April3, 2013 Newsletter

President Adam Bartsch called the meeting to order and led the group in the Pledge. Kris Engstrom gave the devotional.

Announcements:

Linda Gilbert will email those who have volunteered to help at the Charlotte Senior Center dinner to remind them.

Coming meetings:

4/10 – Refugee Resettlement Program

4/17 – Committee Meetings

Don Jenkins of South Burlington Rotary announced that their club is sponsoring a golf tournament on May 20 to raise funds for a veterans’ memorial to be constructed at Dorset Park. Charlotte Shelburne Rotary would be welcome to enter a club team, be a sponsor or donate items or services for a silent auction. They are hoping to raise $15,000.

Ric Flood reminded everyone that June 21 is the Bowling for the Community Fund raiser.

Happy fines:

Gary Marcotte (and Mikey) collected the fines:

Roz Graham – for the successful Shelburne Business and Professional Association mixer Tuesday evening at Shelburne Vineyard.

Kris Engstrom – happy

Elaine Dates – for the games and singing they have enjoyed at district club meetings she and Steve have attended – and for our quiet club

George Schiavone – for Mikey’s tractor shirt

Tod Whitaker – for the SBPA event

Howard Seaver – needs drivers to help with a tour for nine Russians who are visiting the area on May 9 and 10.

Trafton  – happy to have had a visit with their daughter – and skiing

Michael Clapp – happy that Jim wasn’t injured in an accident that Michael witnessed

Alan Hathaway – visit to South Carolina – his daughter’s wedding

Sam Fietleberg – for Jim’s health

Jim Spadaccini – happy to see Mike’s face when he had his accident -- $11,000 damage to Paula’s car

Ric Flood – Scoot fine – happy to play Augusta National with his daughter

Terrell Titus – for Jim Spadaccini – for SBPA mixer – for a weekend with her granddaughters

Debby Hanley – for the SBPA mixer and joining SBPA – happy for snow

Carol Obuchowski – for Terrell’s help recently when her daughter had an accident

Eric Hanley – a sailing vacation two weeks from now

Bob Lake – the Red Sox – scoot fine

Steve Dates – glad the snow is in the mountains, not in town

Trafton Crandall- Happy

Lucky ticket:

Linda Gilbert had the right ticket, but chose the wrong card. Rollover.

Megan Stearns of the Humane Society of Chittenden County was our guest speaker. When Megan moved to Burlington, she was impressed by what she heard about the HSCC, became a volunteer and six months later was hired as development director. She brings experience in acting and hospitality to her position.

Megan contrasted the HSCC shelter with the typical shelter which may be smelly, loud and sad. HSCC is completely different. The building, constructed 12 years ago, was designed to be a shelter, light, clean, quiet and providing a good quality of life to the dogs, cats and small domestic animals it shelters.

The HSCC was founded in 1901 and is a private, independent organization that does not receive government support. 88% of its funding is from individuals and companies. It provides shelter and adoption services and health care for animals that need it.

Megan explained that they have recently revamped their adoption policy, making it more focused on educating people who are interested in adopting, discussing lifestyle and expectations and guiding them to the best choice of animal for them.

They also do humane investigations, checking into possible situations of cruelty or neglect, working with police to seize animals when appropriate or educating people.

They provide education programs about bully breeds dispelling the myths surrounding what are known as pit bulls.

In response to a large number of feral cats in Burlington, they have a Trap, Neuter and Return program. Recognizing that a kitten born in the wild cannot be domesticated after the age of about 10 weeks, the program focusses on keeping the population (estimated to be 22,000 in Burlington) healthy, but not reproducing.

Humane education is provided at Camp Paw Paw and Best Friends University. The Camp is for children ages 7 to 12 who spend a week learning about cats, dogs and other small mammals. The University program teaches animal care, gives seminars on the challenge of ensuring safety for animals in spite of weak laws that make enforcement difficult.

The budget of the HSCC is $1 million a year, with $100,000 received from the charity bingos, 88% of the balance from individuals and businesses, 12% from programs, retail, grants and training classes.

On June 9 they will be holding their 19^th annual Walk for the Animals and Doggie Fun Run.

Recorded by Rosalyn Graham

Until John Hammer returns from vacation