The Lima Rotary Club holds its annual meeting.
The Lima Rotary Club held its annual meeting Monday. This is when members vote on the fundraising and projects for the coming year and when the new board members are announced.
For the 2026-2027 Rotary year, the officers will be: President Craig Kupferberg, President-Elect Chip Bullock, Vice President-Troy Elwer, Secretary Anne Decker and Treasurer Jason Bice. Board members will be Jennifer Mason, Cory Frazer, Beth Seibert, Berlin Carroll, Josh Unterbrink, Carol Buettner, and Russ Decker as President Ex-Officio. The members who fulfilled their terms on the board are Judge Richard Warren, Aaron McLaurine and Ex-Officio former President Demi Burden. Thank you for your service!
Josh Unterbrink announced that the Lima Rotary Foundation officers will be: Michael Sarno-President, Josh Unterbrink-President-Elect and Treasurer Ann Welly. Board members will be Sam Bassitt, Scott Cockerell John Payne, David Trinko, Jessica Trinko, Jeff Unterbrink. The members who fulfilled their terms on the foundation board are Julie Klingler, John Payne, and Ex-Officio Former President Troy Elwer. Thank you for serving!
Troy Elwer announced that so far this year, the Lima Rotary Foundation has awarded $17,090.12 in grants to local non-profit organizations including Allen County D.A.R.E., Allen Lima Youth Leadership, Lima Symphony Orchestra, MESA, Salvation Army, Soldiers of Honor, the Lima News Spelling Bee, and funds to erect a mini pavilion in Safety City.
Ann Welly presented the Foundation's financial report to date. The Amphitheater fund has a balance of $61,092.80, the Endowment fund totals $569,747.05, the General Fund total $74,574.71, the Hulsken Fund total $95,360.17, the Scholarship Fund totals $110,500.99 for a total of $903,799.05. David Runk made a motion to approve the Lima Rotary Foundation Treasurer's report. Dr. Susan Hubbell seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.
Resolution #1 - 2026-2027 Lima Rotary Fundraising Projects, Goals and Purpose
The amounts in Resolution #1 are planned or anticipated to be raised from the club’s fund-raising projects.
- Blood Clinic
$3,000 - Rotary Christmas Raffle & Auction
$4,000 - Rex Perry Memorial Golf Outing
$20,000 for post-secondary scholarships - Holiday Home Tour
$12,000 - Rottery 50/50 Fundraiser
$1,000 for selected charities - Rotary International Polio Plus Campaign
$3,000 for the RI Polio Plus Fund - Rotary Members’ Dues for Foundation
$7,500
TOTAL estimated net proceeds - $50,500\
The resolution was unanimously approved by the club.
Resolution #2 – 2026-2027 Lima Rotary Club Projects, Goals and Funding Source
This is the proposed distribution of the funds raised in #1 above:
- Rotary Post-Secondary Scholarships
$20,000 from Rex Perry Memorial Golf Outing - Grants to Local Non Profit Organizations
$1,000 from Rottery 50/50 - Rotary International Polio Plus Fund
$3,000 from Polio Plus Campaign - Unrestricted Funds for the Foundation
$26,500
TOTAL estimated distribution - $50,500
The resolution was unanimously approved by the club.
The resolution was unanimously approved by the club.
Resolution #3 – 2026-2027 Lima Rotary Club Partnership Projects
These are the projects the club deems important. The Lima Rotary Club recommends that they receive consideration by the Lima Rotary Foundation by way of a traditional grant application process. Amounts to be determined by organizational needs and the LRF.
- MESA Contribution
- Lima Symphony Orchestra
- Salvation Army
- ALL Youth Leadership
- Presenting Sponsor of Scripps Regional Spelling Bee
The resolution was unanimously approved by the club.
Resolution #4 – 2026-2027 Rotary Club Community Service Activities
These are club service projects that benefit other organizations.
- Salvation Army Kettle Drive
- Children’s Books to the Lima Public Library
- Rotary 4-Way Test Speech & Essay Contest
- Pack Boxes for West Ohio Food Bank
- Pack Love Luggage Backpacks
The resolution was unanimously approved by the club.