Charlie called the meeting to order, Mary lead us in the Pledge and Rennie lead the Reflection
Jim Fusco was our visitor, and Jen Flanagan our speaker
Ruby won the 50/50, but no Joker
There were 2 calendar raffle winners - Scott Rosengren (Victor), and Antonia McAdam (Mary)
NOTE: There is no meeting on Veterans' Day, 11/11/19
General Topics
Membership Video was about Rotary International's Medical Mission to Rwanda, Africa.
Joseph Kiarie was installed as an official Leominster Rotary member. Jim Fusco, AG, who is always very supportive of our club, did Joseph's installation, and Christine was his sponsor.
The proposals that came out of the "newbies meeting" are going before the Board.
The calendar project, lead by Ruby, is on track.
Our annual Salvation Army bell-ringing will be held on Dec 6th at the food court in the Whitney Field Mall. Please sign up for a 1-hour shift. There will be 2 people on shift each hour - 1 must be a Rotarian, and the other can be a family member or friend.
PROJECT UPDATES:
Breakfast for the Bands is coming up quickly. The LHS students are stepping up and taking some of the shifts that we may have signed up for. An updated list will be out soon.
Aroma Joe's will be the official coffee for the Breakfast. Thanks Johnny!
Dean is following up with a few other sponsors whom we have not heard from at this time.
Our Care Package creation project will take place this Wednesday, 11/6, at LCU at 4 pm
John S set up a Flower Box clean up project. Please meet at Rollstone Bank Tuesday 11/5 at 2:30 pm if you can help out.
Johnny is moving forward and learning more about the Guatemala trip in late March. He set up a Go Fund Me page to help raise funds for the trip. Please consider donating here:
Jennifer Flanagan - Senator, and Member of the MA Cannabis Control Commission
It has been 1 year this month since marijuana has been decriminalized in MA.Jen talked to the club about some interesting facts - MA is the first state on the east coast to pass this law. The commission controls cannabis-related business permits. Protecting children is a priority - no cannabis business can advertise on placemats for any kid-oriented event or restaurant (Breakfast for the Bands, for example), or sponsor DARE or any substance-control program. Another interesting fact is that social consumption bars and marijuana delivery businesses are coming in the near future. Finally, Jen talked about the federal implications that people don't always consider - cannabis is legal in MA, but it is still illegal federally. Although legal here, if a person has a federal job or is receiving federal loans or student financing, jobs and funding can be taken away if someone violates the federal regulations.
Why is Music Education So Important?? continued from last week...
11. Fine-tuned auditory skills Musicians can better detect meaningful, information-bearing elements in sounds, like the emotional meaning in a baby’s cry. Students who practice music can have better auditory attention, and pick out predictable patterns from surrounding noise.
12. Music builds imagination and intellectual curiosity Introducing music in the early childhood years can help foster a positive attitude toward learning and curiosity. Artistic education develops the whole brain and develops a child’s imagination.
13. Music can be relaxing Students can fight stress by learning to play music. Soothing music is especially helpful in helping kids relax.
14. Musical instruments can teach discipline Kids who learn to play an instrument can learn a valuable lesson in discipline. They will have to set time aside to practice and rise to the challenge of learning with discipline to master playing their instrument.
15. Preparation for the creative economy Investing in creative education can prepare students for the 21st century workforce. The new economy has created more artistic careers, and these jobs may grow faster than others in the future.
16. Development in creative thinking Kids who study the arts can learn to think creatively. This kind of education can help them solve problems by thinking outside the box and realizing that there may be more than one right answer.
17. Music can develop spatial intelligence Students who study music can improve the development of spatial intelligence, which allows them to perceive the world accurately and form mental pictures. Spatial intelligence is helpful for advanced mathematics and more.
18. Kids can learn teamwork Many musical education programs require teamwork as part of a band or orchestra. In these groups, students will learn how to work together and build camaraderie.
19. Responsible risk-taking Performing a musical piece can bring fear and anxiety. Doing so teaches kids how to take risks and deal with fear, which will help them become successful and reach their potential.
20. Better self-confidence With encouragement from teachers and parents, students playing a musical instrument can build pride and confidence. Musical education is also likely to develop better communication for students.
