Board Highlights - August 11, 2015

Posted by Rita Brown 
on Aug 20, 2015
 
Here are the highlights from the August 11 board meeting...
 
President David Runk called the meeting to order at 11:30 AM with the following Board members present:  Harold Bischoff, Paul Crow, Anne Decker, Peggy Ehora, David Frost, and Tracie Sanchez.  Also Secretary Rita Brown and Treasurer Mark McKinley were present.
                                             
Rita shared the monthly attendance report for July 2015.  The month ended with 180 members and with two new members:  Joy Reichenbach from Lima Convalescent Home and Ty Lotz from Dominion.  Three members left the club:  Ram Pai, Tom Cornell and Brian Bacon.  Attendance was down a little but we appear to be on a close match to last year’s activity. 
 
David Runk asked the board for their level of interest in having an exchange student with the Club for the 2016 – 2017 year. Application needs to be made to Rotary International by September 2015.  All members of the Board expressed interest.  The Board approved applying for a sponsorship.   David indicated he is speaking with LCC, Shawnee and Lima Senior about the possibility of starting High School Interact programs.  He also discussed working with the local universities regarding starting a Rotaract Program at the college level. 
 
The Rotary Lake Erie Watershed Crisis Conference will be held Friday and Saturday October 23 and 24, 2015 at The Grand Plaza Hotel in Toledo, OH as algae is again causing problems on Lake Erie.  Water purification is one of Rotary’s priorities in the world.  Flyers outlining the conference are available at club meetings.   Also information is available at www.rotarylakeerieconference.com. 
 
David Frost shared a Past Due Policy taken from the Rotary International Constitution.  The policy will be amended to fit the needs of the Lima Club.  The Board discussed developing a designated process with an installment pay plan to cover the past due amount.  Current dues will need to be kept up-to-date.  The delinquent member will be asked to sign a one- page contract.   The focus will be on members who are delinquent 120 days plus.  Runk will share details through an announcement from the podium and Anne will include an article in the eSpoke. 
In the future, about 15 minutes before the meeting, the Rottery Committee will announce a drawing will be held that day.  Charities designated for receipt of winnings will also make a brief announcement to the club about their organization at the beginning of the quarter.
 
Tracie Sanchez gave a report on the following Service Projects:
 
Dave Cockerell is working on the Dictionary Distribution plan.  There will be some changes to the distribution. The hope is to make this a county-wide one – two day event this fall.  The club will need Nine Hundred Sixty (960) Dictionaries at $2.50 each for a total cost of $2,400. Runk asked Frost to apply for a District Grant to cover a portion of this cost.
 
To-date over $213,000 has been raised for the Abilities Field - which is over the one-half way point.  A video for the website has just been released. Conversations are underway regarding applying for a grant from District 6600. Proposals need to be in by August 20th.  There may also be State of OH grant monies available.
 
The Fall Blood Clinic will be held on Saturday November 7th.  Seven volunteers will be needed.  We will be sending out an email asking for volunteers.
 
Plans for the Christmas Auction are underway.  Jay Begg and committee are working on setting the date and making whatever improvements should be made.  The event may not be an evening event but rather on a Monday during a regular club meeting.  More details will follow.
 
Peggy Ehora will chair a new Social Committee being formed.   The club discussed participating in the Labor Day Parade.  Peggy, Tracie and Anne will organize it.  The Board discussed having the Drum Line walk in front of the Lima Rotary Club Float. 
 
Harold Bischoff reported on the Villa Peniel project.  Installation is complete and the sewer system has been successfully hooked-up.  The project was completed for several thousands of dollars less than been projected.  Those funds be used for other necessary projects in the area.  The requests will need to be approved and bills will be validated to ensure there is no overspend.
 
Josh Unterbrink, of Activate Allen County is working with the International Committee on a riding event in late October at the Lima Mall.  Other organizations will be asked to get involved in order to make it competitive - Rotary against Kiwanis for example.    There will be no cost to any person to participate in the event at the Mall.  It will focus on Public Awareness.
                                                                                                                               
The Board approved a New Member Application for George Diller.   The Board accepted the resignations of Susan Mann and Greta Murray with regret. 
 
Mark McKinley shared the Financial Report with the Board. He stated Total Assets are over $135,000.  Future monthly reports will include the Balance Sheet.  He indicated the Pay Plan being discussed for members who are delinquent in payment can be supported by Rea and Associates with electronic invoices being generated per the terms of the plan.  Rea will share samples of types of documents currently being used.
 
The next Board Meeting will be Tuesday September 8th.  The Board adjourned at 1:15 PM
 
Respectfully submitted
 
Rita Brown,
Club Secretary.