Early Riser Newsletter (Jul 31, 2015)

Bulletin Editor

Dale Bronson (If you have any comments or questions, please contact the editor)

Speakers

Sep 25, 2015
Devra Sisitsky
Technology and Disruption

Oct 02, 2015
Beth Bradley
Donate Life Connecticut

Oct 09, 2015
Bob Cave
“Connecticut Retirement Security Board-Update

Oct 16, 2015
Club Day


Oct 23, 2015
Jocelyn Archaski and Jackie Harris
Introducing young persons to great music

Oct 30, 2015
Jamie DiPace
Avon Fire Department

View entire list

Club Information

Rotary Club of Avon-Canton - Founded 1973

Service above Self

We meet Fridays at 7:30 AM

Avon Old Farms Hotel

279 Avon Mountain Rd.
Avon, CT 06001
United States

District Site

Venue Map

August 7, 2015

Sarah Bonner

The Peace Corps

**Sergeant-at-Arms Report**

July 31, 2015 Meeting
Members	40
Make-Ups	4
Guests	Jan Cowles, Tim LeGeyt (State Representative)
Visiting Rotarians	None
Happy Dollars	$28
Fines	0
Raffle	No Winner
Birthdays

Sue Budde - amid Birthday balloons from Scott Nardozzi, Sue shared reflections on turning 50. She told members "thirty was tough. At fifty, I have a great family, a wonderful husband and life is so much better." Sue works at the Canton Chamber of Commerce. She was introduced to the Club by her boss, Phil Worley. Sue says she loves Rotary.

Happy Dollars

Chuck Joseph - wishes he was turning 50 like Sue Budde. Instead, he soon will be turning 60. His son will be treating him to a wine tour of Napa Valley. Chuck updated that his eye surgery went well, and his vision is now 20-20. He stated "I can see what a good group we are."

Salin Low - this was Salin's first chance to thank Club members for making the Senior Luncheon a big success. She also pointed out that this year's golf brochure has a "Special Opportunity for Sponsors" box detailing the webcam project. A camera costs $2500. If a sponsor will donate half that amount, the Club will pay the other half, and the sponsor will receive special recognition in this year's golf book.

Gary Roman - termed last weekend's Collinsville Hot event "a big success." The Club donated $500 to Collinsville Hot. Gary expressed kudos to Tom Voorhees for running an Amber Alert session at the event.

Joanne Santiago - wished Sue Budde a Happy Birthday. Others with Happy Dollars to honor Sue's birthday included Devra Sisitsky, Brian Becker (the speaker for the day), Ann Clark and Evan Cooper. Joanne also mentionned that she and her daughter Joelle have been attending knitting classes. Joanne is recovering nicely from foot surgery.

Devra Sisistsky - has been enjoying Rhode Island's beaches lately. Her mom is having a birthday this week as well.

Ted Cowles - won't be at any of the Club's August meetings. He will be spending some time in Maine and also prepping his equipment for drawing sap and making maple sugar.

Craig Buhrendorf - will be participating in a "giant family reunion" this coming week in Rhode Island. One of the highlights will be a New England-style clambake.

Brian Becker - shared that his son Carey just got engaged.

Don Bonner - presided over today's meeting. He is looking forward to seeing his daughter Sarah who has been away doing volunteer work for the Peace Corps. She will be home next Tuesday. She will be presenting to the Club next Friday.

Ann Clark - Avon's Democratic Registrar of Voters, Ann pointed out that there were two State Representatives at the meeting and concluded that she had better behave.

Evan Cooper - informed the Club that her son will begin his Peace Corps sojourn next week.

Nancy Nation - asserted that "Sooner Than Later" is working. There are now over 90 golfers registered, and the sponsorships and ads have picked up significantly. She thanked Ted Cowles for turning in all of the ads he typically secures.

Announcements

Member Profile

President Gary Miller has requested that everyone update their Member Profile as soon as possible. Refer to his recent e-mail.

Avon Day

Steve Harris needs volunteers for Avon Day which is scheduled for September 26.

