CHUMLINE October 1, 2015

Islip Rotary Rummage Sale at St. Mark’s Church.  This upcoming Saturday 10-10-15 > Start 9 a.m. to about 2 or 3 p.m.  We need volunteers, please be at St Marks around 8 a.m. 

October Fellowship Event- We are trying to arrange an October Fellowship Party in Fenton Hall at St. Marks.  Its not a fund raiser – just a good time to be with friends.  Either 10/24 or 10/30- We will let you know the date and time.

Early Childhood Literacy Event – We are coordinating our reading to students with The Commack Road, Wing Elementary and Sherwood Schools as well as with Trinity Church in the upcoming weeks (a Tuesday morning – about 8 A.M-ish).  We will do a Literacy Event with East Islip School in the Spring.  More information to follow.

Wheel Barrel of Cheer – Eric is getting the wheel barrel and already has some liquor.  If you can bring in a good bottle of Cheer to add to our collection, it would be appreciated.  At the Irish Coffee Pub, we are raffling the Wheel Barrel of Cheer as one of our fund raisers.   It should be an easy event that will allow us to raise money for our good causes.  Please bring a bottle of cheer with you to one of our meetings in the next 2 weeks.  Any Questions, please contact Spyros.  Chances/Tickets will be $10.  Thank you in advance. 

Veteran’s Stand Down- Gary Rosenfeld attended the Northport Veteran’s Stand Down with Bob Nathan and it was a great experience.  Gary noted that they still need volunteers once per Quarter to help Veterans through the process for living arrangements, food, employment, medical treatments so much more.  The VA has many professionals who are dedicated to helping these many, often times homeless vets, but they need people who can assist the veteran even by just listening to them.  As Gary mentioned, it was an experience that was well worth the time. As Islip Rotarians, our club is dedicating our talents, time and resources to assist Veterans and this program helps us to help veterans.  If you can volunteer even once that would help a great deal, please contact Bob.   Great job Gary, and Bob!!  

Bring a Veteran to Lunch- coordinating with the Sayville Rotary at Lands End (Thursday 12:00).  Its only $18 PP for lunch.  Bringing a Veteran could show your appreciation and introduce Rotary.  Guest speaker Tom Croci.  Please let Eric know if you can attend, so we have a head count.

Gift of Life – Bob announced he and several other Rotarians attended the Gift of Life Board meeting.  If you can attend any of these Gift of Life board meetings, it really can give you a better insight into what Rotary is doing to help children around the world. 

Membership – Bob was handing out fliers introducing Rotary to local small businesses in East Islip.  We could always use more members.  If you can bring a friend to lunch or tell someone about Rotary, we may be able to increase our membership.  “Many hands make light work.”

The Interact Club – Kathy is working with the East Islip students and Cheryl with the Islip students.  The interact clubs are filled with future Rotarians in the making.  We look forward to working with them this year.

Foundation Update- John Chinnici is asking if our members can consider having from their checking accounts automatic withdrawals of only $10 per month to the Rotary International Foundation that helps support our common causes.  If every member donates $100 per year, our club will not only be recognized for 100% member contributions but the Foundation also helps us with grants so we can expand our local and foreign good works of charity.    

Thanksgiving Baskets – we will be holding our annual Thanksgiving basket event.  We will meet at Shop & Stop in East Islip at  9 A.M.  – we will verify the date in November.  After getting the food at Shop & Stop, we will meet at Amvets (next to the Pub) so we can organize the food baskets, or boxes.  We also need big boxes to hold the food, if you can help. 

District Conference in Nassau County- The district conference is November 6 and November 7^th at the LI Marriott in Uniondale.  The cost is $175 PP or $300 per couple- it includes dinner Friday with breakfast & lunch on Saturday hosting an array of Rotary speakers.  You do not have to stay at the hotel which is $175 per night.  It starts on Friday, November 6^th at 1:30.   Rotarians who have gone previously said it was interesting and a great way to meet other local Rotarians.  Please let Eric know if you are attending.   For hotel reservations,  call 1800-291-9434.

Holiday Party at Clay and Marie’s house- December 11 at 6:30 until whenever you leave (or maybe 10:30).  More details to follow.

Salvation Army Bell Ringing – We will be ringing the Bells at Pat’s Market on December 12^th and again at Shop  Stop in East Islip on December 19^th.   We take shifts so volunteering for an hour each day is all you need and is greatly appreciated.   

Islip Arts Council – visit their home http://islipartscouncil.org  to see the great programs they are working on.  See what Summer events are around the corner!

Thank you Dennis for helping with the wine tickets and golf balls.