As you know, the Rotary Foundation is an integral part of everything we do as Rotary members.

This Week: WHAT MAKES A GLOBAL GRANT APPLICATION SUCCESSFUL?

Online Book Drive Benefits At-Risk Students in Local Schools

              LUNCHEON MEETING, October 22, 2018

1. Peter Lamothe from Jackson Labs was our guest speaker. Jackson Labs is a non-profit organization located on the UCONN Dempsey campus that focuses on mammalian genetics research. Their research at present is on developing medications tailored for each patient’s genetic makeup. According to Peter, they have around 10,000 mice used for testing. They use mice because they have the closest DNA to human being. Jackson Lab’s main office is in Bar Harbor Maine. Their focus is on basic research which they share with other labs in the hope that it will help them in their own particular research.

2. The ticket sales for the Jazz Brunch are excellent. As of Oct. 24, we have sold and received payment for 230 tickets. A sudden influx of buyers is coming in and now we are afraid the we will go over the capacity of the Hartford Club’s dining room. Tony suggests that our web site should announce that the ticket sale is closed (it was closed).

3. The 30th anniversary of our World Polio Eradication Drive was held on October 24. We still have not achieved our goal of world-wide elimination. Don’t forget to donate to the Fund. In addition to polio that we have known, there is a new virus that resembles polio that is infecting children much is the same way that polio did.

1. Our speaker was Mark McGovern, Town of West Hartford. He talked about the ongoing projects that are taking place around town such as:

a. the Trout Brook exit from I- 84. This will handle a larger volume of traffic.

b. IDEANOMICS has purchased the UCONN site. They are applying for zone changes to the area to accommodate their plans for the area.

c. The recent sewage problem on Linnard and other streets was mentioned, and the MDC is currently repairing the damage.

2. Eileen Rau gave us an update on the celebrations planned for the 30-year anniversary of the Rotary’s campaign to eradicate polio. Please continue to donate to the Polio Plus fund. We are almost in reach of our goal to eradicating polio

3. Turkey Legs are coming. From today’s meeting until Thanksgiving, our Happy Dollars will go to the Liberty Bank as donations to this fund

        REMINDERS OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

1. WORLD POLIO DAY – On October 24, 2018 we will celebrate the 30th anniversary for the eradication of polio campaign. Different countries will have announcements, parades and various media events. Let our members celebrate by donating to our Eradicate Polio Fund.

2. On November 4, our president-elect and membership chair will meet at Chuck's Steak House, 2199 Silas Deane Highway, Rocky Hill to discuss the recruitment of new members and retention of existing members with other clubs.

3. On November 1, there will be a Foundation Dinner honoring the unsung heroes who have devoted much of their time to helping others and who truly embody “service above self”. It will be held at CHEZ JOSEPH at 176 Shoemaker Lane, Agawam MA from 5:30 to 9: pm. Cost is $55 per person.

4. On November 10, John Smeallie and Andy Lerner will represent our club at the RLI leadership Training session at the Holiday Inn, Springfield South, Bright Meadow Boulevard in Enfield, CT, 06082.

5. Tavern night was held last October 4. 10 Rotarians enjoyed the ambience of the new Rockledge Grill. Thanks to Kyle for organizing this event.

6. It is again time for our Thanksgiving Turkey Drive. Our club has opened an account at Liberty Bank to deposit our donations. We are awaiting the donations to pour in.

Minutes

Luncheon Meeting, August 24

1. Our speaker was the Town of West Hartford Police Chief. He reported that the Town Safety Committee gave the Town a good report. The biggest problem seems to be complaints of indiscriminate urination from over-indulgers. He emphasized that the department needs to recruit more qualified people interested in becoming West Hartford Police officers. Members threw a lot of interesting questions at the Chief. He was very informative.

2. A great round of applause greeted Ann Leabman when she received the Club Honorary Membership. She emphasized the importance of the Jazz Brunch to Hap.

3. The Tavern night was postponed to October 4 at the Rockledge Grill from 5 to 7 pm

1. Jazz brunch is fast approaching.Tony has been reminding us to get out there and sell tickets.A decision will have to be made at the end of September as to whether or not to hold this event.This will depend on the tickets sold and donations received or pledged from sponsors.

