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Top of the Week March 31, 2020
 
Top of the Week!
March 31, 2020

Virtual Meetings Are the New Normal (at least for now)
 
Please join Rotary's Weekly Fellowship Meeting by ZOOM on your Computer with or without video OR join by mobile or home phone.  
 
 SEVEN (7) ROTARY ZOOM MEETING RULES:
 
1. Join on Mute and stay on Mute until you need to ask a question.
 
2.  Stay on MUTE for the National Anthem - except for the person called on to sing (no pressure).
 
3. Leave all stupid jokes to Leo and Jon - they've proven their adeptness to this task.
 
4.  Register a VENMO account. The Rotary Fine Master WILL be making an appearance.  No VENMO, No Problem, fines will be doubled for non-VENMO offenders.
 
5.  Keep the CHAT civilized.  Anything you say is recorded and stored for history... if you wouldn't publish it in a Newspaper, don't publish it in the Chat window.
 
6.  ENJOY and have FUN.  Rotary is all about Fellowship.  We're rapidly isolating to a point that some among us will need our fellowship for a strong boost of morale.
 
7. People have embarrassed themselves mightily on Zoom conferences since self-isolation started.  Google search "ZOOM Video mistakes" to learn from the mistakes of others. 
 
 
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/446438035
 
Meeting ID: 446 438 035
 
One tap mobile: +16465588656,,446438035# US (New York)  
 
 
Keep Up to Date on the COVID-19 Pandemic
 
For up to date information and available resources in New Hampshire visit the State's web page:
 
 
 
Portsmouth 100 Ramping Up
 
Less than three years to our club’s 100th Anniversary and the Committee is ramping up.  Click the link below for more information about this exciting event.
 
 
 
 
Helping Cross Roads House in These Trying Times
 
Some of the ways you can still help at Crossroads:
 
• Meal Preparation - Prepare food in your home and drop it off at the shelter. This includes both dinner entrees and bagged lunches. Whether we provide the ingredients and pans, or you do, this will help us to continue serving residents three meals a day when volunteers are unable to come into the shelter. Please contact our volunteer coordinator, Kristina Siegenthaler, at k.siegenthaler@crossroadshouse.org,  or 603.436.2218 ext. 107, for more information.
 
• Donations of Food and Supplies - Donations of food items and supplies from our “Wish List” are greatly appreciated at this time. You can view our “Wish List” online at www.crossroadshouse.org/donations/wish-list. Donations can be dropped off at the shelter at any time, or you can shop our Amazon.com Wish List (http://a.co/gOnxxkK) from the comfort of your home and have items delivered to the shelter.
 
• Monetary Support - Our annual “Benefit by the Sea” fundraiser has been posted to August 29, 2020. This event provides funding for nearly 30% of our shelter operating budget. Now more than ever we need your help to ensure we can continue serving some of our most vulnerable neighbors. If you are able, click the link below to make a donation today. The gift you give today will make a tremendous difference for the families and individuals who rely on Cross Roads House to make it through this difficult period.
 
 
Rotary Dinner Service the Salvation Army
 
At this time, dinner service at the Salvation Army is ongoing as takeout only, but someone needs to prep and package the food!  Rotary dinner services at the Salvation Army is a great way to support the community and enjoy some fellowship outside of our regular meetings.
 
If you want get in on the fun (while maintaining appropriate social distancing), contact Sara Treacy at 603-661-8588.
 
Volunteers are asked to be at the kitchen at 4:15 to prepare for the dinner service.
 
 
She has moved away but you can still Make Peg’s Day!
 
Dear Fellow Rotarians:
 
Especially in these challenging times, it is time to up our communications game.
 
Our dear Peg Millar has moved (at least temporarily) to be closer to her son, but would still like to keep in touch with all of her Rotary friends.  Peg would love to receive cards or other correspondence.  Her address is:  Peg Millar, Harbor Chase, 4150 Indian River Blvd Vero Beach, FL 32967.
 
Thank you from Rotary Connections Committee
 
 
 
Rotary Connections is back!!!
 
Now more than ever Rotary Connections let’s our members know that their Rotary club is thinking of them.  Members facing a health issue, death in the family or a life celebration, we are here!  
 
If you know of any of our members who may need a Rotary Connection, please reach out to the Cathy Nickerson.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Read more...
District Corner
DISTRICT CORNER
 
A message from our District Governor:
 
Today’s topics.
  • Social distancing continues
  • Opportunities for Rotary to help
  • Are you connecting?
  • Please share what you are doing
  • Online meeting security
All – this email is part of a series of emails that I routinely send to club presidents.  In consideration of these challenging times, this email is being sent to all members of our District.
 
  1. I’m so impressed with Doctor Anthony Fauci and Doctor Deborah Birx.  They communicate so clearly, so well – even I can almost understand what’s going on.   Bless them for their service in these trying times.

    This weekend’s takeaway – social distancing is going to continue for at least four more weeks.  And…, probably longer.
  1. There are opportunities to assist others in our communities in almost every direction we look.  Obvious primary needs include manpower and funds.  But we Rotarians also have in our tool kits our leadership skills, our extensive contacts throughout our communities, and our organizational, and our communication skills. 

    Your first priority is always to your own health and to the health and well being of your immediate families. But, as you safely can, please pay attention to and look out for the well being of others in your sphere of influence.
  1. Is your club connecting with each other?  Are you holding on-line meetings and on-line socials?  Reaching out to those members who are older and less computer savvy, by phone, or by …?  This is not the time for a club to go dark; this is the time to ramp up our communication, our connection, and our concern for each other! 

