The Greater Lima Region Park & Amphitheater welcomes the Booker Building as its neighbor.
At the southeast corner of Spring and Union sits a small brick building that is destined to become Booker's Apartments and Event Space. Diamond Russell told us the building was owned by her grandfather, Booker Brown. Built in 1910, the building housed the offices of Lima's first Black doctor, Dr. Watts from 1961 to 2003. Diamond says that her grandfather always envisioned something special would happen in the area and now it's coming true. She and her husband Shawn describe the building's future use as, "a diverse multi-functional space. Our goal is to provide spaces for local businesses and patrons that are innovative and exciting. We plan to do this through leasing opportunities, event space and apartment rentals, while also exploring sports book betting." The building will also house Bean City Chicken and Grill, which is owned by Tony Woodley. Bean City Chicken has been operating out of a food trailer for years and Tony told us he's looking forward to having brick and mortar location. The building will feature a patio adjacent to the amphitheater where people can enjoy food and drinks during special events.
Also during Monday's meeting, Sue Fifer exchanged her red badge for her blue badge. Congratulations, Sue!
Join us February 23 at Old City Prime for a fun evening full of friendship and good food. With a new year come new opportunities, new busier work schedules, and new responsibilities. Let the Rotary Social night help you escape from the day to day hustle. Come spend Thursday night with us at Old City Prime, a friendly space with good people who make you laugh! We look forward to seeing you there!
Here are the highlights from the February 14th board meeting.
Call to Order Derek Stemen
President Derek Stemen called the meeting to order at 11:39 A.M. with the following board members present:
Derek Stemen, Jeff Fitzgerald, Joel Mengerink, Tim Stanford, Lesley Fry, Andy Wannemacher, Demi Burden and Treasurer Tracey Regula. Also, Secretary Anne Decker and Amy Ricker were present.
Secretary’s Report Anne Decker
Approval of the January 10, 2023 Board Minutes
Burden made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 10, 2023 meeting as submitted. Fitzgerald seconded the motion. Board approved.
Attendance Report for January 2023
One new member joined the club and no members resigned in January. January attendance was 45.15%. The month ended with 141 active members and 4 honorary members.
President’s Report Derek Stemen
Board Candidates
Lesley Fry reported that the candidates for the Board of Directors of the Lima Rotary Club for the 2023-2024 year will be: Jill Ackerman, Russ Decker, Susan Fifer, Adah Ellerbrock, Sophia Loser, Katy Page, Richard Warren. Decker will have ballots printed and sent to the membership. Candidates will be asked to attend the February 27th Rotary meeting to be introduced to the club.
Joint Board Meeting and Annual Meeting The joint meeting of the Lima Rotary Club and Lima Rotary Foundation Boards of Directors is scheduled for April 11. The club’s annual meeting is scheduled for April 17. Agenda items for each meeting were reviewed.
Update of Club Bylaws At the request of the board, Don Witter has written an amendment to the club’s bylaws stating that any person or organization using the Rotary or Rotary Foundation name in connection with any project, collection or donations must have written approval from the board of directors. Decker will contact Witter about the exact wording of this policy. This policy will be brought before the joint board meeting and the annual meeting for approval.
Blood Clinics
Stemen reported that Lima Memorial Health System is willing to consider holding blood clinics in both the spring and fall. They had raised concerns about lack of attendance at recent clinics. Stemen told them we would advertise the event more heavily. LMHS will see if attendance at the spring blood clinic increases and reevaluate the need for a fall blood clinic at that time. November 4 has been reserved for the fall blood clinic. The spring blood clinic is scheduled for May 6.
Fundraising Events Andy Wannemacher and Scott Neth will co-chair the annual Rex Perry Memorial Golf Outing. Details will be forthcoming. The Jay Begg Reverse Raffle will take place at the May 1, 8, 15 and 22 club meetings with 50 numbers being drawn at each meeting. Each week, the holder of the last number drawn will receive $500. Holders of the other numbers drawn that week will win a consolation prize provided by sponsors. The last three numbers drawn on May 22 will receive $1,000, $2,500 and $5,000 respectively. Decker will design tickets and have them printed.
District Conference
The Rotary District 6600 Conference is scheduled for May 12-14 in Cleveland. The Lima Rotary Club has a ticket to the event at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and will auction it to raise money for PolioPlus.
Membership Initiatives
Board members continue to contact potential new club members.
Board Reports All Board Members
Empowering Girls Lesley Fry
The Empowering Girls Committee met on February 6. They are looking for ways Rotary can support existing programs for girls in the community.
PolioPlus Derek Stemen
$367 was collected for PolioPlus from Rottery. The club is planning an apparel sale this spring to benefit PolioPlus. Decker will contact ProForma to set up the online store.
