Rotary Log: August 30, 2012 (YMCA)

I am not happy. I know that that is probably not a good way to start off a Rotary Log, but what kind Rotary spirit does it show when a fellow Rotarian invites you to ride to the meeting with them and then tells you "whoops, I have to stay for a meeting. Can you find your own ride back to the office?" Fortunately, a good Rotarian (and immediate past president), gave me a ride to my office with five big guys jammed in his sedan. As with all things Rotary, it all worked out well in the end. I suppose the bright side is that they only charged me $10 for the ride back to my office. 

Lots and lots of guests today, including one from Florida! If you are from Florida, this is a good place to be this time of year! Finemaster Butch was on today with rapid-fire fines. Former Chief Lou was fined five dollars for his Hawaiian shirt and no badge; new chief, Stephen Dubois, was fined and the Finemaster reminded everybody in the room that the new Chief may have a long memory and it might behoove someone else to pay his fine (which was promptly paid by one of our members who shall go unnamed); a bunch of guys who were supposed to go on a boat ride with Ted Alex were fined for not showing up; one of our new members who had bragged, at his induction, that his old club had fined as much as $75, was fined $75, (but the Finemaster waived $73 of that $75); the Finemaster fined all the other bald guys for competing with him on lack-of-hair styles. Lots of money raised and lots of laughs. The Finemaster, who hasn't been that funny lately, nailed it today! (this comment is designed to see if anybody but me reads this log). 

We had the pleasure of two new members joining our Club today: 

Stephen Dubois was nominated by former police Chief Bill Mortimer. Stephen began his police career as an auxiliary policeman in 1991. From there he went full-time, became a detective, then detective Sgt., then Deputy Chief and has now been appointed as Chief. Stephen lives in Portsmouth with his wife and his 10 and 12-year-old daughters. Welcome Stephen! 

Cynthia Shanley was our second new member Inducted today. Cyndi has lived in the Seacoast for 35 years and has either worked for or been on the boards of a variety of nonprofit organizations. As a result, she knows about Rotary and all the things that Rotary accomplishes. Cyndi is glad, now, to be able to contribute to the work of Rotary itself. Cyndi lives in Portsmouth with her husband Joe and is the Marketing Director for the Mark Wentworth Home. 

Important announcement:  This Sunday, September 16, is the 21^st Annual Challenger’s Cup Regatta and Rotary’s been there from the beginning.  If you have a power or sail boat 16ft or more please contact Jesse at 603-436-6111 or www.oneskyservices.org.  We need volunteers to help cook and prep food, call Stanford Cross 603-231-2799.

We had a variety of Happy Dollars today and the room erupted in laughter when Rev. Allen stood up with his Happy Dollar and said that “the explanation is too tedious, so we’ll end on that".  

The Program 

Today's program was an update on all the changes at the YMCA over the last year. The formerly-autonomous YMCAs have banded together to create a regional YMCA with multiple branches and hopefully more powerful fundraising and less overhead expense. Bobbi Lynn is the “Branch Manager" of the Seacoast YMCA which is part of the larger Manchester, Rochester, Londonderry and other Y’s. Locally, the Seacoast Y has an expanded wellness center with all new exercise equipment, a new fitness room and a remodeled pool.

Nationally, the YMCA has gone through a re-branding. The new motto is to “be a force for positive change in our communities". The focus is on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Membership in any y gives you reciprocity nationwide. You can still direct givfts to the local Y and the Seacoast has a “Board of Advisory”. Their hours of operation are 5:30am to 9pm.

Walter’s table won the 50/50 raffle, but there was no match and the pot is now $1375!