This week at Rotary was our first evening meeting of the new Rotary year. Time was set aside to socialize and for committees to begin to gather. Most importantly, the scepter that outgoing president Jen Close gave as a gift to Carolyn Shapiro was on full display. The actual most important piece of Rotary business was giving an Honorary membership to Marilyn Segal, wife of the late Jacob Segal, Salem Rotarian and consistent winner of the raffle. Fittingly, Marilyn won the right to draw a card in the raffle.
Prior to the Rotary dinner, the Board of Directors met. The Finance Committee reviewed the proposed budget for this Rotary year. The final budget will be ready very soon. Most of the time was spent looking at upcoming events that we are a part of. The Senior Prom is coming up, and it looks like there will be around 135 attendees. Volunteers from the Salem Rotary will need to be at the event around 2 pm to help set up. The club also will be donating $1500 for food and dessert. We are once again planning to work with the Manchester-Essex club for the DCF picnic. Dates and details will be tied down soon. The Boys and Girls Club will be seeking some volunteers to help with their end of summer picnic on August 23 and we are working with the Salem Pantry to have a volunteer event there as well. See below in "Club Announcements" for the full roster of events, including the boat race, Dutch Drinks, and more!
District Governor Tom is pleased to announce that we have secured the sponsorship for the next Rotaplast Mission to Cebu in the Philippines. We will be departing on March 8, 2025, and returning on March 23, 2025. Rotaplast is a Rotary adjacent organization, started and supported by Rotarians worldwide. Their mission is to alleviate the suffering of children with facial deformities in low-income countries through free corrective plastic surgeries (cleft lip and palate). This is a great opportunity for clubs to be part of an international service mission. We hope that all clubs will contribute to raising our goal of $85K. We also need volunteers to come with us. Contact PDG Terry Curran at TerryCurran7930@gmail.com or call at 617-501-3521 if you are interested or have any questions.
CALENDAR WINNER!
David Wescott sold by David Wescott
50:50 RAFFLE
Pot: $515
Players: Gerrit Bradley and Marilyn Segal
No winner this week!
VISITING ROTARIANS & GUESTS
There were several guests this week. Potential future Rotarians Amanda Thompson and Yamilis Cruz joined us. There were many family members in attendance too, including the Consalvo family, Gary Stirgwolt, Bart Hoskins, and eventually Kevin Levesque
ROTARY NEWS
As a part of this year's One by One Membership Initiative, introduced at our District Installation, all Rotarians have pledged, during the next Rotary year, to invite one person to a Rotary meeting, event, or service project.
The goal is to increase your club's net membership by one member. If every club in our District increases membership by one net member, we will have the most growth in decades.
One way to grow our membership is by enhancing our relationships with or finding new partners for our clubs to work with. When we find new ways to serve our community, our impact as an organization increases, and our community recognition grows.
Bob Anthony, as you probably know, moved to Salem in 1980 from Plattsburg NY. His former home city had a very unusual connection with the Olympics. The 1976 Summer Olympic Games were held just over the boarder in Montreal. Bob worked at the YMCA at the time. The US Olympic Team practiced at a local university and had to go to the YMCA for a sauna. Bob used to spend time in the sauna with Bruce Jenner. Gerald Ford also came through on his way to the Olympics. Bob drove the lead van of Olympians from Plattsburg to Montreal, second in the convoy behind Gerald Ford's vehicle. The 1980 Winter Olympics were in Lake Placid, and these games are famous for the "Miracle on Ice." The first Olympics in the country were held in Lake Placid in 1932. Bob also recalls seeing the buildings in China being built for the 2008 Olympics while he was there. All of this to explain that is why he wore red, white, and blue socks. 2008 Olympics in Bob Anthony has won the gold medal for the Longest Happy Dollars speech ever.
Liz Brandt and Bart will be celebrating their 36th wedding anniversary on August 6. Her daughter bought a house in Bethel, Maine and set a wedding date. Congratulations for everything!
Claire Kallelis noted that the 99th birthday of the Hawthorne Hotel is this week For next year's 100th birthday they hope to reenact opening parade with Rotarians. Get your walking gear ready!
Jason Consalvo had stuff to say. They had a smattering of camps this summer and are accepting volunteers for babysitters starting at 7 am to 7 pm. Harrison told us about his solo camp experience where he went sailing with Sail Salem. Graham spent time at camp "invented stuff."
Jen Close is very excited about a cardboard boat. See below for details about the Great Salem Maritime Cardboard Boat Regatta.
Club Announcements
Service Opportunities
Senior Prom
July 30 4-7 pm
Council on Aging
411 Bridge Street
This year's Senior Prom has a Hawaiian Luau theme. Volunteers will be needed as early as 2 pm to help set up. Contact Liz Bradt with any questions or to volunteer at this great event.
Fun and Fellowship
The Great Salem Maritime Cardboard Boat Regatta
August 3 at 11 am
Derby Beach
We once again have a boat participating in the Great Salem Maritime Cardboard Boat Regatta. Our award winning team is back hoping to beat last year's third place finish! We are taking name suggestions for this year's boat. Several awful names have already been presented, including Jason Consalvo's "Surface Above Self" and guest Phil's "Row-tary v. Wave".
Dutch Drinks
September 6 at 5 pm
Location TBD
The Dutch part: Everyone is responsible for their own drink/food bill, which is very different from a Dutch oven.
18 Washington Square
Salem, MA 01970 United States of America
NOTE: The fourth Tuesday of the month is an evening meeting, beginning at 5:15 p.m.
If you are interested in learning more about Salem Rotary, please email president@salemrotary.com.
Senior Prom
The Great Salem Maritime Cardboard Boat Regatta
Dutch Drinks
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