Patrick R. O’Brien, Ph.D., is a Research & Policy Director with Connecticut Voices for Children. His focus is on fiscal and employment research and policy, specifically tax reform and macroeconomics. Previously, Patrick served as a Research & Policy Fellow with Voices. He is an expert on the issue area of presidential control over public finance policymaking, broadly defined to include fiscal policy, monetary policy, and the effect of both on economic policy. Prior to joining Connecticut Voices for Children, Patrick was a postdoctoral research and teaching fellow at Trinity College in Hartford, CT and he remains a Visiting Assistant Professor of Public Policy. Patrick was awarded a Ph.D. in political science from Yale University. He also earned an M.A. in political science from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a B.S. in economics from DePaul University. He is a resident of Glastonbury, CT.
Emily Byrne
Executive Director
Emily Byrne is the Executive Director of Connecticut Voices for Children, a research and advocacy organization with a strategic aim toward economic justice. Byrne has extensive experience in policy and program development as well as advocacy and community organizing. She has led and contributed to work that has been recognized by past White House administrations and has appeared in numerous publications. Most notably, Byrne was the founding Executive Director of New Haven Promise, a nonprofit at the intersection of education and economic development. A public servant by training, Byrne has held various governmental leadership positions, and she is also a past Brady-Johnson Distinguished Practitioner and Lecturer in Grand Strategy at Yale University and a past U.S. Visiting Fellow with the Robert Bosch Foundation in Germany where her research focused on migrant rights and racial justice. Emily earned an M.P.A. from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and a B.A. in Political Science from Providence College. She is a resident of New Haven, CT.
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 - May 15
Lexi Shereshewsky, Executive Director
The Azraq Edutation & Community Fund
More than a year after the fall of the Assad regime, more than 1 million Syrians have been able to do something they never thought possible - return home. But return is not simple, and there are many obstacles that the vast majority of refugees face. At this fragile moment for Syria, how are the millions of Syrians who remain outside of Syria thinking about return? What will they find inside of Syria if they do choose to return? And what will remain for the communities in neighboring countries like Jordan, who opened their doors to so many? Lexi shared an update on the complexities and realities on the ground in Syria and its neighboring countries. She also provided an update on the investments from the Westport Sunrise Rotary Club at The Azraq Center, where our Rotary-funded Hydroponic program continues to thrive.
Stan opened the meeting with a very moving reminder of the true meaning of Memorial Day.
Craig Bergamo was inducted as an honorary member of Westport Sunrise Rotary. In addition, he was awarded a Community Service pin from our Rotary District.
Craig Grannan, visiting Rotarian from the Westport Rotary club, was excited about winning the raffle prize.
Rob Hauck was honored with a District Community Service pin in recognition of all the wonderful work that he does on behalf of our club in the community
We had a beautiful day for the 2026 Rotary EPIC Day of Service! Westport Sunrise and Westport Rotary worked on several projects here in town. Both clubs held a Food Drive at Stop & Shop on Saturday and collected 282 bags of food and personal hygiene items -- and $692 in cash and checks -- to benefit the Homes with Hope pantry.
Other members from both clubs added plantings and mulch at the Gillespie Center homeless shelter.
Westport Rotary installed a peace pole at the Compo Playground along with 53 new donor-engraved pickets.
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EPIC Day Event Rescheduled - Please Join In to Help!
GUESTS LAST MEETING:
Westport Second Selectwoman Amy Wistreich
Westport Police Chief Dave Farrell
Officer Craig Bergamo, new Honorary member
Officer Ned Batlin
Helen McAlinden, Homes with Hope
Katharine Murray, Homes with Hope
Craig Grannan, Westport Rotary Club
David Keeton, guest of Katie Augustyn
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.
