Fines:
- Nancy was happy to see David Cole made the front page of the Addy Indy
- Mike thanked everyone for their help with the Silent Auction
- T-tall was happy to finally host the rehearsal dinner for his son who got married
- Heather was happy to have her daughter back at the house to visit
- David thanked Mike for all of his work with the Auction
- Maureen congratulated Rebecca and Sylvie on their wedding and is happy Sylvie finally has a easy last name to pronounce (Morrison)
- Spence can't believe someone bid money on him and Gary to help with the garden (the winner will have a helper and a supervisor)
- Bill was happy to announce his class received a donation for their reunion
- Eric congratulated the newlyweds and highlighted the Middlebury High School Tigers for going to the semifinals
- Liz S gave a shout out to the JV Football team who only had 1 loss and thanked the coaches for all their work. Sports is great for kids
- Liz M echoed sports and that Sem (exchange student) was able to find a home away from home through Soccer
- Rebecca thanked David for his help with the website and for everyone who went to Tom Hanley's retirement party
- T-tall gave a shout out to Tom Hanley and was excited to hear some fun stories from back in the day
- Sylvie was thankful for a wonderful wedding and honeymoon in Italy, and thanked Spence for his help with minutes while she was out
Membership Breakfast Overview:
Paul welcomed everyone and thanked Rotarians for bringing guests. He invited a few folks to talk about highlights from Rotary.
First Maureen talked about the CACO Grants (Charitable Assessment Committee). Every year there is about $45,000 to give back to the community through grants and the average grant size is about $4,000. This helps provide support to local non-profits support the community and then the grants are presented at the GALA Dinner.
Then Jason L talked about Services Projects including painting the bandstand, Lindale Park, Kissing Gates, etc. These projects are all started through Rotarians who have projects of interest or organizations reaching out and asking for help.
Eric talked about the Rotary Foundation is the fundraising entity for Rotary. 91% of funds go back into programs, projects, and awards to support the communities. Additionally, about $4 billion has been donated over the past years to address health, education, poverty, and peace. Another big effort through the foundation is the Polio Awareness.
Kati then talked about why she became part of Rotary and her interested in volunteering. She graduated Castleton University in 2021 and became a Middlebury Rotarian in 2023. Previously her grandfather was in the Lion's and involved in the community. Then, once Jason L (Kati's dad) joined Rotary, she started going to breakfast and got involved, and realize this was a great place to give back to the community that raised her. Since her exposure to Rotary, Kati has helped with Merry Mulch, The HOPE Mobile Food Project, Lindale Park, and more.
Later, Liz M talked about her experience in coordinating the Youth Exchange Program. She gave a shout out to Buzz who was the previous coordinator who stepped back to be a host family. Liz highlighted the orientation she attended with Sem and is motivated to get more exchange students in this district.
Last, but not least, Geoff talked about Food Services projects and specifically the District Grant that supported the HOPE Mobile Food Shelf. The District Grant is a matching grant between the RI & District and the local Rotary Club. Middlebury this year partnered with HOPE to support a Mobile Food Shelf in the most remote locations in Addison County.
In closing, Paul thanked everyone for their help in describing Rotary and welcomed Stephen (France Rotary Club) to pick a cow tag. Stephen mentioned that he is actually from Germany and moved to France for a job as a physicist and started the small French/English Speaking Club in a small town in France. He presented the club with his Rotary Club Flag.
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