It's that time of season, it's that time of year, the Allen County Fair is here!
The Allen County Fair runs from August 20-28 and Fair Board President Brad Core told us there are lots of fun events going on every day. This year's headline concert is Brad Paisley on Saturday, August 21. Brad encouraged us to buy tickets. He says that not only will be seeing a great concert by one of county music's top artists, but a sell-out crowd will give a much-needed financial boost to the fair. You can order tickets here or get them at the fair office. Other grandstand entertainment includes the Lima Area Concert Band on Friday, August 20, the Kewpee Showcase of Bands on Sunday, harness racing on Monday and Tuesday. the cheerleading competition on Wednesday, drag racing on Thursday, demolition derby on Friday, August 27, and the power truck pull on Saturday, August 28. There is also a lot of free entertainment up and down the midway as well as rides, games and plenty of great fair food. The heart of the fair is the Junior Fair with hundreds of young people bringing their projects for judging after working on them all year. The annual livestock auction will be held on Thursday, August 26 and Friday, August 27. Brad says the fair is financially pressed right now since COVID kept the public from attending last year's fair and kept the fairgrounds from renting its facilities for a number of months. He encourages everyone to come out to the fair and do what they can to support it financially. He also says they are still taking applications for the fair manager's job through August 31. They hope to hire someone shortly after that so he or she will have a year to learn the job before next year's fair.
Also at Monday's meeting, we gave a check for nearly $500 to Crossroads Crisis Center to help victims of domestic violence. This was the proceeds from last quarter's Rottery drawings. Thank you to everyone who participated!
Hello Everyone. I wanted to pass along some information/warning about downtown Lima parking. If you haven’t seen the news in the past couple days, Lima Police have hired a parking enforcement attendant and they will again be enforcing parking time limits and metered parking. THIS BEGINS ON MONDAY THE 16th. So please be aware of where you are parking for our Monday meetings. See you all Monday and have a great weekend.
Here are the highlights from the August 10th board meeting.
Call to Order Jeff Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald called the meeting to order at 11:35 AM with the following members present: Elizabeth Brown-Ellis, Carol Buettner, Andy Farley, Lesley Fry, Keith Horner, Joel Mengerink, Derek Stemen, Andy Wannemacher and John Ficorilli, Ex Officio. Also present were Treasurer Dan Best, Secretary Rita Brown and Anne Decker.
Secretary’s Report Rita Brown
Attendance report for July
The month of July ended with 147 total members including 143 Active and 4 Honorary Members. One member rejoined the club. There were no resignations. Attendance for the month was 40.65%.
President's Report Jeff Fitzgerald
August – Celebrate RI Membership Month
August is RI Membership Month. The Membership Committee will work with the Social Committee to broaden our reach into the community. Members will be asked to bring a guest who may have interest in joining the club.
Corporate Membership Review
Fitzgerald shared our current Corporate Membership Policy. The plan was put into effect in 2018 by President Swartz with the intent of growing memberships. Currently the Club has 14 Corporate Plans with a total of 28 members. Each Corporate Membership has a Primary Member and up to 4 Associate Members.
Jerry Lucas/Club Fundraiser
Fitzgerald shared details of a Fundraising opportunity he has learned about from former Lima Rotarian and current President of the Mansfield Rotary Club, Cyndi Wood. Former Ohio State Player and Professional Basketball Player Jerry Lucas is offering the Club the opportunity to auction a special memorabilia presentation of the most celebrated basketball player, football player and golfer in the history of OSU Sports - Jerry Lucas, Archie Griffin and Jack Nicklaus. The Club would be required to sell 250 tickets at $20 each. The total of $5,000 will be split between Lucas and the Club.
Stemen made a motion to do the Fundraiser. Brown-Ellis seconded the motion. Board approved. Fitzgerald will speak with Lucas to let him know the Lima Club will participate.
Christmas Auction/Club Fundraiser
The Lima Rotary Club Members’ Christmas Party will be held of Monday December 13, 2021. Cat Sarno and Rob Nelson will do the Wine Auction. Dan Bucher has agreed to manage the sale of Raffle Tickets if the Club is able to secure the high valued type of items for the Raffle. Fitzgerald is in the process of organizing the leadership to manage the silent and live auction items.
District Governor Mary Aufdenkampe’s visit
District Governor, Mary Aufdenkampe will visit the Club on Monday August 30th. She will meet with the Rotary Board and the Rotary Foundation Board at 11 AM and with the full club membership at noon.
Board Reports
Golf Outing Update Andy Wannemacher
Wannemacher stated the Golf Outing proceeds for this year are $39,910.
