Lexington Spoke - February 27, 2012

On a cold, sunny snowless winter day, 27 Lexington Rotarians and one visiting Rotarian gathered for our regular weekly meeting. President Murry rang the bell at 12:30 PM, PP Spencer led the pledge, Charlie V. led one verse of America and PDG Jack gave the invocation.

Happy dollars were given by: PDG Jack for a new grandchild, PP Bob presented $83 from PP Dan L. in honor of Lexington Rotary’s 83rd Anniversary, Pres. Murry for his Florida vacay (a cold one…so sad), PP Dan O. for his Anguilla vacay (a warm one…so nice).

PP Dan B. paid $10 for Pres. Murry to take extra vacay time to try and sort out the confusing Rotary calendar, especially what goes on in the month of April. 

Next year the town of Lexington will celebrate its 300th Anniversary. We are hoping to have a Rotary float in the parade which will take place on the Sunday of Patriot’s Day weekend. The club is looking for volunteers to serve on a float committee. If you would like to serve contact PP Dan B. 

PDG&PP Jack reminded everyone of the social event on March 29th at the Historical Society building at Depot Square. If you have yet to make a reservation, please do so that they will be able to plan for food, etc. 

On April 9th we will have a combined meeting with the Concord Rotary Club at our regular meeting time and place. Please reserve a place for yourself and any guests you wish to invite by logging on to our new web site. www.rotarycluboflexington.org

PP Doug introduced our speaker, PDG Julia Phelps who spoke on the new Future Visions Plan that RI is instituting in the near future. She described the mechanism by which local clubs can obtain matching grants by applying for them on a District level rather than through RI. The new procedure will save a considerable amount of money that can be best used for local and international projects. PDG Julia also announced the District is offering a Service Above Self scholarship to a high school student in the amount of $10,000. She also related that Rotary has successfully raised over 200 million dollars that was matched by the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation for Polio Plus.  Also, Bill Gates has donated another 50 million dollars (not to be matched) to help finish the Polio Plus project. India has not had a new case of polio for one year! That leaves Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria as the last countries that are yet to be immunized.


PDG Julia presented certificates and gift books to Pres. Murry, PP Doug and PDG Jack for their pledge to contribute $1000 annually to the Rotary Foundation.  PP Frank S. also pledged a similar gift but was not present at today’s meeting. Anyone who would like to join the group can do so by contacting Treasurer Donna.  

The 50-50 was won by PDG Jack ($65) which he donated to the Rotary Foundation. Many thanks Jack!   Regular Meeting next week, March 5th   Next

Board Meeting – March 12th at 11:00 AM. 

PP DRO