Here are the highlights from the August 8 board meeting.
Call to Order
President Tracie Sanchez called the meeting to order at 11:38 AM with the following members present: Jill Ackerman, Paul Crow, Ken Dysert, Dave Frost, Susan Hubbell, Jed Metzger, Catheryn Sarno, Paul Swartz and Jeff Tracy. Also present were exofficio members Anne Decker and David Runk, Treasurer Kevin Bill and Secretary Rita Brown.
Secretary’s Report Rita Brown
Attendance Report
Brown shared the attendance report for July 2017. One new member joined, one rejoined and one resigned. Currently we have 167 members. Attendance for the month was at 44.59%. The club is made up of 28% females which is 2% growth for females in the club since last year. A tenure report shows:
- 4% under a year, 33% with 1-5 years, 14% have been in the club 5-10 years, 25% from 10-20 years, And 24% over 20 years. The largest growth has been in the 1-5 years category.
President’s Report Tracie Sanchez
Plant a tree- Presidential Citation
Sanchez indicated the club will Plant-a-Tree for the environment in the fall to meet one of the qualifications for the Presidential Citation. George Diller will lead the effort and is working with Rick Stolly from the City Parks.
EREY & Paul Harris
To-date, 31 club members have given at the $100 level for this year. Several new Paul Harris members will be announced.
Abilities Baseball field update
Sanchez stated the fencing at the field is finished and all the bricks have been laid. Next the signage will be put up. Opening date will be October 12th. Dr Jarvis and Rachel Staley will be speaking at the event. All Rotarians are invited. The District Governor also has been invited and plans to attend.
Opiate/Homeless meeting
At an upcoming Club Meeting, a 5 – 10 minute short program will focus on the Opiate/Homeless problem in the Lima Community.
President Elect Report Paul Swartz
Showcase update
The Rotary Showcase has been ordered and should be available within three months. Most of the money for the project has been collected from donations by Past and Incoming Presidents. Frost plans to continue the fund raising efforts to finalize the project.
Board Member Reports
Rex Perry Memorial Golf Outing recap Paul Crow
The Rex Perry Memorial Golf Outing was held on Wednesday July 19th at Hidden Creek Golf Course. Twenty (20) teams joined Rotary for a day of fellowship and golf to benefit the Rotary Scholarship Program. The event raised $34,000 for scholarships. Crow expressed a Thank You to the Committee members and volunteers.
Youth Essay / Speech ContestJill Ackerman
Ackerman will be leading the efforts and will be speaking with the Allen County Superintendents about participation. The project will begin in October.
Movies Park, Rally in the Square, Fair Parade updatesCatheryn Sarno
Rotary will sponsor the August 18th Rally in Square. Volunteers are in place. The Rotary inflatable sign will be placed at the entrance.
Movies in the Park
Sarno is targeting specific companies to be major sponsors for next year and will be offering levels of sponsorship. The events will be held at the Rotary Pavilion.
Programs
In addition to the regular programs, Sarno is working on two fun evening tour dates. Husky will provide a private tour this fall for Rotarians. Sarno suggested having the Lima Trolley give Rotarians a ghost tour of the city. Videos will be shown in October to educate members regarding Rotary’s efforts for eradicating Polio. These will lead up to World Polio Day.
Brews, Blues and Books – Oct 11th from 6 – 9 at the MET.
This is a United Way book drive project. Rotary has been asked to partner with the UW for the event. They are planning to have a Blues theme. UW is asking Rotary to partner with them on the Brews as they can not do alcohol.
District Grant – amphitheater updates David Runk
The Amphitheater Committee is meeting and trying to get more solidified ideas. They are discussing what should the amphitheater look like and where it would be positioned. Locations discussed include the south side of the YMCA across the River or in the Square.The Committee also discussed involving Memorial Hall and Encore Theatre.Committee members will be visiting other cities with Amphitheaters. Rich Rudolph plans to begin discussion with the VMCCC, Rhodes State and the Downtown Lima Association.
District grant
On August 1st a grant request for $5,000 was submitted to the District. The Lima Rotary Club will contribute an additional $5,000 for a total grant for $10,000 that will focus on the Homeless and Opiate Addiction problems in Lima. Rotary will use the grant monies to assist with the homeless problem and also assist with educational opportunities that include the Let’s talk for Mental Health and Recovery program. Last Spring, the Rotaract Club collected $1700 from their Color Run and donated it to this program. District Grant awards will be determined during August. Runk stated the Lima Club will be providing funding to the Mental Health and Recovery Board in September.
Past President's Report Dave Frost
Little Free Libraries
A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held in Faurot Park at 11:30 AM August 22nd announcing the Little Free LibrariesTo-date four have been installed in the City Parks - at Faurot, Lincoln, Robb and MLK Park.A fifth one will be placed at the Salvation Army.Future Plans include placing two additional Little Free Libraries in neighborhood parks.One will be placed in Bath Township and another near Elida.Also one will be placed near St Rita’s Medical Center and Memorial Hospital.
Membership, Recruitment, & Retention
The Committee is meeting next Monday and is looking for ways to reach out to the Community. They plan to speak with the new superintendents at Perry and Shawnee Schools and also try to grow larger corporate memberships.
Treasurers Report Kevin Bill
Bill has been calling members who are at 120 days past due in an effort to bring accounts up-to-date. Sanchez also indicated past due statements can be sent. Dysert made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s report and Tracy seconded the report. Board approved.
New Business
Long term member and Past President Jim McCoy has resigned.Ackerman made a motion to accept his resignation with regret and Hubbell seconded the motion.Board approved.
A proposed application for membership has been submitted for Tasha Shepline, Apollo Adult Education Administrator, by Judy Wells, Superintendent at Apollo. Crow made a motion to approve the application and Metzger seconded the motion. Board approved.
The Club will have new member orientation on Tuesday August 15th for five new members. They include:
Bob Fricke, Allen County Agriculture Fair Board General Manager sponsored by Jay Begg
Laura Meyer, Pharmacist at Heart Light Pharmacy on Cole Street sponsored by Andy Farley
Joel Mengerink, Elida Superintendent sponsored by Jill Ackerman
Richard Dackin, Bath Superintendent sponsored by Joe Kitchen
Steve Conrad, VP at Keystone Meats sponsored by Dave Cockerell
Riverwalk signage updated Tracie Sanchez
Some signs along the Riverwalk are getting faint and faded.Sanchez has been trying to determine who originally did them.It was suggested that Rich Rudolph, Bill Timmermeister or Kevin Haver from the Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park may know and should be contracted. Decker will speak with Kevin Haiver.
Sanchez adjourned the meeting at 12:48 with a motion being made by Frost and seconded by Crow.
Respectfully submitted
Rita Brown, Secretary