*******PROGRAM******

• Acceptance of minutes from September's meeting- Accepted by Cindy Gurini, 2nd by Joe Barbero, all members present accepted.

• Recap of September speaker Joseph Kane from the Council on Compulsive Gambling of NJ. Joseph is a recovering gambler; he has over 10 years in recovery.  Joseph has an interesting background.  He worked with Vinny Tarentino, who lost his life on 9/11.  He worked in the financial field with Vinny.  He started gambling at a young age.  Joseph was in & $170,000.00 in credit card debt due to his compulsive gambling, which his wife knew nothing about.  He went to family and friends to get him out of debt.  Now Joseph carries no money; he has a set allowance. He now has all gambling websites and apps blocked from his phone to avoid temptation. 

• Book drive is running now through November 7, 2025.  The drop-off location is Hudson DNA & Drug Testing, 166 Broadway, Bayonne, NJ.  The Little BoHo Bookstore is also offering 10% off books purchased for Casa. 

• The festival is Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 12:00 PM -6:00 PM.  
• Rotary will have a tent in front of 166 Broadway
• Cindy will print out handouts to give as well as make boards with our upcoming events/fundraiser. The boards will also show ways that we help our community. 

• Rotary will be marching in the parade. 
• Line-up is at 11:45 at Woodrow Wilson Schoolyard. Parade starts at 1:00 PM 
• The parade route is from 56th Street and Avenue C to Devlin Court.
• There will be a post-party at the Knights of Columbus, 669 Avenue C, Bayonne, NJ.  The cost is $75.00 per person. If you are interested in attending, please speak to Cindy Guarini. 

• Rotary will hold its first Dine Around on October 20, 2025, at San Vito Restaurant from 5:00 PM-9:00 PM.  Proceeds of each meal during this time will be donated to the Rotary Club.  Reservations are requested. 

• The Rotary Club of Bayonne is being honored with the President's Award at the NAACP Dinner on October 26, 2025 4:00 PM at The Chandelier Restaurant, 1081 Broadway, Bayonne, NJ.  The cost of the dinner is $135.00 per person. 

• District Governors visit/meeting will be on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.  This meeting will be combined with all of our clubs in our District.
• The meeting will be held at the VFW Hall, 98 Oak Street, Jersey City, NJ.  The meeting will be catered by San Vito's Restaurant.  The cost per person is $30 in advance and $35.00 at the door.  There is available parking.  Please RSVP and send payment by  October 24, 2025, to Donna Trimblett. 

• Kathy from Highways stated that she must have missed an email regarding free turkeys for Thanksgiving to give away to those in need.  It was voted by the Board to hold a Tequila for Turkey's event at El Aguila Dorado.  More details to follow. 

• Christmas Luncheon will be on December 9, 2025, at Villa Maria.  We will need to pick a school. 
• Christmas Photos by Omar Photography will be Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 9:00 AM -11:00 AM.  The photos will be done at Hudson Testing, 166 Broadway, Bayonne, NJ. Dr Dennis Degnan will choose the families from each school 
• BergenPoint Tree lighting is also on October 13, 2025, at 6:30 PM.  There will be a pre-party at 5:00 PM at Hudson Testing, 166 Broadway. 

• District meeting: The Gift of Life Celebration will be held on February 12, 2026- More information to follow 
• FIFA Soccer games are looking for Volunteers to work at Liberty State Park.  We will share more information as it becomes available. 
• November 4, 2025, Joe Barbero's Dad is being honored at the "Field of Heroes" at Bayonne High School 
• November 8, 2025, from 11:00 AM-12:00 PM, Wallace Temple at 292 Avenue C, Bayonne, NJ, will be having a Veterans Service for 4 of Bayonne's Veterans.