Treasurer’s Report Tracey Regula
Regula reviewed information from the financial reports. The club’s total income year to date is $80,937.31, slightly above the same period last year. The club’s YTD expenses are $65,058.13, leaving the club with a net income of $15,879.18, up from $10,965.05 from the same period last year. Burden made a motion to approve the treasurer’s report. Stanford seconded the motion. Board approved.
New Business
New Member Applications
New member applications were received from: Wayne Steed – West Ohio Food Bank
Timothy Hammel Nicole Daniels – Otterbein Cridersville Andy Murino – Jack Burden Construction Wannemacher made a motion to approve all four applications. Fry seconded the motion. Board approved.
Resignations
Steven Rakes has submitted his resignation.
Fitzgerald made a motion to accept the resignation with regret. Regula seconded the motion. Board approved.
Motion To Adjourn
Burden made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Stanford seconded the motion. Stemen adjourned the meeting at 12:44 P.M.
District 6600 invites you to attend One Rotary Summit.
District 6600 invites you to attend One Rotary Summit Virtual Event on Monday, February 27 from 7:00 to 8: 30 pm.
Learn what other Rotarians are doing to grow, strengthen and improve their clubs. Our District leaders will share their expertise, pass on tips, and answer any questions you might have about the Rotary Foundation, membership drive strategies, public image and more.
You're invited to this year's District Conference in Cleveland, OH May 12-14, 2023.
The weekend is full of great speakers, including John Hewko, General Secretary and CEO of Rotary International, member of the Rotary Club of Kyiv, Ukraine, as well as spending Friday evening at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Rotarians are welcome to sign up for all or part of the Rotary Conference Schedule. Registration costs will increase on February 1st so register on dacdb today!
And don't forget to make your hotel room reservations for the Cleveland Marriott Downtown Hotel here.Rooms at the special $169 USD per nightRotary rate are limited in availability. Please book your hotel rooms by Thursday, April 20, 2023 to ensure this special rate.
Use a new video about service resources to inspire members
A new video highlights the programs and resources that can help your club and district increase your impact and make your service more sustainable. The video, which is available in nine languages, explains how clubs can make a bigger difference by working with Rotary Community Corps, district resource networks, Rotary Action Groups, and Rotary’s partners. Show the video at your club and district meetings, training seminars, or other events to inspire members and participants to use these resources and increase their impact. You can also use the video on social media, in newsletters, or on club and district websites. Visit the Brand Center to download the video.
Peace is a cornerstone of Rotary’s mission. By carrying out service projects in this area of focus and supporting Rotary Peace Fellowships and scholarships, you become part of Rotary’s effort to address the underlying causes of conflict, such as poverty, discrimination, ethnic tension, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources. During Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention Month in February, review Rotary’s brochure about our peace efforts and find ways to get involved in building more stable, peaceful communities.
Increase your impact
Identify Rotary Peace Fellowship candidates
Applications are now open for the 2024 Rotary Peace Fellowship! Help us promote it and find the next cohort of global peacebuilders.
If you know any peace and development leaders in your community, encourage them to apply for a fully funded master’s degree or professional development certificate at one of our Rotary Peace Centers around the world. You can also use the referral form to tell us about potential candidates.
Since 2002, more than 1,600 peace fellows have trained at Rotary Peace Centers and are working in peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and development roles in more than 140 countries. Follow the Rotary Peace Centers Facebook page to learn more or write to rotarypeacecenters@rotary.org.
Enhance Engagement
Explore the Rotary Voices podcast
If you have less time to read but still want to stay up to date with Rotary stories, opportunities, and projects, listen to Rotary magazine’s official podcast. The Rotary Voices podcast (in English) has stories from the magazine and the Rotary Voices blog. A recent episode focuses on the first Programs of Scale award recipient, Partners for a Malaria-Free Zambia. You’ll find interviews with Rotarians who are working in their communities to combat malaria and information about the science involved in fighting malaria. Find the podcast on your favorite app like Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or Spotify.
The event includes a symposium on 4 May with programs and networking opportunities for Rotary Peace Fellows and members. Participants can also meet before the symposium through a series of online meetings. To learn more and register, visit the 2023 International Peace Conference website.
Participate in the Programs of Scale webinar
It’s not too early to start working on your 2023 Programs of Scale concept note (the first step in the application process, due in August). Register for the Programs of Scale Competition: Insights and Tips for Applying webinar to understand the criteria and get suggestions about your application. The webinar will be held 26 April at 08:00 Chicago time (UTC-5) with simultaneous interpretation in French, Portuguese, and Spanish and at 16:00 Chicago time (UTC-5) with simultaneous interpretation in Japanese, Korean, and Mandarin. For more information about past winners or to download the Programs of Scale Handbook and concept note template, visit the Programs of Scale page.
