Mohamed is the President, CEO and IT Person of TLC Homecare & Nursing. After moving from Chennai, India as a young child, he lived in New York City and New Orleans for a year. He finally settled in Vermont, where he grew up in Burlington.
President
President-Elect
Exec. Secretary
Treasurer
Sergeant-at-Arms
Club Service Dir.- Programs
Club Service Dir. - Planning
Community Service Dir.
Vocational Service Dir.
Youth Exchange
Immediate Past President
Burlington Rotary now meets at
Community Sailing Center of Burlington!
Starting January 24, 2023, meet with us there -
505 Lake Street on the waterfront! WOW!
Thank you to community partners for helping Rotary help you.
If you are interested in learning more about us, send us a message below.
If you are interested in learning more about us, send us a message below.
First meeting of Burlington Rotary Club at the Community Sailing Center on January 24th, 2023
Burlington Rotary now meets at the
Community Sailing Center of Burlington!
505 Lake Street Second Floor
on the Second and Fourth Tuesday of the Month.
(Fellowship begins at 7:20 AM, with the meeting 7:30 to 8:30 AM)
The Burlington Rotary President is also the Honorary Consul to France in Vermont and recently was invited by the Ambassador to a reception with the President of France at the French Embassy in Washington, DC.
The official ceremony as Alejandro (Alex) Hernandez is formally inaugurated as Champlain College’s 10th President.
The Burlington Rotary Club welcomed District 7850 Governor Caroline Earle as she presented her vision for Rotary.
The Burlington Rotary Club assembled ten volunteers for the Wood4Good operation in Jericho on Sunday November 13th.
On September 13th our Rotary Exchange Student, Angele Beauvais, joined us to introduce herself and thank the Burlington Club for sponsoring her exchange.
Burlington Rotary volunteers August 25, 2022 at Summervale in Burlington, Vermont.
Thank you to Intervale for recognizing our participation in this important collaboration.
Check out our recent interview on WOKO, featuring President Lise Veronneau and Vice President Jesse Beck!
“It was such a pleasure to speak with Ginny at WOKO about the good work we do at Rotary. Thanks for helping us get the word out!”
~ President Burlington Rotary Club, Lise Veronneau
Listen to interview: documents/en-ca/222ef69f-82a9-4a3c-80e0-d62da5f69b00/1
COMING SOON!!!
The 3rd Annual Rotary Spelling Bee
at Burlington Beer Company, 180 Flynn Avenue in Burlington
October 11th | 5:30-8:30
Photo: D Feeney
We present to the City, Burlington Rotary Foundation's committed support for the newly renovated open space at City Hall. The support culminates with a check to the City for $3,500.00.
Peter Hawks (l) receives the donation on behalf of the Foundation from President Jack
Continuing our efforts to support a special group of youths, Rotary gives to keep the "snow fires burning" - assuring that the mission of Flyin' Ryan soars on and on.
MASK DELIVERIES
TOTAL 52,000!!
Our energetic Club-member teams have come together to fully distribute our allocations of high-quality disposable, KN95, and washable cloth masks to key, local service organizations.
Check out the results...
For a total of 10,000 to CHC!
(Shane visits the Club for a Foundation Presentation in 2019)
The V Foundation for Cancer Research, a top-rated cancer research charity, welcomes Shane Jacobson as the new chief executive officer upon the retirement of Susan Braun in January 2021.
Neither rain, snow or Covid-19 stops Burlington Rotary Club members from ringing the Salvation Army bell during the holiday season. Past Rotary Club Presidents, Dan Feeney (L) and Scott Baldwin (R) joined twelve other members on Saturday, December 19, 2020 on the Church Street Marketplace to raise dollars for a worthwhile organization. 
Our crew put on the Rotary bibs once again...
to help out the local chapter, filling all the spots for the day.
In these tough times, all our shifts reported that the shopping public was SO great in supporting the "Bucket Brigade".
TODAY: We were blown away with the incredible innovations in ELECTRIC powered flight going on right in our County.
We welcome Blain Newton, CFO/COO and his presentation of cutting edge, and soon to be practical, non-fossil fuel air travel!!!
On Sunday afternoon, five Burlington Rotarians along with some spouses and friends, split five cords of wood for the Wood for Good organization located in Jericho, VT. The team worked four splitters from noon until 3pm and realized how the Axelrod family of Jericho is providing much needed wood to fellow Vermonters this winter to heat their home. Past President Scott Baldwin left and Current President Jack Lindley right break a sweat on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.
Burlington Rotary Hosts Scott Baldwin, Ed Murphy and Peter Hawks welcome Rotarians from the Calgary, Alberta Clubs. Visitors are getting the flavor of Burlington and the region this week. Many activities and fellowship opportunities are scheduled this week October 8 through the 12th. Dave Mount and Ute Regan are also helping to drive the visitors to and from these events.
The Securities Division of the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation has new regulatory guidance to help interested parties intervene in potential securities fraud and abuse, as it relates to the consumer.
