Natick Rotary Sprocket 9/30/14

Natick Rotary Sprocket

September 30, 2014

The meeting was called to order by President Judy Shea. Marc Soloway led us in the Pledge. Andy Meyer played the guitar and had us singing “America the Beautiful”. Peter Golden provided the Invocation.

Guests: Anne Lefleur (speaker), Maggie Skye, Anisa & Ray Allen (from London Rotary)

Announcements:

Judy Shea:

· For Marc S. and great job he did at Rotary Membership forum.

· Satya Mitra – guest speaker on 10/14. Bring guests, but let Judy know by week’s end.

· Rabbi Kushner is our speaker on 10/21. Other clubs and guests are invited – let Judy know by week’s end.

· Rotary Board meeting is Thursday (10/2) @ 5pm – room 1C at Library.

· Embrace a Family Yard Sale – great success – raised $4,000. Judy thanked Carol & Steve Brayman and all the volunteers: Mark, Peter, Tina, Bryant, Dan, Greg, Scott, Artie, Tobe, Sharon, Josh. Judy handed out special awards to volunteers: Steve B (bird house); a knife for Peter, and hand sanitizer to the rest of the volunteers. Judy also thanked Bryant for bringing a large truck to cart away remaining items to Savers.

Speaker: Our speaker was Anne Lefleur, representing Gifts of Happiness (GOH). Anne started GOH 2 years ago after attending a personal growth seminar. The basis of her organizations is “it feels better to give, than to receive”. She asked the groups what are the best gifts to give. After multiple answers, Anne said it’s the “opportunity” to give that creates the most happiness, not just the gift. The goal of GOH is creating a “giving and happiness” kit. A kit could include: chocolates; a post card with a stamp; note cards, etc. A gift Anne received – a $100 bill, gave her the initiative to start her program. It was not the money that was important, but what was said leading up to the gift.

Anne led us through a group exercise – she handed out envelopes with happy messages that applied to everybody. She then asked us how it felt to give a gift of happiness. The group responded and said it made them smile, it was fun, affirming, friendly, easy, and made a nice connection with our partners. The vision behind GOH is to live in a world where this happens more often. Anne’s goal is to bring this vision to practice.

Raffle: Steve had the ticket, but pulled the 5 of clubs.

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