Tag Archives: New Member Induction

North Haven Rotary Abducts (2) New Rotarians!!!

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A dual new member abduction took place this morning at the Breakfastnook in North Haven as the North Haven Rotary Club converted two mildly interested prospects into fully engaged Rotarians.

The North Haven Rotary Club is happy to induct their two newest members: Al Centone and Deana Morin. Al & Deana have been diligently attending meetings for months and were hardworking participants at the Club’s most recent fundraiser; Wine & Roses. They are both very nice outgoing people that are a pleasure to be around. Deana was sponsored by LuAnn Buono and Al was sponsored by President Debbie Volain.

Abduction you ask? Deana’s nine year old niece called her last night to congratulate her on her upcoming abduction into our Club, we are going with that.

The Club now has 47 actively engaged Rotarians, up from a low of about 17 in the dark days of the late 1990’s,  thanks to the efforts of Membership Chair Ralph Cooke. Ralph’s job is to bring in quality members while it’s everyone else’s job to keep them. To quote Ralph “People only leave our Club horizontally”. It’s a formula that has worked out pretty well for over a decade.

The ‘Bumper Crop’ of newer Rotarians (Nick, LuAnn, Donna Mae, Erik and Ian) has helped to propel the Club into new and exciting directions as their collective energy and interests has moved the Club to think and act in ways that hasn’t been done before.   Al and Deana bring in a whole new level of positive energy to the mix and we are looking forward to them lifting us even further.

Photos courtesy of Dave Marchesseault

Official Visit #35 – Derby-Shelton Rotary – Inducts 3 new members today

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I had the pleasure of inducting 3 fabulous new members into the Derby-Shelton Rotary Club today as being the big speaker at Ernie Luise’s home club wasn’t enough fun!!

Inducted into our Rotary family today was:

  • Porter McKinnon (Director of Sales & Marketing at Allegra) and sponsored by Mary Ellen Samatulski
  • Kelly Morrisey (Personal Fitness Manager & Author at The Edge Fitness Club) and sponsored by Linda Holmes
  • Shaye Roscoe (Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club) and sponsored by Bill Nimmons

The Derby-Shelton Rotary Club is a very active (and fun) mid-sized club that has been around since 1927.

Some of the things that this club does especially well:

  • Generously give out scholarships
  • Team up with the Valley United Way to support unique gardening projects
  • Recognize outstanding Students of the Month
  • Actively participate in Amber Alert
  • Sponsor a community based Interact Club
  • Host Inbound Youth Exchange Students
  • Run Shelton Day
  • Run Hoptoberfest event
  • Generously support The Rotary Foundation

The Derby-Shelton Club recently (last year) dedicated a new 3,000 sq/ft pavilion at the Shelton Riverwalk. This was a massive multi-year six figure+ project by the club which yielded a beautiful community pavilion.

This is a club with an interesting mix of membership that is clearly on the move under President Bill Miller’s expert leadership. They get big things done and have big plans.

The Derby-Shelton Rotary Club meets on Thursdays for lunch at the Brownson Country Club in Shelton. It’s a nice place to make-up with a great group of Rotarians that also features fabulous views of the golf course.

North Haven Rotary Inducts Ian Brooks this morning

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The North Haven Rotary Club has inducted Ian Brooks as their newest member in front of a near sell-out crowd at the breakfast meeting this morning that included his wife Beth. Beth was surprised to learn that she and Ian will be hosting a welcome fellowship at their home soon. Upon sensing a runaway alcohol bill;  Ian quickly replied that they live in a Dry State.

Ian was sponsored by President-elect Nick D’Ambrosia who had the honor of ‘pinning’ Ian. Ian was beginning to wonder if the Club was ever going to let him in as he has been attending regularly for the past three months. We told him that three months was a drop in the bucket compared to us spending every Tuesday morning in perpetuity together…..it’s important to keep things in perspective.

Congratulations to Ian Brooks on becoming a Rotarian and welcome to Beth Brooks as a member of our Rotary family. We are honored to have both of you.

Photos by:  David P. Marchesseault

Woodbridge Rotary Installation 0n 6-14-13

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New Woodbridge officers for 2013-2014

New Woodbridge officers for 2013-2014

Steven Katz (L), Bill DeRosa (R)

Steven Katz (L), Bill DeRosa (R)

On 06-14-2013 The Woodbridge CT Rotary Club swore in Co-Presidents, inducted a new member and awarded their first Business of the Year Award.

David Joel and Mary Ellen LaRocca planned a wonderful annual dinner at Carmine’s.

The club awarded it’s first Business of the Year Award which was presented by Bill DeRosa to Steven Katz, owner of Katz’s Deli.

Chris Lovejoy was inducted as the newest Woodbridge Rotarian by DG Brian Amey.

New officers for 2013-2014 were sworn in by DGE Rick Bassett:

Co-Presidents:  Carol Yingling and Buddy DeGennaro
Past President:  Anna Dickerson
Secretary:  Jan Day
Treasurer:  Ed Maloney
Sargent at Arms:  Dave Joel
Board of Directors: Robyn Reilly
Absent Directors will be sworn in at meetings: Dan Weintraub, Guy Stella, Andy Skolnick, Matthew Cummings, Tom Shernow

Woodbridge had a great year under Anna Dickerson’s Presidency, their club grew by 6 members!!

North Haven Rotary Club inducts Donna Mae Cangiano as their newest member

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Dr. Richard Bassett, a SCSU professor and the Governor Elect for Rotary District 7980, inducted Donna Mae Cangiano into the North Haven Rotary Club on January 25th at Bellini's

Rick Bassett, a SCSU professor and the Governor Elect for Rotary District 7980, inducted Donna Mae Cangiano into the North Haven Rotary Club on January 25th at Bellini’s

At a recent Friday evening of fellowship in the new banquet facility at Bellini’s Restaurant, the North Haven Rotary Club gathered for some relaxation, as well as a review of their first six months of service to the community under the leadership of President Michael Hallahan. However, the night’s activities opened with the official induction of new member, Donna Mae Cangiano, by Rotary District Governor Elect, Dr. Richard Bassett.

The fifty members and guests present learned from LuAnn Buono, the new member’s sponsor, all about Donna Mae’s remarkable community service accomplishments.

In retrospect over the weekend, Donna Mae made the following comments about her special evening at Bellini’s, “It was a wonderful evening with welcoming friends, marvelous food, mid-year Rotary highlights, entertaining music, and relaxing conversations. I am looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and helping with the many volunteer efforts of this great organization!”

Text courtesy of David Marchesseault & photo by George Guertin, Rotary PR Committee