Here are the highlights from the April 14 joint meeting of the Lima Rotary Club and Lima Rotary Foundation boards of directors.
Call to Order Russ Decker
President Russ Decker called the meeting to order at 11:38 A.M. with the following board members present: Russ Decker, Chip Bullock, Berlin Carroll, Jennifer Mason, Corey Frazer, Aaron McLaurine, Richard Warren. Also, Secretary Anne Decker and bookkeeper Amy Ricker were present. The following Lima Rotary Foundation board members were present: Troy Elwer, Michael Sarno, John Payne, David Trinko, Julie Klingler, Josh Unterbrink. Also Secretary Jodi Incao and Treasurer Ann Welly were present.
Secretary’s Report Anne Decker
Approval of the March 10, 2026 Board Meeting Minutes
Mason made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 10, 2026 board meeting. McLaurine seconded the motion. Board approved.
Attendance Report for March 2026
No new members joined the club and two members resigned in March. March attendance was 38.351%. The month ended with 132 active members and 4 honorary members.
President’s Report Russ Decker
Annual Audit of Books
The annual audit of the Lima Rotary Club’s books took place on March 20. Andy Farley, Carol Buettner, Jim Osmon and Russ Decker met with Amy Ricker and reviewed the books for the previous year. No irregularities were found.
The annual audit of the Lima Rotary Club’s books took place on March 20. Andy Farley, Carol Buettner, Jim Osmon and Russ Decker met with Amy Ricker and reviewed the books for the previous year. No irregularities were found.
District 6600 Speech Competition
The Lima Rotary Club hosted the Rotary District 6600 Speech Competition on April 11 at the Mercy Health GME building, chaired by Corey Frazer. Students from 17 clubs participated in the contest. The winning student was from Defiance, second place was from Perrysburg. The third place student was from Shawnee High School and won the Lima Rotary Club speech contest on March 30.
The Lima Rotary Club hosted the Rotary District 6600 Speech Competition on April 11 at the Mercy Health GME building, chaired by Corey Frazer. Students from 17 clubs participated in the contest. The winning student was from Defiance, second place was from Perrysburg. The third place student was from Shawnee High School and won the Lima Rotary Club speech contest on March 30.
Ride For MESA
The annual bike ride for MESA will have an overnight stop in Lima on June 20. The riders will spend the night at Wingate by Wyndham thanks to donations from a number of club members. Plans are being made for a dinner for the riders.
The annual bike ride for MESA will have an overnight stop in Lima on June 20. The riders will spend the night at Wingate by Wyndham thanks to donations from a number of club members. Plans are being made for a dinner for the riders.
Safety City Mini Pavilion Update
Students at Apollo Career Center are progressing well with the construction of the mini pavilion for Safety City. A ribbon cutting is scheduled for June 15. The club will meet at the Red Cross that day and walk to Safety City for the ribbon cutting.
Students at Apollo Career Center are progressing well with the construction of the mini pavilion for Safety City. A ribbon cutting is scheduled for June 15. The club will meet at the Red Cross that day and walk to Safety City for the ribbon cutting.
Past Presidents’ Luncheon
The Past Presidents’ Luncheon is scheduled for April 28 at Shawnee Country Club.
The Past Presidents’ Luncheon is scheduled for April 28 at Shawnee Country Club.
Cinco de Mayo Social
The next social night will be a Cinco de Mayo party on May 5 at Cancun Mexican Restaurant beginning at 4:30pm.
The next social night will be a Cinco de Mayo party on May 5 at Cancun Mexican Restaurant beginning at 4:30pm.
Blood Clinic
The annual blood clinic is scheduled for May 9 from 6:30AM-9:30am at Senior Citizens Services. It is an opportunity for the public to receive low cost blood screenings from Lima Memorial Lab Services with the proceeds going to the Lima Rotary Foundation.
The annual blood clinic is scheduled for May 9 from 6:30AM-9:30am at Senior Citizens Services. It is an opportunity for the public to receive low cost blood screenings from Lima Memorial Lab Services with the proceeds going to the Lima Rotary Foundation.
Red Cross Blood Drive
The American Red Cross has asked the Lima Rotary Club to host a blood drive before and after one of our regular club meetings. Discussions are ongoing.
The American Red Cross has asked the Lima Rotary Club to host a blood drive before and after one of our regular club meetings. Discussions are ongoing.
USA 250 Lima Event
On June 27, a celebration of America’s 250th birthday will be held at the Greater Lima Region Park & Amphitheater. The Lima Rotary Club has been asked to pass out water provided by Cenovus at the event. Frazer made a motion to approve the request. McLaurine seconded the motion. Board approved.
