The Rotary Club of Trumbull

Club No. 6755, District 7980, Region 1

Attendance: Ray Baldwin, James Bardon, Greg Bivona, Jayne Bolton, Bev Cambras, Barry Diamond, Len Germano, Tom Heaney, Thelma Hoyt, Philip Lane, Jim Lang, Ron Lesko, Dana Lonergan, Steven Lupien,  John Makar, Ian McMillan, Ted Merritt, Frank Metrusky, Jack Quinlan, Mike Rappa, Michael Redgate, Ray Rzasa, Dick Stein, Dick Stutz, Steve Taylor, George Voynick

Guests: District Governor John Annick; Tricia Brown, executive director of TLC (Trumbull Loves Children); Paul Edwards from the Milford club, and Len Rogers.

Happy/sad dollars:  suspended for today due to an extra  lengthy business meeting.

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     Jack Quinlan opened the meeting with the Invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Our song this morning was He's Got the Whole World in His Hands.

Club Installs Four New Members

     President-elect Michael Redgate introduced Membership Chair Mike Rappa, who  presided over the installation of four new members. District Governor John Annick also participated in the initiation.

     President Ted Merritt said, "It's been a pleasure to watch this club function." When someone takes a responsibility, Ted said, he digs in and does it. He exhorted us to do the best we can in the spirit of the Trumbull club, for the nation and the world. "The spirit of this club is strong," he said. "We now have 70 members, with 14 new members this year. It's the hottest and the best club in the world."

      Ray Baldwin gave much credit to Phil Lane, who chaired the Scholarship Breakfast in January. Attendees filled an entire ballroom and drew Attorney General Richard Blumenthal

as principal speaker. The Breakfast galvanized a tremendous spirit among our members, and ignited a firestorm of enthusiasm for our work. It brought us four new members just this

month. This will prove us strong in people power for the work we do in trying to make the

world a better place to live.

Dist. Gov. tells new members: "go out and visit other clubs in the U.S. and abroad"

     Addressing the new members, Governor Annick said, "You're joining a group of business people devoted to the service of others." He advised the new members, "Take the opportunity to

visit other clubs, not only in the U.S. but abroad. The Rotary pin is a  sign that says, 'I want to

help others less fortunate than I am.'"

     New members Carl Carlson, Adam Chambers, Bill Dunn and Timothy Rivers were introduced.

     Ted Merritt said, "Bill Dunn has lots of energy, courage and a great big heart, and he's a fellow marathoner." Bill is former CFO of Pirelli Tire. He is Trumbull town treasurer, a former school board member, and currently a financial consultant. He and his wife Carole have been married 31 years and have three adult children, the youngest of whom is Bill, who works at the Pentagon in naval intelligence. Bill Sr. told of how his son was nearly killed on 9/11 when

terrorists deliberately crashed an airplane into the naval intelligence area of the Pentagon. The

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only reason his son was not killed was that he happened to have been called into a meeting away from where his colleagues were killed. "I'm giving back because God was so generous to us," said Bill. "I look forrward to working with you."

     Len Germano introduced Carl Carlson, saying that Carl was inspired to become a member of  Rotary after attending our  Scholarship Breakfast. Carl and his wife have four children. He spent 25 years as a  manufacturing engineer at DuPont. Recently, Carl had a triple bi-pass heart operation after suffering a heart attack, "I'm pleased to become a Trumbull Rotarian," he said.

    Tim Rivers is vice-president of AFB Construction Management of Trumbull, Inc. He pitched in wholeheartedly at Winterfest when the pitching machine at Tom Galla's baseball pitching game suffered a failure at the eleventh hour, when the kids were all having a grand time with the  game. Tim pitched to the kids for hours. He grew up in Massachusetts, where his parents are both career educators. He moved to Trumbull last year. The Scholarship Breakfast was the event that precipitated his interest in joining Trumbull Rotary. "I'm honored to be inducted," Tim said.

     Adam Chambers lives in Startford and is an Edward Jones Investment representative specializing in fixed income and securities. He's originally from Hamden. He has a two-year old

son and a baby due in May. Scouting for future Trumbull Little League players (Tom Galla listen up), Adam says that his two-year old son is reportedly batting 350 after training on a T-ball machine he got for Christmas. Adam is excited to be a  new member, and his wife is happy too,

declaring that "He looks great in that  orange Rotary baseball cap!"