Legacy Arts Festival recap John Ficorilli
Ficorilli stated the Lima Rotary Tent is really easy to assemble and worked well for the event. He spent $77 on ice and water and received $19 in donations. Three people expressed interest and took Rotary Brochures.
Committee Chairs and Members Involvement Rita Brown
Nearly all the Club’s Committee Chairs have been filled for 2021 – 2022. Theresa Schnipke will chair the Special Needs Children’s Party. Heather Rutz will chair the Rotary 4-Way Essay Contest. Jill Ackerman will chair the Rotary 4-Way Speech Contest. A chair for the Riverwalk Committee has not been secured at this time.
West OH Food Bank request Derek Stemen
Stemen indicated the West OH Food Bank has requested assistance from the Rotary Club as they are low on
Personal Hygiene Products. They will place a barrel in our meeting room that can be used for donations. Stemen will make an announcement to the club. The Drive will be in place until September 20, 2021.
Treasurer Report Dan Best
Best announced that for the current fiscal year to-date (July) 2021, the Club had an increase in net worth of $4,812 compared to July 2020. Income increased just over $3,000 compared to last July. Expenses also increased by over $7,200 compared to the same time period last year. The increase was due to current increased meal costs and District Dues vs the pandemic related suspension of in-person meetings last year. Best also reviewed aged Accounts Receivable and the Projected Budget for the current fiscal year. The Board discussed several possible measures to increase income.
Farley made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s report as submitted. Buettner seconded the motion. Board approved.
New Business: Jeff Fitzgerald
Purchase Limit for the Club President/Secretary without Board Approval
The Club has never had a policy or agreement in place indicating a Purchase Limit for the Club President/Secretary to follow without Board Approval. After discussion, Wannemacher made a motion to set the limit on the Purchase of Miscellaneous Items at $500 before Board Approval is required. Fry seconded the motion. Board approved.
Membership Rita Brown
Resignations
Tim Windau – SVP Premier Bank
Jim Kanable – Superintendent of Shawnee Local Schools
Sydni Winkler – Boy Scouts District Executive
The Board reviewed the three resignations. After discussion, Fry made a motion to accept the resignations of Tim Windau, Jim Kanable and Sydni Winkler with regret. Horner seconded the motion. Board approved.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Buettner made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 1:03 PM. Wannemacher seconded the motion. Board approved.
The MESA Bike Tour makes a stop in Lima on September 20th.
The 2021 five day Rotary Bike Tour for MESA starts on Saturday, September 18 in Findlay and ends Wednesday, September 22 in Ottawa. Dozens of riders from across District 6600 will be riding to raise money for Medical Equipment and Supplies Abroad, a project of District 6600 which collects used medical equipment, computers, and other supplies and ships them to developing countries. You can get involved by pledging dollars per mile for the riders, or by joining the ride yourself. Contact Becky Waggamon for more information.
August is Membership and New Club Development Month.
August 2021
Ideas for strengthening membership
Membership and New Club Development Month
August is Membership and New Club Development Month, a time to recognize our members and the incredible work they do locally and globally. In 2021, many Rotarians around the world are working together to curb the pandemic through vaccination drives. After a long year of uncertainty, hope is on the horizon.
Membership Month is a great time to introduce friends and colleagues to the family of Rotary. Here are just a few ideas on how to attract new members and keep them engaged:
Learn about strategies for attracting new members in this online course in the Learning Center. (A My Rotary account is required.) The course highlights ways to interest prospective members and showcase your club’s strengths.
Because of the pandemic, many clubs have started meeting exclusively online. The Engaging Online Meetings page has many useful tips and stories on virtual engagement. Take the Best Practices for Engaging Members online course to develop strategies for engaging people at all stages of membership.
Is your club healthy? Find out by taking this online course, which will help your club improve its member experience, service and social events, public image, and club operations. And don’t forget to address your club’s challenges! Answer a few questions in the Club Planning Assistant to get solutions that are tailored to the issues you are facing.
Introducing the Membership Society for New Member Sponsors
Rotary recently announced a new recognition program called the Membership Society for New Member Sponsors, to recognize members who demonstrate extraordinary commitment to sharing the gift of Rotary with others.
A new virtual gallery on My Rotary honors members who have sponsored a total of 25 or more new members.
Rotary adopts new diversity, equity, and inclusion statement
To ensure that our organization values and lives the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), the RI Board of Directors, with guidance from the DEI Task Force, strengthened the organization’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement. Read the updated commitment and learn more about our efforts to ingrain diversity, equity, and inclusion into our culture to improve the membership experience for current and future Rotarians, Rotaractors, and the family of Rotary.
