Portsmouth Rotary Log for February 8, 2018
by Lindsey Hery
Portsmouth Rotarians joined together for food and fellowship on a sunny and cold February day. Our greeter, Ramona Dow, smilingly reminded all to donate peanut butter. Ted Alex delivered the invocation and Al Lantinen led us in America. President Ben welcomed our many visiting Rotarians and guests, including several new potential members.
There are many Rotarians celebrating anniversaries this month. They include Karen Kindle and Stephen Zadravec, one year; Dennis Moulton, five years; Bob David, 10 Years; John Pappas, 12 years; Bill Hurley and Sara Treacy, 15 years; Patricia Hersey, 16 years; Eric Weinrieb, 21 years; Janice Wood, 22 years, Butch Ricci, Jr., 32 years and Dick Yeaton, 43 years.
Portsmouth Rotary Bangladesh Rotaplast Fundraising Update.
Ben updated the club on the fundraising efforts for the Portsmouth Bangladesh Rotaplast Trip. At this point, we have raised $86,000 of our $96,000 goal. Thank you very much to the Labrie family for their generous donation and for hosting our recent event. Following the fundraising event at the Atlantic Grill, many Portsmouth Rotarians and their guests donated generously to the project.
Those who have donated in excess of $1,000 include: Ted Alex, Aileen Dugan, Justin Finn, Frank Firicano, Leo Gagnon, Jay Gibson, Larry Gray, Bob Harold, Dan Hoefle, Dennis Moulton, Nancy Notis, Neal Ouellett, John & Mary Pappas, Jim Rini, Matthew St. Pierre, Mort Schmidt, Brenda Shanley, Dave Underhill, Rick Wallis and Ben Wheeler.
If you were unable to attend the event at the Atlantic Grill, you may also donate on our website here. Funds from this Year’s Rotary Golf Tournament will be donated to the Rotaplast project. This year’s tournament has been renamed Portsmouth Rotary Club Rotaplast Golf Tournament in honor of James Labrie.
Attendance Announcement
Tony Delyani reminded the club of the attendance requirements. A few important reminders are listed below:
- Attendance is examined for two six-month periods during the year: January 1-June 30 and July 1-December 31.
- Members are required to attend in person 30% of the Club’s Thursday meetings held during that period.
- With make ups and meetings included, members must have a 50% attendance rate for that period.
- If a member fails to meet either requirement during the following six-month period, there is a consequence. He or she will receive a letter informing him or her that he or she is no longer eligible for club membership. A disqualified member may apply for reinstatement three months after disqualification.
- Make-ups can be credited to any missed meeting within two weeks before or two weeks after the make-up event. The only exception is Christmas tree sales. If you need to submit a make up for a missed meeting, you may send all make up requests to Portsmouthrotary@yahoo.com.
- The Club grants exempt (formerly known as “senior active”) status to any member whose aggregate age and years of Rotary service (including in other clubs) is at least 85. That status exempts a member only from Club attendance requirements. It does not exempt a member from any other Club obligations, including the obligations to sell Christmas trees and paying annual dues.
The 50/50 Raffle
Congratulations to Leo St. Martin on his $51 prize. Every week, Saint purchases one ticket and today, he was the winner! The bonus was $125, but his ticket was not a match.
The program
Dave Holden introduced our speakers Sarah Palermo and attorney Jack Sanders from New Hampshire Legal Aid. Jack is a Portsmouth resident who serves as an advocate and a board member for legal aid. Sarah Palermo is the Campaign Director for Legal Aid. She serves to raise awareness and gather support for the organization.
When people are arrested for crimes, it is their right to have legal counsel regardless of ability to pay. New Hampshire Legal Aid helps low-income New Hampshire citizens find free legal help. They offer information, advice, legal representation and/or referrals to the right help source.
Legal Aid is also a resource for Granite Staters not accused of a crime, but needing free or subsidized legal support. Legal Aid has advocates that help clients fill out legal documents and assist representing them in a court of law. The organization is made up of several agencies. These offices are dedicated to providing equal access to justice for all New Hampshire citizens.
Due to technical difficulties, Sarah was unable to share a video with us. Instead, she recalled the clients who were pictured in that video. One client utilized Legal Aid’s services to assist she and her husband in a battle with their employer and landlord. With the help of Legal Aid, they were able to win their suit and receive financial assistance.
In another story, a woman utilized Legal Aid for advice when deciding to leave her abusive husband. She was able to file for divorce, negotiate protective status for her family, and plan for future communications. If you would like to view the video, you can find it online here.
Respectfully submitted, Lindsey Hery
