Category Archives: TRF – The Rotary Foundation

Official Visit #13 – Branford Rotary Club – 1 New Member & 2 Paul Harris Recognitions

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President Ed Vescovi

President Ed Vescovi

Kerry Haynes being pinned by Sponsor Emily Granelli

Kerry Haynes being pinned by Sponsor Emily Granelli

Paul Harris +1: Phil Carloni and Pat Andriole

Paul Harris +1: Phil Carloni and Pat Andriole

President Ed Vescovi has a full plate this year as the Branford Rotary Club of 66 members runs several major events and actively supports dozens of local and international causes.

The Branford Rotary club did a ‘reboot’ about a year ago and went back to basics under Past President Tony Terry’s leadership. They changed from being a lunch club that met on Mondays to becoming a breakfast club that meets on Wednesdays. At the same time Tony and his board dusted off the results of their ‘Club Visioning session’ and took a long hard look at it with respect to the core values that were important to their club. The Result? A Vibrant Rotary that is growing, having fun, raising a ton of money and doing a tremendous amount of good in the community and the world.

The Branford Rotary club has added 11 new members in the past year including a new one today, Kerry Haynes, who was sponsored by Emily Granelli.

The club also honored Phil Carloni & Pat Andriole with Paul Harris Fellow +1 pins for their generous support of the Rotary Foundation.

The Branford Rotary Club supports the following:

  • Provision of school supplies for elementary school students in Arusha, Tanzania
  • The Soundview Family YMCA
  • The Branford River Project
  • The literacy project which provides a personal dictionary to every third grade student in Branford
  • The Community Events sign on the Branford green
  • Annual bell ringing during the holidays to assist the Salvation Army
  • Annual holiday dinner for Branford’s senior citizens
  • Sponsorship of the Branford High School and Hamden Hall Interact Clubs
  • Financial assistance to the SARAH organization
  • Annual food drive to benefit the Community Dining Room and Branford Food Council
  • Provision of new computers at the James Blackstone Public Library
  • The renovation of the Stony Creek Fife & Drum Corps Hall
  • Construction of the Volunteer Services Center on Harrison Avenue
  • Installation of the entrance arbor at the Adult Day Care Center in Short Beach
  • Construction of a playscape for children at Parker Park, Branford Point
  • Financing a chlorination system for clean drinking water in San Pedro Sula, Honduras
  • Installation of the Harry Johnson Memorial at Branford Point
  • Donation of an annual scholarship for graduating seniors at Branford High School
  • Contributions toward the well being of needy children in Bangladesh, Colombia, and Paraguay
  • Funding for the “Read to Grow” program
  • Raising money for its initiative to provide clean drinking water in impoverished areas in the world.
  • Assistance toward the operation of Branford Community Television
  • A “Secret Santa” activity of presenting holiday gifts to less fortunate children
  • A clothing and blanket drive for those in need
  • Financial aid for the “Hole in the Wall Gang” camp
  • Provision of school supplies and camp scholarship for children at the Boys & Girls Club in New Haven
  • Sponsorship of “Student of the Month” program at BHS
  • Participation in efforts to eradicate polio from affected areas of the world
  • Funding for the projected new facility of the Soundview Family YMCA
  • AMBER Alert child identification program
  • Branford River cleanup activity
  • World War II Public Service Awards presentation with Conn. Secretary Of State
  • Donations of goods to the needy at the Errera Community Care Center
  • Luncheon for members of Blind Rehabilitation Center, VA Medical Center, West Haven
  • …and more!

President Ed has made it his mission to Engage the majority of Rotarians in his club this year in all of the good things that the club does.

The Branford Rotary Club meets at the Parthenon Diner on 374 East Main Street in Branford on Wednesdays for breakfast. Admission price is a Rotary Pin and $7 for a good meal, a fun time and some good fellowship. Be sure to join them.

AG Robert Friend, President Ed Vescovi, Kerry Haynes, Emily Granelli and Rick Bassett

AG Robert Friend, President Ed Vescovi, Kerry Haynes (New Member), Emily Granelli and Rick Bassett

Upcoming District 7980 Events

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Savethedate

09-07-2013 –  Multi-district Success Seminar in Cromwell – Your Rotary coordinators have designed a day to meet this need. Invite your district leaders and future leaders to a day of training with your zone leadership. You will hear what others are doing to increase membership, raise foundation giving, and publicizing Rotary and its events. Contact PDG Alan Hurst for more information.

10-03-2013 –  Council of Presidents in Stratford – This event is designed for current club presidents to learn ‘best practices’ while networking with other presidents and district leaders. Many challenges lie ahead in the remaining 8+ months of leadership to come. Share your successes and learn from others in your position how they are navigating around some of the obstacles that they have faced. Contact DG Rick Bassett for more information.

