The December 18th meeting of the Charlotte-Shelburne-Hinesburg (CSH) Rotary Club opened with a high turnout and a timely reminder of the season's purpose: that we each hold the power to improve the world through small, individual acts of kindness. This theme of personal agency carried through every segment of the morning, from our internal club development to a moving presentation on supporting our unhoused neighbors.
Strengthening the Rotary "House"
The morning’s business began with a report from the recent District Membership Training. The discussion centered on a fundamental shift in perspective: while we are a service-driven organization, we are, at our core, a membership organization. As the report noted, without a strong, engaged membership, our capacity for service disappears. Using an analog, the club reflected on whether our "Rotary House" needs a new roof or simply some "interior decorating." The consensus was that while CSH Rotary is a "cozy house" where people feel welcome, we can always "spruce things up" by focusing more on fellowship - incorporating game nights, senior luncheons, and more personal storytelling, such as two-minute "Why I am a Rotarian" segments at our meetings.
The Power of Presence: Jason Fitzgerald
Our centerpiece was a deeply personal presentation by Jason Fitzgerald, an exercise physiologist and breathwork practitioner who has turned his own history of trauma into a mission of community care. Jason shared sobering statistics: there are currently 3,500 people - including 1,000 children - registered as homeless in Vermont.
Jason’s work is rooted in "pragmatic kindness." Over the last 15 years, he has led massive efforts to support the community, including:
- Hoodies for Hope: Distributing over 2,000 lightly used sweatshirts directly to encampments.
- Sock Out Cold Feet: Providing 18,000 pairs of brand-new socks to those living outdoors.
- The Great Snack Share: A collaboration with South Burlington fourth graders who decorated 200 red reusable bags filled with snacks.
Jason spoke movingly about the "dopamine return" of giving and the importance of looking our neighbors in the eye to acknowledge their humanity. In appreciation of his visit, the club is donating a book focused on homelessness to the Hinesburg Library in his name.
Action Items & Community Impact
The club remains in high gear as we look toward our major spring fundraiser, Pies for Breakfast, scheduled for March 14th. We are thrilled to announce that the UVM Medical Center has officially signed on as a sponsor. To maximize the impact for our partners, the board is brainstorming new ways to provide value back to sponsors, such as event-specific coupon books. We also put out a call for home-baked pies to help offset the rising costs of ingredients this year.
In the immediate future, look for the Rotary truck in the Hinesburg Santa Parade this Saturday at 11:00 AM. We are also looking forward to a bit of "organized fun" with a holiday party at Jim and Krish’s home this Saturday evening, followed by their annual dessert buffet on January 3rd.
Fellowship & Happy Fines
The "Happy Fines" session was a testament to the diverse lives of our members. The room was filled with celebrations of a spectacular winter sunrise, news of grandchildren visiting from Sweden, and reports of successful wrestling matches at CVU. A highlight of the morning was a celebratory cheer for Brandon Tieso, who officially wrote his very first paper check during the meeting - a milestone of modern "Rotary history." We also shared a bit of envy for our members heading off on adventures ranging from South Carolina to Antarctica.
The Look Ahead
Please note that the CSH Rotary Club will not meet on December 24th or December 31st to allow our members to enjoy the holidays with their families. We will return to our regular schedule on Friday, January 3rd.