Standing, L to R: Jennifer Anderson and Tara Shore representing the Belknap Mill Society, Karmen Lorentz, Laconia Area Community Land Trust, Kevin Conway (sponsor) Granite United Way, Attornes Rod Dyer of Wescott Law and Brett Allard. Kneeling: Tricia Patten, Lakes Region Childcare Services, and Caitlin Meaney, also with LACLT.

Laconia Rotary welcomed new members into the organization at the May 25 meeting held at the Belknap Mill. Among those inducted were Carmen Lorentz, and Caitlin Meany of Laconia Area Community Land Trust, Jennifer Anderson and Tara Shore of the Belknap Mill Society, Tricia Patten of Lakes Region Childcare Services, and Attorney Rod Dyer of Wescott Law.

“The attorneys at Wescott Law are proud to join the Laconia Rotary Club and the Rotary International Network”, stated Attorney Dyer. “The organization’s dedication to the community and its motto, ‘Service Above Self’, are values that we share. We look forward to joining the Rotary in this mission”.

Wescott Law joined under Laconia Rotary’s new Connection Program which allows local businesses and organizations to participate in a way that offers flexible attendance options to accommodate busy schedules. Under the program, one person from the member business or organization is the Executive Member. There must be at least one Active Member as well. If the Executive Member is unable to attend a meeting, the Active Member may attend in his or her place. Other members of the business or organization as alternatives but are not members of the club. “Laconia Rotary has seen an increase in membership as a result of this flexible option which helps people manage competing demands for their time”, states Joanne Lang, Laconia Rotary President. “Court dates and other commitments can make attending the weekly meetings difficult for a single attorney,” says Dyer. “Under the Connection Program we can have several active members who attend meetings on behalf of the firm.”

Wescott Law joined Laconia Rotary to fill a lapse which occurred when Attorney Peter Millham retired from the firm a year ago. Millham was an active member for over 50 years, and according to Lang, “although retired, remains an active member”.

The organization’s signature fundraiser is the Laconia Bike Week Harley-Davidson Raffle. They also have an indoor winter Golf Tournament at Patrick’s Pub and Eatery and other smaller fundraisers. To learn more about membership in Laconia Rotary go to http://www.laconiarotary.org/. Meetings are held at the Belknap Mill Thursdays 12-1 and guests are always welcome. Lunch is optional and catered by Contigiani’s Catering at a fee of $14 per guest.