Date of Meeting: February 21, 2023

Venue: The Belknap Mill

Attendance: 15 in attendance: 8 members and 7 guests

MEMBERS AND GUESTS:

Laconia Kiwanis Club Members:
Betty Ballantyne
Phil Bonafide
Ray Chambers
Bill Gile
Steve Loughlin
Tara Shore
Bob Willey
Brian Winslow

Guests:
Tom Blonski – President and CEO of NH Catholic Charities – guest speaker
Laura Brusseau – Director for Development of NH Catholic Charities – guest speaker
Ray Banks – Hooksett Kiwanian
Debbie Charest – Hooksett Kiwanian
Keith Styles – guest of Betty Ballantyne and potential Kiwanis member
Muff Kruse– former Kiwanis member
Sue Willey – Hooksett Kiwanian and wife of Bob

Tom Blonski		Laura Brusseau		Ray Banks		Debbie Charest
Keith Styles		Muff Kruse		Sue Willey
Photos by W. Stephen Loughlin

Invocation & Pledge:
Invocation: Ray Chambers
Pledge of allegiance: Led by Bill Gile

M E E T I N G vS U M M A R Y

NAME TAGS:
New name tags, which were designed and laminated by Steve Loughlin and Brian Winslow, were handed out to our new members. Those who were not present will receive them next month.

LACONIA KIWANIS BYLAWS REVIEW & VOTE:

Brian Winslow reviewed eight proposed amendments to the Bylaws
Photo by W. Stephen Loughlin

The proposed amendments as follows:
Voting by Members
1. Club Policies Section A “Club Dues and Fees” Annual dues amount to be amended to $110
2. Club Policies Section A “Club Dues and Fees” New member enrollment amount to be amended to $0
3. Club Policies Section C “Officers and Directors number of Vice Presidents amended to 1
4. Club Policies Section C “Officers and Directors number of directors amended to 3
Moved and seconded…voting in the affirmative was unanimous.

Voting by Board
1. Optional Club Policies Section G “Club Meeting Information” number of club meetings per month amended to 1
2. Optional Club Policies Section G “Club Meeting Information “ scheduling of meeting amended to 3rd Tuesday
3. Optional Club Policies Section I “Standing Committees” amended to read “The club does not wish to use this policy”
4. Optional Club Policies Section M “Meals Payment” amended to read “The club does not wish to use this policy”
Moved and seconded…voting in the affirmative was unanimous.

Next step is to get amendments approved by Kiwanis International and then move on to review the bylaws to our charity organization.

UPCOMING CLUB MEETINGS:

Our next club meeting will be on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. Tara Shore, fellow Kiwanian, will be make a presentation on the Laconia Historical & Museum Society. Our April meeting will be on Tuesday, April 18th and our guest speaker will be the new Laconia City Manager, Kirk Beattie.

KIWANIS K.A.R.E.S. (Kids And Reading Equals Success)

Betty Ballantyne explained the K.A.R.E.S. program to our new guests. In February two K.A.R.E.S. events took place: one on February 7th at Pleasant Street School and the last of the three was held at Elm Street Elementary on Tuesday, February 14th.

1ST ANNUAL KIWANIS FREE THROW COMPETITION:

The Hoop Shoot is scheduled on Saturday, March 25, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. till 12:00 p.m. A poster has been designed by Dave Frasca, a friend of Kiwanis. Our efforts are in collaboration with the Lou Athanas Youth Basketball League and Gilford Parks & Recreation. Efforts are being made to solicit sponsors to provide awards, gift prizes, swags, and raffles. Laconia Kiwanis will donate monies toward each program to provide scholarship monies for those families in need. Working on this event are Betty Ballantyne, Zack Dea, and Kiwanis friend, Keith Styles.

EARTH DAY CLEAN UP:

On Saturday, April 15, 2023, members of the Kiwanis Club and Laconia High School Key Club will gather to clean up Tardif Park. Tardif Park is located on Cresent Street in Laconia.

BIKE/SKATEBOARD RODEO:

The date has been firmed to be May 13, 2023. Tara Shore and Zach Dea are co-chairing the event.

