Charlotte-Shelburne Rotary - Newsletter

So the 2009-10 president of the Rotary Club of Carol Stream, Illinois, USA, started all over again to meet the challenge William Ferreira, governor of District 6440, had set before all his club presidents.

"You get used to it. It's something that is really good to do," says Triolo. "Different pins do catch people's eye in different ways."

"I am happy with the feedback," Beil says. "I feel strongly about the value of wearing the pin every day. Whether you are at the grocery store, at work, or anywhere, you never know when a stranger is going to notice and you have an opportunity to explain Rotary to them."

Tony Quinn, governor of District 1200 (England), notes on the LinkedIn thread that Rotarians agree to wear their pins at all times when they are inducted.

"Remember what Past RI President Bob Barth had to say," Quinn notes. "He said that a Rotary pin should say this about the wearer: 'You can rely on me, I am dependable, I am reliable, I give more than I take, and I am available.' I can't think of a better reason to wear it at all time."

Announcements

March 3 Jason Gibbs, Vermont Dept of Forests, Parks and Recreation
March 10 Don George, CEO Blue Cross Blue Shield Vermont
Jun 11-Jun 12 District Conference Davis Center
Jun 20 – 23 Rotary International Conference

Steve Dates announced the club received 21 $50 donations during our Double Match program. Good Job.

Steve commented on the Pizza Uno polio plus fund raising day Feb. 23.

John Beal spoke to a need for 1 new member by March 31. Three names were discussed and contact will be made. All three prospects have shown interest.

John introduce our guest to today Tristram Coffin.

Bowl-A-Thon

The Bowl-A-Thon is coming up. The actual date is not scheduled. Last year’s lists were passed out and are available. Additionally, a record of contributions is also available. Member solicitation lists are needed. Only 20 names and addresses per member for each member that submitted a list last year. If every member would send a list we could take our fund raising from $22,000 to a target $40,000. Last year we raised $22,800. Importantly, the work is done by the Ric’s Team.

The letters and envelopes are prepared and given to the members to personalize and mail.

Competitions were suggested by Michael Lash. Need a member to go to other clubs and promote our Bowlathon. Two legs the event and the mailer. We need 100% participation from the club.

Sergeant at Arms

Rick Flood acting SOA

Happy Fines:

Rick assessed a fine to everyone who had no electricity this morning. $1 @
Ros Graham notoriety fine tabled for next week.
Terry Kennaugh notoriety fine ‘Man on the Dock’.
Terry Kennaugh happy to be going to Sanabel for 5-6 weeks.
Ric paid a happy fine because he is going to Jamaica with daughter.
John Dupee paid a Birthday fine and a dollar for Tommy Ford, Don Rathbone’s, grandson, for placing 26th in the Olympic Giant Slalom. Second fastest US skier. The lights flashed and we felt Don was watching.
Steve Dates announced Margo is putting an article about the speech contest in the Shelburne News.

The odds are good today. Tristram pulled the Ric’s ticket. Ric did not pull the joker and the pot rolled over.

Guest Speaker

John Beal and Tristam Coffin

Adam Bartsch introduced Tristram Coffin: US Attorney, District of Vermont

He was sworn in on August 20, 2009. From 2006 to July 2009, Mr. Coffin was a director at Paul, Frank and Collins, a law firm in Burlington, Vermont. From 1994 to 2006, Mr. Coffin was an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of Vermont, serving the Civil Division for four years and the Criminal Division for eight years. From 1991 to 1994, he was counsel to Senator Leahy on the Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Technology and the Law. Prior to that, Mr. Coffin worked as a litigation associate at Hale and Dorr in Boston. Following graduation from Law school, he served as a law clerk for Judge Albert Coffrin in the District of Vermont. Mr. Coffin graduated from Wesleyan University (1985) and Columbia University Law School (1989).

Tristram Coffin is here today to speak about Federal Law Enforcement in Vermont. He started full time on this job in Vermont about six months ago.

There are many pieces to the job.

Priorities in Office

National Security - Our borders are a favorite smuggling also critical infrastructure such as Vermont Yankee

Three primary areas of focus are Guns, Drugs and Fraud and a fourth, equally as important, is Child Exploitation. Attention to the Internet is a complex area and his department is keeping up with technology and watching both sides of the equation.

Fraud - Complex ongoing interstate or international crimes- Federal court system- state and federal departments working together. Financial crimes need the federal level for enforcement. Improving the referral network from law enforcement and private sectors is a priority. Aggressively pursuing these types of cases.

Narcotics Efforts - Key is picking the right kind of cases. Federal enforcement is better in targeting the larger scale more complex interstate or international drug trafficking organizations for profit making hundreds of thousands of dollars. We have the smuggling issue because of the border. Heroin and opiate prescription medications is another focus. Street crimes to burdens on the health care system. Aggressive of prescription drug problem.

Guns - Vermont is state where people will buy here and transport to other states for a profit. Federal authorities will trace back guns involved in crimes and prosecute those involved. Drug distribution involving firearms is a Federal concern. Felony criminals possessing guns are targeted by Federal authorities. Domestic crimes that result in misdemeanors raise a flag for federal authorities to be watching for firearms.

Child Exploitation - Particularly Internet crimes involving children. Program called Project Safe Childhood. Internet Crimes Unit. People downloading are watched. The Federal system has more enforcement power. There are State programs also.

Importantly, all departments are working together on Local, State and Federal levels. We work for you and we want to focus on what your community needs.

Tristram answered many questions.

Michael Lash asked if he was surprised at that level of criminality in such a small state. Answer was that Vermont is not particularly bad but there is an underworld problem that does happen here. We have our issues and they are different than others. Substance abuse, alcohol abuse, suicide rates, fire arms problems. Rick commented that we have a larger percentage of good people in Vermont.

Rick asked about internet fraud. The FBI is the agency that follows up on the Nigerian Bank that want money. Tristram says don’t send them any money.

Michael Jacques trial. Murder of Brook Bennett. Scheduled for trail about a year from now. The death penalty is being argued.

Communications continue to improve between agencies. The Christmas attempted bombing heighten the scrutiny of information. He feels this was an aberration and hopes it won’t be repeated.

The recent local cocaine bust was a crime handled by his office. Public record shows a camera was in the shop 45 days.

Tristram was nominated in March and appointed in August.

John Beal Thanked Tristram for speaking and the work he does for us.