Welcome to another issue of our monthly club bulletin!
Find out about our upcoming speakers,
read about our events and service projects,
learn how YOU can become involved!
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President's Message
Lucy Hurston
The year 2020 will forever be remembered for the panic and fear of the COVID-19 global pandemic. It is petrifying to those of us who never encountered a public health event of this magnitude in another time in history or in another country.
We have done our part (and continue to do our part) as Rotarians to put service above self. Our club has done great works! Providing meals for those on the front lines and assisting community partners like Second Congregational Church are just a few examples. The upcoming Rotary in Motion event and the dedication of the Rotary Pavilion (both on Oct. 3, 2020) help demonstrate to the community our commitment to 'building goodwill and better friendships'. Famous others have noted the impact of Rotary's work as an international organization and have joined in, as in Bill Gates's support of our mission to eradicate polio. Even though this video is from May 31, 2019, it is still very pertinent, and I implore you not only to view this brief 22 minute video, but then to share it far and wide: (*1)
In our personal lives each of us may embrace elements of the Rotary 4-Way Test by putting those concepts into action. I have worked for years on the issue of food insecurity. As the Director of the Bloomfield Community Kitchen at First Congregational Church in Bloomfield (currently along with only 5 wonderful volunteers) we prepare and serve upwards of 200 to-go meals each Saturday and send each of our guests home with a full grocery bag of items. Food is Life!
One may come to appreciate the magnitude of these three words after having received the gift of food--as I once did in my earlier life. Yes, as the statistics say, at least once in your lifetime you will be “down on your luck” and need assistance. My downtrodden time came after a divorce many years ago and I had to find a way to feed my two children. It was a short but rough road for me which my sons never knew about until they were grown men. I will never forget that experience and the kindhearted people who came to my aid, and I have chosen to pay it forward ever since. Experiences such as this can build great volunteers, and I firmly believe it is what made Rotary so very appealing to me. It has been my pleasure to share this life tale with you to help you better understand my passion and direction in life.
In fellowship and peace,
Lucy
(*1) Video links may not function correctly in bulletin format. Should you experience difficulty, please navigate to President's Message at manchesterctrotary.org to view the referenced video clip.
Staying Sane During the Covid-19 Pandemic and Other Stressful Times
Mary Berge is a frequent speaker and trainer around the Rotary world. As a practicing clinical psychologist, she has a vast knowledge of human behavior, emotions and, coping; which is why we’ve asked her to speak on the topic of Staying Sane During the Covid-19 Pandemic and Other Stressful Times.
Dr. Mary Berge, a member of the Rotary Club of Johnstown and a licensed clinical psychologist, was first introduced to Rotary in 2002 when she served as a Group Study Exchange team member to Sweden. She has since served as District Governor (2008-2009), Zone 29 Rotary Coordinator, Training Leader at the International Assembly in 2019 and 2020 and she has been selected to serve as a President’s Representative on four occasions. She is a frequent speaker and trainer around the Rotary world including having spoken at the 2013 Rotary International Convention in Portugal and at the Women in Rotary Conference in Romania.
"Polio or poliomyelitis was once the epidemic that killed or paralyzed young people in the 1950’s. Since Dr. Jonas Salk discovered the early polio vaccine, we no longer have to fear this once common disease," noted Dr. Wick Wickersham of Manchester. Dr. Wickersham serves as a member of the Manchester Rotary Club and personally travelled to India in 2012 to administer polio vaccinations on behalf of Rotary International.
Rotary International and local Rotary clubs have been involved in worldwide polio immunization efforts since 1979. Rotary has been successful to the point that, until recently, only three countries in the world had unchecked disease: Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan. On August 25 the World Health Organization announced that wild polio virus transmission has officially been stopped in all 47 African countries. Polio remains endemic in Pakistan and Afghanistan
October 24th is designated as World Polio Day in remembrance of this once common epidemic. Please click HEREor contact Dr. Wick Wickersham via email atrotarymanchesterct@gmail.comto learn how you can help!
The fight against polio is just one of the many programs supported by Rotarians. Rotary Club members are business people, educators, clergy, doctors, lawyers and others from all walks of life, various ages and represent the ethnic and religious culture of our communities. Check our the Manchester Rotary Club’s Facebook page for more detailed information.
Dr. Wick Wickersham administering the poli0 vaccine in India, 2012
John Nanni, Rotary District 7630. PolioPlus Chair, will be our club's guest speaker on Tuesday, October 20.
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UPCOMING REGIONAL EVENTS:
ROTARY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
OFFERS ONLINE TRAINING
If you are a 'BIG PICTURE' person and want to expand your Rotary knowledge and experience beyond the local club, RLI training may be for you! The next Northeast America RLI online training session will be offered on Saturday, October 24 from 9 am to 2 pm. Click the link for FAQs and registration information. For questions or specific information, contact Cathy Fogel or Lucy Hurston atrotarymanchesterct@gmail.com.
Manchester Rotary Ramblers Raise over $1000 in Foodshare Walk Against Hunger
Geoff and Joan Naab at the Rotary Pavilion--the halfway point of our group team walk.
Manchester Rotary Ramblers walked together in Manchester on Friday, 9/18
Manchester Rotary Club proudly supported FoodShare’s 37th Annual Food Share Walk Against Hunger during the week of September 13-19. The newly formed Manchester Rotary Ramblers raised $1050 to combat food insecurity in our community. Many thanks to our team captain, Ritu Goel, for organizing, to our team members who walked and to all who donated generously to this worthy cause!
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Community Outreach Opportunity
Members Bob Rodner and Geoff Naab represented Manchester Rotary a recent meeting of Manchester Community Services Council. Manchester's Director of Human Services, Joel Cox, presented an update on the town's response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Virtual QPR (Question, Persuade and Refer) Suicide Prevention training sessions will be offered monthly through December in response to the mental health pressures created by the pandemic. Information and the training schedule is presented above. Please contact Bob or Geoff if you'd like to learn more!
Youth Exchange students often say their experience abroad was the best time of their lives. Being part of the program can be life-changing for Rotary members as well
