Thursday, January 26, 2012
www.merrimackrotary.org
MEETING HOSTED BY ROTARIAN Marge Chiafery
The meeting began at 7:15 am at the John O’Leary Adult Community Center (4 Church Street, Merrimack) with the Pledge of Allegiance, singing of “You’re A Grand Old Flag,” and recitation of the “Four Way Test.” The invocation was given by Rotarian Ralph Stevens. Breakfast was prepared by Stocked Fridge www.thestockedfridge.com and it was great. They are on Facebook, too.
President Pete Giacapuzzi conducted the meeting
GUESTS:
Visiting Rotarians: Meghan Brady
Guest Speaker: James Mastricola Elementary School staff, speakers: John Fabrizio, Principal; Emilie Carter, Assistant Principal; Joanne Green, Special Education Coordinator; Rotarian Jane Hoover, School Counselor.
MEMBERSHIP MINUTE:
No Membership minute today
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Thank You to Sylvia for coordinating a wonderful social dinner at Mikata Japanese Steakhouse. A great time was had by all.
He presented Dan Bittel with a 2 foot straw like he used for his Scorpion Bowl drink at the Mikata.
He attended Kierra Walker’s Fundraiser Event. Many thanks from the family and organizers for our Donation. A total of $2415 was raised.
Town Council was complimentary to our club for the support of July 4th Festivities with the Old Home Days-type of midway. They approved $10,000 as up-front money. There are Committee Sign Up Sheets on the tables for volunteers.
Parks & Rec Department is setting up Sub-Committees and one for the Pavilion at Watson Park. This is part of our Roger Duhamel Project. Peter Flood is on the committee. Further information is to follow.
Ralph Stevens – Greg Pavone is a finalist for the Rotary Global Scholarship.
Ralph Stevens – Had a conference call about the GSE visit from folks from Germany. Pick up at the airport on May 5th, trip to Boston on May 6th, possible joint meeting with Souhegan Rotary on May 7th, take them to Brattleboro, VT for their next visit in Vermont. We are looking for volunteer drivers.
Ralph Stevens – Next Social on February 11th for Dinner Theater at the Chateau Restaurant at 7pm. Show is “Love, Sex, and the IRS.”
Ralph Stevens – March Social on March 16th at the Dana Center at St. Anselm College. Show is Irish Songs, Dancing, etc.
Jane Hoover needs any meeting Make-ups for January attendance report as soon as possible.
“DOLLARS ARE A CINCH WITH HINCH:”
Dick Hinch (Sergeant-at-Arms) fined the following Rotarians:
Late fines for Lynn Christensen, Chris Christensen, Tony DeBlasio, Bill Wilkes, Andy Steeves; scooter fines for Lynn Christensen
Dan Bittel for being late with his humming; Chris Christensen and Joe Mitchell for not making the dinner after they had signed up
HAPPY FINES:
The following “Happy Fines” were announced:
· Maureen Mooney- happy to get a tour of the Nashua Boys and Girls Club and for her niece to have been recognized last week for her Money Shine Gold Girl Scout Project
· Eric Winkler- happy that Bill left him with a great speaker last week
· Janet- happy to have gone to the Mikata dinner
· Jane Hoover- happy to be in the Best Elementary School in NH, James Mastricola Elementary School
· Marge Chiafery- happy, too, to have four of the Team who made this honor a reality
· Tony DeBlasio- happy to have noticed a typo on one of the sheets
· Pete Giacapuzzi- also happy about the Mikata
· Mike Hoover- happy that he got Pete to try octopus
· Kurt Norris- happy to be working on a fun project with wife Diane- they are doing something each week that they have never done together before for a total of 52 things. One thing they tried was Caviar and he wasn’t impressed.
RAFFLE WINNER: Chris Christensen
SECRET GREETER: Joe Mitchell
BIRTHDAYS:
PROGRAM: In June 2011, the James Mastricola Elementary School was named Elementary School of Excellence. Marge Chiafery, Superintendent of Schools, introduced the program and the four participants told about the process. They had tried two times before and this time it really paid off.
As part of the process they presented a skit along with some parents. They said that it was a really big project and lots of hard work went into it. Jane and John are on the selection committee for the current year. From the slide presentation:
• Education is an ever changing process
• Focus on the positive
• Build on our successes
• Facilitate change as needed
• The experience identified many areas to celebrate
• The wonderful program offered for students
• The extremely dedicated staff
• The extensive professional development we have been able to accomplish
• A willingness to refine our best practices
• Dedication to children, each other, the District and to the community
• Becoming aware that students have the ability to “show what they know” about JMES
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 am.
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting is on Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 7:15 am. Bill Wilkes will be in charge of the program which will be a Club Assembly.
Upcoming program responsibilities
February 9 Barbara Michaels
February 16 Rick Crawford
February 23 Troy Aarthun Club Assembly
Published by the Rotary Club of Merrimack
Maureen Mooney, Chair of the Public Relations Committee
603.578.4890;