12:15 President Bob got us organized and quiet for the pledge.
Invocation: Marc Glass wants us to be hopeful and helpful. Marc ended with a moment of silence in honor of all Rotarians lost this year, including our own PRIVP Frank Collins
Passing of East Hartford's "Mr. Rotary"
Caring moments: How can we express the loss of Past Rotary International Vice President Frank Collins -- a mentor, a supporter, a friend. His passing yesterday was our club’s first loss to Covid-19. President Bob also mentioned his having a conversation with Art Bradbury, whom we have missed during our Zoom meetings. Send notes of support to Ceil. (Details of funeral arrangements are unavailable at time of publishing.)
President Bob gave a rundown of highlights of last night’s board meeting: Board agreed that we should revive our phone chain. President-elect Sue Klock has agreed to get this going. Once organized, after being alerted by the club president, each board member will be responsible for calling several members of the club.
Charitable donations from members, in lieu of lunch charge ($15) is agreed as a way to build our charitable fund during pandemic. So, how to do that? It’s $15/ meeting, sent via check to our treasurer, George Schoen, 53 Duxbury Lane, Glastonbury, CT 06033. Perhaps, this month, send this along with your club dues ($115/half year) to the same address. Just remember, one check is for our charitable fund, made out to East Hartford Rotary Charitable Fund, the other is for our operating fund, made out to The Rotary Club of East Hartford.
We had a raffle update from Wes Willett. Bottom line, he’ll give us a lesson soon on how to participate.
Foundation Dinner to give recognize East Hartford Rotary
Marc Glass reminded us of the District 7890 Virtual Foundation Dinner the evening of January 20th. We will have no noon meeting that day; the district event will count as our meeting for the week. Each of us received an invitation to attend from Eileen Rau. So, that is one way to register. Another way is to go to the district website (https://www.rotarydistrict7890.org/ ), then click on the link under “Upcoming Events” on upper right side of the homepage to open the registration form. Alternatively, you can get to the registration form directly by using this link: https://www.crsadmin.com/EventPortal/Registrations/PublicFill/EventPublicFill.aspx?evtid=2c9b1dfa-f2b7-436a-bfef-03639e19aa9d
If you have your Clubrunner id and password handy, you can use that to fill in the form, but it’s not required. After registering you will receive the Zoom meeting number and passcode for joining the meeting on the evening of January 20, 2021.
DG Marc Glass assures us we will want to attend, since our club will be recognized in some way during the event. Sorry the above is so lengthy, but it is important that as many of our club who are able register to attend this event.
Speaker: Kevin Vandyke on health insurance
Anwar introduced today’s speaker, Kevin Vandyke, and again, kudos to Anwar for bringing us interesting programs every month. Kevin is a Florida native, who currently lives in St. Augustine, where he belongs to Rotary. Kevin is a CPA by training but, since owning his own fitness facility, he has become increasingly concerned about health and health costs.
Kevin believes that unless our health insurance and health providers listen to new ideas about healthy lifestyle changes, health care costs will continue to spiral up. Kevin focused on preventing what are now prevalent health challenges and diseases via exercise, nutrition and lifestyle choices.
Be sure to tune in to our club meeting next week, January 13th. Dr. Todd "Bowtie" Jenkins will speak on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
