04) and Greg Knight (22 years a/o 5/9/02).
.png)
