Asad Khan recognized Jenna Glacier.

Bill Childers recognized Heather Ramone

 

Amanda Senn announced Trivia Night at North Water Brewery. Food trucks will be available. She also indicated there will be a New Member Breakfast coming!

 

Kathy Myers announced that Rotary shirts will be coming and passed around a sheet to confirm orders. Those wishing can still order.

 

Larry Lohman announced:

- the District Gala will be on November 17 at 6:00PM at Windows on the River. The theme is Groovy, Hippie Holiday. There will be an opportunity to contribute via a Desert Dash fundraiser that night. If interested, purchase tickets on the district web site. The service project will be an outerwear collection, including gloves, sweaters, etc..

-Our Interactors will be participation in an “Interaction” at Stow High School on November 19. All District Interactors are invited.

 

David McKeen reminded everyone that our Senior Service Day would be on the upcoming Saturday.

 

Carol Crimi announced the awarding of $2500 to the newly formed Kent Youth Basketball Association and a $500 sponsorship for KENT SKATES in downtown Kent, a collaboration of Kent State and the City of Kent, in providing a public ice-skating rink from November through March.

 

Rachel Kerns announced that the Toy Drive for kids is underway! This is a collaboration with the Salvation Army, Kent Social Services, and Coleman.

 

President David announced that members should mark their calendar for the Rotary Club of Kent Holiday Party on Friday December 2. With the closing of The Overlook, the event will be at Parkside in Brady Lake. Stay tuned for details!

 

Mary Beth Harper for the Rotary Book Club that had a wonderful evening in Downtown Cleveland.

Tom Hall for the birth of his new grandson.

 

Principal Anthony Horton introduced Brock Catalucci as Stanton’s Student of the Month. Brock is a student on the Voyagers Team. Principal Horton indicated that Brock is an outstanding student and a great person. He is known for his sense of humor and respectful interaction with all classmates. Along with his excellent work in the classroom (he has a 4.0 GPA!!) he is active on many sports teams, where he excels and providing leadership. As a Boy Scout, he has voluntered at Kent Social Services distributing food to needy people. Brock is planning on going to Notre Dame after high school and playing hockey.

 

Rachel Kerns introduced our Past Club President and Immediate Past District President Larry Lohman, speaking on The Rotary Foundation. Rachel gave a lighthearted quip on Larry’s being our club’s Grill for Good master. More importantly, Larry now serves as the Chair of Rotary District 6630 Foundation Board. As a prelude for this year’s “Every Rotarian, Every Year” drive, he presented how the Rotary Foundation works to support worldwide projects.

 

Using a Power Point some of his points of emphasis included the following:

 

-The Rotary Foundation is one of the highest rated philanthropic organizations in the United States, as it exceeds the standards set by Charity Navigator for charitable organizations.

 

-The goal of the Foundation is summed up as “Doing Good in the World” through seven areas of focus. These are Peace Building and Conflict Prevention, Disease Prevention and Treatment, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene, Maternal and Child Health, Basic Education and Literacy, Community Economic Development, and Environment.

 

-The Annual Fund (drive) gives local clubs the opportunity to a get a share of the money back that has been donated by individual club members. The money is invested for three years, with the growth of the investment used to fund Foundations Operations. Then the money is redistributed between the World Fund and District Designated Funds.

 

-For our local club, these District designated funds give us the opportunity to apply for grants to fund projects locally or participate in global projects sponsored by the district clubs. Each year, if a club meets a giving standard of $35 per person, the club is eligible to apply for a project. The district receives back about ½ of the money donated by the local clubs to support the grant programming.

 

-Our club has been involved with Rotary Foundation District Grants for many years. These include both Global Grants and District Grants. Globally, examples include the Solar Well Pump project in El Salvador and Water Distribution project to homes. Other clubs have participated in grants to refurbish a library destroyed in the Virgin Islands and Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Center in Hatti. Locally, the Kent Club has received grants for a variety of projects relating to literacy.

 

Larry went on to explain that our local effort in Every Rotarian, Every Year Campaign is the vehicle to give us access to these funds. He emphasized, once again, that about ½ the money will come back to be used for projects by our club supporting the mission and goals of Rotary and the Foundation. The more raised and donated increases the amount of dollars returned. He pointed out that annual giving opens opportunities for individuals in their philanthropic giving.

 

At this point, Larry introduced Steve Dennis who will serve as Chair for our club’s Every Rotarian, Every Year Drive. Steve indicated that our goal is to collect the average of $100 per member, but no less than $25 per member. Including Steve, members of the committee leading the drive are Ralph Kletzien, Anthony Horton, and Paul Organ. Points of emphasis include:

-Checks should be made out to THE ROTARY FOUNDATION, not to be confused with our own local foundation.

 

Randy Smith thanked Larry for his presentation and Steve for his leadership in the process. Randy noted that the ability to get matching fund grants from the district allowed for club projects, such as free books to elementary students and the building of a handicap accessible playground in the past as examples of the importance of The Every Rotarian, Every Year Annual Fund Drive.