On June 27, a celebration of America’s 250th birthday will be held at the Greater Lima Region Park & Amphitheater. The Lima Rotary Club has been asked to pass out water provided by Cenovus at the event. Frazer made a motion to approve the request. McLaurine seconded the motion. Board approved.
Fair Ticket Takers
The Allen County Fair has asked the Lima Rotary Club to take tickets at the grandstand events at the 2026 Allen County Fair in exchange for a $1,000 donation to the club. Bullock made a motion to approve the request. Frazer seconded the motion. Board approved. Jennifer Mason abstained from the vote.
The Allen County Fair has asked the Lima Rotary Club to take tickets at the grandstand events at the 2026 Allen County Fair in exchange for a $1,000 donation to the club. Bullock made a motion to approve the request. Frazer seconded the motion. Board approved. Jennifer Mason abstained from the vote.
Lima Rotary Foundation President’s Report Troy Elwer
Elwer reported that the Lima Rotary Foundation has had a solid year. It has awarded $7,200 in grants to date, with a concentration on programs, rather than capital projects.
Joint Board Discussion
Treasurer’s Report – Lima Rotary Foundation
Ann Welly reported that the Lima Rotary Foundation has a current balance of $895,137.90 in its five accounts.
Trinko made a motion to approve the Lima Rotary Foundation treasurer’s report. Unterbrink seconded the motion. Board approved.
Treasurer’s Report – Lima Rotary Club
Amy Ricker reported that the club’s total income through March 31, 2026 is $80,506.76. Total expenses are $87,689.19. Net loss is ($7,162.43). Warren made a motion to approve the February and March treasurer’s reports. McLaurine seconded the motion. Board approved.
Mason made a motion to transfer the proceeds of the first quarter Rottery drawings in the amount of $345 to the Lima Rotary Foundation to benefit You Matter. Bullock seconded the motion. Board approved.
Ann Welly reported that the Lima Rotary Foundation has a current balance of $895,137.90 in its five accounts.
Trinko made a motion to approve the Lima Rotary Foundation treasurer’s report. Unterbrink seconded the motion. Board approved.
Treasurer’s Report – Lima Rotary Club
Amy Ricker reported that the club’s total income through March 31, 2026 is $80,506.76. Total expenses are $87,689.19. Net loss is ($7,162.43). Warren made a motion to approve the February and March treasurer’s reports. McLaurine seconded the motion. Board approved.
Mason made a motion to transfer the proceeds of the first quarter Rottery drawings in the amount of $345 to the Lima Rotary Foundation to benefit You Matter. Bullock seconded the motion. Board approved.
Accounting Services Discussion
Frazer made a motion to split the expenses for bookkeeper Amy Ricker’s salary 50/50 between the Lima Rotary Club and the Lima Rotary Foundation. Carroll seconded the motion. Both boards approved the motion.
Frazer made a motion to split the expenses for bookkeeper Amy Ricker’s salary 50/50 between the Lima Rotary Club and the Lima Rotary Foundation. Carroll seconded the motion. Both boards approved the motion.
Lima Rotary Foundation President-Elect’s Report Michael Sarno
Lima Rotary Foundation President-Elect Michael Sarno stated that he is pleased with the way the foundation is operating and plans to continue the good work in the coming year. He also hopes that both the foundation and the club can be more involved in events at the Greater Lima Region Park & Amphitheater in the future.
New Business Russ Decker
Applications
Mason made a motion to approve applications for membership from Robin Frazier – Executive Director of the Lima Community Foundation, Melissa Ricker – Superintendent at the Allen County Board of Developmental Disabilities, and Ian Anderson – Director of Continuous Improvement at Superior Wholesale Distributors. McLaurine seconded the motion. Board approved.
Resignations
Warren made a motion to approve the resignations of Karen Grothouse, Kelly Schooler and Rick Kortokrax with regret. McLaurine seconded the motion. Board approved
Mason made a motion to approve applications for membership from Robin Frazier – Executive Director of the Lima Community Foundation, Melissa Ricker – Superintendent at the Allen County Board of Developmental Disabilities, and Ian Anderson – Director of Continuous Improvement at Superior Wholesale Distributors. McLaurine seconded the motion. Board approved.
Resignations
Warren made a motion to approve the resignations of Karen Grothouse, Kelly Schooler and Rick Kortokrax with regret. McLaurine seconded the motion. Board approved
Motion To Adjourn
Frazer made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Sarno seconded the motion. Board approved. Russ Decker adjourned the meeting at 12:18 P.M.
Frazer made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Sarno seconded the motion. Board approved. Russ Decker adjourned the meeting at 12:18 P.M.