Deane Martire Horizons Sacred Heart University (Horizons SHU), Co-Chair
Deane Martire has over 30 years of experience in financial services, including roles at Goldman Sachs, Barclays, and GE Capital. He has focused on regulatory compliance, fixed income, and investment banking. Deane earned degrees from Notre Dame and Duke University and chaired the Welch College of Business & Technology Board of Visitors. He resides in Westport with his wife and two daughters.
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 - March 27
Jessica Branson and Margaret Watt
Positive Directions
Jessica (left) and Margaret (right) shared the mission and vision of Positive Directions in helping school children in behavioral and mental health while fundraising and advocating for legislation in increasing educational reach across the state of CT.
Joe and Karen Scordato and Joe Renzulli serving dinner at the Gillespie center last Saturday
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Four Way Speech Contest - High School Students
Our Rotary 4 Way Test Speech Contest Semi Finals brought together an incredible group of high school students who showed courage, thoughtfulness, and heart. Each participant delivered a speech that was uniquely compelling—rooted in their own experiences, values, and hopes for the world. Their willingness to stand on a stage, speak with conviction, and apply the 4 Way Test to issues that matter to them is something truly special. They all demonstrated bravery, creativity, integrity, and leadership.
We are so proud of every single student who participated, including three from Bridge Academy in Bridgeport.
Alex Burtzlaff, sponsored by Westport Sunrise Rotary Club, was one of the two winners from the semi-finals in Trumbull last month. The photo depicts Alex at the first competition at Staples High School in February, receiving his prize from Peter Helt, President of the Westport Rotary Club. WSR collaborated with Westport Rotary on the Westport contest and Alex won first place.
Alex is going to compete in the Finals on April 25 in Stratford. It would be great if some of our members could be there to support him! Please let Katie know if you can make it and ride with her.
Sustainable Westport, Earthplace and Boy Scouts Troop 36 are co-sponsoring another mattress recycling collection event on Saturday, May 2nd, 8:30-11:30, at Earthplace.
There are limited spaces available for pick-up, and should sign up soon, before the spaces fill up. Scan the QR code to complete the Pick-Up Request Form, only available to Westport residents.
However, ANY CT RESIDENT can drop off a mattress or bed spring at the drop-off site on May 2nd.
GUESTS LAST MEETING:
Jessica Branson and Margaret Watt, speakers
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.
