Home Page | Rotary Club of Bristol

Bristol Rotary Lunch
Sep. 18, 2024
12:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

September 2024
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Bristol Rotary Gets Its Charter - 1929

Overview of Bristol Rotary

Click here to make a tax deductible donation to Bristol Rotary's Charities Foundation

(a 501(c)(3) Public Charity)

Donation Process Steps

Donation Committee Process

Donation Requests

New Member Proposal/Application

Some of Bristol Rotary's Charities

Clippings from Bristol Phoenix & others

New Member Proposal

Dorcas International

Bristol Rotary Constitution & By-Laws

Bristol Rotary Scholarship Application

New Member Proposal Instructions & Form [PDF]

Ts&Cs for District & Global Grants

Comparison of District & Global Grants

District Grant Requirements

District Grant Policy

District Grant Application

Grant Management Slides 7590

RYLA Student Application

Paul Harris Form

Fiscal Year 2024/2025

Click here to find out more about our Dinner for two event.

Welcome to Bristol Rotary!

Rotary is a global community of more than 1.2 million men and women dedicated to building a better world. Founded in 1929, the Rotary Club of Bristol is a fellowship and service organization of over 50 men and women dedicated to the Rotary motto of Service Above Self. Our club has made many large and small contributions to the welfare of this community and to communities throughout the world. Through the Rotary community, you can exchange ideas and build lifelong friendships with like-minded people. If you have a sincere interest in making a positive contribution to your community, we’re interested in meeting you. Email our President or Secretary to learn how you can become a Bristol Rotarian.

We meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month at 12:15 P.M. at
The DeWolf Tavern Restaurant

259 Thames Street
Bristol, RI 02809

District Site

Bulletins

Venue Map

Bristol Rotary donates a Computer Lab to Franklin Court Independent Living

To assist the residents of Franklin Court Independent living to have access to today’s technology, Bristol Rotary donated funds to purchase two computers and a printer. The residents will be able to contact their family and friends; access their banks, medical portals, social security sites; and explore and enjoy many other things that are now available on-line.

In the picture below, Mary Jo Tavares, President of Bristol Rotary (standing), is attending the opening of the new Computer Lab with resident Genevieve Drummond at Franklin Court Independent Living.

Two new members join Bristol Rotary Club, Vicki Boyle and Jennifer Little

In the picture below, President Mary Jo Tavares is swearing in our two new members. From left to right: Vicki Boyle, Jennifer Little (professional name), and Maria Cesario (Jenn’s Sponsor) and Mary Almeida (Vicki’s sponsor).

Something more about Vicki and Jenn:

Virginia "Vicki" Boyle was the Chair of the Arts and Applied Arts Departments at Mt. Hope High School. She retired after a 40-year teaching career that included New Bedford High School. She was recently appointed Program Director for the Community String Project in Bristol, where she also directs the Adult Guitar Ensembles. Vicki Resides in Bristol.

Jennifer "Jenn Little" Graney Sebolt is a marketing social media professional. She is the owner and digital creator of Jenn Little Media. She is a member of the East Bay Chamber and the Bristol Fourth of July Committee. She resides in Bristol.

Welcome to Bristol Rotary. We are sure they will both make major contributions to our Club’s success.

A Thanks for Bristol Rotary's Support

Bristol Rotary's New President & Board for Fiscal Year 2024/2025

After a year when Bristol Rotary broke new records in donations to local charities and in increasing our membership by 25%, Paul LaFleur steps down and Mary Jo Tavares steps in as the new President for Fiscal Year 2024/2025. Paul volunteered to be President for the past 2 fiscal years, as we were coming out of the difficult Covid slump, and lead the successful return of Bristol Rotary.

In the collage below, at the top, Mary Jo has been inducted as President by Betty Galligan the Assistant District Governor of District# 7950. In the middle picture, the new Board for fiscal Year 2024/2025 is sworn in. Left to right is: Mary Almeida, Cesar DaPonte, Maria Cesario, Cid Rodrigues, Marty Roussel, Sandra Andrade, Mary Jo Tavares (new President), Bruce Cox (future President), Paul LaFleur (past President), and Ken Watkinson.

In the pictures at the bottom, two members receive the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow Award which is awarded in Rotary to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Club. They were awarded by Paul LaFleur to Maria Cesario on the lower left and Marty Roussel on the lower right. Maria for excellent financial management of the funds in the Charities Foundation, and Marty for his consistent outstanding leadership and contributions to Bristol Rotary over the past 41 years.

DECA Team Thanks Bristol Rotary

Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) is a high school and college program for students interested in business, as emerging careers in: marketing, finance, hospitality and management. This year Mt. Hope HS had 41 students compete in the State of RI Competition. Of those, 9 placed first or second in their event which qualified them for the International Career Development Conference (ICDC), which this year was held in Aneheim, CA.

With donations from Bristol Rotary to help them get to California, those 9 competed alongside 23,000 students from all over the world. 6 reached “competency” in their respective events. Competency is a high level of performance in a given event category. The 5 students shown below all reached a level of competency in their chosen events. They came to last week’s Bristol Rotary Meeting, not only thank Rotary for their support, but also to talk about their experience. They were poised, confident and articulate, and demonstrated why they are winners.

