Congressman Jim Jordan gave us an update on what's happening in Washington.
Our speaker today was our representative Jim Jordan, giving us an update on the activities in our nation’s capitol. He discussed the nation's tax code, which he would like to replace with some type of flat tax. Ending corporate welfare is also on his list, as is repealing gun laws in D.C., repealing Obamacare (which he says everybody knows is not working) and closing down the Department of Education.
Perhaps the most important information this Rotarian went back to the office with had to do with redistricting. Ohio’s current district map has been criticized on a national level because of it’s obvious gerrymandering. (12 of the 16 congressional seats were won by the GOP as a result of redistricting, and nationwide republicans won soundly despite having over 1 million more votes cast for democrats.) Mr. Jordan, almost a casualty of redistricting a few years ago, indicated that since Ohio is a swing state, we should expect huge national pressure to keep the current districts intact. (Both the Ohio House and Senate have cleared the way for a November 2015 vote on changing the method of setting districts, but we should expect delays trying to delay the changes until after the 2016 election.)
The Allen County Board of Developmental Disabilities is so much more than Marimor.
Larry Webb provided fellowship, dressed as a referee. (March madness is properly named.)
Scott Schaefer and Ann Decker presented a check for $100,000 for the Abilities Ballfield, in order to mark the Rotary Club’s 100th anniversary. The diamond is designed for people with special needs - both youth and adults - and will be build on the campus of UNOH. Dr. Jarvis pledged an additional $25,000 during the meeting to help get the project built, and they have graciously donated the land as well.
Our program was Jeanne Stahl, from the Allen county board of DD - who outlined the many different agencies and programs under the AC/DD umbrella. Most of us know Marimor School and the workshop - but there are over 10 programs funded through the board that help to educate, employ, and support people with disabilities. Several of those program clients were on hand at today’s meeting to share their experiences.
The Rex Perry Memorial Golf Outing has been scheduled for June17th.
Mark your calendar for the Rex Perry Memorial Golf Outing on June 17th. It's a great day of fun & fellowship and it raises thousands of dollars for the Lima Rotary scholarship fund. If you'd like to help, contact Matt Otto at 419-222-2711 or all@wcoil.com.
We'd like you to be more involved in Rotary. Please fill out the attached form to let us know what you'd like to do and send it to David Runk at david@csspub.com.
A number of clubs in our district have received Rotary grants this quarter.
Here are the grants issued to clubs in our district this Rotary year. The next monies will be available on July 1, 2015. Anyone or club can request/submit a grant request. Dollars submitted on the request will be matched at the 50% level for a community grant and at 100% for an international grant. If you need assistance see Harold Bischoff or Bob Fett.
Interested in a leadership position in Rotary? You should attend the upcoming Rotary Leadership Institute.
Ladies and gentlemen:
For anyone in the club who is interested in gaining more knowledge about how Rotary works and your place within the organization, I highly recommend attending the Rotary Leadership Institute. (I’ve attended the first two levels and found them to be very interesting and helpful.) The next session which will include all three levels is being held at Owens Community College on May 2, 2015. Details can be found by following this link: http://rotarydistrict6600.org/event/rotary-leadership-institute-levels-1-2-and-3/
Those members who chair committees or have aspirations towards leadership in the club (or even further!) will greatly benefit from attendance and participation in this training event. You must complete each level before moving on to the next level.
Please contact David Runk ((419) 235-9873) with any questions.
Want to learn more about the power of the Rotary Foundation? Take a moment to read this weekly "Foundation Minute" and learn more about ways the Foundation supports the overall mission on Rotary. Each week we will post a different message relating to Your Rotary Foundation. Have you made your contribution this year to the Annual Fund (Every Rotarian Every Year)? Do so now at the RI website www. rotary.org. Log in to "My Rotary" today!
Since 1947, Rotarians have contributed over $3.2 billion that was used to fund over $3 billion in programs throughout the world. Our organization has
+ committed more than $1.2 billion to global polio eradication,
+ funded more than 37,000 club and district projects in over 200 countries
+ awarded scholarships to nearly 42,000 scholars from over 130 countries
+ sent more than 72,000 people from 106 countries on volunteer exchange programs.
Thanks to your contributions, The Rotary Foundation continues their good work throughout the world and the figures above grow and grow.
