Rotareminder
The Rotary Club of Kent
October 14, 2025
President Amanda Senn called the meeting to order at 12:20. We sang “God Bless America” and Nelson Burns offered the invocation. David Dix led us in singing “Cabaret.”
There were no visiting Rotarians at today’s meeting. Ryan Brannon of Bent Tree Coffee Roasters was the guest of Anne Moneypenny.
Announcements
- Larry Lohman invited everyone interested to register online for the November 13 Rotary Foundation Gala
- He also noted that a Membership Summit will be held at the Marriott Cleveland East on October 25.
- Jen Lennox reminded us that next week’s meeting will be held at Kent City Hall with Dom Bollenbacher as speaker. Parking is available behind City Hall at East Day and DePeyster.
- Sue Whiting is sponsoring a “Rotary” table at the Bowman Breakfast on October 29 from 8:30 to 10:00. Fellow Rotarian Asad Khan will be the keynote speaker.
- Rachel Kerns noted that the Habitat “Homes for the Holidays” Gala will be held at the New Center in Rootstown on November 8. They’re expecting 350 – 400 people to attend. You can get tickets online.
- Amanda announced that Kent Elementary Schools' Trunk or Treat Night is Thur., Oct. 30, 5:30-7pm at Theodore Roosevelt High School. Contact Amanda or Rebekah to volunteer. Also, the Cookie Walk scheduled for Dec 7 needs volunteers as well.
Happy Bucks
Speaker Dave Jones joined Larry Lohman, Steve Dennis, Ben Tipton, and Asad Khan with Happy Bucks for the recent accomplishments of their sons and daughters. Rachel Kerns touted the completion Habitat’s 74th home. Bill Nome honored his brother and sister-in-law’s 50th wedding anniversary and Amanda Senn announced the end of her career as Flag Football coach, Asad also donated to thank Steve Dennis for spending a valuable hour with him.
Today’s Program: Past District Governor Dave Jones
Larry Lohman introduced Past District Governor Dave Jones who recently became chair of the District Foundation Committee. He noted that during his time as District Governor, which followed Larry’s term, Dave revamped and strengthend the District’s Leadership Program.
Dave explained that Rotarians can support Rotary Foundation’s three funds: the Annual Fund, Endowment Funds, and Polio Plus Fund.
He noted that the Annual Fund, fueled by the Every Rotarian Every Year program, supports local projects because 50% of our yearly donations come back to the district after three years.
Through the Endowment Funds program, Rotarians can create named and designated funds such as the Leland Keller fund that provides scholarships to students in our area. That fund, established by Kent Rotarian Leland Keller, currently has over $400,000. Benefits of contributing to Endowment Funds include short term tax savings and long term growth of your gift.
The Polio Plus Fund continues to fight polio outbreaks in remote areas in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Worldwide, there appear to be twelve new cases including one or two in Africa and one in New York. This monitoring of the spread of Polio has also aided in the identification and control of other diseases such as Ebola and Covid.
All gifts go to support Rotary Foundation’s seven areas of focus: promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, improving maternal and child health, supporting education, growing local economies, and protecting the environment.
Ways to give include cash and stock gifts, deferred gifts in your will or trust, and contributing as a Paul Harris sustaining donor at $100 per year, or a Paul Harris Society Club at $1000 per year. These recurring gifts can be managed through Rotary Direct with quarterly or monthly gifts.
Response
Will Underwood thanked Dave for reminding us of the important work of the Rotary Foundation. He noted the valuable experiences he has had serving on the District Grants Committee and traveling to see first-hand the positive effects of the water projects our club has supported in El Salvador.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas Hatch
