Anniversaries:

Past President Henny opened the meeting at 6:30 pm.

• Henny welcomed everyone to our first face-to-face meeting in a long time.

• Henny read a short prayer.

• She also read a letter from President Ben thanking all members for their support and hard work over this past year.

• Ben asked that the money used to buy him a gavel be donated to the polio fund, although Bob thought that we have an extra one for Jeff to use. Program:

See table Up Front

• Thank you letter from RDHS re scholarships.

• Paul mentioned that he no longer has to be part of their virtual graduation since it is now taking place at the arena parking lot. He did a 1:07 minute video on behalf of Rotary congratulating all of the grads, especially those winning the Rotary awards. It will be included in a video done for the grads.

Henny began the inauguration of the new Executive, with President Jeff Geddes. She then turned the meeting over to President Jeff, who inaugurated the following:

• Treasurer: Reinout von Martels

• Secretary: Paul Brown

• Sergeant at Arms: Warren Jansen

• Directors: Bob Wilson, Brian Pasmore, Ron Bolohan and Kees Boeters

• Jeff thanked all Rotarians for their hard work this past year. Committees:

Kees thanked Reinout for bringing his tractor to help load two heavy pieces into the trailer. He thanked others who have helped during this very profitable year

Other business:

1. Jeff then thanked Henny and Kees for all the work that they do on behalf of Rotary and the community. Living across the street allows him to see how busy they are.

2. He also thanked all the other members for how much work we all do. He firmly believes we are a club that can stand up against any other club in the district. At the PETS, comments were made about how active we are.

• Henny mentioned how well sectors 1 and 2 work together. She felt that we could be proud of our club.

• Jeff asked members for any ideas they may have for us to attract new members. The formal part of the meeting ended at 7:10 pm, but there then followed a general discussion on a number of topics, listed here in no particular order.

1. Henny and Kees mentioned how busy the East Kent folks have been. There will be several concerts held in the arena parking lot, with a format similar to last year. The first is on Saturday, July 3, with 2 bands. Details should be in this week’s Independent. They will be looking for volunteers to help out. If anyone can, let Kees know.

2. There was a discussion about whether there would be meals at our meetings when they start again in September. This doesn’t include the summer meetings. Ron is not sure whether the ladies from the ACW will be doing any. There were several different options put forward, with decisions to be made later. There was also a discussion about where we would hold our summer meetings.

3. Reinout has been in contact with Larry Amos, the Rotarian from Brownsville Texas, who normally joins us for the summer and part of the fall. Both he and his wife have had COVID, but are recovered and have had both vaccines. They may come to our area in September/October.

4. Reinout also mentioned that their son Chris is on the Canadian Olympic Dressage team. The team will train for 2-3 weeks in Germany, along with the North American team. Then they, as well as the European teams will fly to Japan to compete. Two planes with 40 horses each.

5. Kees mentioned that someone who had received a bed from our medical equipment had complained about it being musty. The plan may be to buy a dehumidifier for the storage room. Reinout mentioned that they had an electric heater/dehumidifier/air conditioner that they use. It works very well. It was felt that the cost of the electricity used would not be much. And possibly heating with the propane tank already on site. President Jeff asked if there was “Anything for the good of Rotary?” Jeff closed the meeting

at 7:50 pm,(although many stayed for further discussions.

(