The Affordable Care Act's effects in Vermont are substantial
and the changes resulting are universally felt today, says our guest!
"There is no such thing as an "accident" when a person is under the influence. It is a crash."
So is the position of our prosecutors in the pursuit of a safer environment for all drivers in Vermont!
Heather Brochu (l) and Stacy Graczyk(r)
In our first meeting of the new fiscal year we are fortunate to have Attorneys Heather Brochu and Stacy Graczyk from the Vermont Traffic Safety Prosecutor's Office (a Division of the State's Attorney's Office).
We begin our 2019-2020 Rotary year with a "hazy, hot and humid" July 9 meeting.
>>But the content was clear!
President Scott Baldwin (above) jumps right in with the schedule of events which include
our first Board meeting on the 17th (open to all members),
Dismas House sign-ups for the year,
Our outreach meeting on Thursday, July 25: Sunnyvale Concert" at the Intervale Farm,
With an early follow-up service at The "Festival of Fools" support for the City (Friday, August 2),
Then! look for additional August and fun September events.
See you on the 23rd as well, when we welcome Kirby Dunn of Homeshare Vermont with some earth shaking updates!
Don't get left behind. E-mail our Coordinator Jesse Beck for more info and to sign up today.
Burlington Rotary Brings a Voting Representative to Hamburg for the 2019 Convention June 1-5
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Photo by Ute Regan
An old friend of the Club
(and our former Burlington Police Chief)
revisited us with a detailed report of the hot issues on the minds of the Department.
A sprightly bunch of Rotarians bust out of the meeting room, and down to the Lakeshore to clean up the warehouse of the Burlington Community Sailing Center -- just in time for staff to make available the huge, space for the Community Fun-Run events happening inside and outside the Center right after!
The Rotary Clubs of Burlington, Burlington "Sunrise" and South Burlington combine to install a brand new Rotaract Club in our area. With a dozen University of Vermont students coming forward to take on the challenge and create their own fun and important projects. Guided by our memberships, and some "seed money" thus begins our commitment to the collegiate and newly-minted community leaders in our area! At the sunny twilight ceremony at the Hilton, a few of the new Rotaractors and their Rotarian partners posed below.
Thanks to Presidents Joe Gaida, Burlington; Eric Hanson, Burl. Sunrise; and George Donovan, S. Burlington; for pulling it together this year. We especially thank Joanne Pencak (far right.) who is our UVM Business School college liaison and mentor for this Rotaract team.
On behalf of the Flyin' Ryan Foundation, our own Rotarian, Peter Hawks (c) accepts a third annual check, this time for $1,000.00,
in fulfillment of Burlington Rotary's selection of the Foundation as a major recipient of funds from our charitable activities.
To tell us about the work of "VCWA"
we're bringing in Community Development
Coordinator, Jim Gunger!
Fresh off the 2019 tour, coordinator Linda Gilbert reports to the Club on the effects of Burlington Rotary's continuing material support to Hands to Honduras -Tela.
Burlington Rotary Members at the door of the connector to
the existing hospital are bathed in a flood of light as we enter
the world of the new Miller Expansion at The UVM Medical Center!
The Burlington Rotary - 2019 Police Recognition Awards Luncheon
Monday, March 18 at 12 Noon at the Hilton
One of the largest audiences ever, attended the Joint Burlington Rotary - Burlington Police Dept. Awards Luncheon
Jam-packed Agenda at the Hilton as Mayor Miro Weinberger came to speak about the array of items currently being worked on in town, with special emphasis on the ballot items appearing on
Town Meeting Day, March 5.
Burlington City Flag (Above)
Today, Vermont Attorney General TJ Donovan focused on the major issue of criminal reform and victim security at our well-attended, "bring a friend" meeting.
A tropical rainstorm allowed the Vermont Rotarians and the local Tela Honduras Rotarians a moment to duck inside one of the new structures to take a break --and a quick pic!
Look for the latest report when our members return soon. (Like Dave Mount fr.rt.)
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Representing the VERMONT(SSN 792) Commissioning Committee,
we welcome Chairperson Debra Martin, and husband Steve Martin (below)
who have brought their enthusiastic update on this key asset to be added to
our national defense sometime soon in early 2020!
Thanks to Mascoma Bank for a $250.00 Burlington Rotary Foundation matching contribution this month!
Thanks, today to Joanne Nelson of Mercy Connections who stopped by to speak on one key program within the array managed by the agency.
EDUCATION & TRANSITION PROGRAMS:
We welcome Dr. Phelan Fretz Exec. Dir. of the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain at ECHO.
Even at the moment he was summarizing the activities and plans of the Center, the Current "Innovation Playground" December extravaganza was in full swing.
At the snowy November 13 meeting, a furry, but smiling under that, Ed Murphy receives a 100% Paul Harris Fellow Club banner, on behalf of the crew from District Governor Larry Vars. (Banner originally awarded at the District Conference November 1, 2018 -- but ceremony kept on ice until this day.)
With 165 Paul Harris Fellows, including every active member of the Club, Burlington becomes one of the first in District 7850, and in all of Vermont to attain that level of historic commitment to the Rotary Foundation, of Rotary International.
