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Bulletin Editor
Lauren Gardner
Speakers
Jun 09, 2023
Jun 16, 2023
Aid to Haiti
Jun 23, 2023
African Education Partnership
Jun 30, 2023
July 4th Weekend
Jul 07, 2023
Guatemalan Water Project
Jul 14, 2023
Live Life to the Fullest
View entire list
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Secretary
 
Treasurer
 
Immediate Past President
 
Membership
 
Sergeant-at-Arms
 
Rotary Foundation
 
Board Member-at-Large
 
Board Member-at-Large
 
Interact Chair
 
Club Information
Rotary of Avon-Canton - Founded 1973
Avon-Canton
Service above Self
Fridays at 7:30 AM
Golf Club of Avon
160 Country Club Road
Avon, CT 06001
United States of America
Fax:
(860) 760-6364
All meetings are hybrid both in-person and Zoom available
DistrictSiteIcon
District Site
VenueMap
Venue Map
 
February 3, 2023
Habitat for Humanity
Ryan Gorecki, Director of Volunteer & Engagement
 
The meeting will be held both in person and via Zoom. 
Watch for an email from the Club for Zoom access and
please note we use a recurring ID for your convenience.
 
Sergeant-at-Arms Report 
Rotarians Present: 26
 
Visiting Rotarians:  None
 
Guests: Tim Legeyt, Bob Bessel (Speaker), Tonoa Jackson (Speaker).
Happy Dollars: 10
Raffle Winner: Peter Vignati
Fines: None today.
Birthdays
 
Deb Altschwager (January 24) Not in attendance.
 
Steve Morris (January 25) has been a member since 2016. Steve loves being a part of the club and is excited to join the membership committee.
 
Happy Dollars
 
Yvonne Gardner was looking forward to regressing to her high school and college years later that evening at a Led Zeppelin cover show Get the Led Out.
 
Peter Vignati was happy about the Huskies! They had a great game under challenging circumstances with a loud crowd and an aggressive team.
 
Lou Daniels was happy to welcome granddaughter Margaret Jean to the family! She weighed in at 8lbs 10oz.
 
Announcements
 
Cherie brought attention to sheets passed around on tables for silent auction ideas for Tastes of the Valley. Another option is donating money so she can arrange an auction item.
 
Larry Sullivan teased an announcement that Tastes of the Valley and the Golf Tournament will join the 21st century but there is more to come!
 
Calendar
 
May 6, 2023 -  Tastes of the Valley at Golf Club of Avon.
 
October 19, 2023 - Club's 50th Anniversary Dinner
 
Induction of New Members
None this week.
Awards
None this week.
 
Community and International Service Grants
None this week.
 
Canton Needs Assessment
Tonoa Jackson, Robert Bessel, Lou Daniels
 
Peter Vignati introduced our panelists, Canton's Senior and Social Services Director Tonoa Jackson, Canton's First Selectman Bob Bessel, and member and Canton Board of Education Chair Lou Daniels. 
 
The purpose of the panel is to hold a discussion on the needs of Canton and how our club may become more involved with acts of service.
 
Tonoa and Bob discussed concerns about Canton's senior center. Canton has around 2,600 seniors living in town, and approximately 30-40 seniors attend any lunch event. Tonoa surveyed the community that had a great response, and most feedback was about the unwelcoming aesthetic of the senior center. The center itself is very small, and it is not inviting or appealing. There is currently no money in the budget to renovate or help this space. Tonoa will work on getting an itemized list of needs to help improve the room.
 
Current ideas to improve the senior center room include looking for plants, paint, artwork, drapes, or using the talents of those who can plant or sew - anything to make it more inviting. 
 
Other concerns surrounding the senior center include a malfunctioning stove that is too old to replace with parts. Currently, there are about 45 seniors that attend the center for lunch, provided by Dish n Dat and Little Oak Cafe for $5. A new staff member, Cara, has tripled attendance and is continuing to grow the program. Rotarians are invited to help to volunteer at these lunches. There are currently 4 or 5 volunteers, but their help is greatly needed, so it is difficult when someone is unable to attend due to illness or vacation. It would be helpful for Rotarians to commit to a schedule that works for them - weekly, quarterly, etc.
 
Lou Daniels discussed the Canton Public Schools. There are staff shortages, and at times they can be severe. It would be helpful if Rotarians could come to the K-5 programs to help students read or aid teachers. Lou will begin a discussion with Kevin Case to get the ball rolling. 
 
Lou also discussed the state of the school buildings. The outside of the school buildings are in dire need of landscaping and beautification. There is the possibility of our club adopting a school that we can help landscape and beautify. 
 
The High School also needs a walkway to the field for graduation. Many folks struggle to access the field on this special day and would benefit from steps and railings.
 
Lastly, Bob Bessel shared that the Historical Museum is one of Canton's most underutilized facilities. It is currently run by volunteers and is only open on weekends from 12-4. It would be great if more could volunteer at the museum so that visitors and schools could visit and learn about Canton's rich history. 
 
Many ongoing discussions and the panel helped provide excellent ideas for volunteer opportunities.

Special Announcements

None this week.
 
Mail Bag
None this week.
 
Photo Credits
Screen Shots by editor
 
Technology Credits
Zoom platform management expertise by Mike Mezheritskiy.
 
Editor's Notes
Submission Deadline: Members are kindly encouraged to submit all materials for each week's Early Riser as early as possible. Please note that some editions may be published and distributed as early as the Saturday following our meetings, and during those weeks further contributions to the Early Riser will be included in the subsequent week's edition.
“The FOUR-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 and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?