What are you bringing with you during a hurricane

President Jim turned the floor over to Laurie Harrison who orchestrated our second ‘networking event.’ We spent about twenty minutes in breakout rooms guided by Sally Hartman, Sigur Whitaker, Michael Desplaines, Jeff Wells, and Bob Batcher. The initial icebreaker was: what would you take if you had to evacuate because of a hurricane?

 

In Jeff Wells’ group, Bob Ash told an engineer’s joke (hint: John Padgett would have disagreed). But they all agreed that they had to bring along their pets and family photos.

 

Bob Batcher’s group decided that it was important not to stress out because you aren’t in control. It’s best to roll with it, i.e., “buy an oar.”

 

Michael Desplaines’ group included Bob Heely, who would take his guitar; Berhanu Mengistu who has to have his computer; Sharon Laderberg, who is now digitizing family photos. We also discussed our travel plans for the future.

 

Sally Hartman’s group discussed a variety of extreme weather events, including blizzards and earthquakes. Sally will take a toy bear from her Dad, born in 1906.

 

Sigur Whitaker had a group of our youngest Rotarians; it seems they treated the event like a lunch table discussion (back when we had those round tables at Scope). Brian McGuire and Jennifer Dilworth share a fascination with honey (perhaps there’s a future program here?). They also discussed their professions.

 

President Jim added that in his group everyone wanted to bring along important documents as well as photos; he showed a slide of a Peloton bike to lighten up the mood. Marilyn Gowen endured the hurricane of 2003 at CHKD, sleeping on the floor to catch some winks.

 

President Jim thanked Laurie Harrison and everyone for the good time. A book will be donated to Willard Model Elementary School library in celebration of this meeting.

 

President Jim turned to Bob Heely for our traditional songs; Bob accompanied himself on his treasured guitar as he led us in "Let There Be Peace on Earth" and "This Land is Your Land" by Woody Guthrie. Then we did the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the Four-Way Test. Lauren Kiger implored that we “be a people pursuing peace” in her invocation. 

 

Our coordinator of Visitation, Joe Massey, is away in Hot Springs. We got an update on Chris McKinnon, who has been moved to a rehabilitation facility. We must continue to keep Chris and Ann Morgan, our bookkeeper, in our prayers. 

 

President Jim announced that we will have an in-person meeting on June 15th at the Town Point Club. We will have the Mayor of Norfolk deliver his ‘State of the City’ address. There will be no masks, no social distancing; if not comfortable with this plan, don’t sign up. There will be a sign-up system organized shortly. This will also be true of the July 6th meeting in which we install the officers and board for our next fiscal year.

 

Sigur, our Foundation chairperson, announced that Lisa Chandler is now a Paul Harris Fellow Plus Eight (which means she has contributed $9,000). Lisa remarked, “I forget how easy it is to give! Years ago, I set up an automatic withdrawal on my credit card every month. So, I don’t even notice.” Sigur offered to assist anyone else interested in this method of donating to The Rotary Foundation.

 

There will be a Community Service opportunity at the Foodbank on May 25th from 9:30-2:00. It’s a more flexible opportunity within the timeframe. Signup on our website. Clean the Bay Day will be June 5th at Constant Park.

 

 

President Jim reminded us that next week we’re off. But in two weeks we will have Patrick Mullins, Director of Public Works at Virginia Stage Company.

 

Adjourned: 1:30 p.m.