    We are family!  Text each other; email each other; make daily phone calls to our less tech savvy members; identify who is in need;  determine the best way to help.  Sometimes the daily chat is what is needed.  But, very important – sometimes the daily chat will divulge things like, “well, we didn’t want to bother anyone, but, actually we…”
    and, yes!, score!, we just identified someone in our family in need.
     
    Those who are most vulnerable, our elderly and our immunocompromised, may be feeling isolated and perhaps even fearful. Typically, most of them will not reach out to you first. We need to all be assertive and reach out to them.
  1. Please share what you are doing to help, both as an individual and as a club, on our Rotary District 7780 Group. Please like and join our group, and visit it often.

    Fyi:  I have recently learned that we have a District Facebook “Page”, that does not accept posts from anyone but the page creator.

    But, we also have a District Facebook “Group”, on which we can all post.
    So, please post on our Rotary District 7780 Group.

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/478648422335072/
  1. On-line meeting security. 
    Please be aware that some publicly advertised on-line meetings (primarily big churches) have had their meetings “ZoomBombed” by uninvited guests taking over their meetings with unwelcome images and videos, e.g. political violence or pornography. If this happens to you, the only solution is to immediately terminate your meeting.

    So, please do not publicly advertise your online meeting details.
    Additional info on on-line meeting security:

    https://techcrunch.com/2020/03/17/zoombombing/
 
Rotary: where we embrace yesterday’s traditions, today’s mission, and, tomorrow’s hope!
 
Elbow bumps (from six feet, lol).
And love for you all.
WE ARE FAMILY!
 
Thank you for being a Rotarian!
Thank you for all you do!!
DG Andy
Rotary Log for March 26, 2020
Portsmouth Rotary Log March 26, 2020
           
Our second Zoom meeting began at 12:15 with President Leo and the Pledge of Allegiance.  Craig Taylor acted as moderator and electronic Sargent-at-Arms.
Though most of us were muted, you could see lips moving in time with Leo.  Judy Ringer favored our computers with a bright and beautiful Star-Spangled Banner.  John Rice gave a thoughtful and inclusive invocation.
 
 
It should be noted that 51 of our members were logged on today. We hope more of you will join this format next Thursday.  Personally, being a Luddite, I found it easy to be involved and will continue electronically despite my shortcomings.  A few reminders and suggestions as you tune in. Be aware of background, especially it happens to be the loo. Also, please engage the mute on your screen until called upon to speak, else we become the Tower of Babel.
 
Leo presented two easy options for service in these hard times.  Crossroads house for one will accept prepared foods for their residents and gratefully receives them at the front door.  
 
An excellent second choice is Gather, which seeks donations of appropriate snack foods for school age children. These goodies could include fruit cups, granola bars, peanut butter crackers and more.  Without school lunch programs, food insecurity is even greater for these students. Leo says the board of directors will consider financial aid to these programs next week.
 
The program moved along. In “Rotary History Mode” a poem from the minutes of the February 18,1968 meeting was read.  Jon Flagg then took up the banner, noting the club’s last meeting at the Rockingham Hotel was March 29, 1973. That was just a few days before that establishment closed. 
 
 
Subsequently, meetings were moved to Yoken’s out on Lafayette Road.   Since our club was founded March 28, 1923, a birthday cake seemed in order and Jon was presented one, candles and all.   Alas, only virtual cake for the rest of us.
 
The Poetry Hoot, under Dave Holden’s direction, then proceeded from classical to home grown.  Sara Treacy and Ben Wheeler produced original work of sweet sentiment and clever wording.  A special treat came from Ben’s daughter, Emma, to the delight of all.  Past president James regaled the cyber crowd with Tom Sawyer’s approach to work.
 
Then David Holden went classical and a bit British on us.  Aileen Dugan proffered Roethke’s “Waking,” beginning with I wake to sleep and take my waking slow. An inspirational poem about Rotary was Jon Flagg’s entry, which we should hear more often.
 
 
Al Lantinen offered Marge Piercy’s “To be of use” with beginning line “The people I Iove best jump into work headfirst.”   Neal Ouellett threw a curve with “The Revenant” where a dog speaks from the grave to his master, “I never liked you, not one bit.”  And John Rice rounded it out with Frost’s “Choose Something Like a Star”.
 
We finished with the 4-Way Test, unmuted.  Look forward to seeing you on the screen next week.
 
Respectfully submitted, Al Lantinen
 
New Members Photos
To see photos of our new members click on the following link:
 
http://portsmouthrotary.org/PhotoAlbums/new-member-photos-welcome
Speakers
Apr 02, 2020
Joke Day!
Apr 09, 2020
Talent Optimization
Apr 16, 2020
Crossroads House
View entire list
Upcoming Events
New Members Orientation
Aileen Dugan State Farm Agency
Apr 07, 2020
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
 
Basic Needs Committee Meeting
Infinite Imaging
Apr 08, 2020 8:00 AM –
Apr 29, 2021 9:00 AM
 
Communications Committee Meeting
Portsmouth Country Club
Apr 09, 2020
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
 
New Members Orientation
Aileen Dugan State Farm Agency
Apr 23, 2020
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
 
Salvation Army Soup Kitchen
Salvation Army
Apr 29, 2020
4:00 PM – 6:15 PM
 
New Members Orientation
Aileen Dugan State Farm Agency
May 08, 2020
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
 
View entire list
Sponsors
Interested in being a sponsor?
Download the website sponsorship guide
Russell Hampton
ClubRunner
ClubRunner Mobile
C. 2020 Rotary Club of Portsmouth, PO Box 905 Portsmouth NH 03801
Email: portsmouthnhrotary@yahoo.com. www.portsmouthrotary.org.
eBulletin Editor: John Rice