March 4th, 2008
Our meeting was opened as usual with the Pledge of Allegiance, led by President Mark.
Prayer: Ed Woodcome led us in our prayer, and a moment of silence was held for past President, Jim Pandiscio, who passed away earlier this week.
Song: Billy Oel led us in "Take Me Out To The Ball Game, which he said was in honor of Mike Hewitt’s promotion. I’m not sure what the song has to do with Mike’s promotion, unless he is now running the Yankee’s, but we’re all happy for Mike just the same!
Happy Fines: Aisha was happy that her daughter had done well in swimming and was thankful to all of her sponsor’s. Ed Tarquinio was happy that they had greatly enjoyed the lobsters, which his wife, Sue, won at the brunch. Mike was happy for his promotion. Bill Walsh was happy to be back here in our beautiful Fitchburg weather. Tonight’s speaker, Bill Label, paid $20.00 for light bulbs to save energy. Carol was happy having attended two rotary district dinner’s recently and was enthusiastic about incoming District Governor, Carol Tumey, who Carol believes will do a great job in Public Relations for the district. Seema was happy for Mike and sad for Mary Ciuffetti, and happy for all who helped with the PR dinner.
Sad Fines: Ed Whitcome was sad at the loss of Jim Pandiscio. Rich Duncan was sad that his team did not do as well as hoped for at the Robotics competition. Mary Pepin was sad to report that Mary Ciuffetti’s father had passed away. We all share in that and will keep you in our thoughts, Mary! Maria was happy to be going to Brazil and sad for our weather up here.
Announcements:
- Carol spoke tonight about the rotary 4-way test, which was established in 1942 by Rotarian, Herbert Taylor. The test seeks to develop and maintain high ethical standards. We need to ask, is it the truth in all of our dealings, not just in Rotary, but with our family, business, and all aspects of our lives.
- President Mark reported on Habitat. The remainder of the framing at the project has been subcontracted out. It should be weather tight within 10 days. This will help enable us to complete the project this calendar year.
- Mark also reported on the Public Relations Dinner and gave thanks to all of those attending. The flowers were beautiful thanks to Maria. Mark was enthusiastic about the great presentation by our club. Mark wanted to specifically note that our club members should be very proud of what we do as Rotarians. Our district was clearly impressed by what we have accomplished including the brunch and the flower project.
- Mary Pepin spoke about the cancer Relay for Life, which she participates in on a yearly basis. The yearly event, at Mount Wachusett Community College, is the number 1 Relay for Life in New England and number 7 in the entire nation out of over 4,000 Relay for Life events! Any donations that you can make to Mary on behalf of this very special cause are appreciated!
- President Mark reports that next Tuesday will be a very special meeting and please make every effort to be present.
Program: Our speaker this evening was Gil Labelle of Energy Freedom Fighters, who spoke on environmental and global warming issues. Gil points out that this is a national security issue by being independent of foreign oil and we can get our economy back in our own hands. Gasoline in Canada is currently $4.84 per gallon. He asserts that by 2015 it could be $12.00-15.00 per gallon in the United States. By 2012, the ice caps could be gone and Europe would become very cold in the winter and very hot in the summer. An enormous problem is the growth of the economies in India and China. They want what we have-motor vehicles, etc., which is causing tremendous increase in the use of oil and as a result, Carbon Dioxide. The demand is increasing more than the supply. Gil argues that what needs to be done is increased miles per gallon on vehicles. New appliances such as refrigerators, which new ones cost $50.00 per year to run as opposed to $300.00 per year for those that are a few years old. Public transportation and pumping up tires to 40 pounds can increase gas mileage by 10-20%. Cleaning air filters, keeping cars tuned, and pool commuting. Longer term solutions include plug-in hybrid vehicles, all electric vehicles, allowing air transportation to be the only user of fossil fuels. Gil claims individual transportation should be cars getting 170 miles per gallon.
Attendance:
20 Fitchburg East Rotarians
1 Guest Speaker
Birthdays/Anniversaries: None reported.
Raffle: I should have gotten the winning ticket in continued futile search for the joker.
Desk Schedule:
March 11th - Bob Gallo/Rich Duncan
March 18th - Charlie Bilionis/Brian Donovan
March 25th - Len Vilandry/Carol Schwarzer
Program Schedule :
March 11th - Monthly Board Meeting
March 18th - Seema Williams
March 25th - Herb Pratt