     Welcome to our new members! We look forward to your help in furthering Rotary work and

to good fellowship in everything we do!!!

Reminder to all new and veteran club members,

     It's a tradition in the club to approach new members and ask to autograph their directories on the page where your photo and information appears. This is way of introducing yourself to them, and for them to remember you. Members who don't sign all new directories within four meetings

are subject to fines (reeeeeelly big bucks.)

     Mike Rappa, who  introduced himself as our former Winterfest chair [recruits please sign here], invited all members and especially new members to attend the District 7980 Conference in

Albany from May 2-5. You can go for one day or all four days. There will be lots of fun things

for spouses to do, and extended free time for members is built into the schedule. Among the

attractions are: visits to Howe Cavern, Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame, and the Albany

Institute of History & Art, a national treasure older than the Louvre, the Smithsonian and

the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The cost per day including most meals, entertainment,  programs, fun and fellowship is just $198 for two or $146 for one for the weekend package. Contact Conference Registrar Sara McCann at(203)268-9287 or email  <DistConf2002@aol.com>

     At the District Conference, the gavel will be passed and our own former president

Jim Lang will take the helm as District Governor.

New Members, Hear This!

     All members are invited to attend the club's monthly Board meetings on the first Wednesday of each month at 7 PM at the Marriott. Attendance at a Board meeting is credited as a meeting attendance. So does working at any club event, and of course doing a "make-up" at an out-of-town club meeting: CLUBS MEETING IN THE LOCAL AREA are as follows:

Fairfield                        Mon., 12:15 PM            Gaelic-American Club

Bridgeport                     Tues., 12:15 PM            Holiday Inn

Bridgeport Sunrise         Wed., 7:30 AM             Holiday Inn

Monroe                         Thurs., 7:15 AM            Clearwaters Restaurant

Orange                         Fri., 12:15 PM               Racebrook Country Club

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Program: The Clinic Project

Speaker Len Rogers, Milford Rotary

     The Clinic Project is a  joint humanitarian project of the Rotary Clubs of Milford and Devon

in partnership with  the  Rotary Club of Tanjay  in the Phillipines, under the auspicves of the

Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. The clubs want to rebuild a  delapidated clinic which serves an impoverished rural population in the village of Tan-hi city on the island of Negro s.

     Negros is a place of unpaved roads and primitive  sanitation. Emergency medical care is not

available. The closest hospital is quite distant, and terrorist activities are not far away. Many

people have died when basic medical services might have saved their lives.

     "It would take so little for us to make significant changes there," said Rogers. "The Tanjay

Rotary Club will coordinate and supervise purchase of materials, and also help with construction.

We hope to get an intern to live in the village for a time."

The Link:

     Dr. Vincente Batiancila, a surgeon and former chief of staff at Milford Hospital, was born and

raised in Tanjay. He trained in New Haven, and now makes his home in Milford. For 14 years, he

has returned to Tanjay each year, providing medical and surgical services for the poor of the area.

 A relationship was begun with the Tanjay Rotary club.

The Project:

     There are no local or government funds available. The Milford and Devon Rotary clubs are

soliciting our club's support in providing funds needed to renovate the present medical facility

in Tanjay, creating an emergency room with an ambulance. A matching grant from the Rotary

Foundation could double the financial results.         

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ROTARY CLUB of TRUMBULL

Officers and Committee Chairs

President                      Ted Merritt

President-elect              Michael Redgate

Vice President              Mike Rappa

Secretary                      Bill Zeidenberg

Treasurer                      Beverly Cambras

Sergeant-at-Arms         Ray Rzasa

Public Relations            Thelma Hoyt

Programs                      Lynn Fontana, Dave Wilson

Club Service Chairs                  Tom Heaney, Dale Seymour

Vocational Service Chairs         Barry S. Diamond, John Rosati

Community Service Chairs        George Voynick, Bill Zeidenberg

International Service Chairs       Thelma Hoyt, Philip Lane

Respectfully Submitted,

Thelma Hoyt, Guest Editor