ATTENTION: THE AUCTION IS COMING UP AND WE NEED YOUR HELP
1. Consider sponsoring the event
Let Jen know by Tuesday the latest!
2. Also by next Tuesday: Donate one or more items!
- From your company or organization
- From your favorite restaurant or store (just ask them this weekend!)
- From your favorite family member who runs a short term rental somewhere
3. Commit to coming (and bring a friend!). And let the auction committee know...
This week at Rotary...
Salem Rotary Club Hosted Bill Matheson, District Captain of Massachusetts Convention of States
Bill Matheson is a dedicated volunteer with the Massachusetts Convention of States, serving as a District Captain, Regional Captain, and a member of the MACOS Leadership Team. He joined in 2019 after retiring from a career in water and wastewater treatment, specializing in membrane filtration and pretreatment chemistry. Throughout his career, he helped expand two companies nationally before co-founding Duraflow LLC in 1995, where he and his partner developed innovative membrane and chemical technologies for industrial wastewater recycling worldwide. Bill studied at Bridgewater State College, with postgraduate work in chemistry at UMass Lowell and business studies at Harvard Extension.
The Convention of States is a movement aiming to invoke Article V of the U.S. Constitution to propose amendments through a state-led convention. Under Article V, amendments can be proposed either by Congress or by a convention called when two-thirds of state legislatures petition for it. The Convention of States Project focuses on amendments that would limit federal power, impose fiscal restraints (such as a balanced budget amendment), and establish term limits for Congress and federal officials.
Speaker Bill Matheson discussed the writing of the Constitution and how the Founders anticipated the need for future changes, leading to the inclusion of the amendment process. George Mason authored Article V, adding language on the final day of the convention that allows for two-thirds of the states to propose amendments. This is the basis for the Convention of States process, which begins when a bill is introduced in state legislatures. Once 34 state legislatures pass the same resolution, a convention is called to propose amendments. The strategic goal of this movement is to reduce the size, scope, and jurisdiction of the federal government, establish term limits for federal officials, and impose fiscal restraints on federal spending. Supporters argue this is a necessary check on federal overreach, while critics fear it could open the door to unintended constitutional changes. Though the movement has gained traction, reaching the required 34-state threshold remains a challenge. This led to a spirited debate that resulted in no Happy Dollars. We fully anticipate that our Treasurer will have something to say about this...
Did you know...
that our own Carolyn Shapiro sang the National Anthem prior to Doug Flutie's remarkable game quarterbacking Boston College?
THE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION LINK IS LIVE!
Tell your friends! Tell your neighbors! Tell the whole city! The Salem Rotary Club Scholarship Application link is live on the website. You can also access it here.
It should be noted that Bob Anthony answered his cell phone multiple times during the meeting, showing that while he is pretty strict on the dress code, especially his strong anti-dungarees stance, he is open to changing some of the old Rotary Club policies.
SALEM ROTARIANS VOLUNTEER AT THE MARKET
CALENDAR WINNER!
Patrick Paquet (Sp?) sold by Matt Ingram
50:50 RAFFLE
Pot: $825
Players: FJ Murphy and Rinus Oosthoek. Somebody please win. Rinus didn't even read his joke.
VISITORS AND GUEST ROTARIANS
Our speaker this week was our only guests outside of Rotary Club applicants.
Rotary’s PolioPlus program is one of our longest-term and most significant humanitarian efforts. Working with our partners, we’ve reduced worldwide polio cases by 99.9% since 1988. The networks and tools we’ve built along the way exemplify the “plus” in PolioPlus, often serving as the epidemic response system in dozens of countries during health emergencies. The panelists will discuss the role of PolioPlus infrastructure in public health and how the success of this initiative guides efforts to address other urgent health issues.
Register today! Participation in the live session is limited and available to the first 1,000 registrants. A recording will be available for those who are unable to attend live. Register here today.
Have you made your contribution to The Rotary Foundation's Annual Fund-SHARE this year?
Your gift to the Annual Fund helps Rotary clubs take action today to create positive change in communities at home and around the world. Your contributions help us strengthen peace efforts, provide clean water and sanitation, support education, grow local economies, save mothers and children, and fight disease.
The Every Rotarian Every Year initiative asks every Rotarian to support The Rotary Foundation every year.
At the end of every Rotary year, contributions directed to the Annual Fund-SHARE from all Rotary clubs in the district are divided between the World Fund and the District Designated Fund, or DDF.
At the end of three years, DDF come back to our District to pay for Foundation, Club, and District projects that your Club and others in the district choose. Districts may use up to half of their DDF to fund district grants. The remaining DDF may be used for global grants or donated to PolioPlus, the Rotary Peace Centers, or another district.
Calling all Presidents-Elect, Club Treasurers, Club Secretaries, Public Image, Membership, Foundation Chairs, new Rotarians -- and all Rotarians!
Our 2025 District Learning Assembly takes place Tuesday, April 10, 2025, at Four Points Sheraton, 1 Audubon Road, Wakefield!
Important learning sessions start at 4:30 pm, followed by fellowship, our District Managed Grant Qualification, and a special presentation regarding Rotary's new Action Plan.
This is an important and worthwhile session for all Rotarians. Register today. A buffet dinner will be served and a cash bar will be available during fellowship and dinner. Register here.
ROTARIAN NEWS...
Liz Bradt collected and shipped 55 pounds of books to Botswana to stock the shelves at libraries and help kids get access to books. You can support her efforts here.
Club Announcements
Service Opportunities
Fun and Fellowship
Paint and Sip Night
March 22, 2025 at 6 pm
Far from the Tree at 108 Jefferson Avenue
The Fun and Fellowship Committee is inviting everyone, guests included, to our next event. This Paint and Sip Night will be hosted by Far From the Tree Hard Cider at their Taproom. Joshua Altobelli will be the art instructor, and with a name like that you know he's good. The cost is $50 per person and all art supplies are included. Unfortunately, all of the hard cider is not included. You can get your tickets here!
Salem Rotary Auction
April 4, 2025
Hawthorne Hotel
Old Hollywood theme this year! I won't spill too many details, but it will be classy. Cost is $90 per person.
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.
challenge. This led to a spirited debate that resulted in no Happy Dollars. We fully anticipate that our Treasurer will have something to say about this...
Paint and Sip Night
Salem Rotary Auction
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