**Rotary Club of Needham**
Tuesday:  February 16, 2016
Location:  Needham Sheraton
 
Pledge of Allegiance: Rich Forte, President.
Song:  God Bless America; Led By: Bob Cocks
Prayer: Led by Karen Wetmore
 
Announcements:
  • Our District’s District Conference is being held in Plymouth, May 20-22.  The club is going to reserve a table or two for the Saturday night dinner, May 21. Save the date: details to follow. The club will pay half of the cost for any member attending.
  • Eagle Scout awards will be presented by Dan Tibma on March 6 at Needham VFW at 4:30.
  • Erica is the leader of the Rotary team of 3 for the Needham Community Council fashion show being held on Sunday, April 10th at Powers Hall in the Needham Town Hall from 4-5:30.  She is looking for 2 others to join her in modeling clothes from the Community Council at the event.
  • Rich  is looking for one more team member for the NEF Spelling Bee,  Sunday March 13th.
  • Let Rich know if you have any speakers for future meetings.
  • Jim Brown outlined 4 potential local Needham Community Service projects. Details to follow.
  • Rich is looking for volunteers to help William James College ‘Women’s Vets Affairs’ on Saturday March 26th.
 
Guests: Bryan Hannifin, Marketing Manager for Family Federal Savings.
 

Happy Dollars: Karen Wetmore for her impending trip to Florida for 2 weeks! Chuck Buyer for a gold weekend in Florida; Scotti was happy for a few warm days after the severe cold snap; Ted happy for the warm weather; Deb Kazarian for being able to bring Bryan with her to Rotary; Libby for a good Doctor’s check up for her daughter; George fo seeing Bryan as well; Bob Cocks for the weather; Marty $5 for his #1 son who is going to Peru on a community service project, and for #2 son who is going to Philadelphia for his community service project, and for Marty and Kathy’s get away for an overnight in Boston, while the kids are away! Ryan, Jim and Kathy: HTBH!!

50:50:  Chuck drew the 3 of diamonds in the 50/50. Not a winner. Pot stands at $695 with 16 cards remaining.
 
Presidential Moment: Although Lois is in Florida, it seemed only right that we continue with the Presidential moment, as President’[s day was yesterday. The question was: What President served two non-contiguous terms as President?
 
Answer: Stephen Grover Cleveland (March 18, 1837 – June 24, 1908) was the 22nd and 24th President of the United States. He was the winner of the popular vote for president three times – in 1884, 1888, and 1892 – and was one of the two Democrats (with Woodrow Wilson) to serve as president during the era of Republican political domination dating from 1861 to 1933. He is the only President in American history to serve non-consecutive terms in office and the only President to win the popular vote more times was Franklin Roosevelt.
 
Guest Speaker: In lieu of a guest speaker, this meeting was a ‘Club Assembly, and a number of issues were discussed.:
  1. A Club member has volunteered to be President for 2016-2017, on the condition that someone else must step up now for the 17/18 year as President, before this person will accept the role for 16/17. Who wants to be President a year out?
  2. Unfortunately, Rev. Darrell Minnich has resigned, dur to increasing work load and an expansion of his territory. Darrell has been a good hardworking member for  a ot of years. He will be sorely missed! Dan Tibma has agreed to be in charge of the Thanksgiving Dinner: thanks Dan!
  3. Two visiting Rotarians from India, have visited our club over the past several years, as they visit their daughter in Needham. They have requested financial assistance for a club project in their home town back in India, and our club seems poised to accept the invitation. This project will aid an elementary school in India with things like power, water, toilets, computers for this school. The hope is we can intrest other clubs in this project, and make it  a major fundraiser.
 
Humor:  No takers