This week the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee led small group discussions about how to address issues of diversity in the Salem Rotary. Each group then reported their thoughts back to the club. Suggestions included having fun, using Rotary International and District DEI training programs, continue DEI speakers, a walking tour of El Punto along with catering by a local restaurant, deeper connections with the high school, use existing membership to branch out to corporate membership and include more members, evaluating membership composition, recruit more diverse members, and create a survey about what we can better as a club. Obviously DEI will continue to be a priority.
This week also had a Board of Directors meeting, and several updates were given to the Salem Rotary. The Nominating Committee has a full slate of officers for next year. Carolyn Shapiro has been selected to be the next Vice President, and thankfully she accepted the nomination! Claire’s installation will on June 16 and the combined meeting of the incoming and outgoing Board of Directors will be June 14 at 6 pm.
The Auction Committee encouraged everyone to complete sponsorship forms and to get them to Claire by Friday. You can send them to Claire's email at Claire@hawthornehotel.com
The Service Projects Reported that the next Lifebridge dinner is May 11. Contact Jane if you would like to volunteer, and several volunteers will be needed. Senior prom will be on May 2 from 4-6pm, and there are opportunities available. Please contact Adria for more details. There are plans to work with Salem Sound on an invasive plant removal sometime in June. Finally there will be an upcoming event with the Boys and Girls Club. Joanne Scott will have more details.
The Speaker Committee gave an update on upcoming speakers. They also encourage all members to get the ClubRunner app and upload your photo. Dave Gardner will be at Rotary to explain how to use it in two weeks. For Apple phones, you can download the app here. For Google phones, you can download the app here.
The Rotary Foundation reminded club members donate, and that after the Polar Plunge we are halfway to our goal of 100% of members donating.
The Scholarship Committee announced that we received 15 applicants for scholarships, and that the next step is to begin reviewing them.
The CTE Career Fair was a smashing success with over 45 local businesses there. Merit Awards will be coming from Rotary with the time and date TBD.
Finally, the DEI Committee was proud to announce earned a citation from the district!!
The Four Way Test will be back next week, and Kathleen Corcoran will present. In the spirit of the Four Way Test, President Joe Amico encouraged us all to reach out to members who have been missing lately at meetings.
The Senior Fiesta with the Council on Aging, formerly the Senior Prom, will be in person this year! The Club will be sponsoring and volunteers are needed at the Community Life Center on May 4 at 4 PM. More details to come!
Lifebridge Dinner
Wednesday, May 11
Volunteers are needed for the next dinner for Lifebridge. Please contact Jane Stirgwolt if you would like to volunteer!
Freshmen Fund
Jason Conslavo will be in touch with this year’s Salem Rotary Freshmen to discuss the Freshmen Fund which allows new members of the Club to decide what project or cause the Club should support this year with a $1000 donation.
ROTARIAN NEWS
Mike McLaughlin celebrated his 64th birthday on Tuesday. The highlights included Bill Henning morning email without a reminder to give to the Birthday Fund as well as a visit from two of his granddaughters. They went for a nice walk in North Salem.
Leslie Levesque somehow survived the Everglades with a group 10-15 year olds. She noted that one alumn who goes on the trip and does pay his own way every year.
Jane Stirwolt was excited to report that she had her fill with grandkids. Hazel's marriage was moved up to August as well, thankfully.
Bruce Weir was proud to announce that Heidi was in the Globe on Tuesday. Her son Casey will be having their reception in their yard. They are already married.
Joe Amico let us know about Tabernacle Church's successful sunrise service at Forest River Park on Easter Sunday. It was a great event, though he's unsure how the Marblehead residents felt about the bagpipes.
Upcoming events
Dutch Drinks
April 22, 2022 at 5pm
Witch City Hibachi
Join Salem Rotarians for a night of fun at one of the newest restaurants in town. Stick around for dinner and a show (not that kind, Jason)!
Rotary Auction
May 20, 2022
Hawthorne Hotel
Please make note of the date change. The hope is that the later date will increase attendance. Sponsorship forms were handed out at Rotary this week and will be done again in the future.
Click the link below to log into the weekly club meeting via Zoom.
At Rotary, we understand that cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture is essential to realizing our vision of a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change.
We value diversity and celebrate the contributions of people of all backgrounds, across age, ethnicity, race, color, disability, learning style, religion, faith, socioeconomic status, culture, marital status, languages spoken, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity as well as differences in ideas, thoughts, values, and beliefs.
Recognizing that individuals from certain groups have historically experienced barriers to membership, participation, and leadership, we commit to advancing equity in all aspects of Rotary, including in our community partnerships, so that each person has the necessary access to resources, opportunities, networks, and support to thrive.
We believe that all people hold visible and invisible qualities that inherently make them unique, and we strive to create an inclusive culture where each person knows they are valued and belong.
In line with our value of integrity, we are committed to being honest and transparent about where we are in our DEI journey as an organization, and to continuing to learn and do better.