Turkey and Syria were struck by a devastating earthquake on 6 February that has killed tens of thousands of people, destroyed thousands of homes and other structures, and left people across the region without shelter in bitterly cold winter weather. The Rotary world responded to this catastrophe immediately. Rotary leadership has activated our disaster response efforts, communicated with the affected districts, and encouraged governors in those regions to apply for disaster response grants. In addition, our project partner ShelterBox and service partner Habitat for Humanity are working on their responses. Find out how you can have the greatest impact.
This week's stories
Providing a safe haven
Welcome.US, a nonpartisan initiative in the United States, was launched in September 2021 to assist those fleeing Afghanistan, but has expanded to embrace refugees from the war in Ukraine. The organization is collaborating with Rotary to find hosts for refugee families. A member of the Rotary Club of Wilmington East, North Carolina, USA, is hosting two mothers of young children. Read his blog post in Rotary Voices.
Peace and safe drinking water for Lebanon
A decade ago, all of Lebanon’s Rotary clubs united behind a global, grant-funded project to bring clean drinking water to nearly every school in the country in partnership with outside groups and Lebanese government ministries. In May, the last of the more than 1,000 schools targeted by the effort received filters and tanks. The project has delivered more than just water, sowing seeds of peace in a land torn by conflict. Read more.
Club innovation
The Rotary Club of Miami Brickell Passport, Florida, USA, is using a flexible club format to attract new members and conduct engaging virtual meetings. Learn more
Refer a peace fellow candidate
Rotary Peace Fellowships equip peace and development leaders from communities around the world to become effective catalysts for peace. Applications for the 2024 fellowships are being accepted until 15 May.
Recent Rotary research confirms that the club experience is what matters most to our members. Everyone plays a part in making sure that members have a fulfilling, enjoyable experience. When members feel welcomed and included, are given opportunities for personal growth and leadership development, are able to make meaningful connections, and are contributing to service, they are more engaged and more likely to remain active in their club.
Looking after members by showing them comfort and care should be the priority for all club leaders. Knowing the needs of your members and making changes in your club to address those needs creates a more positive environment for all. Rotary offers resources that can help:
Member Interest Survey — Getting to know new and prospective members early on is helpful for everyone. Use this survey to learn about their preferences so you can meet their expectations.
Member Satisfaction Survey — A satisfied member is an engaged member. And engaged members make clubs vibrant. Distribute this survey regularly to all members in your club, and respond to their feedback to empower them to shape the club experience.
Exit Survey — Understanding why members leave gives your club the opportunity to address any issues that are causing members to resign.
Being open to change can be challenging, especially for clubs that have well-established ways of doing things. But when members feel heard and understood, they are more likely to feel valued and cared for and to be active in their clubs.
Celebrating International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day is 8 March, a time to honor the achievements of women around the world and raise awareness of the work that’s still needed to achieve equity.
Join Rotary in celebrating International Women’s Day 2023! Our virtual, multi-day observance seeks to raise awareness about the barriers that women around the world face as professional and local leaders and to build a supportive community to take collective action for change. The events, presented in English, are open to Rotary members and nonmembers of all genders.
Use #IWD2023 to find other events or post information about your own!
Nominations due 31 March: The Rotary Award for Excellence in Service to Humanity
Many people outside Rotary do good in our communities, and honoring them for it can build a broader culture of service. The Rotary Award for Excellence in Service to Humanity recognizes nonmembers, including the partners of members, who have demonstrated exemplary humanitarian service through Rotary. District governors can nominate candidates 1- 31 March. Tell your governor about someone who has made life better for others. The people selected for the award will receive an engraved crystal and lapel pin. Write to riawards@rotary.org if you have any questions.
Rotary’s 2022 annual report is now available
Learn what we accomplished this year, discover how clubs are making a difference, hear from donors about why they contribute to The Rotary Foundation, review important financial information, and more in the latest annual report.
A Rotary club meeting in the metaverse
The Rotary Club of Metaverso D2203, Spain, is one of the first clubs organized in the metaverse, which aims to be a place for people to meet and interact in immersive virtual environments. Although members sometimes gather in person, most meetings are held in virtual spaces, with the participants represented by avatars. Find out more about this exciting new venture.
Membership Minute is a bimonthly newsletter that provides the latest membership trends, strategies, best practices, and resources to help strengthen membership in your clubs. The newsletter is sent to Rotary coordinators, district governors, district membership chairs, Rotary club membership chairs, Rotary club presidents, Rotary club presidents-elect, Rotaract club presidents and subscribers. Please forward this to anyone who may be interested.
One Rotary Center, 1560 Sherman Ave., Evanston, IL 60201-3698, USA
Giving & Grants: Foundation grants educate nurses, improve care.
