Naugatuck Rotary - Naugatuck Rotary Newsletter

Sergeant at Arms: Jeff Chipokas took happy dollars from Marcelo Martins, Debbie Wheelahan, Laurie Yelding Joe, our waiter and from our newest member Jenny Lennon.

Fines were levied on John Roman, Ray Dowling, Bruce Steinway

The general fine today - Those that did not help take down our Rotary Christmas tree, paid a dollar!

Rotarians Roaming

None this week

Haitian Disaster Relief

Since 2001, at times of disaster, our district foundation has served as a vehicle to transmit funds to help in relief efforts. Rotary is usually not a first responder, but rather helps with follow-up and re-construction efforts.
We have raised and disbursed funds for the families of 9/11; the 2004 Tsunami, and Hurricane Katrina.
I have spoken with Lynda Hammond, our District International Service Chair, and with President Norma Peterson of the Fairfield Rotary Club who has particular interest in disaster relief efforts. Lynda will be meeting with our Board of Directors
of the District Foundation (composed mostly of Assistant Governors) at next Wednesday's (Jan 20th) AG meeting in New Haven. By then, Lynda will provide the Board with an up-to-date report on relief options.
In this case I can assure you we will be in touch with our Rotary friends at the Haitian Health Foundation and Shelter Box and Rotarians in the affected areas.
If your club wish to donate through our district foundation, I ask you send any donations to me. Checks should be made out to "Rotary District 7980 Foundation, Inc.". My address, of course, at work, is Colin M. Gershon, Esq. One Century Tower, Suite 500, 265 Church Street, New Haven, CT 06510.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours in Rotary Service.
Colin

Announcements & Information

An informal meeting of the Attendance Committee was held during lunch today. The intent is to make future recommendations to the Board based on our discussions and on the model Club By-laws provided by RI regarding attendance.

The concern is being directed to members who are compiling consecutive absences and are well below the requirement that we must attend or make-up at least 50% of club meetings in each half of the year.

There are exceptions to the attendance requirements that are spelled out in the By-laws that may be considered and the committee and Board members encourage any member who has a concern regarding their attendance to let them know.

Jane Lobdell thanked Anne Butler and Duncan Stephens for assisting her with taking the Christmas tree down last Friday.

Jeff Chipokas told of the YMCA's Pub Nite II, February 25th from 6:00PM to 9:00PM at the Elks Club - Entertainment will be "The Rubber City Blues Band". $25 pp - $45 per couple.

There will a meeting of the Foundation Board and the Foundation Committee on Tuesday, January 26th at 4:00PM - Naugatuck Savings Bank Community Room, 87 Church Street.

President Marcelo asked that we register for the District Conference happening in Burlington, Vermont April 30 through May 2nd. Make your reservations now!

Jane Walsh reminded us that the GSE team from South Africa will be here at the end of April. Those willing to host members of the team and provide transportation to and from the District Conference, please contact Jane.

Guests

Susan Griffin - speaker

Larry Santoro - speaker

Students of the Month

John Monaco

Emily Raymond

Upcoming Speakers

1/27 Laurie Yelding - speaker Dave Prendergast - Naugatuck Economic Development Corporation

2/3 Rebecca Zandvliet

2/10 Don Zehnder

2/17 John Aresta

2/24 Brian Barrett

3/3 Anne Butler

Birthdays

Geoff Drawbridge - January 18

Ray Dowling - January 19

Jenny Lennon - January 20

Anniversaries

None this week

Membership Anniversaries

None this week

Our Speaker Today

Susan Griffin, Larry Santoro, Debbie Wheelahan & Pres. Marcelo Martins

Speaker host Debbie Wheelahan introduced Larry Santoro and Susan Griffin from the Naugatuck Ambulance. Larry has been working for the ambulance for 35 years and Susan has been working there for 15 years. Larry explained to us that prior to 1999 the ambulance was strictly volunteer, and it was soon determined with the increase in population that there was not enough coverage with only volunteers, so they brought on paid employees. Today there are 26 employees - 6 are full time. Naugatuck Ambulance is the fourth busiest in our area. Most calls are made between 6:00AM and 11:00PM.

As an adjunct to the Naugatuck Ambulance, Larry and Susan founded "Where the Heart Is". Where the Heart Is offers affordable, non-medical, in home care .

Absent Members Today

Brian Barrett, Debbie Corso, Barbara Csanka, Peggy Dufresne, Jonathan Farmer, Ginger Fennell, Tracey Kelly, Jeanine LeVasseur, John McCormack, Jennifer Merrill, Tony Purcaro, Rupi Rupwani, Rebecca Zandvliet, Donald Zehnder, Jr.

AREA CLUBS FOR MAKEUP AND INFORMATION LINKS

Silvermine Tavern - Norwalk - Monday 12:15 pm

The Inn at Newtown - Newtown - Monday 6:15pm

John J Sullivan's Restaurant - Ansonia - Tuesday 12:15 pm

Courtyard by Marriot - Waterbury - 1st and 3rd Tuesdays 12:15 pm

Sandwich Man - Seymour - 1st and 3rd Thursdays 7:15 am

Brownson Country Club - Derby - Thursday 12:15 pm

Crowne Plaza - Southbury - Thursday 12:15 pm

www.rotaryeclubone.org online makeup

Rotary District 7980

Rotary International

Rotary Cruise Deals

Naugatuck Rotary

P.O. Box 484

Naugatuck, CT 06770