Page 10 - North Haven Magazine Issue 20 Autumn 2021

TheresaRanciato
MADAME PRESIDENT

by Marisa Hexter

This year, the Rotary Club of North Haven welcomed in their new president, Theresa Ran-
ciato. A Rotarian for 20 years, Theresa was first introduced to the Rotary Club through
her mother, who was also a Rotarian. “It was just important for me to get involved in the
town.” The Rotary Club has become an integral part of the North Haven community. For
years, the Club has connected and engaged not only inside the community but outside the
community as well. “We support groups within and around North Haven,” Theresa states.

hen the time came for a new president er they’re local or state...come and share
Wto be initiated, Ranciato volunteered those ideas with us.” Since she has started
for the position. “I volunteered for it be- her time as president, many events have
cause we had a couple of very tough years... been planned. “We are looking forward to
they were hard years for any club or any or- having our Pancake Breakfast and Road
ganization and I felt as if I had time to help Race,” Theresa states, “We are planning A
our club reconnect because of my sched- Night at the Pumpkin Patch for the sec-
ule.” Theresa owns her own business where ond year, a dinner dance, and we’re are also
she specializes in consulting for telecom- planning our new version of Wine and Ros-
munications companies; planning, zoning, es in the spring.” raffled them off. The pandemic did affect
leasing, site acquisition. She also consults in the way they were able to help local organi-
disaster relief. Theresa was initiated as pres- Under her presidency, Theresa also has a zations. “Last year we had to cut out some
ident this year and in tradition, she planned few goals for the Rotary Club. Her motto, organizations that would usually receive
her installation ceremony. There were three “Moving forward and hope,” is the out- money because we focused mostly on the
people she knew she wanted involved; First look she has for her tenure, inviting people food pantries and organizations that were
Selectman Michael Freda, Humanitarian to look at the Rotary Club as a place they addressing COVID and disaster.” While
Richard Branigan, and The Reverend Scott may want to join. “We are actively seeking they weren’t able to raise as much money
Morrow. “Bringing those three people to- participants,” she says. Ranciato also has a as they usually do, the district received and
gether... I don’t think if I weren’t a Rotarian, great focus on inviting more female-owned handed out grants for the club to hand out
I wouldn’t be able to see how important all businesses to join the club. The Rotary PPE. Also, with the help of Liberty Bank, a
those little cogs are. Together with the con- Club also provides a lot of community ser- partner, The Rotary Club was able to hand
nections just mattered,” Ranciato says. “I vice opportunities for young people in high out over $40,000 at one time to the food
asked them all to get up and say a few words school and parents are encouraged to ac- pantry. “So it affected us two ways.”
about what Rotary means to the town, but tively participate as well.
in turn, it’s what they mean to our club; be- Outside of The Rotary Club, Theresa also
cause we could not do what we do as well Covid-19 changed the Rotary Club quite a volunteers at a number of other organiza-
without them and others in the town.” bit during the last year. Theresa first cred- tions in town. She is on the Planning and
its past president Mark LeSage who helped Zoning Committee, the Democratic Town
To Theresa, her favorite part of the Rotary keep the Rotary together during his pres- Committee, the Long Term Recovery and
Club is “our fellowship” and mingling with idency. “We did have to cancel almost all Planning Committee, and the Eli Whitney
the members, which she missed when they of our events last year,” Theresa says. While Museum. When not busy, Theresa enjoys
were unable to meet in person over the last that was difficult, they were able to look to cooking, working in her garden, and read-
year. Thankfully, club meetings have re- other local Rotary Clubs for ideas. For in- ing. She also loves to travel with her hus-
sumed in person, and now they meet and stance, they used Branford’s idea and had band.
have local speakers. “It’s always enjoyable a Restaurants and Roses raffle where they
seeing people present what they do, wheth- purchased gift cards to local restaurants and Theresa would also like to use this article to
urge people to get vaccinated. “People who
cannot get the vaccine due to chemother-
apy, treatments, radiation; their immune
systems are compromised,” she also urges
people to get the vaccine to help protect
the children in the community. “Care about
your neighbors, especially those who are
compromised.”
When asked what North Haven means to
her, Theresa states, “Deep friendship and
bonds that while they may be stretched,
can’t really be broken.” “Even though there
might be disagreements, the town always
comes back together when it matters.” The-
resa Ranciato has an unwavering dedica-
tion not only to the Rotary Club but to the
North Haven community as well.

10 North Haven Magazine - Autumn Issue 2021