The Hands to Honduras Tela Program is open to all – the mix of volunteers varies each year. There are approximately 10 to 15% Rotarian volunteers and the remaining percentage are Vermonters and folks from other states. All of the H2HT volunteers have a strong interest and dedication in helping the people of Honduras. Because of my Rotary connection, our projects follow the Rotary “6 areas of focus” Promoting peace; Fighting disease; Providing clean water, sanitation and hygiene: Saving mothers and children; Supporting education; Growing local economies.
The Rotary Club of Charlotte-Shelburne-Hinesburg (Vermont) is a sponsor club, and we are in Rotary District 7850.
CSH Rotary 2021-06-09
Chris Davis rang the bell and called the meeting to order at 7:32 am.
Laurie Burke read the opening words that Susan Grimes had sent her after Susan was unable to attend today’s meeting.
Carrie Fenn relayed that the school’s will need to help to distribute food during the summer. Help will be needed at Shelburne’s school on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, typically from 9-11am. Please contact Carrie if you are interested in helping.
Linda Gilbert reported that we’ve been signed up for two weeks to help with weeding at the Charlotte school gardens: June 20-26 and June 27-July 3. Please contact Linda if you are interested in helping.
Chris reported that the trees arrived at his house Monday. He put them in pots and put them in the shade so that they will survive this weather. This gives us a bit more time to plan for how and where to plant them. Laurie noted that she reached out to the Shelburne town committee and they are meeting tonight.
Chris spoke about the upcoming races and several people have volunteered to help.
Chris asked people to confirm if they are coming to the Changing of the Guard event (and if they are bringing guests).
Chris introduced the work that he, Susan, and Ros Graham have been doing to find a new place to physically meet. They have come down to two possible locations in Shelburne: the Methodist Church and All Souls Interfaith Gathering. Both will offer similar rates, have Internet connections, and have some way of projecting computer displays. The Methodist Church has a full commercial kitchen while All Souls only has a small kitchen for reheating food. There was some brief discussion in which the full kitchen and central location of the Methodist Church were seen as advantages. The group raised hands and it was unanimous to proceed with the Methodist Church for at least a six-month trial. The group was pleased to hear of All Souls pastor Don Chatfield’s interest in doing more with Rotary, and thought that All Souls would be an excellent place to host special events. Ros will reach out to the Methodist minister about next steps. A group including Dan York and John Hammer will meet at the Methodist church to check out the technical setup before we officially sign.
Linda Gilbert was our main speaker talking about “Hands to Honduras Telas”. She displayed an incredibly inspirational set of slides documenting the work that HtH did in 2020, followed by the work to help after that area was hit with hurricanes. Sam Feitelberg followed with a brief update on his work with the related rehab center in Honduras. https://www.handstohonduras.org
Linda Gilbert provided the closing words. Chris closed the meeting at 8:35.