Ben Bosley - of Pinnacle Resolutions (Mediation in the work place)
Ben, in his disarmingly mellow sweater, was our guest to present his business. Which along with his introduction brought the news that he is affiliated with Mediators Beyond Boarders (MBBI). They have partnered with Rotary International connecting Rotary Peace Fellows, Rotarians, like us and perhaps our new Rotaractors in establishing mentoring , dispute resolution and the promotion of peace. OK, so now our ears perked up!
We finally got our schedule set and were visited by District 7850 Governor Larry Vars. The Burlington Club got in there as his 41st of the 41 clubs in the District to be honored by he, and his wife, Joan.
Along with the 2018-19 Banner, "BE THE INSPIRATION" neckties (what are those?) were handed out to President Joe and key officers who would dare to wear them. (Actually they're pretty sharp with Rotary Blue.)
Pres. Joe Gaida (r), District Gov. Vars (3r), with presidents and officers of the cooperating clubs, present the joint and matching grant check to beaming, and bow-tied Burlington YMCA Executive Dir. Kyle Dodson only hours before the "Ground Breaking" of the new facility on College Street.
(Below) Burlington Rotarians Sarah Sprayregan (UVM Foundation, c) and Ute Regan (3l ) chat with members of the Sunrise,South Burlington, Essex and Col-Milton Clubs prior to the joint meeting. (Which was great.)
Dave and Fran Mount dropped by the Charlotte-Shelburne-Hinesburg Club. And with CSH club President Eric Kolomaznik looking on, we presented our $4,000 check to our regional "Hands to Honduras" coordinator furthering Burlington's commitment to getting teams on site for continued construction and operations. 
For more, see our September 25 posting!
Chip in $1,000.00 of Burlington Rotary's Foundation money-- nice. Add $1,000.00 each from our fellow Clubs in Burlington, South Burlington, and other Rotary's in our Mini-District--Well, that's great! But when our good friends at the South Burlington Rotary Club get this matched with a District Grant...
NOW THAT'S $9,000.00+ OF IMPACT.
Members of our Club, and others, will join together at the South Burlington Club Thursday, November 1 at 7:30 AM for the presentation.
We're keeping our new "Y" in downtown Burlington!
That's Right - Once Again! Burlington Rotary has continued its multi-year commitment to materially fund the "Hands to Honduras" project, with February, 2019 funding, and person-power. As evidenced below, a recent team with many Rotarians, including Burlington Rotarian David Mount (Recent owner of Westaff Employment, top 3rd from r.) and his wife Fran, (top 7th from r.) put real people on-site in order to continue to improve lives in the Tela, Honduras region.
After introduction by President Joe Gaida (r), Burlington Rotarian Springer Harris (Teucrium Trading, LLC) presented a targeted appeal to review the current state of Burlington's Downtown Business District, and to consider the options for change, including the return of more control of incremental funding -- and decision-making -- to the actual businesses operating in the District.
Has so much control passed to City government that its businesses haven't gotten their money's worth? Can more say in the spending improve what the downtown looks like? Many say - YES!
An innovative way to buy a car-We welcome
Perry LaRoque, Ph.D.
"Empowering Students for Life."
AFTER 95 Years (roughly), Burlington Rotary now meets every...
2ND and 4TH Tuesday Morning of Each Month
Call to Order: 7:30 A.M. / Adjourn: 8:30 A.M.
First Morning Meeting: Tuesday July 10, 2018
It is now the goal of the Club to gather twice for "classic" meetings and then add one service project (or fun fellowship) date each month. Our Club calendar will soon be updated for scheduled events. 
--Worldwide 2018-2019 Theme--
A picture of the opening moments of the AMAZING 2018 Rotary International Convention in Toronto Canada! Taken by our on-the-scene member/reporter Ute Regan. We await her full report when she gets back to Town!
At a well-attended meeting for 2018, our Strategic Director Tim Cope "retires the gavel" to outgoing President (and incoming Treasurer) Peter Jones, after a tumultuous and hard-fought term. His work is MUCH appreciated and we Burlington Rotarians all know the time Peter invested to keep the Club on an even keel, and advocating a new active service outlook as we now move into our new Rotary regimen for 2018-19!
Jack Lindley (State Farm) and Ed Murphy (CPA A.M.Peisch) man one of the many Burlington Rotary shifts for the Salvation Army Bell Ringing project. The season was warm... and so was the giving attitude of our community!
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Winter Starts on October 7. Expo Tickets on Sale Now!
Reserve your spot at Vermont’s biggest pre-season ski party, the VT SKI + RIDE Expo.
Tickets on sale here!
Burlington, VT — July 26, 2017: Vermont’s first winter sports show, the VT SKI + RIDE EXPO is coming back to Burlington this year, October 7-8, with a new location: the downtown Burlington Waterfront Hilton Hotel.