Engaging your club’s newest members
At the beginning of each Rotary year, many clubs welcome new members. Because members are most likely to leave Rotary in their first few years of membership, it’s important to engage them right away. Pair them with a Rotary mentor, learn about their interests, and involve them in club activities. To complement your efforts, Rotary will send a series of email messages to members in their first year to tell them about opportunities to get involved in Rotary beyond their clubs. The messages will mention resources such as Rotary Basics and include information about Rotary Fellowships, Rotary Action Groups, and The Rotary Foundation. Together, let’s make sure members have a fulfilling Rotary experience!
2020-21 in review
Though the last Rotary year had its challenges, we have many achievements to be proud of. Take a look at what we did during 2020-21 in General Secretary John Hewko’s report to the convention.
Each One Be a Role Model
Each of us was given an extraordinary gift when we were proposed for membership in Rotary. Consider extending the same gift to other qualified people who could benefit from Rotary and help Rotary increase its impact. Find out how a chance encounter between a Rotarian and prospective member inspired RI Director Elizabeth Usovicz to share the gift of Rotary.
Growing Rotary through membership leads
As an assistant governor, K.R. Parthasarathy managed to help establish four Rotaract clubs and one Rotary club while following up on membership leads assigned to District 3150. These efforts brought more than 400 members to Rotary. Read about how he achieved this.
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, club membership chairs, club presidents and subscribers. Please forward this to anyone who may be interested.
One Rotary Center, 1560 Sherman Ave., Evanston, IL 60201-3698, USA
How can your club ensure it is providing sustained engagement for its members? In the August issue of Rotary magazine, seven clubs explain how they do it. Read about the Rotary Club of Plano, Texas, the recently chartered Rotary Club of Network for Empowering Women, and a collaboration of the first five clubs, in celebration of Membership Month.
This week's stories
Selection for 2023-24 Rotary president
Gordon R. McInally, a member of the Rotary Club of South Queensferry, Lothian, Scotland, is the selection of the Nominating Committee for President of Rotary International for 2023-24. He will be declared the president-nominee on 1 October if no challenging candidates have been suggested. Learn more.
How to model Each One, Bring One
This year, Rotary President Shekhar Mehta is challenging every member to bring at least one friend or colleague to a Rotary event and help grow Rotary. RI Director Elizabeth Usovich shares a story about observing one dedicated member doing just that. Read more of the story, and let it inspire you to bring a prospective member of your own to a club meeting or event. Read more
Recognition for New Member sponsors
Recognize and show appreciation to those who go above and beyond to grow Rotary, attract new and diverse members, and engage and retain those who join. Visit the Membership Society for New Member Sponsors and celebrate your fellow members who share your commitment to expanding our reach. Learn more
Past RI President Carlo Ravizza dies
Ravizza, who served as RI president from 1999-2000, died 19 July. A charter member of the Rotary Club of Milano Sud-Ovest, Italy, he served Rotary in many roles, including director, vice president, Rotary Foundation trustee vice chair, and Rotary Foundation trustee chair. Learn more
Encouraging healthy habits through a comprehensive water, sanitation, and hygiene project
The Rotary Club of Intramuros-Manila, Philippines, worked with the Rotary Club of Batemans Bay, New South Wales, Australia, to implement an integrated water, sanitation, and hygiene program that serves Indigenous communities in the Philippines by providing access to water and sanitation. The project installed 28 toilets and paid teachers a stipend to lead workshops for families and include safe hygiene in their lesson plans. Learn more about this project.
GIVING UPDATES
Supporting education through The Rotary Foundation
International Literacy Day is 8 September. At a time when educators face extraordinary challenges in meeting the changing needs of their students, it’s especially important to support their efforts. You can help empower educators to inspire learning:
Create a fundraiser to support basic education and literacy through Raise for Rotary. Raise for Rotary, our crowdfunding platform, is available in English and uses U.S. dollars. Individuals who make a gift through Raise for Rotary are eligible for donor credit and any appropriate recognition opportunities.
Together, we can support educators in making a difference in communities around the world. Happy International Literacy Day!
GRANT UPDATES
Environment-focused global grants are now available
Clubs and districts can now apply for global grants for projects that protect the environment! If you want to apply, review the Areas of Focus Policy Statements carefully to make sure that the project you’re planning is eligible for funding. You can then apply through the Grant Center.
New area of focus managers
Two managers have joined our area of focus staff. Nyreese Castro is the new manager for disease prevention and treatment as well as for maternal and child health, and Keith Madden is the manager for the new environment area of focus. They, along with the other area of focus managers, can answer your questions about our areas of focus and the eligibility requirements for global grants in those areas.