Picture below, left to right: Michael Almeida Co-Advisor, Arden Wilkes, Bridget Williams, Sydney Dichiappari, Ella Quesnelle, Olivia Labonte

Bristol Rotary’s April Giving Donations

Every year Bristol Rotary makes several donations to local and other charities from the funds it raises for that purpose throughout the year - from fundraisers and donors. In the picture below, Joanne Quinn, Executive Director of The Autism Project (TAP), sends a thank you for Bristol Rotary’s donation, which for the second year in a row, was the largest donation received for TAP’s annual “Imagine Walk.” In addition, donations went out this week to Women’s Resource Center, Rogers Free Library, Community String Project, Linden Place, East Bay Food Pantry, St Elizabeth’s Food Pantry, The Tomorrow Fund, Christian Community Bible Church (supporting a Haitian Orphanage), Bristol Country Chorus (supporting the Joan Roth Scholarship Fund), RI Veterans Home, EB Community Dev. Corp (to go towards their eventual purchase of a van for seniors living in the Franklin Court facilities). Several others will be added in May.

Also, every year Bristol Rotary provides financial grants to high school students, who apply for funds to help them move to the next educational level that fits their goals. Lastly, the Club sends funds to the Rotary Foundation for the organization’s international projects: this year, Polio Plus and Disaster Response. By fiscal year end, June 30^th, Bristol Rotary will have donated over $100,000. Almost half that sum was given out as individual donations during the year, as timing factors affected the need. “Thank you to local friends, supporters, and donors who, ‘help us help others.’”

Johnathan Birs joins Bristol Rotary – again!

Johnathan Birs was a Bristol Rotarian from 1995 to 1997 until he moved out of the area. With his company office now in the Bell Tower Plaza, practically walking distance to DeWolf’s, he has come back to us. John is President and owner of Capital City Financial Corporation and the sister company Bristol County Consultants. The former company is becoming the premiere Mortgage broker in Rhode Island, while the latter company provides strategic tax planning and preparation of tax returns for both personal and corporate clients, currently numbering over 800.

John Birs has been a Mortgage Consultant since 1994. He is a 1983 graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics. John is a member of the Rhode Island Mortgage Bankers Association, served as President of the Board of Directors for the East Providence Chamber of Commerce, is a member of the Blithewold, Garden & Arboretum’s Board of Directors, and a member of its Finance Committee.

John has been happily married for over 26 years and has two beautiful daughters.

John, we’re delighted to have you back!

Bristol Rotary's Support for the Food4Kids Program

At the East Bay Food Pantry and Thrift Shop (EBFP), the Food4Kids (F4K) began as a program to supplement meals for families with school-age children when schools are not in session (weekends, vacations, holidays). There was a significant increase in the use of the program following the expiration of COVID-era SNAP benefits in March 2023 (which came after the end of free school meals for all, in Spring 2022). The number of visits has remained high throughout 2023 (650 kids) and higher into 2024 (450 kids, so far through March). They receive shelf-stable items, and they also can pick up milk, eggs, yogurt, cheese, and fresh fruit to help keep their kids nourished and healthy.

Inflation over the past couple years, coupled with increases in visits to EBFP and F4K, has resulted in a significant increase in cost to run these programs – currently F4K program costs $2,900 per month. The Food4Kids budget has more than doubled since 2021, making reliable support even more crucial to ensure that this essential program continues. “Bristol Rotary is such a valued partner in our community. We are grateful for your consistent support”, said Emily Mushen, Executive Director of EBFP, speaking at the Rotary Meeting on April 17.

Bristol Rotary is proud, once again, to help DECA at Mt. Hope High School reach the DECA International Competition in Anaheim, CA.

What Is DECA? Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) is a high school and college program for students interested in business, as emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management.

The Mt. Hope High School DECA club once again finds itself in the enviable position of having ten (10) students qualify for international competition! This year Mt. Hope had 41 students compete at the RI DECA Career Development Conference, that is up from 26 last year. Of those who competed, 11 placed in the top three of their events, with 10 students earning an invitation to compete this April at the DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Anaheim, California with over 20,000 U.S. and international students. Of the 10 students who qualified, ALL will be representing Mt Hope and RI DECA

“We were very grateful last year, not only for Bristol Rotary’s generous financial contribution to help students attend ICDC in Orlando FL, but also for your genuine support and interest in DECA and our students’ business education,” said Mike Almeida (Co-Advisor, MHHS). Bristol Rotary subsidized almost 25% of the total cost of the trip for the Mt. Hope DECA team to the DECA International Career Development Conference in Anaheim. See the team below, showing the DECA symbol.

Back Row L-R: Preston Brodd, Sabian Mihalos, Maria Cesario (Rotary Found,ation) Vania Qandeel, Arden Wilkes, Bridget Williams, Paul LaFleur (President, Bristol Rotary), and Michael Almeida (Program Director).. Front Row L-R: Sydney DiChiappari, Olivia Labonte, and Isabella Brando. Not shown: Ella Quesnelle.

Bristol Rotary has Bingo Fundraiser for Bristol Educational Grants

Last Thursday, Bristol Rotary ran its annual Bingo fundraiser to provide educational grants to support both college bound Bristol students graduating from Mt Hope High School and other private schools, as well as to Bristol students who will be attending Trade or Vocational schools. The fundraiser, at St. Elizabeth Parish Hall, was a success and well attended by almost 200 people. There was food, drinks and fun games other than Bingo. Through the entusiasm of the participants, and with some donations from other sources, the Bingo evening raised over $17,000 for Bristol Students.

Bristol Schools are encouraged to help their students apply for these grants. To do so, please send a note with name, address and cell # to “Bristol Rotary Educational Grant Committee, P.O. Box 469, Bristol RI 02809.” You will be then sent a form requesting more information on the nature of the Grant request.

Donations are also gratefully accepted. “Help Us Help Others”