Meeting Opening:
David Dix played God Bless America; Pledge of Allegiance was led by President Kathy Myers, and Sue Hetrick provided the Invocation. Rotarians returned to the Rotary Song Book to sing Home On The Range.
Guests: There were no guests or visiting Rotarians at today's meeting.
Announcements:
- President Kathy announced that the 100th Anniversary Committee would be meeting in person today after Rotary. She also said the Capital Campaign Committee would be meeting this evening at Paul Organ's office.
- President Kathy informed Rotarians that incoming District Governor Larry Lohman's induction and banner presentation would be July 14 in Parma. For details visit www.rotarydistrict6630.org. You can also learn more about the Rotary Indians game the evening of July 22 when the Rays will be visiting the Indians on that site.
- Membershp Chair Amanda Senn announced that the next Rotary Happy Hour will be tomorrow, July 7, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the North Water Brewery. A food truck is planned at the site.
- She also announced that the joint Kent Service Clubs will be hosting a Happy Hour at the upper room of Laziza on July 30 from 4 to 6 p.m.
- Foundation Chair Carol Crimi reminded Rotarians that the Foundation will be meeting in August. If you have funding proposals, get them to Carol no later than July 31.
- Roberta O'Keefe passed around the sign up sheet for invocations for the rest of the year. If you would like to offer a prayer, please text Roberta at 330-235-3598.
- Program Chair Asad Khan announced that he is excited about the programs scheduled for this year. Programs will begin locally and then move to themes, some of them remote. He said that almost the entire year is booked but there is one month available. Anyone interested in chairing that month should contact Asad.
100th Anniversary Moment: Jim Myers shared memories of the first Rotary family picnic held July 3, 1945 at Martin Davey's farm. Details below.
Program: President Kathy discussed her hopes and plans for this Rotary year. She reminded Rotarians of the importance of attendance for meetings and events as this counts towards district awards such as the A.C. Baker award.
Dues for this year will be $225. The Ways & Means Committee adopted budget for this year includes an increase in dues to supplement revenue needed to cover the costs of technology, a new computer for the club and to replace the $1 per lunch the club used to get from weekly meetings. President Kathy noted that the Board unanimously agreed to raise the dues and that our annual dues are still relatively low compared to some other area clubs.
Matt Carter and Andrew Popp agreed to help select a replacement computer for the club. Please pay your dues by September. If you have extenuating circumstances, please see one of the Board members.
The Methodist church is willing to start serving weekly lunches beginning in September. In the meantime Rachel Kerns, Amanda Senn and Chas Madonio will explore lunch options for July and August including food truck and preordered box lunches.
President Kathy's goals of promoting Rotary more and increasing membership were next addressed. Dave Myers and Bill Nome will look into again getting golf shirts or t-shirts made for club members.
President Kathy wants to increase membership by gender, race and age. She called on Amanda Senn to help her distribute two personal insight grids aimed at accomplishing this goal. Titled Each One Bring One, the first grid asked members to:
- Describe your most meaningful experience in Rotary.
- What is the benefit of Rotary in your life?
- Describe Rotary in 10 words or less.
- Thinking to the next year, what are you most excited about in Rotary?
The second grid asked members to think about how they could share their Rotary experience by inviting someone to a Rotary meeting, service project or social event; identifying 5 people who may not know about your Rotary experience, and listing five times in your regular routine where you could share about Rotary.
Response was by Roberta O'Keefe who endorsed President Kathy's themes and thanked last year's Board for doing such a good job in a difficult time.
Respectfully submitted by Anita Herington