Vermont’s premiere winter sports show, VT SKI + RIDE Expo is being put on by the Rotary Club of Burlington for a second year. It benefits the Flyin’ Ryan Foundation and is presented by title sponsor, Vermont Ski + Ride Magazine. Additional sponsor support comes from University of Vermont College of Medicine, Farrell Distributing and Long Trail Brewing.
Last year, more than 1,000 people showed up for the inaugural EXPO, many coming from as far as Boston, Albany and Hartford just for the event. The EXPO welcomed more than 50 exhibitors—ranging from emerging Vermont brands such as WhiteRoom skis and Powe. Snowboards to ski resorts such as Stowe, Sugarbush and Smuggler’s Notch, apparel companies such as Ski the East, ski shops and more. Ski films showed round the clock and experts hosted talks on topics ranging from sports medicine to the latest trends in boot fitting.
“It was a huge coming together of everyone in the ski and board business,” says Rotary’s Jesse Beck. “Pretty much everyone will be there, bringing with them bargains and some never-seen new gear.”
This year, a whole new line-up of exhibitors is expected, along with the top returning brands. “We’re welcoming new apparel brand Orsden as well as shops such as the Alpine Shop and SlopeStyle Ski & Sport, Sugarbush Resort, organizations such as the Catamount Trail Association and more,” says Beck. “It’s going to be an even better event than last year.”
What can you look for at this year’s EXPO?
- THE LATEST GEAR. Major ski shops will be there showcasing what’s new for 2017/18. Plus, see what brands such as Volkl, Marker, Powe. Snowboards and others have on tap for this year and check out great bargains on last year’s equipment.
- RESORT NEWS & DEALS: Vermont’s major resorts will be present and ready to showcase what’s new for 2018 and the latest deals on lift tickets and passes.
- MOVIES, TALKS & CLINICS: See the latest releases from Matchstick Productions, Ski the East, TGR and others. Learn backcountry tips, bootfitting techniques and more at top clinics that will be going on all day.
- BEER & MUSIC: Long Trail Brewing is just one of our many sponsors. Drink up and listen to rockin’ blues of The Dog Catchers and other live music acts.
All proceeds from this event support the charitable works of the Burlington Rotary and the Flying Ryan Foundation. “We want this show to celebrate the passion for freeskiing and principles that my son Ryan lived by,” says Peter Hawks, referring to freeskiing legend Ryan Hawk’s Principles of Living, which the Flyin’ Ryan Foundation promotes. “And we hope to get more people excited about what skiing and riding here in Vermont can offer.
This is the first consumer ski show of the season not just in Vermont, but anywhere on the East Coast“ says VT SKI + RIDE editor Lisa Lynn. “So if you want to get the inside scoop on gear and what’s going to be happening on snow in 2017/18, it’s the place to be.”
All proceeds from this event support the charitable works of the Burlington Rotary and the Flyin’ Ryan Foundation. “We want this show to celebrate the passion for freeskiing and principles that my son Ryan lived by,” says Peter Hawks, referring to freeskiing legend Ryan Hawk’s Principles of Living, which the Flyin’ Ryan Foundation promotes. “And we hope to get more people excited about what skiing and riding here in Vermont can offer.
“You’re going to see some very cool new things at this show “ says VT SKI + RIDE editor Lisa Lynn. “Some of the most innovative products in the winter sports market have come from Vermont brands.” She adds: “With 18 alpine, 30 Nordic resorts and with more than 3 million skier and rider visits annually, Vermont is one of the top three states in the country for skiing and riding.”
“We are modeling this after the Boston Ski Show expect about 5,000 in our first year,” says Beck. “The show is happening at a time when there are more than 40,000 students in Vermont and it’s prime foliage season,” he notes.
For more information: lisa.lynn@vtsports.com. For booth and event set up, contact Delaney Management at delaneymeeting.com
ABOUT US:
The Rotary Club of Burlington is a part of an international charitable organization comprised of professional and business leaders whose goals are humanitarian service, high ethical standards and the promotion of international goodwill and peace. Rotary’s motto is “Service Above Self.” www.burlingtonvtrotary.org.
The Flyin Ryan Foundation’s mission is to EXPOSE adventurers to Ryan Hawk’s Principles for Living, INSPIRE adventurers to craft their own set of core principles for living and to ACT on their core principles as the means through which they shape their attitude and engage in life. It does so through working with schools, individuals and organizations and awarding scholarships. To date, the foundation has awarded 84 adventure scholarships which are designed to encourage the pursuit of passion in the face of financial need.
VT SKI + RIDE Magazine has been covering the Vermont ski and ride scene for more than 12 years. Locally-owned, it is now a glossy, quarterly magazine with more than 100,000 copies distributed annually in Vermont and around New England. www.vtskiandride.com
Burlington, VT — August 18, 2016: It’s official, no matter what the forecasters say, winter starts on October 1. “That’s when we inaugurate the ski season here in Vermont with one big weekend-long party,” says Rotarian Peter Hawks, “and it’s called the Vermont SKI + RIDE Expo.” Tickets go on sale on Tuesday, Aug. 23 via the Flynn box office and information on show hours, ticket pricing and schedules is here.