Grant management recertification and qualification
The Grant Management Seminar and Grant Management Recertification courses have been updated and are available in Rotary’s Learning Center. You can use these online courses as part of the club qualification process. Remember that your club must qualify each year if you plan to apply for global grants.
District leaders: Remember that Rotaract clubs will be able to apply for global grants starting in July 2022. Invite Rotaract members to participate in grant management seminars so their clubs can be qualified, and consider involving them in your grant activities this Rotary year.
Rotary adopts a new diversity, equity, and inclusion statement
To guide our organization in living up to our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), the RI Board of Directors, with guidance from the DEI Task Force, strengthened the DEI statement that we adopted in 2019. Read the updated commitment and learn more about how we’re reinforcing diversity, equity, and inclusion in Rotary’s culture, from club meetings to grant-funded activities.
RESOURCES & REFERENCE
General secretary’s report to the convention
2020-21 was a big year for giving and for grants. During a year that communities needed our help more than ever, the generosity of our donors made doing good in the world possible. We approved more than 2,000 global grants — that’s 40% more than in the previous Rotary year! Read more about Rotary’s successes last year in the general secretary’s 2021 report to the convention.
Presidential initiatives
RI President Shekhar Mehta has created three service-oriented initiatives and is encouraging Rotary members and program participants to strengthen communities through them:
Empowering Girls. Address the inequities that girls worldwide face by using district grant or global grant projects to empower them.
Rotary Days of Service. Organize a day of meaningful, hands-on service to bring Rotary members and friends together to improve your community.
Presidential conferences. Attend a conference to celebrate our service accomplishments and get inspired to increase our impact.
Are you working with a cooperating organization to implement your global grant-funded project? If so, you’ll need to complete a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with that organization and upload it as part of your global grant application. Please remember to use the current version of the MOU.
Increase Your Impact webinar series
Rotary’s Programs and Grants staff recently hosted a three-part Increase Your Impact webinar series that’s now available in the Learning Center. Learn how to increase the impact of your local and international service projects by implementing successful activities on a larger scale and designing programs that achieve results.
A Guide to Global Grants is for members who are interested in applying for a global grant or developing more effective and sustainable service projects.
The Learning Center offers a variety of materials, including information about fundraising and participating in grants.
During August we’re celebrating Membership and New Club Development Month. Our surveys have confirmed that the main reasons our members join and stay with Rotary are community service and friendship. That makes this month the perfect time of year to learn more about how to further engage with our global community and make a positive difference. Below we’ll highlight some of the ways you can enhance your membership experience through stronger service and new connections.
Strengthen your service projects
Service Above Self is at the heart of everything we do. In 2020, community service was the main reason that 47% of new members joined and 42% of current members stayed in Rotary. Additionally, 82% of members considered service to the community to be extremely or very important to them. To make sure your good work is effective, it’s important to understand community needs and leverage local resources. Learn how you can involve experts within Rotary, from your community, and from organizations beyond Rotary to improve your projects.
Contact a Rotary Action Group related to your project’s area of focus to get expert advice on planning and implementation, as well as help finding partners, funding, or resources.
Sponsor a Rotary Community Corps (RCC) to engage members of the community in which you’re working and ensure project sustainability by empowering local leaders to pioneer change.
Collaborate with one of Rotary’s service and project partners to strengthen your club and district service projects. They can ensure sustainability, provide access to subject-matter experts, and strengthen your local networks.
Find inspiration at Rotary Showcase to see how other have responded to similar issues. Then, add your project to find support or share your success.
Connect with new friends
When you joined Rotary, you became a member of a network of people located all over the world who share similar values and a passion for doing good. In 2020, friendship was the main reason that 20% of new members joined and 39% of current members stayed in Rotary. Additionally, 87% of all members are interested in using their membership to find new friends. Not only are your club meetings and community service projects a great way to make friends locally, but also there many opportunities to tap into Rotary’s community globally. How can you start building these connections beyond your club and district?
Join a Rotary Fellowship to meet other members who share your passions and hobbies.
Attend a project fair to create a connection with another club and become a partners on an international service project.
Collaborate with an Intercountry committee (ICC) to foster intercultural understanding by regularly meeting and working with a network of clubs or districts in a different country.
Everyone has their own reasons for being a member of Rotary, but with that membership comes the incredible benefits of an increased capacity to do good and a vast global network in which to forge lasting connections. Enhance your membership experience by getting involved in service and fellowship beyond your club, and help others learn about the opportunities available to them, too. Download this infographic for an overview of the different programs mentioned above, and share it with members in your club and district.
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