Good Morning MRV Rotarians, friends, community members and supporters. We wish a very special welcome to new MRV Rotary members, Sparky Potter, Tracy and Harvey Blake. We are thrilled to welcome you!
Recently I read this about Rotary membership numbers on the Rotary International Web site:
"Rotary membership is experiencing significant growth in Asia (led by India, South Korea, and Japan), Africa, and parts of Eastern Europe. While overall global membership remains relatively flat, these regions are expanding, often through the creation of new, flexible, and diverse clubs." And it is true that membership is declining in North America but MRV Rotary seems to be defying this trend thanks to all of you doing the good work of spreading the word. Thanks to you we continue to grow from 26 members in 1976 to 64 today.
As we march through March, I am beginning to think about our fun fun(D) raiser, the annual Duck Race, and the great fun of selling tickets at the Farmer's Market. This made me wonder ..... how many other Rotary clubs do something similar? I discovered that Duck Races occur in the Suwannee River in Florida; the Wando River in South Carolina; Charleston, South Carolina; Hudson MA; Newport, VT, and Guelph, Ontario to name a few. Just sharing that bit of trivia. 🙂
Grants Approved
At last week's breakfast meeting, two votes were taken relative to grant approvals.
The membership approved $3000 for Camp Takumta for resurfacing tennis courts. In addition, membership voted to approve a grant for $3000-$6000 for Neck of the Woods stairways. There is a potential District Grant Match to offset half of the full amount).
Thank you, Doug Stoehr, Shawn Sullivan, Gary Plewak and Tom Emory for your time and commitment to work on grants.
Upcoming Rotary meetings:
3/11, 7 a.m. Wednesday breakfast meeting at the Village Meeting House at Waitsfield UCC.
3/18, 11:15 a.m. - Wednesday lunch meeting at Lawson's Finest Liquids. Meeting will be first followed by lunch of your choice from the regular menu.
3/25, 7 a.m. Wednesday breakfast meeting at the Village Meeting House at Waitsfield UCC.
A reminder to please sign up for breakfast meetings whether or not you will be eating. In addition, if you choose to not eat breakfast, please consider contributing $5 to help cover the cost of the venue. If this request in any way, reduces your ability to attend meetings, please reach out to Susan K. as we have a small fund to offer financial assistance for club activities for any member who requests it.
Volunteer opportunities
In Susan Klein's President's Letter, she identifies the volunteer opportunities available to all and offers a contact for that project. Please reach out to her or me to find out more about these efforts.
Community Pantry delivery folks are always needed. Thank you, Doug Stoehr, for organizing. Click the link below to help. As a personal aside, when I was a new member 5 years ago, this volunteer opportunity was a wonderful way for me to jump into Rotary and gain insight into how Rotary works its magic. In addition, I met wonderful folks.
Being a greeter is a fabulous way to say hello to folks you have not seen in a while and, if you are new to MRV Rotary, a wonderful way to get acquainted.
Alan Spiegel stepped in at the last minute to present his intro speech. Thank you, Alan, for an entertaining and energizing presentation! We are so grateful that you have joined our Community!
Brian Wagner presents an update on Sugarbush Soaring Flight Experience for Youth (Glider Program). MRV Rotary provided a grant to the program two years ago that was quite successful.
I am so grateful for Emily von Trapp's tulips as they brighten my days and offer a promise of spring time. Sharing them and hoping they do the same for you.
Well this has nothing to do with Rotary or weather or the price of widgets but Howard and I went to the showing of the 2026 Oscar Nominated Live Action Short Films Compilation at the Big Pic last weekend and we highly recommend it! What a wonderful diversion to the ills of the world!
Enjoy your week and see you at an upcoming meeting!
