Category Archives: Community Service

District 7980 Conference Starts in 24 Hours

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Shirt FrontIn just 24 hours the SOLD OUT District Conference kicks off  at Ocean Beach in New London with a community service cleanup project of cleaning, painting and repairing that will be done by over fourty Interactors, Rotaractors, Youth Exchange Students and Rotarians Young at heart. DGN Gerry Tom has arranged for the service project while North Haven Rotarian Nick D’Ambrosia has arranged for commemorative t-shirts for the project volunteers.

Anthony Masi

Anthony Masi

Lex Sorrell

Lex Sorrell

The Paul Harris Luncheon, hosted by Madison Rotarian Jim Satterwhite, immediately follows the community service project at the Ocean Beach Port ‘n Starboard Restaurant. The Luncheon, which runs from 11:45 – 1:30, will feature inspirational talks by dynamic young role models Lex Sorrell and Anothony Masi. A crowd of over 100 young people and young-at-heart will will be treated to a special program dedicated to the good works of Rotary in the honor of Paul Harris.

Then the fun shifts up to the Mystic Marriott in Groton (Exit 88 I-95) for the rest of the weekend as we kick off the District Conference at 3pm on Friday in the Ballroom with the Club Banners and an engaging program by Youth Services/New Generations.

britishmaria.cdrBeatle’s (BritishMania) Excitement starts ramping up at 6pm on Friday with a Cocktail hour, dinner and then the big show.

Ed Davies

Ed Davies

Saturday morning starts with 2 very engaging Plenary Sessions hosted by DGND Chris Johnson and DGN Gerry Tom, then the crowd swells as the District Assembly Only attendees arrive for the the combined Conference / Assembly luncheon. Saturday’s luncheon will be the largest attended event of the weekend with about 375 expected attendees out of the 450 overall attendees. The District Assembly, run by DGE Mukund Nori, follows the lunch until about 5pm, then there is a brief lull in the action for less than an hour before the Cocktail Hour, The Kentucky Derby, The Silent Auction and the Gala Dinner, hosted by Ed Davies, begins at 5:30pm.

Screenshot 2014-05-01 09.40.07Sunday morning begins with an Interfaith Service followed by an informative Plenary by PDG Rick Benson and then we wrap up by noon with a closing Plenary session.

The weekend is turbo charged with fun and informative activities that are aimed at recognizing the good work of our 61 Rotary Clubs and their members.

The program book can be downloaded by <clicking here>

See you there this weekend!!

Rick

 

 

Seymour-Oxford Rotary hosts 9th Civic Recognition Awards Night

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For the 9th consecutive year the Seymour-Oxford Rotary Club recognized outstanding members of their community with a special recognition dinner at the Brookside Restaurant in Oxford. The Club works with local elected officials of Seymour and Oxford for for two nominations from the each of town’s volunteers and first responders.

Norwich Rotary launches the first Rotary Community Corps (RCC) in New England

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The Norwich Rotary Community Corps (RCC) received their Charter last night making them the very first RCC in D7980 and in New England.

About 50 attendees gathered at the Holiday Inn in Norwich last night to recognize the official launch of the Norwich Rotary Community Corps by the Norwich Rotary Club.

Rotary Community Corps is a group of non-Rotarians who share our commitment to service. RCC members plan and carry out projects in their communities and support local Rotary club projects.  RCCs empower community members to initiate and implement their own service projects and facilitate collaboration between Rotarians and non-Rotarians in their community development endeavors.

There are more than 7,500 corps in over 80 countries. RCC was adopted by Rotary International in 1988

The Rotary Community Corps is for people who want to do something in their community, but are unable for some reason to make the commitment to Rotary membership.

Congratulations to the Norwich Connecticut Rotary Club for sponsoring the very first RCC in our District and in New England.

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North Haven Rotary Serves Food, Fellowship, Friendship, and Fun to Community

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The collage demonstrates the busy scene at St. John's Episcopal Church as the North Haven Rotary Club provides one of its Friday night Community Suppers.

The collage demonstrates the busy scene at St. John’s Episcopal Church as the North Haven Rotary Club provides one of its Friday night Community Suppers.

North Haven’s St. John’s Episcopal Church at 3 Trumbull Place offers Community Suppers every Friday evening during the school year from 6-7 pm for anyone in the community interested in a nutritious hot meal served by volunteers from the area. This year, the North Haven Rotary Club has pledged to provide and serve a full course meal once a month. Rotarians Theresa Ranciato-Viele and Deana Morin have been key coordinators of the effort this year. Rotary President Debbie Volain stated that the culinary event is particularly popular on these cold winter nights, adding that the atmosphere is “warm with fellowship and friendship, and the quality time spent with friends and neighbors is just plain fun”.

North Haven Rotarian Dr. Richard Bassett, Governor of Rotary District 7980, posed for a photo with a Master Butcher for Fairfield Whole Foods where two large hams were generously discounted for the January 17th Community Supper in North Haven.

North Haven Rotarian Dr. Richard Bassett, Governor of Rotary District 7980, posed for a photo with a Master Butcher for Fairfield Whole Foods where two large hams were generously discounted for the January 17th Community Supper in North Haven.

Ham was the main course at the mid-January feast thanks to Rotarian Jonathan Martinek. The Culinary Demonstration Specialist delivered and baked two large hams that he had purchased on behalf of the Rotary club from his place of employment, Fairfield Whole Foods, at a greatly reduced price. According to Martinek, the Fairfield store provided the ham to the service club at a price below their cost. He said, “When I told the guys in the meat department about the purpose of the supper they agreed to sell them to us below their cost, saving us approximately $105.” The club later learned that the leftovers were donated to an interfaith relief organization known as Midnight Run which distributes food, clothing, blankets, and personal care items to the homeless in New Haven.

Also present at the time of the purchase was Dr. Richard Bassett, the Governor of Rotary District 7980, who was there in his official capacity because the Whole Foods store on Fairfield’s Grasmere Avenue had pledged 5% of their total sales on January 15th to the Fairfield Rotary Club’s designated charity, the Bridgeport Rescue Mission. Martinek reported that “The Whole Foods check to BRM will be $3,700, the largest 5% day we have had since the Fairfield store opened. I personally saw 4 shopping carts overflowing with donations of canned goods and other necessary items, as well. Thank you to everyone who supported this cause!”

Text and photos courtesy of Rotarians David Marchesseault & Jonathan Martinek

New London Rotary Club serves up hot meals to Seniors

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The New London Rotary Club revived one of their long standing community service projects this year as their Club members turned out and big numbers tonight to brave the bitter cold and served dinner to the Seniors at the Williams Park Apartments.

The New London Rotary Senior Dinner Committee arranges for and serves annual dinner at the Senior Apartment complexes in New London for resident seniors. This involves working with various local agencies (TVCCA in this case) or restaurants to arrange preparation of meal, publicizing complimentary dinner and scheduling club members to serve the dinner.

The Williams Park Apartments is 1 of 5 Senior Apartment complexes in New London.