A series of Rotary Foundation global grants has provided funding to modernize Moldova’s nursing program, involving vocational training delivered by the North Carolina-Moldova Nursing Collaborative. This multiyear endeavor has continued through the COVID-19 pandemic and the outbreak of war in neighboring Ukraine to improve the training that nursing students in Moldova receive and enhance the quality of care that nurses provide.
Trustees establish targeted funds to aid Pakistan and Ukraine
In January 2023 The Rotary Foundation Trustees established two temporary funds to assist Pakistan and Ukraine, two areas that are facing extreme need.
Did you know that our Annual Fund includes SHARE, the World Fund, and our areas of focus funds? When people support the Annual Fund, our Foundation can approve grants that create positive change in communities close to home and around the world. Learn more about how the Annual Fund supports sustainable, life-changing projects.
In April, we’re honoring Rotary founder Paul Harris, who was born in Racine, Wisconsin, USA, on 19 April 1868. His vision of finding fellowship and making community connections endures to this day. Join us in celebrating the anniversary of his birth by learning about his legacy or making a special gift to The Rotary Foundation. Subscribe to the quarterly Paul Harris Society Resource to receive updates and learn more about how society members are leaders in giving.
GRANT UPDATES
Programs of Scale updates
The first Programs of Scale grant recipient, Partners for a Malaria-Free Zambia, is training and supporting 380 health facility staff members and has added 2,500 trained community health workers to the national health system in Zambia — expanding local access to effective malaria testing and treatment in 10 heavily affected districts. Learn more about the program’s achievements.
Explore the Rotary Voices podcast to learn more about Partners for a Malaria-Free Zambia. A recent episode features interviews with Rotarians who are working in their communities to combat malaria and information about the science involved in fighting the disease. Find the podcast on apps like Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or Spotify.
Find out what we've learned from the fight against malaria in Zambia that can apply to other disease prevention and treatment projects. The Rotary Service in Action blog post highlights the role of community health workers, the importance of bringing treatment to people instead of waiting for them to seek care, and the effective use of technology.
It’s not too early to start working on your 2023 Programs of Scale concept note (the first step in the application process, due in August). Register for the “Programs of Scale Competition: Insights and Tips for Applying” webinar, being held 26 April at 08:00 Chicago time (UTC-5) and 16:00 Chicago time (UTC-5). To learn more about past winners or download the Programs of Scale Handbook and concept note template, visit the Programs of Scale page.
The findings from the latest grant model evaluation are now available. The year three report includes new information about member participation and satisfaction with global grants, how district resources might better support global grants, the need to collect different kinds of data about our projects, the effect scholarships have on the recipients, and the sustainability of global grant projects.
Help desk: medical equipment projects
Are you planning a global grant project that includes providing medical equipment? If so, have you reviewed the updated Disease Prevention and Treatment Guidelines for Global Grant Funding? Medical equipment projects need to include an assessment that specifies the health condition that will be addressed, explains how the equipment is appropriate for the facility that will receive it, and indicates how the facility will be able to operate and maintain the equipment, such as by obtaining replacement parts and securing long-term funding.
Identify Rotary Peace Fellowship candidates
Applications are now open for the 2024 Rotary Peace Fellowship! Help us promote it and find the next cohort of global peacebuilders. If you know any peace and development leaders in your community, encourage them to apply for a fully funded master’s degree or professional development certificate at one of our Rotary Peace Centers around the world. You can also use the referral form to tell us about potential candidates. Follow the Rotary Peace Centers Facebook page to learn more or write to rotarypeacecenters@rotary.org.
Preparing to be a district Rotary Foundation chair?
Review this new infographic that outlines the various ways to prepare for your role. If you haven’t used the Learning Center before, go to rotary.org/learn, sign in to My Rotary, and accept the privacy policy so that you can access the infographic. Links to the Learning Center may not work on mobile devices, but you can get to the Learning Center from My Rotary and then search for materials or courses. Send feedback about the infographic to learn@rotary.org.
Global grant scholars and vocational training team members now have separate learning plans for their predeparture orientation. Anyone who’s already enrolled in the previous combined course can still access the content until 1 July.
A new video highlights the resources that help clubs and districts increase their impact and make their service more sustainable. It explains how clubs can work with Rotary Community Corps, district resource networks, Rotary Action Groups, and Rotary’s partners to make a bigger difference. Show the video at meetings, training seminars, or other events. You can also use it on social media, in newsletters, or on club and district websites. Visit the Brand Center to download the video and send any questions to rotary.service@rotary.org.
Learn what we accomplished this year, discover how clubs are making a difference, hear from donors about why they contribute to The Rotary Foundation, review important financial information, and more in the latest annual report.