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For
the graphical edition of The Nairator (recommended),
Rotary
Achieved Much in 2005 In preparing my last message for 2005, I reflected back over my first six months as president of the Haverhill Rotary Club and appreciate what this club accomplishes. We are constantly on the lookout for ways to help our community and to make a difference. We served two very successful community meals that helped relieve the hunger that surrounds us. We did our part in keeping an important community park clean for all to enjoy. We joined with other service clubs in delivering plants to the elderly and brightened up their day. We enjoyed a night of fun and fellowship with our friends and other service clubs at our Karaoke Night. We delivered dictionaries to all of the third graders in our community to set a good example of how important it is to help support our schools. We spent a couple of days spreading Christmas cheer and raising money for the less fortunate in our community supported by the Salvation Army. This list of community activities is not all inclusive but it does give you a general idea of what the Haverhill Rotary Club is all about. We did help make a difference in our community, but who are “we.” You must now ask yourself how many of these activities did you take an active part in. If the answer is all of them then you understand the true meaning and purpose of being a Rotarian. If the answer is none then it is time to make a new year’s resolution to improve. The meetings will be getting a little more interesting for me now that I have to make the transition from Robert’s Rules on Tuesdays to Mike’s Rules on Thursdays. I’ll be alright as long as I don’t slip up and try to fine one of the city councilors on a Tuesday or forget to fine a deserving Rotarian on a Thursday. I want to thank Ken Smith again for all his hard work in putting together our children’s Christmas meeting and for leading us to victory in the annual Service Club Kettle Contest. We triumphed over the DARK SIDE (a.k.a. the Kiwanis Club) and restored a little balance to the universe with our victory. Our snow policy seemed to work well this week. It was snowing quite a bit just before our meeting, yet I didn’t receive any phone calls about the meeting because everyone knew that Haverhill schools were in session. I was also impressed by the good number of members who attended. I want to
wish you all a happy, safe healthy, prosperous,
and Rotarian New Year. Home@Last
Delivers on that Promise Rev. David Thomas, just back from a night of Rose Bowl football, introduced Jennifer Raitt, the director of the North Shore Housing Trust. The
Home@Last program is a partnered campaign in Essex County which
deals with affordable housing in Essex County, including educating
communities about affordable housing and reducing resistance
to affordable housing. Massachusetts and Essex County are losing population, particularly young people who move because they cannot afford to live in local communities. Affordable housing is often mixed in with other housing and is not a matter of “them” living in affordable housing and “us” living elsewhere. Affordable housing is for working families and where housing costs should not exceed 30 percent of a family’s income. Forty-four
percent of renters pay more than 30 percent of their income for
rent in Essex
County. This is a local issue with long-term ramifications. The need for local affordable housing is serious.. Everything
is Coming Up (Dr.) Rose(s) If today’s singing is any indication…silence is golden. President
Mike is making the transition from Robert’s
Rules on Tuesday evening to “his” rules on
Thursday. Enough experience will make you wise and experienced. Dr.
Rose once again came through for the Rotary International
Rose Bowl Tournament of Roses float. May your troubles this year be as long as your New Year’s resolutions. Some members’ New Year’s resolutions may be to make no resolutions this year. If
you can’t be a good example, then
you may just have to be a horrible warning.
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