Here are the highlights of the April 8 joint meeting of the Lima Rotary Club and Lima Rotary Foundation boards.
Call to Order Demi Burden
President Demi Burden called the meeting to order at 11:35 A.M. with the following Lima Rotary Club board members present: Demi Burden, Aaron McLaurine, Jennifer Mason, Corey Frazer, Craig Kupferberg, Russ Decker, Richard Warren, Jeff Unterbrink. Lima Rotary Foundation board members present were: Julie Klingler, Michael Sarno, John Payne, Troy Elwer, Berlin Carroll, Sam Bassitt and Treasurer Ann Welly. Also, Secretary Anne Decker and bookkeeper Amy Ricker were present.
Secretary’s Report Anne Decker
Approval of the February 11 and March 11, 2025 Board Meeting Minutes
Russ Decker made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 11 and March 11, 2025 board meetings. Kupferberg seconded the motion. Board approved.
Attendance Report for March 2025
Two new members joined the club and five members resigned in March. March attendance was 35.462%. The month ended with 144 active members and 3 honorary members.
President’s Report Demi Burden
District 6600 Legislative Meeting
Following a vote from the clubs, District 6600 has returned excess funds to the clubs on a per capita basis. Lima’s share is $4,472.88.
Following a vote from the clubs, District 6600 has returned excess funds to the clubs on a per capita basis. Lima’s share is $4,472.88.
Blood Clinic
The 2025 Blood Clinic has been scheduled for May 3 at Senior Citizens Services from 6:30-9:30am. Volunteers are needed for the event.
The 2025 Blood Clinic has been scheduled for May 3 at Senior Citizens Services from 6:30-9:30am. Volunteers are needed for the event.
Quadrant Conference
The Rotary Club in the southwest quadrant of District 6600 will hold a quadrant conference in Lima on May 17. We will begin the day at 9:00 A.M. helping out at the West Ohio Food Bank before heading to Shawnee Country Club for lunch and an afternoon of family fun. As part of the conference, the Lima Rotary Club is collecting food and toiletries for the West Ohio Food Bank.
The Rotary Club in the southwest quadrant of District 6600 will hold a quadrant conference in Lima on May 17. We will begin the day at 9:00 A.M. helping out at the West Ohio Food Bank before heading to Shawnee Country Club for lunch and an afternoon of family fun. As part of the conference, the Lima Rotary Club is collecting food and toiletries for the West Ohio Food Bank.
Voting Rights for Board Secretary
Kupferberg made a motion to approve board voting rights for the secretary. Warren seconded the motion. Board approved. Russ Decker abstained from the vote.
Kupferberg made a motion to approve board voting rights for the secretary. Warren seconded the motion. Board approved. Russ Decker abstained from the vote.
Beer Barrel Fundraiser
Beer Barrel Pizza has offered to hold a fundraiser for the Lima Rotary Club in which the club would encourage its members and supporters to eat at Beer Barrel on a certain day and the club would receive a 20% donation of the total amount of the club supporters’ receipts on that day. Burden will contact Beer Barrel to schedule a date for the fundraiser.
Beer Barrel Pizza has offered to hold a fundraiser for the Lima Rotary Club in which the club would encourage its members and supporters to eat at Beer Barrel on a certain day and the club would receive a 20% donation of the total amount of the club supporters’ receipts on that day. Burden will contact Beer Barrel to schedule a date for the fundraiser.
Lima Rotary Foundation President’s Report Berlin Carroll
The Lima Rotary Foundation has awarded grants totaling $34,065 this year to Allen County 9/11 Memorial, Allen County D.A.R.E., Allen County Special Olympics, Allen Lima Youth Leadership, Amil Tellers of Dramatics, Safety City, Lima Symphony Orchestra, Spelling Bee, Trinity United Methodist Church, Tunnel to Tower Foundation and Apollo Career Center. The Foundation board also updated and revised its bylaws last year. The Foundation continues to work with the City of Lima on the Greater Lima Region Park & Amphitheater.
The Lima Rotary Foundation has awarded grants totaling $34,065 this year to Allen County 9/11 Memorial, Allen County D.A.R.E., Allen County Special Olympics, Allen Lima Youth Leadership, Amil Tellers of Dramatics, Safety City, Lima Symphony Orchestra, Spelling Bee, Trinity United Methodist Church, Tunnel to Tower Foundation and Apollo Career Center. The Foundation board also updated and revised its bylaws last year. The Foundation continues to work with the City of Lima on the Greater Lima Region Park & Amphitheater.
Joint Board Discussion
Treasurer’s Report – Lima Rotary Foundation
The Lima Rotary Foundation’s Endowment Fund has a balance of $522,180.92, the Hulsken fund has a balance of $75,816.29, the Scholarship Fund has a balance of $111,827.41. The General Fund has a balance of $31,545.86.
Treasurer’s Report – Lima Rotary Foundation
The Lima Rotary Foundation’s Endowment Fund has a balance of $522,180.92, the Hulsken fund has a balance of $75,816.29, the Scholarship Fund has a balance of $111,827.41. The General Fund has a balance of $31,545.86.
Treasurer’s Report – Lima Rotary Club
The club’s Profit and Loss Statement and Balance Sheet showed total income through March 31, 2025 of $84,075.59. Total expenses are $77,877.17. Net income is $6,198.42.
Frazer made a motion to approve the Lima Rotary Club’s Treasurer’s report. Russ Decker seconded the motion. Club board approved.
Approval of Any Funds That Need to be Distributed
Mason made a motion to approve the transfer of $7,476.67 from the Christmas auction/Elvis to the Lima Rotary Foundation, and $249 from Rottery to PolioPlus. Unterbrink seconded the motion. Board approved.
Mason made a motion to approve the transfer of $7,476.67 from the Christmas auction/Elvis to the Lima Rotary Foundation, and $249 from Rottery to PolioPlus. Unterbrink seconded the motion. Board approved.
Bookkeeping Services
Warren made a motion to split bookkeeper Amy Ricker’s $600/month salary 50/50 between the Lima Rotary Club and Lima Rotary Foundation, to be invoiced annually. Bassitt seconded the motion. Boards approved.
Annual Meeting Preparation
The Lima Rotary Club’s annual meeting is April 14. Board members reviewed the agenda and discussed the roles of those making presentations.
The Lima Rotary Club’s annual meeting is April 14. Board members reviewed the agenda and discussed the roles of those making presentations.
Lima Rotary Club President-Elect Report Russ Decker
Russ Decker stated that his plans for the coming year include the construction of a miniature amphitheater at Safety City. A lot has already been purchased and Apollo Career Center carpentry students will be constructing the amphitheater. He will be applying for a district grant to help with the cost. A work day will be scheduled when club members will paint the amphitheater and landscape around it. Decker has filled all committee chair positions except for the 4-Way Test Speech Contest. He is also seeking a treasurer to replace Tracey Regula who will not be continuing in that role.
Russ Decker stated that his plans for the coming year include the construction of a miniature amphitheater at Safety City. A lot has already been purchased and Apollo Career Center carpentry students will be constructing the amphitheater. He will be applying for a district grant to help with the cost. A work day will be scheduled when club members will paint the amphitheater and landscape around it. Decker has filled all committee chair positions except for the 4-Way Test Speech Contest. He is also seeking a treasurer to replace Tracey Regula who will not be continuing in that role.
Lima Rotary Foundation President-Elect Report Troy Elwer
Elwer plans to continue making quarterly reports to the club about the Foundation’s activities, and he is going to make it a priority to educate the public about the grant program in the hope that more organizations will apply.
Board Reports All Board Members
Jeff Unterbrink announced that the 2025 Rex Perry Memorial Golf Outing will be held on August 22 at Hidden Creek Golf Club. The committee will begin meeting in May.
New Business Demi Burden
Club Service Awards
Names were discussed for the club service awards which will be presented at the Changing of the Guard.
Names were discussed for the club service awards which will be presented at the Changing of the Guard.
Chris Hardesty Dues
Russ Decker made a motion to forgive former member Chris Hardesty’s dues incurred since December 31, 2024. Unterbrink seconded the motion. Board approved.
Russ Decker made a motion to forgive former member Chris Hardesty’s dues incurred since December 31, 2024. Unterbrink seconded the motion. Board approved.
Resignations
Resignations were received from Jessica Gavin, Ryan Douglas and Rob Nelson. McLaurine made a motion to approve the resignations with regret and to forgive Gavin’s past dues. Frazer seconded the motion. Board approved.
Resignations were received from Jessica Gavin, Ryan Douglas and Rob Nelson. McLaurine made a motion to approve the resignations with regret and to forgive Gavin’s past dues. Frazer seconded the motion. Board approved.
Scholarships
Warren announced that the Scholarship Committee will top the $1 million mark when it presents this quarter’s scholarships on April 28. He will gather club members for a group photo with the scholarship winners.
Warren announced that the Scholarship Committee will top the $1 million mark when it presents this quarter’s scholarships on April 28. He will gather club members for a group photo with the scholarship winners.
Motion To Adjourn
Burden adjourned the meeting at 12:45 P.M.
Burden adjourned the meeting at 12:45 P.M.