Here are the highlights from the November 13 board meeting.
Call to Order Paul Swartz
President Swartz called the meeting to order with the following members present: Ken Dysert, Peg Ehora, John Ficorilli, Jed Metzger, Tracie Sanchez, Catheryn Sarno, Theresa Schnipke, and Jeff Tracy. Also present was Secretary Rita Brown
Secretary’s Report Rita Brown
Sarno made a motion to approve the Minutes of the October 9, 2018, Board Meeting and the Supplemental Minutes dated November 5, 2018. Metzger seconded the motion. Board approved.
Attendance report
Brown shared the club attendance report for October 2018. The month ended with 168 members with two members resigning. Meeting attendance was at 41.02%. Orientation for four new members was held on Wednesday November 7, 2018. We have six new approved members but two were not able to attend orientation at this time.
Rotary Basics Book to Non-Active Members
Members have been picking up their copy of the book at Club Meetings for the last three weeks. The remaining members will receive their book personally from one of the Board Members who will deliver them.
President's Report Paul Swartz
Salvation Army Fundraiser Update Paul Downing
Salvation Army Operations Coordinator, Paul Downing attended the meeting. Downing currently has responsibility over the Salvation Army Kettles, Toys for Tots and the Angel Trees. Downing thanked the Club for their generous contributions to the Salvation Army over the years.
The Board considered giving Hats and Mittens. After thoroughly discussing, the Board decided to do a Hat, Mitten and Cash drive on November 26 and December 3. A Salvation Army Barrel will be placed in the Meeting Room for donations. Checks should be made payable to the Lima Rotary Club. The Club will do a presentation to Major Jeff Stacy of the Salvation Army on December 10th at the Club Meeting.
District Water Project to assist with Haiti Clean Water Project
The Foundation agreed to participate in the Rotary District 6600, 6290, and 7020 Project and to provide $1,000 as requested. Jared Walsh will get information and send check accordingly.
VMCC Sponsorship Update
The Lima Rotary Foundation Board considered the proposal from the VMCC for naming rights to the North Hall to Rotary Hall. The modified sponsorship has a cost of $20,000 or $ 4,000 a year for a period of five years. The package includes 10 Event Tickets per year, 10% off Room Rental but no discount on weekly fees and annual recognition at the Season Reveal Gala. At the end of the 5 years, the sponsorship would again be reviewed. The Foundation Board does not do multi-year grants. At this time, they didn’t want to make that type of investment due to the investment in the amphitheater and stock market fluctuation. Swartz suggested revisiting it again in June and making it a club project.
Shelter Box for the Tsunami Victims in Indonesia
The Board forwarded the request for $1000 to the Foundation. A Shelter Box will be set up for Club Members to view at the Club Meeting on December 3, 2018. The members will be asked to contribute and the Foundation will make up the remaining amount for the of the total cost of $1,000 for the Shelter Box
District Grant Requests for Library Books and Dictionaries
The Club submitted two requests for additional District Grants. District grants are awarded in the amount of up to 1/3 of the cost of the project. Request were submitted for payment of books for the Children’s Library at the Lima Public Library and also for the Dictionaries distributed to 3rd graders in Allen County.
Sheriff’s Department Fund Raiser
Members will be offered the opportunity to purchase shirts and jackets from Proforma with the Rotary Logo. Proforma will make a donation for each garment sold for the purchase of Exercise Equipment for the Sheriff’s Department. An email with details and forms will be sent to Club Members.
Project Coordinator
Swartz indicated wanting to name a Project Coordinator and small committee to oversee small one day projects. The Rotary Club would partner with various organizations. They would be Spring and Summer projects.
Board Reports
Dictionary Distribution, Special Needs, and Salvation Army Bell Ringing Updates Peggy Ehora
Ehora stated the Dictionary Distribution and Salvation Army Bell Ringing projects are on schedule. The Special Needs Christmas Party is scheduled for December 8, 2018. Ehora is planning special activities for the older children up to age 12. They will consider adding Corn Hole Games to the activities for those children.
Polio Plus Update John Ficorilli
Ficorilli will lead the efforts for the Polio Plus Auctions that will take place during January, February and March 2019. The items will be pre –posted and photos will be sent to the members.
Christmas Party Update Cat Sarno
As the Club will not be holding a Reverse Raffle this year, Sarno is working with a Committee to raise additional money at the Party that will be in addition to the regular Christmas Raffle/Auction/Elvis. Plans include a Wine Raffle that has a goal of raising $500. Also vendors are being invited to have a display with a portion of the proceeds going to the Club. Members will be given the option of having their purchases included on their quarterly statements.
Blood Drive Recap Tracie Sanchez
Sanchez reported 460 attended the Blood Drive and Memorial Hospital performed 1003 blood test. Attendance was down about 100 people. Gross income was $30,000 and after expenses, the Drive raised $8,845 which will be given to the Lima Rotary Foundation. A check presentation will be held. The Board discussed ways to do a better job in promoting the Blood Drive in the future.
Amphitheatre Update Tracie Sanchez
Sanchez reported the following updates. The sale of the Sonntag property is ready to be finalized and closed.
That should occur by the end of this week or next week. An issue has come up on the McDonald Property where the Gas Station was. They are working through those issues. That will take a period of time to accomplish. Sanchez and Rich Rudolph met with Senator Matt Huffman, State Representative Bob Cup, Mayor Berger, Howard Elstro and Tim Stolly. The City is excited about the project and will be fully involved. Bart Mills is leading an Arts Committee that will help with the Designs. Mills will be talking to other cities with amphitheaters about the pros and cons of their structures. This will be a mini version of the project in Columbus OH. Sanchez stated the Mayor is very excited about the $2.2 million dollar project. Bassitt Architectural Firm has put together the budget for the project. The project is moving forward and fund raising is almost ready to begin.
Treasurer Report Kevin Bill
Treasurer Bill called into the meeting to discuss the Financial Report. A few members were specifically discussed on the Aging Report. 2nd notices will be sent to all people over 90 days in arrears. Dysert made a motion to approve the Financial Report as submitted. Sanchez seconded the motion. Board approved.
New Business: Rita Brown
There were no resignations and no new member applications for the month.
Adjournment
Swartz adjourned the meeting at 1:15 PM.
Respectfully submitted
Rita Brown, Secretary