The first winter sports show in Vermont, VT SKI + RIDE Expo is being put on by the Rotary Club of Burlington as a benefit for Hawks’ Flyin Ryan Foundation and presented by title sponsor,Vermont Ski + Ride Magazine. Additional sponsor support comes from University of Vermont College of Medicine, Farrell Distributing and Long Trail Brewing.
For the weekend of October 1-2, the Sheraton of South Burlington will be the scene of ski films, the latest ski and ride gear, demos, a beer tent, bands and lots of new gear. More than 50 exhibitors will occupy the space, bringing with them bargains and some never-seen 2017 gear.
Burlington Rotary President Springer Harris outlines the reasons you can’t miss this:
- TOP GEAR. All the major ski shops —Outdoor Gear Exchange, Pinnacle Sports, Ski Rack and others will be there showcasing what’s new for 2017. Plus, see what brands such as Volkl, Marker, Renoun, J Skis, Powe and others have on tap for this year and check out great bargains on last year’s equipment.
- RESORT NEWS & DEALS: Nearly all of Vermont’s major resorts will be present and ready to showcase what’s new for 2017 and the latest deals on lift tickets and passes.
- MOVIES, SLACK LINES & CLINICS: See the latest releases from Matchstick Productions, Ski the East, TGR and others. Learn backcountry tips, bootfitting techniques and more at top clinics that will be going on all day.
- BEER & MUSIC: Long Trail Brewing’s beer tent will be pouring limited release Flyin’ Ryan and a host of other brews. Drink up and listen to The Dog Catchers and other live music acts.
And there’s a fourth reason: All proceeds from this event support the charitable works of the Burlington Rotary and the Flyin’ Ryan Foundation. “We want this show to celebrate the passion for freeskiing and principles that my son Ryan lived by,” says Peter Hawks, referring to freeskiing legend Ryan Hawk’s Principles of Living, which the Flyin’ Ryan Foundation promotes. “And we hope to get more people excited about what skiing and riding here in Vermont can offer.
“You’re going to see some very cool new things at this show “ says VT SKI + RIDE editor Lisa Lynn. “Some of the most innovative products in the winter sports market have come from Vermont brands.” She adds: “With 18 alpine, 30 Nordic resorts and with more than 3 million skier and rider visits annually, Vermont is one of the top three states in the country for skiing and riding.”
“We are modeling this after the Boston Ski Show expect about 5,000 in our first year,” says Harris. “The show is happening at a time when there are more than 40,000 students in Vermont and it’s prime foliage season,” he notes.
We decided to get out of town and head into the mountains for our weekly meeting. Couldn't have asked for a better night. Highlight was Dan and Scott earning $500 for the Rotary Foundation by jumping into the cold lake.
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Presented by Springer Harris, President of the Burlington Rotary Club, On May 23, 2016 at the Queen City Police Foundation Awards Luncheon.
On behalf of the Burlington Rotary Club, I am honored to host the fine men and women of the Burlington Police Department. Hosting the annual awards ceremony has been a tradition of our club for over 20 years; when I became president just under a year ago, I immediately started looking forward to this event.
When I started thinking about what I wanted to say today, I knew I wanted to learn more about what it was like to be a police officer. Someone on NPR told me to read “The Job” by retired NYPD officer Steve Osborne so, I did, and I learned a lot, but it wasn’t nearly enough. I decided to ask the Chief for permission to do a ride along, to which he obliged. Before I knew it, I found myself sitting in the bullpen on a dreary Saturday evening waiting to be picked up by my officer for the night. I had no idea what to expect; I was nervous and excited to say the least.
The five hours that I was able to spend with Officer Darren Kennedy were the most interesting and thought-provoking five hours I have ever had in this city. We raced up Pearl St. with the lights and sirens blaring. We transported a prisoner to the jail. We arrested an individual on an outstanding warrant. We patrolled the city and we talked A LOT! But, the most important thing I did was get a glimpse of what being an officer was like at a very personal level. I already knew Burlington was one of best cities in America but what I didn’t know was that we were protected by what must be one of the finest police forces in the United States. We are truly blessed.
This is not an easy time in our country’s history to be a police officer. Cameras are everywhere and the court of public opinion carries more weight than it should. Our own community has criticized the fact that we have an overwhelming young police force. I on the other hand think that is an amazing statistic that should be celebrated. I am the youngest ever president of a 93 year old organization.I know there are many more men and women my age who plan to join me in leading this city into the future and our young officers are key components of this. We, as young men and women, are no longer the future of Burlington- in fact, we are Burlington.
So back to my mission of learning what it was like to be a police officer. What did I learn? What I really learned was that I have no idea what it is like to be “on the job” and I never will. I have no idea what it is like to pack on 25 pounds of gear of and hit the street on foot for eight to ten hours. I have no idea what it feels like to kiss my family goodbye after only seeing them for 15 minutes, not knowing if it is going to be the last time. I have no idea what it is like to wrestle with someone on the street. I have no idea what it is like to run into a building while everyone else is running out. I have no idea what it is like to bring someone back to life using Narcan. I have no idea what it is like to see the tragedies that you see every day and night just to start over again tomorrow. I have no idea what it is like to make split second, life and death decisions, that will ultimately be judged by our entire community. And I have no idea how you courageous men and women do it every day.