Last 2 Weeks of October –  Club Foundation Program (coming to your club) – November is Rotary Foundation month and as a lead in to that the District has put together a Rotary Foundation program that we plan to deliver to all D7980 clubs as one of the weekly meetings during the last two weeks of October. Program to be delivered to all 61 clubs at one of the weekly meetings during the last two weeks of October. Contact Chair Sheryl Shaughnessey for more information.

Nov 1 – 3 – RYLA – will be starting on a Friday morning at 9am with a venue change to Camp Hazen.  The up to date applications will be online shortly and due October 25th.  Contact Youth Services Chair Justin Phillips for more information.

11-07-2013 – Foundation Dinner at the Pine Orchard Yacht Club in Branford – Please plan on joining us for the District Foundation Dinner to help us promote the importance of The Rotary Foundation (TRF) and its programs. The Dinner’s primary focus is to recognize clubs and individuals who have helped to advance the service work of Rotary International by contributing to the Rotary Foundation during the past year. Contact Chair Chip Marsh for more information.

North Haven Rotary earmarks $2,000 for Oklahoma Relief efforts

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Mike Hallahan - Immediate Past President, North Haven Rotary Club

A banner year for Mike Hallahan – Immediate Past President

Immediate Past President Michael Hallahan from the North Haven Rotary Club gave a financial recap this morning of the 2012-13 year which included a list of all of the charities and projects that the club was able to provide support for during his year as president.

Under Mike’s leadership the club and their community partners were able to support dozens of local and international causes to the tune of just over $39,000, including $2,000 to the D7980 Oklahoma Relief  effort.

Additionally the club awarded (11) $1,000 scholarships from the club foundation and North Haven Rotary Club members contributed over $5,000 to The Rotary Foundation.

Congratulations on a great year Mike!!

East Hampton Rotary Awards 4 Paul Harris Fellows

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Kelly Moquin, Tom Donnelly and Betty Donnelly

Kelly Moquin, Tom Donnelly and Betty Donnelly

The East Hampton Rotary Club awarded 3 Paul Harris Fellows at their meeting this week to Kelly Moquin, service above self scholar, Tom Donnelly and Betty Donnelly for their outstanding service to the Club, the Community and the World.

The club also recently awarded a Paul Harris Fellow to Past President Owen Flannery at their Installation Dinner.

The presentation of Paul Harris Fellow recognition is The Rotary Foundation’s way of expressing its appreciation for a substantial contribution (at least $1,000) to its humanitarian and educational programs. It is named for our founder, Paul Harris, a Chicago lawyer who started Rotary International with three business associates in 1905.

Rotarians often designate a Paul Harris Fellow as a tribute to a person whose life demonstrates a shared purpose with the objectives of the Rotary Foundation.

Photo and story contributed by: Barbara Moore, Immediate Past President of East Hampton Rotary

Significant TRF Recognitions at Trumbull Rotary Club

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Dr. Mark Horton was inducted into the Paul Harris Society (PHS) this morning in front of a large crowd at his new home club. Mark has been a Rotarian for 25 years and recently transfered from the Danbury Club to the Trumbull Club. Mark and his wife Sue generously give their time, money and talents to Rotary and truly embody what it means to be Rotarians.

The Paul Harris Society (PHS) is our district’s recognition program for Rotarians who wish to support The Rotary Foundation in a more substantial way each year. The Paul Harris Society recognizes Rotarians and friends of  Rotary who annually contribute $1,000 or more to The Rotary Foundation (the Annual Programs Fund, PolioPlus, PolioPlus Partners, or Humanitarian Grants). Jim Satterwhite, Paul Harris Society Chair, left his house at 5:30 am to ensure that Mark was properly recognized.  Jim is tireless in his efforts to maintain and grow the membership of the PHS as he has a great appreciation for the good that The Rotary Foundation does.

The Trumbull Rotary Club also awarded a Paul Harris fellow to deserving member Ben Stratford this morning in recognition his many achievements in the club during his relatively short tenure. Ben is a 5th generation Rotarian.

VTT Chair Nancy Riella guides Norwalk through application process

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VTT Chair Nancy Riella helping the Norwalk Rotary Club

VTT Chair Nancy Riella helping the Norwalk Rotary Club

District 7980 Vocational Training Team (VTT) Chair Nancy Riella spent her morning training members of the Norwalk Rotary Club on how to properly navigate thorough the VTT Global Grant application process for their Early Childhood Development Training in Sierra Leone.

Vocational Training Team (VTT) is an educational program of The Rotary Foundation wherein Rotary districts in different countries are paired to send and receive professional study groups of non-Rotarian team members and one Rotarian team leader to travel for four weeks, staying in the homes of Rotar­ians when possible.

It is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for education professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 who are in initial years of professional life. The program is designed to develop professional and leadership skills among young adults so that they can ad­dress the needs of their communities and an increasingly global workplace.

VTT participants follow an extensive and rigorous program of international travel and team activities. For four weeks, team members experience the host country’s culture and institutions, observe how their vocations are practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas.