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THIS WEEK’S PROGRAM AT THE LOWER DINING AREA AT JESSE’S
 
Wayne Gersen will introduce Leona Bergman-Gaul who has launched a Welcome Wagon initiative under the umbrella of Vital Communities
 
NOTE: A REMINDER OF OUR CHANGE IN MEETING FORMAT
 
After reviewing the flow at last week’s meeting, the Administrative Team decided to embrace the format we used and so… for the foreseeable future… we intend to follow this schedule: 
 
Noon - Call to order, pledge to the flag, words of wisdom from one of our members
12:05 – Announcements, birthdays, recognitions, and happy dollars
12:15 – Talk by Rotarian of the Week
12:20 - A chance to dine together and have conversations… and ensure we all get cookies  
12:35 – Introduction of Speaker
1:10 – Last question from the floor
1:15 – Rotary Motto 
 
THE ZOOM LINK FOR THE MEETING
 
A reminder: those on Zoom who wish to pose a question to the speaker should use the “raise hand” feature and wait patiently for someone to notice… though the layout of the lower dining area may pose a challenge for us. Here’s the link: 
 
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88229582283?pwd=aS9Hd3o1cS9ZK0hQL0ZhUHZXSEdxQT09
 
Meeting ID: 882 2958 2283
Password: 254494
 
The Zoom Room opens at 11:45 AM… BUT, as noted above, the actual talk will not begin until roughly 12:35.
 
LAST WEEK’S SPEAKER: 
 
Dick Podolec introduced Dartmouth President Phil Hanlon, who opened his talk by thanking the Rotary Club for all we do to help the Hanover community. He reminded club members that when he took office as President in 2013 he promised to lead the college for a decade and, as we had undoubtedly heard, he is keeping that promise with his announced retirement in 2023. He offered an overview of Dartmouth’s accomplishments over the past nine years, noting that research at Geisel helped accelerate the distribution of the COVID vaccine, that faculty members won countless national awards for their teaching and research, that the college is attracting more and more high performing students, and the combination of a talented faculty and upgraded infrastructure, and especially Centers and Institutes are attracting more and more “stars” to the campus. He offered several anecdotes and data points to support his belief that the last ten years have been the best ever at Dartmouth and that the foundation is in place for even more improvement. 
 
LAST WEEK’S ROTARIAN OF THE WEEK:
 
Arthur Gardiner, last week’s “Rotarian of the Week”, described his upbringing in suburban DC, which was the Deep South at the time he was attending schools there. He said that while the schools were segregated the playgrounds were not and was pleased to see that the spirit of the baseball diamonds prevailed. After graduating from Yale Law School, he served in the Nixon administration overseeing the distribution of aid to Viet Nam following the war, effectively following in his fathers’ footsteps since his Dad served in a similar capacity at the outset of that conflict. After tiring of life in DC he moved to a farm in central Vermont before settling in Hanover where he managed two nonprofit funds that helped underwrite small colleges with limited endowments, a job that kept him isolated because it required extensive online work. He expressed appreciation to Len Cadwallader for getting him off the screen and into the Rotary Club where he has enjoyed the service and fellowship.   
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
 
David Allen repeated his plea for some Rotarians to join the Board so the club can get the benefit of as many minds as possible when planning activities and event. He also reminded us that on April 16 the Lebanon Rotary Club will be collecting Styrofoam. He also reminded club members that they might consider joining in a community effort to fix up the Old Dartmouth Cemetery on May 6, noting that a free lunch will be provided for those who work the entire day. 
 
David Allen and Len Cadwallader pleaded for more ads for the placemats for the Pancake Breakfast, which will be held on May 7 at Storrs Pond. Len urged everyone in the club to consider submitting an ad for their business or their favorite charity. 
 
Wayne Gersen gave a Happy Dollar in honor of no longer requiring a boot to protect his broken foot. 
 
Arthur Gardiner was the Raffle Winner! 
 
COMING ATTRACTIONS:  
 
April 27 – Julia Griffin introduces Rob Hausman from the Hanover Town Office who will provide us with an overview of the town’s DRAFT Sustainability Plan.  
 
May 4 – Wayne Gersen is working on identifying a speaker… he thought he had everything taken care of but things are never easy! 
 
May 11 – Kevin Wenger will introduce Eve Loomis, Habitat for the Humanity’s ED
 
May 18 – Wayne Gersen introduces Kerry Altman, CCBA ED who will give an update on that organization
 
May 25 – Heidi Postupak introduces Sylvia Dow, ED of Creative Housing Solutions
 
With the exception of May 4 we are now fully booked through June 22! Thanks to those who have suggested speakers and offered contact information… but more ideas are always greatly appreciated! Summer will be here sooner than we think! 
 
Wayne Gersen
 
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