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THIS WEEK’S PROGRAM
 
Len Cadwallader introduces Jim Rubens whose talk, American Promise, will offer some ideas on how to take money out of politics.
 
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 the Pledge of Allegiance and opening Password Todd will introduce our speaker
 
NOTE THAT OUR SPEAKERS ARE RECORDED FOR REBROADCAST ON CATV.
They are recorded in “speaker view” which means if you do ask questions during the Q and A session you will appear on screen unless you disable the camera. 
 
LAST WEEK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Dick Podolec reminded club members that the Roterac Club at Dartmouth has 30 new members, which means, after getting one more volunteer after last week’s announcement, that he will need 10 MORE Rotarians to help provide mentoring support. 
 
Jed Williamson offered a Happy Dollar in honor Dick Booma’s pre-meeting admission that he was wrong about the intelligence of Dartmouth students, who he was certain would take the steps necessary to prevent the spread of COVID.  
 
Todd Allen offered a Happy Dollar in honor of the opening of Junction Fiber. 
 
The Raffle Management Team (RMT) awarded its $10 in-kind donation to Willing Hands to Carolyn Watson for her deep understanding of the best venues for wearing one’s Rotary hat. 
 
DONATIONS IN LIEU OF MEALS
 
REMINDER: Here’s the link to make your donation in lieu of paying for meals at Jesse’s AND the place to donate your Happy Dollars! As Todd announced at the meeting last week, the funds will be earmarked for Willing Hands. https://hanovernhrotary.ejoinme.org/COVID-19.
 
LAST WEEK’S PROGRAM
 
Todd Allen introduced Tracy Hutchins the Executive Director of the Upper Valley Business Alliance who provided an overview of how the pandemic has affected locally owned businesses in the Upper Valley. She analogized the events of the past year to the five stages of grief. At the beginning stages of the pandemic many businesses were in denial, which transitioned to anger over the summer, depression in the fall, and a begrudging acceptance. Now, with vaccines on the horizon, spirits are lifting and the region’s unemployment levels have nearly returned to their relatively low levels. She noted that some businesses in the area--- notably home improvement and outdoor recreation-- thrived during the pandemic while others--- notably hotels and restaurants--- suffered. Real estate did exceptionally well! She reported that businesses that operated online and made transitions to accommodate the “new normal” of the pandemic kept their heads above water. 
 
Looking ahead, Tracy sees the provision of child-care as a major economic challenge with the access to broadband a lingering concern. In response to a question about the need for additional stimulus funding given the near-full-employment in the Upper Valley, Tracy noted that several businesses in the region were “hanging on by their fingernails” and her own organization experienced a decline in their revenue because roughly half of the members could not afford to pay the annual membership. She thinks that once herd immunity is restored business will get back to normal and the amazing resilience of the small businesses will result in better economy for the region.  
 
Coming Attractions
 
March 17 – Dick Podolec will introduce Phil Hanlon, Dartmouth College President, who’s talk scheduled for election day was moved to this date. 
 
March 24 – Todd Allen introduces Christine Pederson who will tell us about the Easter Seals campaign in New Hampshire
 
March 31 – Todd Allen brings Noel Pauili, a Senior Scientist at Adimab to tell us about his firm’s efforts to “…turn good molecules into best in class molecules”.  
 
We’re now booked through the last week in June! A few more bookings and Todd Allen can heave a sigh of relief… but Dave Allen WILL be looking for speaker ideas!
 
Wayne Gersen
Russell Hampton
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