What I do know is I am so thankful that you do it. I am so thankful that when you were young kids and you said you wanted to be police officers that you actually did it. I am so thankful that you continue to come to work every day and night to protect us at your own sacrifice. Today is your day to celebrate your fellow officers and for us to give you thanks. On behalf of the Burlington Rotary Club, and from the bottom of my heart THANK YOU! Thank you so very much. Please enjoy the ceremony and stay safe out there.
The service above self-award is a new tradition for our club and is based on our club motto but also what the fine men and women of the Burlington Police Force do every day. Putting service above self. To commemorate this award the Burlington Rotary club has secured the highest honor a Rotarian can receive – The Paul Harris Fellow Award. It is named for our founder, Paul Harris, a Chicago lawyer who started Rotary International with three business associates in 1905.
The award is secured by donating $1,000 to the rotary foundation in the recipient's honor. The Rotary Foundation is the number 3 nonprofit in the world made up of a global network of Rotarians who invest their time and money into priorities such as promoting peace, fighting disease, supporting education, providing clean water and growing local economies. The funds we contribute to the foundation support the global efforts of Rotarians for three years and then are reinvested back into our local Burlington community
The first Paul Harris Fellow was given in 1957 and there are now over a million worldwide. Rotarians often designate a Paul Harris Fellow as a tribute to a person whose life demonstrates a shared purpose with the objectives of the Rotary Foundation and in this case the Burlington Police Department. That mission is to stop crime before it happens and make Burlington a safer and more prosperous city. Today we have the honor and pleasure of recognizing Mark Redmond, Executive Director of Spectrum Youth and Family Services, as he becomes the world’s newest Paul Harris Fellow.
Mark, thank you for all you have done for this city since you arrived in 2003. Our desire is to give the Service above Self award to a community members who indirectly makes the lives of the men and women of the Burlington police force better and there is no doubt in our mind that you accomplish this mission every day.
It gives me great pleasure to present to you the two emblems of appreciation given to a Paul Harris Fellow - - certificate and pin. Please accept our congratulations and sincere thanks, for your commitment to our common goals of world peace and a safe and prosperous Burlington Vermont.
Our speaker was Jerry Shanahan of the Salute Military Golf Association of Boston. Take a look at the below websites. Amazing story and even more amazing photographs and videos of our nations wounded veterans playing golf and others raising funds to support them.
The Salute Military Golf Association (SMGA) Boston is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation whose mission is to provide rehabilitative golf experiences and family-inclusive golf opportunities for post 9/11 wounded war veterans in an effort to improve the quality of life for these American heroes. SMGA Boston also offers our programs to veterans from all wars.
SMGA’s Support for Post-9/11 Wounded Veterans: The SMGA believes the rehabilitative benefits of golf can improve the mental and physical condition of each and every post-9/11 wounded warrior. The SMGA provides golf instruction, equipment, and playing opportunities for post-9/11 wounded veterans.
SMGA’s History and Inspiration: The SMGA was founded after Jim Estes, Director of Instruction at Olney Golf Park in Olney, MD, saw first-hand the positive effects the game of golf could have on combat-wounded soldiers. The following articles from ESPN.com tell how several trips from Walter Reed Army Medical Center to Olney Golf Park eventually evolved into a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation aimed at supporting injured veterans.
Our program was by Michelle Asch, board member of the Vermont Children’s Trust Foundation (VCTF). She explained the projects, the grant process, and the impact the foundation has throughout the state. Each child and each story demonstrates what a difference the projects make.
We had a wonderful but lightly attended meeting yesterday. Our speaker was Corporal Krystal Wrinn from the BTV police force. She is a seven year member of the force and was recently selected from the chief and the mayor to fill a new role solely focused on preventing domestic violence. We learned that there are more than 2,000 call to the BTV police station to report domestic violence and even at that level it remains one of the most underreported crimes in the city. Domestic violence calls are also the most dangerous for a responding officer. Statistics show they are the most deadly call for US officers. Corporal Wrinn is dedicating her life to reducing domestic violence in our city and is committed to taking her role even further to expand to the county and potentially the state.
