June 24, 2009

Special Installation Edition  

  The Ripple    

  
The Newsletter of the

Rotary Club of Peabody - District 7930  

P.O. Box 94, Peabody, MA 01960

WWW.ROTARYPEABODY.ORG

Meeting: Thursdays, 7:30 AM, at the Peabody Marriott, Centennial Drive, Peabody, MA 

      June Theme: Fellowship   

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What a fantastic evening!!  Thirty of us--Rotarians, family members, guests, including District Governor Tom and his wife, Carol--dined on the plentiful and superb food at the Wardhurst.  But most important was the fellowship of Rotary.  (It also helped that we could keep our eyes on the Red Sox victory.)

After the Pledge of Allegiance and Grace's prayer (how appropriate that Grace said Grace), Katrina Gravel gave a superb rendition of God Bless America.

President Steve then made his SHORT outgoing speech--he thanked all the members and DG Tom for all their support and effort during the year.  He then discharged this year's Board of Directors.

DG Tom installed our two newest members, Vanessa Silviera and Bob Clattenburg. Be sure to sign their books soon or be subject to Sgt.-At-Arms Steve's severe penalties--perhaps even financial.

  DG Tom made a few comments congratulating President Steve and our club for such a successful year.  He also commented on the number of our members who are active with the District--Peggy Pedro and Fred deNapoli are Assistant District Governors, Cathy Gravel hosted an Exchange student, Grace Martins led the GSE team to Brazil, Herb Harris works on the Ambassadorial Scholarship program and Bob Wood is the editor of the District's online newsletter. DG Tom mentioned that Bob had planned to attend this evening, but had major back issues.  Best wishes to Bob for a speedy recovery!  And for the 2009-2010 year, Fred deNapoli will be the District GSE Inbound Chair and Grace Martins will be the District GSE Outbound Chair. DG Tom expressed how impressive it is that so many from our very small club work at the District level.  He was equally impressed by the fact that our club donated $1,000 to help the victims of the Australlian wildfires, whereas the rest of the District combined donated $3.000. 

President Steve then recognized these members who had perfect attendance:

  Steve Morad   1 year

   Cathy Gravel  3 years

   Fred deNapoli 3 years

   Grace Martins 4 years

   Loring Merrow 4 years

   Peggy Pedro    7 years

   Herb Harris  10 years

      Mel Babner   38 years ! !

Next, President Steve, awarded Certificates of Appreciation to the following members for all of their terrific work to help make this year so successful:

Julie Erickson

Joanne "Mulligan" Donovan

Steve Padulsky

Martha Holden

Mel Babner

Peggy Lyons

And for their above and beyond contributions to the club's success, President Steve awarded Paul Harris Fellowships to Steve Smith and Cathy Gravel.  Cathy received a second PHF as a member of the Circle of Gold.

Club Foundation Chair, Peggy Pedro, then awarded nine more Paul Harris Fellowships.  The recipients are:  Loring Merrow, Grace Martins, Gary Epstein, Jeff Doherty, Fred deNapoli, Peggy Pegro, Herb Harris, Rudy Van Oeveren and President Steve Morad. All of these members received PHF's because they are Sustaining Members. The total of twelve Paul Harris Fellowships, representing our contributions of $12,000 to the Foundation, has to be a club record.

 President Steve announced that the ROTARIAN OF THE YEAR is Cathy Gravel!!  He listed all of Cathy's contributions to the club over the past year.  Since he said them too fast for me to write down, here's what I remember.  I'm sure I'm missing a lot.  Hosted an Exchange Student; established Y-It-Matters; wrote and obtained the District Grant for the Bicycle Safety program; graciously hosted the Holiday party at her home; hosted the Board meetings at her office; Chaired the Scholarship Committee; plus all the "routine" volunteer work members are asked to do:  Haven From Hunger, Golf Tournament, Taste of the North Shore, International Festival, etc.  I guess the only thing she didn't do was wash the dishes at the Marriott after our meetings.  (Or did she?)

    Cathy wasn't done yet receiving accolades.  DG Tom awarded her the District Service Award.  DG Tom also awarded President Steve with the Presidential Citation for the superb job he did as club President.

  DG Tom then installed the 2009-2010 Officers and Board of Directors:

President:  Cathy Gravel

Past President and President-Elect: Steve Morad

Secretary: Gary Epstein

Treasurer: Loring Merrow

Sergeant-at-arms: Steve Padulsky

Foundation Chair: Peggy Pedro

Membership Chair: Steve Smith

Literacy Chair: Martha Holden

Scholarship Chair: Peg Lyons

Media Chair: Herb Harris

Program Chair: Grace Martins

Board Member: Joanne Donovan

Soon-to-be (July 1st) President Cathy presented soon-to-be Past President Steve with a plaque marking his year as Club President.  She also presented Lori Morad with a bouquet of flowers.  Today is Lori's Birthday!!

All in all, one terrific evening celebrating one terrific year!!     

Upcoming Programs:

NEXT MEETINGS:

July 2:  Cathy's first meeting as Club President 

Please make every effort to attend your Rotary meetings. The more members we have each week, the better we look to potential members--and to our visitors and speakers.

Thank you!

UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES:

June 30th:  District Installation Dinner at the Danversport Yacht Club

July2nd:  First meeting of President Cathy's term.

August 7th:  First Dinner Service for Citizens For Adequate Housing 

September 13:  International Festival

September 14: Golf Tournament 

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It's easy to become a Rotary Sustaining member.  It's $100 per year, but Loring can bill you $25 per quarter.  That's $8.33 a month, or 28 CENTS a day, or a little over a penny an hour. 

LET'S BECOME A 100% SUSTAINING MEMBER CLUB!!

 THE 4-WAY TEST of the things we think, say or do:

1. IS IT THE TRUTH?   2. IS IT FAIR TO ALL CONCERNED?   3. WILL IT BUILD GOODWILL & BETTER FRIENDSHIP?   4. WILL IT BE BENEFICAL TO ALL CONCERNED?

Please keep this in mind!

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  Note: Other Rotary Club meeting locations are posted at www.rotary.org, then, click on 'Club Locator'.

The District 7930 Club locator can be found at www.rotary7930.org/clubs.html.