Pub Night

Phil Worley reminded members that the August Rotary Pub Night will be held Tuesday, August 5 at the Seasons Restaurant Tap Room, Avon Old Farms Hotel. It will be 4 - 7 pm, more or less, and free hors d'oeuvres will be provided. The September Pub Night will be held Wednesday the 2nd at the Saybrook Fish House.

From Sue Budde

(Left to Right - Scott Nardozzi, Sue Budde)

Raffle items for the Golf Tournament are coming in, although not at the speed I'm used to from the past few years. I'm asking all Rotarians to reach out to their contacts, friends, and associates... If everyone could secure just one item, we'd be in great shape! Items like gift certificates, gift baskets, tickets to events, and even items like handbags, jewelry, electronics, etc. are just a few ideas for raffle items. We'd also love to get some golf items, so if anyone knows where to get them, please reach out. Letters soliciting donations from all past donors went out in early June, so if you have any questions about the status of a donor you've solicited in the past, please feel free to reach out to me.

Schedule of Speakers

Ike Eikenhorst reports that some slots for speakers have been filled, but openings remain.

He askes members to give some thought to finding interesting topics and programs. Ike says "other than selling or marketing a product or service and Rollie's fish pictures, we are very open to most subjects." Steve Roberto's wine tasting program is a good example of something a little different than the norm. It was a really well received program.

Feel free to e-mail Ike with any questions or ideas you might have.

Presentation

Brian Becker is the State Representative from the 19th District which includes Farmington, West Hartford and Avon. He was first elected in 2010. Craig Buhrendorf invited him to speak to the Club. Craig and Brian have been e-mailing back and forth about issues facing the State of Connecticut.

Brian is a business lawyer. He and his wife have established Becker Law Offices in West Hartford. Brian graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. He coaches youth sports and is a Literacy Volunteer.

The preponderance of Brian's presentation dealt with the Regulation Review Committee of which he is the Chair. It is the responsibility of the Legislative Regulation Review Committee to review regulations proposed by state agencies and approve them before regulations are implemented. This position was adopted because all regulations have the force of law, and it is important that regulations do not contravene the legislative intent, or conflict with current state or federal laws, or state or federal constitutions.

This joint bipartisan committee is made up of 14 members: 6 senators and 8 representatives divided equally by party. In keeping with the bipartisan nature of the committee the chairmanship of the committee changes every two years. Pairing either a Senate Democrat and a House Republican or a Senate Republican and a House Democrat as co‑chairs.

There are 79 departments, boards, committees and agencies that have regulatory power. The Committee tries to, when possible, substantially reduce the number of regulations. It also endeavors to get rid of "burdensome regulations" The Committee does hold public hearings, and it does review written complaints.

Brian asked Club members to "help spread the word to all about the committee."

He also belongs to an informal group of Representatives who describe themselves as "moderate Democrats." This group believes state expenditures could be reduced by $200 million per year through regionalization. If towns combine, services could run less expensively and more efficiently.

Brian can be reached through the State of Connecticut website: housedems.ct.gov/becker/ommittees.asp

In the Mail

Maureen Wallison sent a Thank You card on behalf of the Canton Seniors. She wrote "Thanks to Shop Rite and all of you for a very enjoyable picnic. See you next year!"

Michael Langer, Treasurer of the Canton Emergency Fuel Bank,wrote to President Gary. His letter is presented here in its entirety:

"I want to express our sincere thanks for your organization's contribution of $2,000.00. The increased cost of fuel and electricity has made it more difficult for families this year. Your thoughtfulness will help assure that many of our less fortunate friends and neighbors will be able to stay warm this winter.

Thank you again for your kind assistance in our efforts to provide warmth to those in need."

Jessica LaBumbard, Executive Director of ALDEA, thanked the Club for donating $2,500 to the Rotary Global Water Project in Chuchuca Bajo and El Garabato, villages in Guatemala.

The Club's donation to ALDEA, (formerly Behrhorst Partners for Development), will help build water systems,latrines and stoves. It will also help to install gray water filters in in each home.

Our Intrepid Photographer

Photos:

Photos of Sue Budde and Brian Becker by Phil Worley

Photo of Sue Budde and Scott Nardozzi by Les Zinner

Photo of Phil Worley by Les Zinner

Photo of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton courtesy dailymirror.com