PICKLEBALL FUNDRAISER:

Tara Shore, Zack Dea, Bill Gile, Betty Ballantyne and, Corinne Lamarre Parent (a friend of Kiwanis) are gathering facts through Amy Lovisek (Director of Recreation & Facilities of Laconia Parks & Recreation). The event will be tentatively held in Laconia at Memorial Park or Leavitt Park at the end of July, or in August.

UPCOMING DISTRICT EVENTS:

Interdivisional Membership & Leadership Training will be held on Saturday, March 18th from 10 am – 1 pm at the Hooksett Library. Those interested can attend in person or virtually.

The Division Caucus is Wednesday April 5th. The Dover club will be speaking on “Kids Strong.” Bill Gile and Betty Ballantyne plan on attending. Please let them know if you can spare the time to attend with them.

KEY CLUB UPDATE:

Although Key Club Advisor Jilli Paul was unable to attend tonight’s meeting, she forwarded a request by the Key Club on their event/drive to support Waypoint Youth Homeless. They are seeking donations. It’s not too late to bring your donated items to the March 21st general meeting. Items in need are the following: gently used or new clothing, shoes, new underwear and socks, gently used or new sheets, bedding, gently used or new tents, tarps, and sleeping bags. Gift cards to Walmart, flashlights and batteries, non-perishable foods that are nutritious, toothbrushes & toothpastes, shampoo, conditioner, body wash and soap along with feminine hygiene products.

We recently received thank you messages from The Salvation Army and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. To read those thank-you messages, click on the respective names below:

The Salvation Army

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Happy Dollars: $37 was collected

Food Pantry: $60 was collected

Bill Gile and Bob Willey enjoy a humorous moment.
Photos by W. Stephen Loughlin

GUEST SPEAKERS:
Bob Willey introduced our guest speakers: Tom Blonski, President and CEO of NH Catholic Charities and Laura Brusseau, the Director for Development Operations for NH Catholic Charities.

Tom graduated from Trinity College in Hartford with a BS in English Literature. In 1991 he graduated with an MBA in Healthcare from the University of Connecticut School of Business and in 2011 he earned an Executive Certificate in Leadership & Management from the University of Notre Dame.

Laura, a graduate of Plymouth State College, has an extensive resume in community service. She is a co-founder of Faith, Hope and Love Foundation which is dedicated to helping those suffering from poverty, hunger and homelessness. She was a high school teacher in the Lakes Region. She has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, Girls Scouts of America, New Beginnings Domestic Violence Center, Lakes Region Dancing with the Stars, and Hands Across the Table. Laura is also a former Laconia High School Key Club Advisor.

Catholic Charities of New Hampshire helps those in crisis build the lives they want to live. The organization helps individuals and families of all ages, beliefs and backgrounds, and at any stage of their struggle, build more stable lives and paths towards self-sufficiency through a range of comprehensive services. Here is a list of the services: Creating pathways out of poverty, building emotional resiliency, helping homeless and at risk Veterans, guiding individuals and families to citizenship, helping seniors live fulfilling lives through caregivers with Monadnock at Home and healthcare services, special education for children, creating safe environments for children, creating, unifying & supporting families with adoption and maternity services, feeding the hungry and helping homeless mothers and children become self-sufficient.

For more information on Catholic Charities of New Hampshire visit their website by “clicking” here.

Bob Willey (center) congratulates Tom Blonski and Laura Brusseau at the conclusion of their presentation.
Photos by W. Stephen Loughlin

President Bill adjourned the meeting at 7:35 pm.

THANK YOU
Many thanks to Joe Adrignola, Betty Ballantyne, Phil Bonafide, Bill Gile, and Brian Winslow for their assistance with this bulletin.

Tuesday - March 7th- Venue: ZOOM MEETING
6:00 pm - Board of Directors Meeting

Tuesday - March 21st : Venue: The Belknap Mill
6:00 pm - Regular Meeting - Guest Speaker: Tara Shore, President of the Laconia Historical & Museum Society

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