1. Our district governor has asked the club to participate in hurricane relief due to loss of life and property in the Carolinas.A web site has been created where you can choose your way to donate:  http.//www.rotary 7680.org/disasterrelief.PHP

1. Supporting the Rotary Foundation is an important goal of any Rotary Club.The Foundation in return is the source of grants to make our projects, both domestic and international possible.Please contribute.

1. Dave Mangs gave us a talk about how the opioid epidemic is affecting the young generation of this country.It is up to every organization to work together to stop the spread of this epidemic.

Rotary Club of West Hartford Board Meeting Minutes

Date: August 24, 2018

Attendance: Eileen Rau, Tom Wood, Matt Cuddy, Bennett Forest, Oscar Santo Domingo

Approvals

1. Board approved budget for 2018-2019.

2. Board accepted the Marinduque North Rotary Club of the Philippines as a sister club for the purpose of join projects. Discussed was the possibility of a water project. This is still in the preliminary stage.

3. Approved a donation of $3,600 to the Children’s Museum of West Hartford. This is in addition to a District Grant the has been approved for $2,400.

Upcoming Events

1. Due to the efforts of Dave Mangs, Ashley Daley of UHart, Greg and Bennett, our Club was able to recruit 53 Rotaractors from the University of Hartford. A meeting will be organized to welcome these new members. A Board of Directors and committee chairs will be selected at that meeting. Please watch for that meeting and plan to attend and greet all of them.

2. Ann Leabman will be honored on September 17 meeting as an Honorary Member due to the time and effort she has spent in the service of Rotary.

1. Rotarian Bob Kiley was laid to rest last Saturday at the Fairview Cemetary after a service at Saint Peter Clavier in West Hartford.  Our club was well represented for the mass as well as the burial.
2. Rick Liftig and I met with the director of the Children’s museum to discuss the situation with the relocation of the museum after the two year dead line to turn the existing property over to Kingswood Oxford.  The possibility of the UCONN site was mentioned.  it was suggested that we approach the prospective buyer about reserving part of the property for a new facility for the museum.  It was also suggested that letters to the editor of the Hartford Courant promoting this idea would be helpful.  One of our projects for this year at the local level is to setting up a Rotary Lab at the museum.  We have a District Grant for this.
3. The mayor of West Hartford, Shari Cantor, informed the Club that the situation of the Children’s Museum getting a place to expand on the site of the old UCONN branch at the corner of Trout Brook and Asylum is not a sure thing. For one, the Town has no say on planning for the site after the zoning change has been approved.The only way forward is to approach the buyer and convince them to leave a part of the site free.  According to the Mayor this is a very long shot.
4. The high point of the meeting was the presentation of the Paul Harris Award to Ed Cape. He was presented with his pin and also addressed the meeting with stories of his experience as a member of Britain’s Royal Air Force. He also mentioned that he was instrumental in helping to promote the admission of women into the West Hartford Club.
5. Don’t forget TAVERN NIGHT, September 27.  Kyle is already canvassing restaurants.  We are trying to use a restaurant that has donated to our Vines of March fund raiser.
6. We are still looking for a chair person and his committee that will take charge of this year’s Vines of March to be held on March 9.Any brave souls out there?Please step up.
7. Peter Kovalevich passed around a signup sheet for Rotarians who will sell tickets for Jazz Brunch fund raising on November 4, 2018.

1. The jazz brunch has found two artists for this year’s program: guitarist Chris Flory and tenor saxophonist Harry Allen. We are still looking for a drummer and base player.
2. The ticket price for the event will continue at $85 per person. Starting August 13, the committee will be ready to offer tickets to fellow Rotarians.
3. Vines of March will be held on March 9, 2019, at Saint Joseph's University. We are still looking for a chair and committee members for this event.
4. The Town Council will hold a meeting with the proposed buyer for the UCONN campus at the corner of Asylum Avenue and Trout Brook. The proposed buyer will present a site plan at this meeting.We hold out the hope that a portion of this site will be reserved for the Children’s Museum of West Hartford. This museum has been an asset for the Town and our club has an approval for a project with the museum to sponsor a special room. Please plan to attend and make a plea for incorporating a space for the museum in the plan.