Members(11): Sue B, Marty, Deb, Alan, Bob F. , Ed G., Ed M., Jeff, Ashley, Sue, Mike, John
Guests: Mary Springer
ANNOUNCEMENTS
• The Changing of the Gavel will take place on July 9th from 5:30-7 PM at Vermont Vines in Rockingham. Check your emails for the invitation,
• The 69th Annual District Changing of the Gavel is Saturday, June 27, 2026 at 12 Noon. The cost is $25. Register by June 20, 2026, space is limited!
• We are hoping to release butterflies at the Aug. 28 Comtu concert. Details are forthcoming.
• Club's annual summer food back pack project will begin the first week in July.
• Dues invoices have been emailed. If you did not get yours, contact Marty.
• If are interested in becoming a sponsor of the club's website, contact Marty.
• The June Rotary District 7870 newsletter has been posted.
TREX PLASTIC CHALLENGE UPDATE
To date, 15,315 pounds of plastic film (over 7.5 tons!) have been removed from the waste stream since we started this project in February of 2023, delivered to Shaw’s Supermarket, and heading to Trex Company for recycling.
Please continue to bring your plastic film to the Springfield Town Library.
NOTE: We need volunteers to help sort the plastic at the Library. For more info, contact Alan.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
June 23, 2026
TBA
June 30, 2026
No Regular Club Meeting
July 7, 2026
No Regular Club Meeting
July 9, 2026
Changing of the Gavel
NOTE: Programs are updated on the club website.
SERVICE ABOVE SELF
President Sue welcomed all to the June 16, 2026 club meeting held at the tSpringfield Area Parent Child Training Center. For the thought of the day, she offered this quote attributed to Lily Tomlin: "I always wondered why somebody doesn't do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody."
BOWL OF LIFE: (members put three things about themselves on paper and place into a bowl and then we try to identify the member).
"Avid fan of the Red Sox, Celtics, and Patriots."- Ed McQuaide
HAPPY EVENTS:
Sue: Trisha Paradis is the new executive director of Senior Solutions
Sue: Son's wedding proposed at Niagara Falls was accepted.
Sue: Next to last meeting as president
Jeff: Mary Springer
Jeff: Mike Schmitt
Jeff: Mike taming Jeff's lilac bush
Jeff: His son Jim was made an equity partner of his firm
Ashley: Quinn graduated 6th grade and was named community person of the year
Bob: Eugene Guy
Mike: Chamber is in the black
Ed G: Granddaughter graduation kindergarten as "Student of the Year"
Marty: The International Service Project at the District conference was a success with close to 400 packages being assembled, over $5500 being donated, and 12 clubs participating.
Marty: Co-editing with Maureen Mooney his last district newsletter after 9 years.
RAFFLE
The weekly prize of $14 was won by Ashley. The big raffle grows to $259 and only 8 cards left.
PROGRAM:
Susan Burnett shared the inspiring story of how a friendship formed more than 20 years ago grew into a series of Rotary projects that are transforming lives in Kenya's Isiolo region.
Burnett highlighted the work of the Bethlehem Morning Star Rotary Club's Women in Action group, whose efforts began when bead artist Wendy Ellsworth traveled to Kenya with a $5,000 grant and befriended a local woman named Nakaochum. Their friendship endured through the years, and Nakaochum later named her daughter Wendy in honor of her American friend.
When Nakaochum lost her home in a fire in 2020, Bethlehem Rotarians Ray and Donna Holton helped organize support. As they learned more about the community's challenges, Rotarians saw an opportunity to create a broader impact through Rotary Foundation grants and partnerships.
A community assessment in Isiolo revealed significant healthcare needs and helped lead to the formation of a new Rotary Club in the region. In 2022, a team that included Past District Governor Janet Kolepp, Holly Sachdev, and Wendy Ellsworth traveled to Kenya to meet with community members and identify priorities.
Their efforts resulted in an $85,000 Rotary Foundation Global Grant to improve maternal and child healthcare at the Ngaremara Health Dispensary. The project includes solar power, computerized medical records, new latrines, and an electric fence to keep wildlife away from the facility.
The team also supported local schools by purchasing desks and painting blackboards, while the Hope Center Orphanage received a large water storage tank and food supplies.
Burnett shared several powerful examples of Rotary's impact. "Little Wendy" is now attending a private Catholic boarding school thanks to Rotary support. Her younger sister, Christine, was rescued from a child marriage at age 14 through Rotary connections and is now pursuing her education.
Another project grew from a chance introduction to a school in need of major repairs. Rotarians funded improvements including a new roof, electrical upgrades, solar power, foundations, windows, tile floors, and exterior painting, creating a safer and more welcoming learning environment for students.
Burnett noted that the work continues through the dedication of the Bethlehem Morning Star Women in Action group, which regularly seeks Rotary Foundation grants and other funding opportunities to address healthcare, education, and economic needs identified by local residents and Rotary partners in Isiolo.
What began as a friendship between two women has evolved into an ongoing international partnership that demonstrates Rotary's ability to create lasting, sustainable change.
The presentation offered Springfield Rotarians a compelling example of how personal relationships, local leadership, and Rotary's global network can come together to improve lives around the world.
This bulletin attempts to give a gist of the meeting. However, it is always better to attend. If you have any complaints about the contents of this bulletin...