As a follow up to her visit I would like to remind the club that we will have our Police Recognition Lunch on Monday May 23rd. I would like to have a good showing of Rotarians at this meeting. Leo has put in a significant amount of work in revitalizing our partnership with the Queen City Police Foundation. We want to remain committed partners with them in this event. As a result of our conversations we are going to be more prominently featured in the materials of the event and will have a larger role in the event itself. We are coordinating with the police to ensure that there are officers, Rotarians and community members at every table. I am likely going to participate in a “Ride – A – Long “ experience with and officer and use it as my introduction to the event. We are also going to present a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow to a community member who makes significant impact in helping the police and reducing crime. That name will be released soon
Our guest was Michael Schirling, former police chief and new Executive Director of BTV Ignite. Mike joined us to present some of what we already knew and a lot of what we didn’t. We all know that Burlington is an amazing place and people should be falling all over themselves to live. What we didn’t know is that BTV Ignite is the organization working to make that happen. Their mission is to work with other tech cities around the country and apply the lessons learned to make Burlington one of the most desired places in the country for tech firms to set up shop. Our fiber internet infrastructure is one of the main assets that makes this possible. BTV Ignite will link together schools, colleges, businesses, nonprofits and city utilities to form a coalition to put more jobs and training in place and therefor cement Burlington as the “Queen City of Tech”. I just coined that. They should use it. As a young professional who wants to make Burlington work for my family and everyone else’s I am excited that Mike is in this role. I can’t wait to see his accomplishments in action.
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On ( 04.04.16 ) we kicked off Pure Water for the World Month. Over the course of April we will collect cash donations for water and other beverages. We do this to remind the club how easy it is for us as Americans to obtain safe, cheap and abundant clean water. However, we know this is not the reality that much of the world's population finds itself living in.
In addition to the Mount's we will be joined by some members of VT's Pure Water for the World including one of our own. Hanna Fisher, Dave’s Daughter, will give us a short presentation on the benefits our collection during the month of April provide.
Dave and Fran Mount joined us along with Linda Gilbert of the Charlotte-Shelburne club who along with her husband run the Hands to Honduras- Tela program that we have been collaborating with since 2008. Dave and Fran have traveled every year but once since 2008 and it sounds like at least 6 other Rotarians and their children have been down at one point or another. Mandi and I have continued to discuss wanting to go down. While in Honduras the volunteers work on infrastructure needs of the Tela community including hospitals, schools, and bathrooms. But they do more than that. They run dental clinics and Fran leads a scholarship fund to help students travel to the high school so that they may get an education past the 6th grade.
The work that they are able to do on our behalf as a result of our clubs financial contributions are astounding. I agree with the group that we need to create a way of getting this wonderful message out to the public including to groups such as the young professional’s club whom have already shown interest in participating in this type of service. If this is something you can do for us please let me know and I can tell you have we have done to date.
Please visit Hands to Honduras website and spend some time learning about what we have accomplished down there. It’s fantastic. Pictures are great too.
Our good friend Mark Redmond visited us to talk about the Spectrum Sleep Out and the tremendous fundraising success it has been. We do not have any members sleeping out this year but if you know someone who is consider supporting them. The contributions Spectrum makes to our community are so vast they couldn’t be quantified.
We had a fabulous night at the Flynn last night. Thank you to everyone who came out and a big thanks to Dave Mount for organizing. This was my first trip to the Flynn and first time experiencing Irish music. I must say I think I am now a fan of both! We raised $4,150 half going to the Flynn and Half to our club.
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A good crowd.
Great Food
New Friends
Fellowship
Meet the band!
A huge round of applause for Dave Mount. A great event. Thank you for organizing.
Our speaker was inspirational keynote speaker, Karen Newman. This will be a wonderful program! Karen is a world class triathlete and inspirational speaker. Check out her web site: Thekarennewman.com to learn more.
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Today’s speaker team was comprised of Brian Boardman and Dr. Frank Ittleman. They provided us some insight in the upgrades that the UVM medical center plans to start making this year. In summary, we have a cutting edge hospital that must contend with the challenge of housing itself in a 50’s era facility. To allow the great people of UVM medical center to provide the service they are capable of a new building is a must. One of the most important aspects of the upgrade will be individual patient rooms that will allow for families to visit in comfort and allow the UVM staff to preform procedures right in the room as they are in many other hospitals. Brian and Frank both shared stories of their immense connection to the hospital and how they motivated them to successfully get the project to this point. Over the course of the last six months Brian has raised $10 million to get the project started. This huge effort on many peoples part will surely affect each and every one of us at some point
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We were also visited by Don Sinex. He gave us an update on the Mall and encouraged everyone to attend an upcoming city council meeting where they will be discussing the future of the project.
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Michael Tsang informed us of the signature dance show Shen Yun Performing Arts on Chinese dance and Chinese culture that will be at the Flynn on May 7. He presented to us about their organization last year and returned to invite us all to the next show.
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Kesh Ram visited as well to tell us about her campaign to become Lt. Gov of VT
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On Leap Day the meeting program was a classification talk by Member Jake Hanley. Jake is a recent transplant to Vermont from Connecticut, works for Peoples United Bank, and is a Past President of the Mystic, CT Rotary Club. Jake told of his unusual story of going from being a history major to financial consultant. All he had to do is "follow the money".
We had a great meeting on Monday.
We were glad to be back in the newly renovated Sunset Room - new paint and the sun was shining.
The room was filled with familiar and new faces. Thank you to everyone who brought guests. We have many good programs coming so keep inviting folks that you think would be a good fit with the club.[Let Springer or I know if you have questions about the membership application process.]
