Charlotte-Shelburne Rotary - Newsletter

President Elect Linda Gilbert officiated in absence of John Beal, who is recovering from shoulder surgery – and to whom we all send our wishes for a safe and speedy recovery.

Linda introduced guest Rosalie Schneider and lead us in the pledge. Kris Engstrom gave the devotional.

The Uniform Project

With fellow Hands to Honduras team member Colleen Haag, Linda gave a Rotary Thought that is specific to Charlotte Shelburne Rotary. They told of the Uniform Project, an idea based on their observation of a need in Honduras during their previous times there that they brought to a successful conclusion and plan to continue in future years.

Colleen and Linda had observed that Honduran school children wear uniforms to school, and if a family is too poor to afford a uniform, the child cannot go to school. The Uniform Project was designed to buy uniforms for the children in the school the Rotary group has been working with.

Eighty uniforms were needed for the children, skirts and shirts for the girls, shirts and pants for the boys. Each uniform costs from $10 to $16. Colleen and Linda took the money they had raised, and the measurements of the children who needed uniforms to local stores, and it took four days to find all the uniforms they needed.

With all the uniforms purchased, they arranged them on the verandah of the hotel, and invited the children to come to try on and select a uniform. The display of uniforms also attracted the attention of other visitors, as well as the hotel manager, who were so impressed with the project that they made donations to help with the project.

Colleen and Linda hope to repeat the project next year, perhaps with more schools. “It makes such a difference to their lives,” Colleen said. “Education is key to their futures.”

Linda said the plan for next year includes adding backpacks for the children, and the young people who go to Honduras with the H2H group will help to fill them and distribute them.

Announcements

April 14 – Patty Johnson – Make A Wish
April 17 – District Assembly in Lebanon – a free event – all welcome – let Linda know if you wish to attend.
June 11-12 – District Conference in Burlington (with a Rebuilding Together project on Saturday
June 22 – Changing of the Guard

Bowl-A-Thon

Ric Flood announced that the big fundraiser will be on Friday, June 4. Please get your list of names in so the letters can be ready to mail about May 11.

Born Yesterday

Linda advertised the Shelburne Players’ production of Born Yesterday which will be on stage at the Town Center in Shelburne April 16, 17, 18, 23 and 24. Support your local theatre group!!

Sergeant at Arms

In the absence of Don Condon, Kris Engstrom officiated. She reported that she had visited President John Beal who she said is on the mend and welcoming visitors.

Birthday fine:

Sue McLellan

Anniversary fine:

Fritz Horton
Bob Sanders

Happy fines:

Bob Sanders – a trip to Seattle and the Napa Valley
Alan Hathaway – thanks to Linda for leading the meeting
Howard Seaver – a group of guests from Sister City Yuroslavl will be in Vermont May 22 to 31 and Howard is looking for two host families and two drivers. Howard said the hosting and driving duties are not daunting and in fact could be the best experience of your life. Call or email Howard if you can help.
Carol Obuchowski – late fine
Robert Maynes – trip to Hilton Head
Tom Glaser – trip to Minnesota to see his grandchildren
Tod Whitaker – a great Farmers Market last Saturday – the last one of the winter series was moved outdoors because the weather was so warm and enjoyed great crowds and happy vendors.
George Ewins – trip to the south of France and Berlin
Judy Christensen – for her friend Rosalie
Debby Hanley – a great spring skiing day at Sugarbush
Denny Bowen – celebrating his son-in-law’s birthday in Charlotte
John Hammer – risking his life in Charlotte, a destination resort

Lucky draw: Eric Hanley’s ticket was drawn but he chose the wrong card and missed the $309 pot.

Program

Scott Johnstone and Linda Gilbert

Scott Johnstone, Executive Director of Vermont Energy Investment Corporation, formerly Executive Director of the Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Organization, and a member of Burlington Rotary, said his organization is generating the cheapest power available to Vermonters – power that is normally wasted, lost through inefficient systems and outdated equipment.

He said that their contract with the state is based on their success in returning a $342 million benefit to the state over three years. One of their strengths, he said, is by avoiding bureaucracy, enabling local contractors to provide the efficiency services. They train contractors and certify them. When people call for advice from their hotline, they can refer them to certified contractors.

By increasing efficiency, reducing the amount of energy used, they reduce the need for expensive infrastructure such as transmission lines.

He also explained the Smart Grid which uses available power during low use periods to recharge systems.

Another helpful hint: DynaPower has developed a smart meter which lets you to monitor use in your home. There are also smart strips that prevent the loss of phantom power to entertainment centers which never stop drawing power, even when they are turned off.

Efficiency Vermont provides incentives for improved efficiency, typically by giving incentives to the suppliers such as hardware stores so they can pass along the savings. This has been used for several years with light bulbs – and now LEDs are even more efficient. They also advice businesses on use of more modern and more efficient air compressors to drive equipment, and new variable speed motors. Working with big business makes good sense for Efficiency Vermont, as the 100 top users of power use 80% of the state’s electricity.