The Scoop...July 1, 2013
President Mike Schoenhofer called his first meeting to order at 12:09pm and introduced David Runk for the invocation, Pledge of Allegiance and 4 Way Test. Sgt. At Arms Phil Hayne reported that 69 people attended last week’s meeting and he introduced Mary Schoenhofer as Mike’s guest. Butch Kirk had fun with fellowship by playing Name That Tune and had the crowd identify famous quotes by famous people. He wrapped up with a couple jokes that made everyone groan.
This is going to be a fun year in the Lima Rotary Club. Mike Schoenhofer told the group that among his goals are making the meetings fun, having everyone get to know each other better and to use our friendship as an opportunity for service.
Here’s the transcript of his speech:
I think about that first group that met in Evanston. Paul Harris had just a few things in mind really:
1. Network with others in business - looking for that mutual benefit
2. Fellowship - creating good will and better friendships
3. Service - Doing good in the world
Let's look at the four objectives of Rotary.
First objective of Rotary - The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service - Cindy Wood and her team are in charge of this one.
When I was invited to join Rotary in 2003, I had a vague sense that this was where the shakers and movers met and I wanted to be part of that group. This was the influential bunch so being part of this group meant that I might make new connections and perhaps be a part of the influence. The networking and fellowship was important to me.
In fact, I thought that was the major purpose of Rotary - to make connections. My eyes have been opened about that since being on the board and now in my year preparing to become president. I have come to understand more about this worldwide fellowship that has made major impacts on the world.
I remember calling Bruce Opperman about something I wanted him to do and the first thing he told me was that since I was a fellow Rotarian he really wanted to help me. He hardly knew me at the time but being a Rotarian made a difference to him.
1. I would like to create more and more opportunities to get to know each other better. In fact, I would like to create opportunities for us to get to know more about each others business interests. This I believe is what Paul Harris was about initially. So part of our fellowship will be opportunities to spotlight one another in order to get to know each other better. Thanks to Phil, Maria, and more who have been willing to talk more to us about themselves.
2. I would like to make our meetings more fun, this would be the fellowship component. Here we will do more happy dollars or even take time to do same table sharing with one another.
Second objective of Rotary - High ethical standards in business and professions, the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, and the dignity of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society. We want to hear more about you and your business in Rotarian Spotlight and in our Programs
Greg Wannemacher's program last week is the perfect example of this second objective.
3. I am very focused on getting more businesses to do programs. In this vein I am actively seeking out local businesses who are doing innovative things, family businesses with a long history here in Lima / Allen County, local businesses that have a world wide reach, and Rotarians willing to do a program on a unique aspect of their business.
Thanks to Don Bruns, Greg Wannemacher and David Grimm. That's what we want to hear more about.
The third objective of Rotary is - The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life - An opportunity is here for you to participate in service activities both locally and internationally - Bob Fett and Dick Warren, Harold Bishchoff and Bob Ruehl
4. I plan to do a sort of Rotary 101 every month highlighting aspects of Rotary International you might not be aware of like the world wide impact of the Rotary commitment to eradicating polio. Did you know that a few years ago there were still 100,000's of polio victims world wide? Today there are dozens. We are very close to the goal set of eradicating polio from the face of the earth. Something we all should be proud of and one very good reason that each of us would want to donate our $100 every year.
Rotary International has 6 areas of focus:
1Peace and conflict prevention/resolution
2 Disease prevention and treatment
3Water and sanitation
4Maternal and child health
5Basic education and literacy
6Economic and community development
I will be highlighting activities that will just expand our horizons a bit.
5. This year Rotary begins a new way of grant making called Future Vision. Bob Ruehl has worked tirelessly on this project for our distinct and along with Harold Bishchoff I am counting on them to keep us on track with that effort. I am creating a local projects committee that Bob and Harold are leading to make sure that we can take advantage of district funds to help us with local or international projects. We may even be looking to join forces with other clubs to create a bigger impact. Stay tuned.
6. Next year will be our 100 year celebration. Some of you have already signed up to be on that committee and I will be forming that committee in August to begin the planning work to make that celebration great. Stay tuned.
You and I belong to a worldwide organization built on acquaintance, networking, and fellowship for the purpose of benefiting one another and the world through service above self.
A recent study of Rotarians concluded - the number one reason most people join Rotary is for service and the number one reason most people stay in Rotary is fellowship. Fellowship, acquaintance, networking, service make up the key components of why we come and why we stay.
