Gavin McMahon builds things. Once, it was submarines, sports cars, and steel plants—big, complex systems built on logic and precise plans. Then he learned that people don’t move without a story.
Today, as CEO and co-founder of fassforward, Gavin helps leaders and organizations use storytelling to shape strategy, culture, and growth—because even the best ideas go nowhere if they aren’t told well.
Now, he's written a book about it. Story Business takes you on a journey from ancient cave paintings to billion-dollar tech unicorns, revealing how storytelling is a powerful—and undervalued—tool for driving business success. Drawing on vivid examples of the rise and fall of real-world corporations, McMahon exposes a timeless truth: It’s not the best ideas that win, but the best-packaged ideas.
If there is a Westport school cancellation or delay due to the weather, we will not have a meeting in person. Call 203-341-1766 for the school district's snow message if you are not sure.
Come for coffee and breakfast at 7:00am.
The meeting will start at 7:30am.
Meeting Opener: Yvonne Senturia
Greeters: Bruce Fritz, Bob Galan
VENMO SUSTAINING MEMBER
($100 annual)
@Joseph-Renzulli-1
The Club Calendar is at the end of this newsletter. Please refer to it to see the meeting schedule, social events and more. It will be updated when speakers and events are added.
The updated Greeters and Openers schedule is also near the end of the newsletter, so please check to see if you are on there!
Friday Meeting - February 20
Vincent Santilli, Executive Director Homes for the Brave
Randy Abrams (left) a Homs for the Brave board member and Vincent Santilli (right) shared how the organization helps Veterans facing homelessness or housing issues in CT. Vince filled in at the last minute for Ceci Maher, who was sick that day.
Joe Watson was our motivating opener for the meeting.
Stephanie Philips, our district governor, stopped by to thank us and cheer us on.
She is here in the photo with Katie, Peter Helt, president of Westport Rotary, and
Katharine Murray from Homes With Hope
The very successful Meal Packing Event held on February 21 was a joint effort of the Rotary Clubs in Area 2 of District 7980 - Westport Sunrise, Westport, Norwalk and Wilton - plus the Saugatuck Congregational Church and The Outreach Program, who supplied the ingredients.
Over 70 volunteers from the Rotary Clubs and the Church packed 12,500 shelf-stable meals of Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal and delivered them in 58 cases to the Homes with Hope Food Pantry at the Gillespie Center in Westport, Open Doors, Person to Person and the YMCA in Norwalk, and Wilton Social Services. They were all very appreciative! Many thanks to all those who helped out!
It is my great pleasure to invite you to a special District 7980 ceremony on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, recognizing the extraordinary service of Past District Governor Winston “Win” Allen, who led our District during the 2000–2001 Rotary year. This recognition is offered in sincere appreciation of Win’s leadership and his trailblazing commitment to inclusion, diversity, and belonging within Rotary. My hope is that we not only celebrate Win but also honor the strong tradition of inclusive leadership carried forward by the Past District Governors who followed, and that our District continues to strengthen together.
In his honor, District 7980 has established the Winston “Win” Allen Award for Belonging and Diversity, which will recognize individuals who exemplify Rotary’s values through sustained efforts to foster belonging, advance diversity, and strengthen inclusive leadership within their clubs and communities. The presentation will be delivered by Rotary International Trustee Martha P. Helman, with the certificate signed and authorized by Rotary International President Francesco Arezzo.
The ceremony will take place during the Westport Rotary Club lunch meeting:
Sunrise Rotarians and family members met at the social luncheon on Friday Feb 27th
GUESTS LAST MEETING:
Vincent Santilli Speaker
Randy Abrams, guest of speaker
GILLESPIE CENTER COOKING / SERVING SCHEDULE
One of our club’s ongoing and rewarding commitments to community service is our commitment to serving dinner meals on the first Saturday of each month at the Gillespie Center here in Westport.
We are back to serving meals at the newly renovated Gillespie Center. We have the option to drop off prepared meals at 4:30 PM or to bring meals to serve in person at 4:40 PM (allow extra time if the meals need to be reheated). Meal service should include a main dish, side dish, vegetable, and dessert (no nuts or shellfish please). The number of meals to provide, currently 25, will be confirmed to you to in advance when it is your turn to serve.
If you choose to drop off prepared meals at 4:30 PM you have the option to prepare homemade meals, purchase prepared meals at the store/restaurant of your choice, or you can contact Fresh Market on the Post Road in Westport where you can purchase prepared meals (protein, two sides and cookies for $7 - $10 per meal). If you choose the Fresh Market option call Tory at 203 227-2910 on the Monday prior to your meal service to place your order. You can pay for the meals when you pick them up.
If you are unable to work on your assigned Saturday you will be responsible to call other Rotarians on the list to switch dates.
Meal Servers Schedule March 7, 2026 Rachelle Norzelus Bruce Paul April 4, 2026 Joe Renzulli Mark Mathias May 2, 2026 Steven Chin Matt Mandell June 6, 2026 Joe Scordato Paul Keblish July 4, 2926 BBQ
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Join Date
Anil Nair
May 1, 2009
17 years
Ron Holtz
May 1, 1991
35 years
Mark Mathias
May 3, 2003
23 years
Paris Looney
May 3, 2019
7 years
Liz Wong
May 4, 2012
14 years
MEETING OPENERS SCHEDULE
March 6 Senturia
13 Bernhard
20 Augustyn
27 Klein
April 10 Mullen
17 Renzulli
GREETERS SCHEDULE
March Fritz; Galan
April Mandell; Violette
May Monroy-Smith; Zielinski
June Wetmore; Summers
2026
March
6: Gavin MacMahon, FassForward
13: Ckiff Sirlin, Buy Build Fund
20: Bill Harmer, Westport Library Common Ground
27: TBD
April
3: NO MEETING - GOOD FRIDAY/PASSOVER
10: Horizons Academy
17: Samantha Sarelli, Ms. Globe USA 2005, social activist
