Greetings Rotarians!  We started today’s meeting by inducting Max Seaton as our newest member. If you haven’t done so already, please introduce yourself to Max and make him feel welcome.   Our program today was the graduation ceremony of Meadow the service dog and Misha the veteran from the Vermont Paws program.  Peter Lyon explained that Vermont Paws is an entity that trains service dogs and, in collaboration with the National Guard, pairs the dogs with veterans in need.  He also discussed how our Rotary Club has helped finance this endeavor through charitable donations from the National Committee.  We then heard from Brigadier General Heston who emphasized the importance of this program and why it means so much to so many veterans. Michelle LeBlanc, the program’s dog trainer, then walked the audience through the program starting from the time the veteran is chosen to the completion of the training. The program concluded with the presentation of a certificate to Misha to commemorate his graduation from the program.  This was just another example of the many positive ways in which our Club’s charitable funds directly impact the community.

 

 

            Our Club’s Annual Meeting will be held on December 14^th. At that time we will be holding our annual election for board of director positions.  The 2017-2018 spots for President Elect and Treasurer are currently open, so members are encouraged to run for either of those offices. Members who are elected will begin their terms on July 1, 2017. 

 

 

 

            The annual Senior Holiday Luncheon is scheduled for December 7^th.  We are looking for items to be donated for the goodie bags that we will be delivering to the seniors at this event. Please contact Trish Porter if you are interested in assisting with this project or if you have any goodie bag items you are able to donate. 

 

 

            Our Club has committed to fill bell ringing slots for the Salvation Army on Friday, December 9^th and Saturday, December 10^th. A sign- up sheet will be available at future meetings, but you can also sign up online at:

 

 

            Thank you to all of the Rotarians who have committed to work at the Heavenly Food Pantry on November 17^th.  All of those shifts are now filled, but the next opportunity to volunteer will be on Thursday, December 15^th.  Please contact Sharon Dettenrieder if you would like to sign up for shifts.

 

Upcoming Meeting Schedule:  November 16, 2016 – Our speaker will be Emily Gould who will be discussing the Montpelier Rotary Club’s Rwanda Peace Center Project.

 

For the complete list of upcoming speakers and information about the Club, please go to our website at www.essexrotary.org   Be sure to also visit us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/EssexVermontRotary

 

       Yours in Rotary,

 

Jason Ruwet