THIS WEEK’S PROGRAM
Heather Drinan will introduce her uncle
Paul Drinan, who is the Executive Director of the
Friends of Fort Gorges. which is located in the Casco Bay, off Portland, Maine. Heather’s uncle is a professional actor and very engaging speaker… so if you are on the fence about attending this--- get off and spend an entertaining hour!
THE ZOOM LINK FOR THE MEETING
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. After our opening Pledge of Allegiance and opening Password Todd will hand off the virtual podium to Heather to introduce our speaker.
LAST WEEK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Todd Allen announced that he was working with the Lebanon Rotary Club, the Upper Valley Business Alliance, and the Upper Valley Young Professionals group on a “Mask-up” initiative designed to distribute 67,000 masks to people in our region on Friday, August 7 and Saturday, August 8. He sent an email to us with details. Julia Griffin thought that this would be an ideal activity given that the Hanover selectboard would be considering the adoption of a mask mandate at their meeting on August 3, a mandate that would go into effect on August 10 of it were passed.
Todd also fleshed in some details on a possible social-distance social-gathering at a nearby YMCA camp, Camp Conniston in Grantham and kept his promise to send an email poll on whether to hold this as a lunch, a dinner, or at all on August 26.
David Allen reminded Rotarians that their interest inventories were overdue and called out those in attendance who had failed to submit the forms… a list that included your faithful scribe!
Kevin Wenger thanked the 28 Rotarians who have contributed a total of $6,600 to the COVID fund by making donations in lieu of paying for lunches at Jesse’s, Here’s the link to make your donation!
https://hanovernhrotary.ejoinme.org/COVID-19
Wayne Gersen offered a Happy Dollar in response to David Allen’s naming those who failed to adhere to the deadline he set!
DONATIONS IN LIEU OF MEALS
LAST WEEK’S PROGRAM
Wayne Gersen introduced outgoing State Senator Martha Hennessey who shared her experiences as legislator in New Hampshire with a focus on recent post-pandemic actions. She was happy to report that the COVID cases in NH were down from earlier, and that the legislature managed to pass over 200 pieces of legislation despite the challenges the pandemic posed for them. She was especially pleased that the State passed bills that will make it possible for anyone to vote by mail and that the CARES funds are finding their way to local businesses and non-profits. She is concerned, however, that there is insufficient oversight on how those funds are being spent and concerned that there may not be enough money available for hospitals, schools, and rent payments, especially if another round of stimulus funds are not enacted.
In the Q and A session Martha explained the extent to which a citizen legislature like New
Hampshire relies on the expertise of lobbyists to help craft bills. She also expressed concern over the high number of vetoes by the Governor who seemed to veto bills sponsored by Democrats who hoped to redistrict in a way that would make more races competitive and address environmental concerns. The three things Senator Hennessey identified as priorities in the years ahead are to get money out of politics, to engage more youth in politics, and to restpre civility into politics at all levels of government.
Here’s are some links Martha promised:
She also provided a link where NH Voters could register:
https://www.voteinnh.org/,
a site where you can check if you are registered to vote • Learn how to register to vote • Track absentee ballot status • Learn where to vote and MORE!
Coming Attractions for August:
August 5 – Page Tomkins, Upper Valley Educators Institutes (UVEI) President, will share his organization’s experiences converting to remote learning. UVEI trains teachers in dozens of school districts in the region and he will have a broad perspective on what worked, what didn’t work… and what’s in the offing for 2020-21. One of the UVEI Board members in Rotary (Jed Williamson or me) will introduce Page.
August 12 – Dennis Logue will introduce Robert Hargraves will offer a talk titled “Fearless Fission”. As the date of the talk approaches we will feature additional information.
August 19 – Todd Allen will introduce David Diamond who will offer his insights on the future of retail.
August 26 (TENTATIVE) – Socially Distanced Social at Camp Conniston in Grantham. I am confident Todd will have more information to share with us.