Gene Richards was joined by his colleagues Nick and Amanda who gave us a big picture overview of the direction of BTV. The airport is a community asset and this was valuable dialogue to learn how they intend to generate more revenue, open up new services, and apply creativity to the systems in place.
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Zac Fike started and operates Purple Hearts Reunited. It is a nonprofit organization that rescues and returns purple hearts and other medals of honor to their rightful owners. Zac explained to us how disgusting it is that purple hearts are traded online like baseball cards for $100s or $1,000s each. He spends almost all of his personal time purchasing these online and returning them to families. To date he has returned 150 medals but has close to 400 in his basement that need to find their owners. Not to mention he is spending close to $30K a year buying them online and receives 4-5 medals a week in the mail. He has had dogs dig them up, scuba divers find them, and even people who are metal detector enthusiasts. This passion started when he returned from his first tour of duty. He found that collecting military antiques soothed him after what he witnessed at war. His mother, the first female Drill Sargent, gave him a Purple Heart she found at a shop. He knew right away he had to return it. Unfortunately, he was unable to do so before being deployed for a second time. It was during this deployment that he received his own purple heart. That stoked the fire even more and Purple Hearts Reunited was born. When asked what the biggest challenge he faced was he without hesitation said funding. He estimates that he would need $60K a year to rescue all the medals that come to market and would need at least that much more to return them. It costs $1,500 to return each medal. The return includes him personally flying the medals in a frame to the family and hosting a ceremony. He has even slept in his car to save money. Zac loses sleep every night when he thinks about the fact that he knows he can return all the medals but that he just doesn’t have the time or money to do it. So how can we help?
- Watch and share his video: https://vimeo.com/141700679#sthash.YhLOrFcI.dpuf
- Consider making a small personal donation
- Consider having your family or business sponsor the return of a single medal and be a part of the return process: $1,500
- Share any useful contacts with Zac such as hotel and flight discounts
- Contact Sarah Corry for more funding opportunities: Sarah@purpleheartsreunited.com
- If you find, decide to buy, or need to locate a medal contact: purpleheartsreunited@gmail.com
The Burlington Rotary club was proud to host retired Lt. General and current President of Revision Military Technologies. Prior to joining Revision in 2015, Michael served in the military for 36 years, including time as Deputy Commander of the United States Northern Command, where he was responsible for the air and land defense of North America, and Adjutant General for the state of Vermont from 2006-2012.. Michael spoke about national security issues, the F-35 fighter jet, and Revision Military Technologies.
During the talk, Rotarian Dan Feeney tried out one of Revision's helmets:
Every year for the past several years the Burlington Rotary Club has assisted the Salvation Army with ringing the bell leading up to the holidays at its collection station at the Church Street Marketplace in downtown Burlington. It is always wonderful to meet and interact with shoppers as we witness the awesome giving spirit of passers by.
Rotarians Dan Feeney and Scott Baldwin
Zoe Petersen (right), daughter of Rotarian Gordon Petersen, and her friend Clare Maxwell.
Rotarians Larry Brett and Sarah Sprayregen.
The Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee’s Ninety Second Gift to Rotary
As Chair of the Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee, I am given the opportunity to promote that part of my life I call Rotary to the world in forty-five to ninety seconds. As Rotarians we change people’s lives and give them hope where there is none. Many times in order to achieve our goals we must find a way to have people of different backgrounds sit down at the table and negotiate a safe environment for our volunteers to work. This year’s entry will highlight Rotary’s efforts to create a more peaceful world.
Since Rotary returned to the Tournament of Roses Parade in 1980, the New Year’s Day pageant has become a highlight on the Rotary calendar. Seen in Pasadena by over 700,000 people, television coverage of the floral extravaganza reaches about 80 million more around the world, providing Rotary with the valuable opportunity to showcase our programs and activities.
“Be A Gift To The World” will be RI President, Ravi Ravindran’s theme for this year. The Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee is a gift to Rotary. Although the float is not a project of Rotary International, the success of the float is a tribute to the dedication of the Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee consisting of volunteer Rotarians from across North America. Our efforts, supported entirely by voluntary financial contributions from Rotary clubs across the United States and Canada, 2016 will make this the 37th consecutive entry in the Tournament of Roses Parade. The Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee is proud to provide this Rotary recognition campaign tool as a gift to Rotary International and the 1.2 million Rotarians who dedicate our lives to making a positive difference in that place someone calls home.
Yours In Rotary Service,
Walt Stephens,
2016 Rotary Rose Parade
Float Committee Chair
More Information can be found at: http://www.rotaryfloat.org/
Small Rotary club in Ecuador’s Andes delivers big on water project
High in the Andes, an indigenous community had been waiting more than a decade for clean drinking water.
First Rotaract RPIC talks about creativity, community, and hats
As World Rotaract Week (13-19 March) kicks off, Rotaractor and public image coordinator Philip Flindt shares his secrets for planning exciting events.
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SERVICE ABOVE SELF
(Second Floor)
Burlington, VT 05401
United States of America