2017 10 12

Posted by Matt Gomm on Oct 12, 2017
 

Meeting of the Rotary Club of Goshen, NY

@ Delancey’s Restaurant.

President Jim opened the meeting.

Chris delivered the invocation. This was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Lunch

Today’s meal included macaroni salad, assorted sandwiches, French fries, and assorted desserts.

 
 

Guests & Visitors

 

Prospective member, Doug Haines, joined us, as did Honorary Rotarian, Joe Bayno. Drew Smith and Ken Tschan from Cornerstone Theatre Arts were our guest speakers. And Ted’s guest, Lisa…Welcome all!

 

Meeting Notes

 

 

 

  • President Jimmy alerted the club that we are one director short for next year’s board. Please see him if you are interested in joining.
  • Next Thursday’s meeting (10/19) will be held at Limoncello’s. We will be meeting in the room on the right if you are entering from the front. (the left if you use the back entrance.)
  • Prospective member, Doug, brought us up to speed on Hambletonian preparations. He thanked the club for all of their assistance. There’s room for some more volunteers. If interested. Currently the race has $20,000 in sponsorships. Hambletonian Marathon, Half Marathon & Good Time. (159 Main St. Oct 15   8:00 AM – 2:00 PM)
 

 

Make Ups

  • Following members for attendance at The Scholarship Board Meeting: (09/28)

    • Ron K., Rolly P., Jim O', Harry G., Jack G., & Tom Guarino

  • Ken and Doris had two make-ups: One for a 9/23 District meeting, the second for a 10/10 College of Governors meeting
  • Following members for attendance at The Nominating Committee Meeting (10/05)
    • Jimmy, Rolly, Ken, Doug, Ron, and Harry 

   

50/50

Marty won $20! Couldn’t have gone to a nicer guy!
 
 
 
 

Rotary Minute

 
Mark Thabet, our newest member, spoke on Rotary’s recent educational efforts in Borneo. The Dayak people of Borneo live in multi-family longhouses built of wood and prone to fire. Rotary International has begun reaching out to the Dayak people in an effort to educate them in fire prevention. This project has been ongoing for 5 years. During this time Rotary has reached 120 longhouses spread over 5 subdistricts: Sebauh, Tatau, Segan, Belaga, Murum. Some 10,000 longhouse residents have benefited from this community service project. They learned the causes of fire, ways to prevent fires, fire extinguisher maintenance, fire drills, and how to operate a fire extinguisher. To date Rotary has contributed 1208 units of fire extinguishers.

 

 

Sgt. @ Arms

 

Rob was our Sgt-@-Arms for the afternoon. He began in traditional style fining early-goers and late-comers. (The pinless were spared.)

Etna had a Happy Dollar for being present with us at lunch after having missed some meetings. She had a second Happy Dollar for having met up with a friend she hadn’t seen for decades.

Marty had a Happy Dollar that he’d be visiting Sammy and Mabel (who???). He had a Sad Dollar because he wouldn’t be running in this weekend’s marathon. He had a second Sad Dollar that—even if he were in town—he’d STILL be unable to run in this weekend’s marathon! He had a third Sad Dollar for not seeing prospective Rotarian, Lisa, at lunch with us, and wondered aloud at who might’ve scared her away. He hopes she returns as she would make an excellent Rotarian.

John gave a Happy Dollar for the Yankees come-back. He gave a second Happy Dollar for surviving two recent medical procedures.

Ed gave a Happy Dollar for seeing Buzz back in action. He gave a second Happy Dollar for the Yankees entering in to their 28th World Series.

Ken gave a Sad Dollar for a story he heard about an abused child. When asked if he wanted to live with his grandmother, the boy said he’d rather not as she knocked him around as well. The child asked if the judge could promise him he would not be abused in a foster family, the judge, unfortunately, said he could not make that guarantee. Hearing this, the child asked if he could go live with the NY Giants, after all, they never beat anyone! (Joke met with mixed reviews!)

Chris gave a Happy Dollar to see Buzz up and about. He gave a second Happy Dollar for today’s guest speakers.

Tom gave a Sad Dollar for having sat through a NY Giants game: “It was a sad thing to watch”

Pat was Happy to have our guest speakers; Sad that Ken had taken all his money up in Binghamton!

Tracy gave a Happy Dollar that her mother was doing well after a recent medical procedure.

 

 

 

 

President Jimmy introduced our guest speakers from Goshen’s Cornerstone Theater Alliance. He applauded their efforts and the fine work they do, strongly encouraging Rotarians to check out their productions.
Cornerstone Board member and manager, Drew Smith, discussed how he became involved with Cornerstone about two years ago. He was taken with the passion and dedication of Ken and company, and knew that they could be reaching a much wider audience with the right strategy. Coming from a Wall Street professional background, Drew plays the practical Yang to Ken’s creative Yin. Two years ago, Drew promised Ken that, with the right moves, Cornerstone would take off and be unrecognizable in three years. Two years later, it already is.
 
Ken Tschan, Cornerstone’s founder and creative force, gave a quick background of his life in the arts, and his philosophy of the importance of the arts in society. Ken spoke of his educational background and seven years off Broadway. He spoke eloquently of his belief that theater is essentially about service, and that he and his players are there to serve the audience, to bring light and delight and depth into the spectators’ lives.
 
Ken discussed his now wildly popular Shakespeare series’ origins on the Goshen Library’s front lawn. At his first production there were more players than audience members! Last year, a single performance had 237 people in attendance.  Cornerstone Theatre productions were watched by over 5,000 people in Goshen last year.
Lastly, Ken spoke of his desire to get theater into the schools and classrooms. After years of an uphill battle, Ken has finally made some inroads through BOCES.
 
 

 

MEETING ADJOURNED @ 1:30 P.M.