In that light, I am going to ask each of you to do a few things this year:
1. Make coming to meetings a priority in your week and when you come expand you acquaintances and networking by getting to know someone new each week. Cindy Wood and Jay Begg will help you though their focus on fellowship and Dave Collins, Dave Grimm, Jed Metzger, and Mary Elmquist with the focus on programs. Let them know if you know about a good program for us. I want to average 95 members a week.
I need your input. Moving to the north hall will save us some money on the rent. Would you like to board to consider - #1 Saving the money and putting it in club funds; or #2 explore improving our lunches. Right now one lunch a month has some extras - better salad, better main course, etc. need more details but just from a general direction - #1 save the money or # 2 improve the food. **The group voted overwhelmingly to save the money.
2. Get involved in a committee, a project, an event. It is a great way to get to know more of your fellow Rotarians and do some service as well. I am counting on Bob Fett and Dick Warren. It is my expectation that every Rotarian in the club participates in 2 things every year as a minimum.
3. Invite friends and colleagues to join you. We love to have guests. And invite a colleague to become a member of Rotary. My goal is to have our membership number at 200 by this time in 2014. I have brought membership forms for you to use. I am looking to Jay Wenger and others to help me.
We will do things a little differently this year as you have noticed. I want you to walk with your guest to the microphone and introduce them, tell us a little about them. We want to honor them and recognize them. So as I call for the Sergeant at Arms report I will ask everyone with a guest to walk to a microphone. The goal is 200 and we can do that.
4. Most of can't travel abroad to work on international projects but everyone of us can afford $25 a quarter to help eradicate polio, bring water to people who need it, build a school or a clinic. We've all been so blessed this is an easy way to participate. Dick Schroeder, Harold Bishchoff, and Bob Ruehl will keep us up to date and aware. I want every Rotarian in the club to contribute $100 a year.
5. I want you to come and have fun for an hour or so every week. Enjoy the company and a good program. And if one of us comes up and asks you to help out - take a chance and just say yes. An opportunity for some real fun and fellowship is coming up at Christmas. Anne Decker and her committee are planning a different kind of celebration. Please mark it on your calendar. It really is fun and there are plans being made to mix it up a bit in a fun and non-threatening way. Give yourself a chance to get to know the others and bring your spouse or partner along as well to join in on the fun.
6. I am looking for a "hands on" project this year. Something where we could spend a morning doing something together with our families. Not sure what it is yet. But when I find it Jim Osmon is on deck ready to lead the charge with the rest of the under 40 gang!
The theme for this year is Engage Rotary Change Lives. This is how Ron Burton, RI President explained it - "We need to make sure that every Rotarian has a meaningful role to play, that they’re all making a contribution, and that their contribution is valued.” That is my goal - that you feel engaged, that your contribution is valued, and that you are making a difference.
Here's the last thing. There will be times when you feel passionately about something. You may feel even a bit angry or upset. You may even feel like lashing out irrationally. Before you speak I want you to run what you are about to either in public or in private, at home or at work through the 4 way test:
1. Is it the truth? Probably is at least from your view point, proceed. . .
2. Is it fair to ALL concerned? Maybe so, proceed. . .
3. Will is build good will and better friendships? I am angry. I am upset. I feel like lashing out. The stop. Do not proceed.
4. Is it beneficial to ALL concerned? It benefits me. . . Stop yourself again.
This four way test has real practical value. Please filter your questions, comments, concerns, through that first. That is our rule of etiquette. It is our rule of action.
But even more than this. The four way test does not apply just when you are at a Rotary meeting or an event. You are never not a Rotarian. The four way test applies at work with colleagues and customers. It applies at home with spouse, partner and children. You are always a Rotarian and so always bound by the four way test wherever you are at church, at a political rally, or just out with friends. You're screwed!
Sometimes that may mean not speaking when you would really like to knock someone's block off.
Sometimes it means having the courage to speak up when you would really rather not bother because what you say really will have an impact and be beneficial to ALL concerned and in fact is the truth.
I want to conclude with the fourth object of Rotary -
The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a worldwide fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.
Who wouldn't want to belong to an organization like this?
My fellow Rotarians. I am actually excited about being your President this year and I am really looking forward to a great year with you.
Service above Self!
The first four Rotarians: Gustavus Loehr, Silvester Schiele, Hiram Shorey, and Paul P. Harris, sometime between 1905 and 1912 first general secretary.
Edgar F. Allen (center), founder of the International Society for Crippled Children (later Easter Seals), and Paul P. Harris, chair of its first board of directors, in February 1922. They are joined by others who helped start the organization. 8 February 1922