Charlie called the meeting to order, Claire lead us in the Pledge, Rennie lead us in the Reflection and Dean collected the happy and sad fines. Happy dollars for the beautiful roses outside - stop and smell them!
Claire won the raffle, and pulled the Joker! Notably, the song "The Joker" was playing at the time...!
The calendar raffle winners were Julie Paradise, sold by the same, and Jolene Constant, sold by Frank. Not notably, the song "Jolene" was not playing at the time.
No guests or speaker this week.
MEETING CANCELLATIONS - Please note - No meetings on June 17 or July 1.
MEMBERSHIP UPDATES
Frank is working on a proposal to bring in new members. He is considering the ideas submitted by Christine, Johnnie, Ruby and Julie. Understandably, not all ideas can be incorporated at once, but let's keep those fresh thoughts coming.
A Membership Committee will be forming to brainstorm and consider new membership offerings. The possibility of a Service Membership to entice people who can't make the lunch meetings is being discussed, as well as a Corporate Membership option which will allow the use of subs on a regular basis. Frank already has up to 5 potential members in light of these alternative membership options. Also, mentors will be assigned to new members to ensure their success within the Club
We viewed the Rotary video "The Ask - Part 1". Invite potential members to meetings, and to participate on service projects. Have conversations, focus on the other person, and find out what is important to them. Just don't propose on the first date!
GENERAL TOPICS
Charlie explained the 501(c)3 corporate application process. We will invite Mike E or Elliott R to speak to our Club about the pros and cons of filing for this type of corporate status.
The Revolution tailgate event is scheduled for July 17th. Claire will send one last email to sign up to attend.
The annual Summer Stroll was a fun event and the Club received good visibility by handing out over 400 bags of penny candy, complete with our Club logo stickered on them.
John Tata has the glow sticks. We just need to set up the table, hand out glow sticks and flags, and blow up helium balloons with "Join Rotary" printed on them. Volunteers needed for the event!
Completed Project - Flower Boxes
The flower boxes are planted! Charlie is updating the sponsor spreadsheet so we can get the signs updated to advertise for the paid current and new sponsors
While many different industries established themselves in Leominster, it was the comb industry that particularly flourished. Construction of combs was a time-consuming and painstaking process, involving preparation of the natural materials such as animal horn, roughing out of a basic form, and finally, individual cutting of the teeth. By 1853, there were already 146 employees working in 24 different comb factories across the town. By the mid-1800s, however, availability of the natural materials used to make combs, such as animal horns and hooves, was diminishing rapidly, and an alternative material was needed.
The solution would come in a new material calledcelluloid invented in 1868. The new plastic would revolutionize the comb industry and give Leominster the nickname "Comb City". The versatility of celluloid would also give manufactures the opportunity to expand to many different products outside of combs. The largest plastic manufacturer in the city was the Viscoloid Company founded by Bernard Wendell Doyle in 1901. In 1914, the Viscoloid Company pioneered making toys out of pyroxylin plastic, and by 1923 the company was the largest employer in Leominster. Viscoloid would be sold to The DuPont Company in 1925, and renamed the Dupont Viscoloid Company.
