President David Runk called the meeting to order with the following members present: Harold Bischoff, Paul Crow, Peg Ehora and Tracie Sanchez and incoming Board Members Susan Hubbell and Paul Swartz. Also attending was Secretary Rita Brown. New Club Member George Diller also attended - working towards his blue badge. Runk welcomed Newly Elected Directors Paul Swartz and Dr. Susan Hubbell and stated that their attendance was appreciated.
Attendance Report
Brown shared Attendance Information for March 2016. Of the 178 club members, 44.43% attended meetings in March 2015. The club has 15 new members and 18 resignations to-date for the fiscal year. Five new members will be going through Orientation later this week and the club has one resignation in April 2016.
Annual Meeting Draft Agenda Update
The Annual Meeting will be held on Monday April 25, 2016. The four-page document will be provided to the membership for their review. The goal is to have the document available for the members to pick up at the club meeting on Monday 18th.
Every Rotarian Every Year
Of 178 members club members all but 41 have contributed. Runk plans to send letters to those not contributing with a goal of coming closer to the goal of $100 per member per year. The club had budgeted $16,500 and is currently at $18,100 pledged. Runk will continue to push through the end of the fiscal year.
Presidential Citation
The Lima Club has qualified for the Presidential Citation! Runk received an email from Rotary International last week indicating that the Lima Club achieved all requirements and will receive recognition at Gold level for achieving goals that strengthen Rotary and our club. Activities include growing the membership, developing sustainable service projects, giving to The Rotary Foundation, and building awareness of Rotary in the community.
Water Testing and the Ottawa River Cleanup –
Ottawa River Cleanup is scheduled for Saturday April 23rd and the Lima Rotary Club will participate on a small level. The club has been asked by the International Yachting Organization to do water testing throughout the district. For $30, we will receive five water testing kits. Those results will be sent to BGSU for testing. Results will be provided to other organizations to help battle water problems such as currently being seen on/in Lake Erie.
Interact / Rotaract
The Interact Club at Bath is very active. We are also near chartering a Rotaract Club at UNOH.
President-Elect Report
President-Elect David Frost was not present due to illness.
The Membership Sub-Committee met last week with members who currently hold red badges. Runk indicated a lot of good suggestions came from the meeting. One suggestion was to set aside two tables at the front of the room for members with Red Badges. Other members would be encouraged to sit with them. It would be a way for those new members to get to know more club members. Another suggestion was to look into e:meetings where one could attend a meeting on-line as a makeup. The group also discussed signing up for My Rotary and all the information available on-line.
International Chair
Sanchez discussed helping Bob Ruehl and Harold Bischoff with International Funding and Education. A committee is being formed and a fund raising event is being discussed that will benefit International. The goal is getting people involved who are interested in serving on the committee.
Finance
Treasurer Kevin Bill was not present
Finances are in good shape and bills are all caught up.
Collections – The collections report is looking much better. The Finance Committee has been going through the list each month and making contacts by phone or email. The Committee works with members to help them come up with a payment plan. The list is considerably smaller. Each situation is taken on its own merit. Guidelines and parameters are in place. Calls and letters go out after a member is 90 days in arrears. Communication has been the key.
A check is being sent to the Lima Rotary Foundation in the amount of $4,237.66 which remits for the 3/31 balance for Foundation and Scholarship contributions plus $175 in donations for the Drum Line.
Vice President Report (Service Projects)
Tracie Sanchez reported on the following
The Social Committee met to form sub-committees and determine the event teams.
i Rally in the Square will take place on July 15th Andy Wannemacher and Jim Osmon will manage the event.
ii Monthly meeting at the Met will be organized by Annette Swisher and Maria Sanko.
iii Bowling at Westgate John Ficorilli and Tim Sielschott will work together on the Westgate Lanes Event. They will contact Andy Johnson to set a date.
iv Mystery Mondays will be managed by Kelli Delong, Carol Buettner, and Drew Fields.
v Parades will be organized by Peggy Ehora and Trace Sanchez. The Memorial Day Parade will be on May 30th. All Rotarians will be invited to walk along with family, children and grandchildren. The drumline will be marching in front of the Rotary Club. The Abilities Baseball players and Interact Club will be invited to walk along too. The Parade Theme this year is Women Warriors. The Club used a small grain wagon in the past but if there is enough interest, a flat bed semi could be used so those who could not walk the parade could ride on the float.
Local Projects:
i Rex Perry Memorial Golf Outing – flyers out by Monday April 25th. A golf committee meeting will be held next week.
ii Abilities Field – ground breaking will be May 12th at 11 AM. The Chamber of Commerce and all Rotarians will be invited along with a special invitation to all donors. Dr Jarvis will do a presentation and UNOH will contact the media. Fund raising is on-going for bleachers, dugouts and the sound system but money is in place to build the field.
iii Blood Clinic – May 9th – still working out details
International Service Update
Harold Bischoff
a. MESA Bike Ride - bikers will be in Lima on June 13th and will speak at the Club Meeting. Becky Waggamon will be riding in it and is charting the course. The Riders will be coming from Ada to Lima on June 13th Bikes will be stored at the VMCCC while they attend the meeting. A truck will be hired to bring stragglers to the club. It is an 84 mile ride that day.
- Honduras Water Project While the hunt for money is still ongoing, Bob Ruehl is very pleased and feels the District is supportive and will provide what we need. The Grant Application will go in soon. Bob is presenting the project at the District Conference. At least 5 other clubs are involved around the US and Mexico. This is truly an example of a large visionary project that is sustainable across the US and the world.
New Business
Applications were received for:
- Bath Fire Chief Joseph Kitchen
- Joey Whittaker
Sanchez made a motion to approve the applications and Bischoff seconded the motion. Board approved.
One Resignation was received from
Crow made a motion to accept the resignation with regret and Sanchez seconded the motion. Board approved.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Bischoff made a motion to adjourn. Crow seconded the motion. Board approved.
Respectfully submitted.
Rita Brown, Secretary
