Weekly update

Well, another week and possibly another snowstorm, will Spring ever truly arrive? 

We discussed building another scholarship at the request of John Carrolls wife, to benefit the kids of Andover, MA.  We have had a number of requests from former Rotarians and friends on how to contribute.  Bob MacDonald and Al Jean are working out the legal details on how to get this rolling.

Steve Kirk from the Concord, MA club joined us again this morning.  He gave us an update on his Haiti Relief Speaker panel last night.  The event was well attended, over 80 people showed and were not disappointed.  The overlying message is that things are still incredibly bad there and huge amounts of relief are still needed. 

Debbie is working on a date for the next Antique Appraisal night fundraiser with Skinner Auctioneers.  We decided that we still want to hold the event at the First Parish Church United in Westford.  The location works well for the event so mark you calendars for late October.

More disussion followed on a Spring fundraiser and a fellowship night at the Lowell Spinners for a night of baseball, sometime in August.  More on this in  future post.

Carl is still doing the snowbird thing in North Carolina after his recent excursion to Cozumel  where he finished his PADI dive certifications.  Hopefully he'll give us a presentation when he returns in May.  Click on Cozumel above to see video from one of his dives.

JAD Duggin, our club advisor gave us some poignant advice today.  "Read the funnies first"  good advice JAD!

Wee need new members!!  Join us for breakfast to learn what Rotary is all about.

Charitable Giving

I'm exploring something called Missionfish.org that I found on Ebay to generate donations and charitable giving options for the club and Rotary International.  If you have experience with this service or if you have items to donate/sell on Ebay please contact me at gaffed2001@yahoo.com

~Dan

CCSN Bangldesh third immunization of children

The Center for Children with Special Needs that is partially supported by a Rotary Matching Grant from the Merrimack Valley club and district 7910 conducted its third immunization of local children as part of the grant. Other parts of the program will be completed soon. CCSN focuses on children with physical problems including polio survivors.  The CCSN website can be seen at:  http://www.ccsnbangladesh.org/

Getting organized and weekly update

We're slowly making the transition to the new leadership team.  The District 7910 attendance records have been partially updated with more changes to come in the following days.  On that note, all members should take a look at the re-organized District Webpage, it has much better clarity and organization.  Great Job.

At our weekly meeting we had a good turnout including two guest visitors.  Steve Kirk from the Concord club stopped by for breakfast and to let us know about the presentation he organized for March 29 at 7pm.  The topic is Haiti, the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake and relief effort of his club and other agencies.  The event will be held in Carlisle, MA at the Union Hall - First Religious Society 27 School Street.  The speaker forum is free and donations are gladly accepted.

Chris Borden visited our meeting as well and is adjusting back to civilian life after his Army tour in Afghanistan.  We're still asking him to join our club but he just hasn't made the jump yet.  He'd make an incredible Rotarian with all his work in civics.  C'mon Chris... just do it !!

The club also discussed ways to help the earthquake victims in Japan.  Looks like we'll be purchasing shelter boxes for the displaced.  Each of  these boxes will help support 10 people for 6 months.   Contact us if you'd like to make a donation!

Back at it

It's been awhile since we've posted and there's been lots of happenings in the club; some good some not so good.  First of we regret to post that our long time member and friend John Carroll passed a few weeks ago.  He was very active in the club and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

This past week has brought on horrific events in Japan with the 8.9 earthquake.  Rotary is already in action sending tents, food and health supplies to the victims.  It's a great feeling to be part of an organization that can cross cultural boundaries and deliver help and services almost instantaneously.   Click HERE for more information on the recently established Rotary Tsunami foundation.  We'll post more on Rotary efforts as they become available.

On a lighter note, Andrea Bradford has stepped up as our new President for 2011 - 2012 years.  She's in the process of building her team and we wish her great success.  Our current President Liz Duggin will help her transition to her term which starts July 1st.  She'll have a great time at PETS.

Lastly, we're on the lookout for new members to join our club (as always).  We're looking for great people that want to make new friends and that want to take advantage of the many offerings through Rotary International.  The nice thing about a breakfast club is it sets you up for a positive day!  You can start the day off with a cup of coffee and a laugh or two while learning of the many aspects of Rotary.   Join us for breakfast, we'd love to meet you!